Polly Merman

by Prudence Walker

Chapter 12

 

"His name wasn't Smith, by any chance?" Beth asked calmly, too calmly, her voice sounding neutral and flat.

"Tom Smith, yes, he's a good boy and you got him in trouble. I assume you were working along with that cop-shooting gangster Martin in some scheme. There's no way I'll allow you to corrupt my son and drag him to the gutter with you." She vehemently stated.

"Tom overstepped the bounds when he tried arresting me and verbally abused me before his superiors," Beth retorted angrily. For your information, I was cleared of any complicity in the accident at the plant and Martin was killed by a bear after abducting me after a failed attempt on my life."

Eloise ignored Beth and turned to her husband, who had remained silent during her outbursts.

"Have Felicia bring in our luggage, we'll stay her and look after our son's interests while he's out."

Reginald turned and left, seemingly cowed by his wife's manner.

"You can't move in, my parent's are staying here. Ted's sleeping, I mean living with me," Beth shot back. Her deliberate slip of the tongue was a spur of the moment impulse, meant to strike a blow at this overbearing and controlling woman, to show Eloise the depth of their commitment.

Beth had, had enough; she rang Ted on his mobile, as she went outside to her car. She watched a young Latina girl struggling to lug a huge suitcase out from the Winnebago parked in front of her car. She was dressed in a maid's outfit and her impractical stilettos were making things awkward. Ted finally answered the call and Beth gritted out for him to get here pronto, telling him, his parents were trying to move in. Beth handed the cell phone to Eloise on Ted's instructions, and then she went and sat in her car and fumed.

She could see Eloise talking, but with the windows up and the car radio on she couldn't hear her. After several minutes of talk with lots of arm gesturing, Eloise handed the phone to Felicia, who then timidly came around to her door and knocked on the window. Beth turned the radio down and rolled down the window.

"Here you are ma'am, thank you," she said politely, with a slight accent. Mrs Barrett is going to wait till her son arrives," she continued

"Thank you. My name is Beth, Beth Winslow," Beth introduced herself.

"I'm Felicia Alfonsa Torre Rogue Montega, I work for Mrs Barrett, as her maid," she explained, apologetically.

"I'm so sorry for you, she seems rather..." Beth paused trying to find the word.

"Strict?" completed Felicia, glancing fearfully towards Eloise, before giving Beth a fleeting smile.

"Why do you work for her then?" asked Beth, seeing Eloise was busy talking to her husband.

"I have to," replied Felicia, enigmatically.

"You have to?" questioned Beth, curiously.

Felicia didn't reply, moving away, as Eloise barked an order at her. 'Hmmm, very odd,' thought Beth, watching Felicia scramble back inside the Winnebago motor home. Beth was determined to find out more about the girls circumstances and why she was stuck working for Eloise.

Beth heard Ted approaching, through her still open window a block away as he squealed around the corner into the street. Ted pulled up quickly, and got out to confront his parents.

Eloise started talking as soon as Ted hurried up to the house. Ted started to speak to her for a moment before brushing her off to walk over to where Beth was still sitting in her car. He could tell that she was upset, and said he'd talk to her in a moment, after talking to his parent's.

Beth tried to tune out the heated conversation between Ted and his mother as best she could by turning the car radio back on. Five minutes later, she saw that his parents were back in the Winnebago and it was backing out of the driveway. Ted watched as it drove off, his face showing how upset he was. He came back to hold Beth, as she walked from the car to cry on his shoulder.

"She called me a slut, and much more," she wept, finally allowing her feelings out.

"I gathered that from what she told me," Ted consoled her, feeling powerless, as he stroked her hair. "I've told them to get a hotel room nearby, and that we'll discuss things when everyone's calmed down. She owes you an apology, that's for sure."

Beth told him what had happened when they had arrived, her anger choking off her tears, as she told him how her words had hurt her."

"Just so your story matches what I told her, your break up from me was a mutual decision, to see if what we had with each other was real love, or just a temporary fling between two needy people." Ted said, referring to the time when the original Beth broke up with him and left. She seems to be of the opinion that you're a gold digging hussy after my assets," Ted added.

Beth looked up at him and grinned, wiping the last tears from her cheeks.

"I am a gold digger, and I am after your ass," she managed to laugh. "Just not in the way she thinks though," she added squeezing Ted's bum with her hands.

"I'll tell her you're a self made woman, or maybe Goo made woman." He laughed back, happy to see her smile again.

Beth giggled, releasing some of the tension that had built up. "No telling her of how I was really made, she'd probably think I did it on purpose, just to get you in bed," she pulled Ted tighter against her, making her body tingle against his.

"You mean you didn't?" Ted pouted, trying to look disappointed, his hands moving down her back to grasp her plump bottom, while he nuzzled at her neck.

"The way you're making me feel now, I'd have jumped into a vat of goo with a somersault and a half twist from the pike position," grinned Beth as she captured his face and kissed him.

"Hmmm, your place or mine," asked Ted, lifting her helplessly into the air again.

"Well, seeing we are at your place," Beth hinted, nodding her head at the front door.

Ted carried her awkwardly, seeing his vision was partially obscured by Beth's hair as she kissed him all the way to his bedroom. The time set for getting a pair of lovers clothing off, should have been put in the Guinness book of records, as they satisfied their mutual needs.

A call of, "anybody home?" had them set another record getting dressed, as they heard Constance's voice coming from the front door. Looking slightly dishevelled and red faced, they emerged to see Constance pottering around in the kitchen. She smiled at them knowingly and calmly suggested they use the bathroom to tidy up, before Jeff came inside.

In the bathroom, Beth laughed out loud, looking at Ted and the smudged lipstick stains on his lips and face. Cleaned and looking reasonably tidy, they went back to the kitchen to explain.

"I know how it is when you are young," smiled Constance. "I could tell you some stories," she stopped, hearing Jeff huffing with a bag of groceries, as he entered the house. Constance winked and went to help her husband, leaving the lovers wondering what Constance got up to when she was young.

An offer to stay for lunch saw Beth helping in the kitchen, while Ted told of what had happened that morning, leaving out only the quickie in the bedroom. Her parent's were visibly upset, as Beth added her two cents worth. Ted said he'd try and sort things out or tell them to leave if they wouldn't apologise. Lunch consisted of fresh bread rolls filled with sliced ham, lettuce and tomato, with some mayonnaise added. Over lunch, Beth mentioned the girl with Ted's parents and of her unusual name. Jeff was puzzled when he heard Beth's attempt at it.

"You mean Felicia Alfonsa Torre Rogue Montega," he asked, correcting her poor pronunciation of it.

"Yes it was," confirmed Beth. "Why, do you know her?"

"No, but I seem to recall a similar sounding surname somewhere," he answered, mumbling to himself, as he tried to recall the memory.

"I wonder why she said she couldn't leave them," Beth asked to no one in particular.

"Maybe my parent's took her from Mexico and she doesn't have a green card," joked Ted.

"You might be right," suggested Beth, taking his words seriously.

"I was joking," Ted laughed.

"Maybe, but I think you might very well be right," Jeff interrupted. "She might be scared of being sent back."

"Dear, wasn't there a Montega in Texas? Remember when we stopped at that ranch on the way to Mexico. We had broken a spring on the car and he allowed us to stay there while they sent for a replacement." Constance suddenly recalled.

"Yes, I remember, it was several years ago" Jeff grinned. "Don Luis was his first name I think. Doesn't he have a business near here? I seem to recall something about starting a restaurant chain, using his home-grown beef. Do you remember the name of it?"

"Wasn't it Steer Ways to Heaven?" Constance questioned.

"That's the one, maybe I could find his number. I know I wrote it down." Jeff responded happily, now he had recalled the niggling memory.

Beth decided to go to meet Shelly at Jenna's home to get her mind off the hurt she suffered under the tongue of Eloise. Ted was going to take his tools back to the warehouse, which left Beth's parents at a loose end. They asked if they couldn't take both them and Ted's parents to dinner, to see if things could be resolved amicably. Beth agreed reluctantly, only after Ted promised to talk to his parents first. That settled, they departed, leaving Constance and Jeff to their own devices.

Beth felt better after talking to Shelly. They went shopping, as Beth wanted to get something to wear for the evening out. Shelly laughed, saying she didn't take long to get into the shopping thing, just like a duck to water. Beth giggled, replying, that she had good teachers. Beth managed to get an appointment at a beauty parlour and treated both herself and Shelly into getting their hair styled and having a makeover.

Dropping Shelly back at Jenna's, Beth went home feeling much better and ready for another round with Eloise. Ted came home later and dashed for a shower before getting ready. He was really happy to see Beth in a good mood, as he told her he had seen Eloise and tried to smooth things over. He said that Eloise had appeared to have listened, but whether it had made any difference was another matter. The arrangement he had made was that his parents would drive to Beth's place and that they would drive them in his car, save taking the Winnebago into the city. He told them that Felicia was invited as well. Beth's parents would meet them here, so that they could have a pre dinner drink with his parents.

Ted loved Beth's new dress, saying she looked very elegant along with her new hairstyle. Beth waved his attempts at kissing her away, as she wanted her makeup to remain perfect. She did promise to let him muss it up later, if things went well.

Beth's parents arrived first, and gushed over Beth's sophisticated look. Saying with her hair up and the way she filled out the emerald green gown, she looked like a fashion model. This of course made Beth smile as she posed theatrically for them. Ted opened a bottle of wine, and poured them all a drink, as they heard the others pull up outside. Beth took a large swallow of wine, as her insides tensed up, hoping that she wouldn't lose her temper.

Eloise came in followed by Reginald and Felicia. Eloise was dressed to the nines, with an overabundance of jewellery. Reginald looked smart, but was overshadowed by his wife's rather tasteless display. Felicia was dressed conservatively in a short sheath dress in white and with earrings being her only accessories; she looked far more elegant than her employer.

Ted handed his parents a glass of wine, but when he went to hand Felicia one, Eloise stopped him, saying she wasn't to drink any alcohol. Ted looked apologetically at Felicia, who shrugged a shoulder, remaining silent under Eloise's gaze. Ted introduced his parents to Beth's using only their first names. He wasn't about to get into explaining why Beth and her parents had different surnames. An awkward silence followed as Beth asked Eloise to sit down for a moment.

Eloise looked at Beth, an for a moment Beth thought she was going to sit, but then something flashed in her eyes, and Eloise let rip with a curse and started to scream. Reginald, who up to now had been very much in the background keeping silent, stood up and took Eloise's arm.

"Eloise, I've just about had enough of this." He spoke up, sounding remarkably determined.

Eloise paused in shock, as did everyone else. Reginald had been quickly dismissed as well under his wife's thumb, and his forceful words stunned everyone.

"What! Reginald, what's the meaning of this?" his wife spluttered.

"I've put up with a lot over the last few years, and let you get away with far too much. I'm afraid I've been guilty of letting things slip." He said half apologising to the others. "I should have done this ages ago, and maybe this wouldn't have happened," he added as he took hold of his wife and folded her over his lap. Her loud protests turned to squeals as her raised her skirt and began to slap her ass with his hand.

Everyone seemed turned to stone at this incredulous scene. Eloise wriggled and screamed as Reginald paddled her ass. His blows were delivered firmly but without anger, his face was solemn, and saddened that he had to embarrass her like this. When Eloise's cries turned to tears and she started sobbing, he stopped, and pulled down her skirt, before holding her sobbing body tenderly. He stroked her hair, murmuring endearments into her ear.

Everyone became aware that something special had occurred; Beth came forward, as Eloise was helped to stand aided by her husband. Reginald was still hugging Eloise, but welcomed Beth as she took Eloise into a hug as well. Beth whispered into Eloise's ear and they both left for the bathroom. Reginald apologised for his wife's behaviour, but the others dismissed it with a shake of their heads as they tried to understand what had happened.

In the bathroom, Beth held the still shocked and shaken woman. Getting a face cloth taken from the sink filled with warm water, Beth wiped Eloise's face, removing the tear-smudged makeup. Beth was still wondering what had prompted her to help her attacker. Something inside her, had told her that Eloise needed help and her heart had gone out to this troubled woman in need. Her anger at the hate filled words thrown in her face by Eloise had evaporated, replaced by sympathy.

As Beth worked on Eloise's face, she knew her next actions and words would determine the way their relationship would develop. Beth explained calmly to Eloise that she wasn't the enemy, and that she had more money than Ted. She told Eloise with a blush, that Ted was the only man she had slept with. Her words, delivered without the sightless hint of deceit, seemed to get through to Eloise. When Beth told Eloise of their love for each other, she seemed to crumble and fresh tears flowed.

"He doesn't love me anymore," Eloise wailed.

"Of course he does," Beth reassured her.

"But he hit me and embarrassed me. I've finally driven him away," wept Eloise. "I love him, but I've taken him for granted and now he's taken his revenge,"

"Look I saw the love in his eyes," Beth told her. "He did it out of love for you. He could see how your anger was destroying the love your son had for you. So he made you realise what really mattered, by getting you in touch with your true feelings."

Eloise was silent, digesting her words. Beth offered to assist with her makeup, which got a shake of the head and a weak smile as she dove into her handbag for her own repair kit.

"I'm fine thanks, but I feel like a fool, I've taken out my anger on you for no reason and now I can't face your parents. I'll leave you alone and keep out of the way," she promised.

"Nonsense, lets start over okay, I'll reintroduce you, and you are going to enjoy yourself, that's an order," Beth smiled, gathering Eloise into a hug.

Beth led the way back into the lounge, with Eloise trailing behind, her head downcast. Beth looked at each of the others in turn, giving them a wink. Everyone visibly relaxed, seeing there would be no further fireworks.

"Everyone, I would like you to meet Eloise, Ted's mom," Beth announced, giving her a squeeze, before stepping aside and allowing her to come forward.

"Hello, I'm very sorry for my behaviour, I've said some terrible things to Beth allowing my concerns for Ted turn me into an ogre. My attitude in general, and the way I treated people including my husband was shameful. I can only hope you'll forgive me," she pleaded, tears glistening in her eyes.

Reginald gathered her into his arms, where she clung desperately, tears flowing. His eyes showing relief at finding the woman he loved, was back. Everyone else gathered round, patting her on her back or hugging her in turn, saying nothing, but welcome back.

Ted bustled round getting everyone a fresh drink, and Felicia helped pass them around to everyone. No mention was made referring to Eloise's previous behaviour, and talk inevitably turned to wedding plans. Beth prodded Ted after looking at her watch, and Ted started making noises about moving out for dinner.

Reginald and Eloise sat in the back of Ted's car and Felicia went in Beth's parent's car. Ted drove in the lead with the other following, as they made their way out to the restaurant, Ted had booked. They drove out along the highway leading away from the centre of town heading out towards the hills. The restaurant was highly visible with old stagecoach wheels lining the entranceway. The restaurant itself was built in a range house style with logs making up the exterior walls. The sign beside the stairs leading to the door was showing a lasso in alternating flashing neon colours next to the words, "Steer Ways to Heaven."

Beth nudged Ted and grinned. She hadn't known where they were going, but seeing the sign and listening to Jeff that morning, she guessed the reason for coming to this particular place. They entered and before long were seated in a nice alcove that had lots of memorabilia from the old west hanging off the walls. The atmosphere was friendly with waitresses dressed in period costume. Menus were given out and attention was given to what each wanted to eat. Complimentary beers and glasses of wine were placed at their table according to each individual's choice.

The food looked fabulous in the pictures shown next to each item on the menu. They decided to forego the entrée, as the mains looked very filling. Beth ordered a 9 oz bacon covered fillet steak flame grilled and served with onions and a mushroom sauce with a side salad. Ted chose a 16 oz Prime Rib, rubbed with special spices, which was slow roasted for tenderness. It was served with creamy horseradish and au jus, and he ordered a side dish of French fries. The others ordered a selection of prime rib steak, porterhouse or tee bone, with assorted sauces and side dishes. Everything tasted delicious and everyone did a little sampling of the others choices.

Conversation was limited to mumbles, as the food was devoured. Jeff did manage to have a quiet word with the headwaiter, who nodded and went away to make a phone call. Eloise enthused over the meal, as did most of the others. Once people were nearly finished their meal, and their initial appetite had been assuaged somewhat, talk increased. Jeff, who had already tried talking to Felicia, with limited results, then asked Eloise about her.

Eloise looked guilty and glanced over at Reginald, pleadingly. Reginald sighed, before answering for her.

"Eloise had wanted some extra help around the place and when we visited Mexico, we found Felicia in an awkward situation, so in return for her services we took her back into the states with us. She is an illegal immigrant," he finished, looking around for signs of censure.

"Awkward situation?" Ted asked.

"We were driving through the poorer part of town one evening, and had stopped to look at a map, when Felicia ran out of an alley in front of us. She turned towards us and begged our help, as she was being chased. We hid her in one of the lockers in the van that make up part of the bench seat. We had just put the seat down with Eloise sitting back down on top of it, when three angry appearing men ran out of the alley looking for her. We had started moving again, but they stopped us, demanding to know if we had seen a woman run by. We told lie and said she'd ducked across the road and down a lane there. The others had checked the inside of the van from the outside, while the other was questioning Reginald through the driver's window. They ran off mumbling something in Spanish that sounded like putrid."

Just then, the waiter that Jeff had spoken to at the beginning of the meal came up and whispered in his ear. Excusing himself, Jeff followed the waiter to the front desk where he picked up a phone. He spoke for several minutes before hanging up and walking back to the table with a smile.

"It seems that Don Luis Alfonsa Torre de Montega is the owner of this restaurant and was on his way here from one of his other restaurants in the big smoke. He was intrigued with finding someone with a name similar to his," Jeff looked at Felicia meaningfully. "He will be here soon to find out more about you Felicia. By the way, he said the meal is on him no matter what he finds out and he said to order anything on the menu." Jeff grinned.

Beth saw the consternation and worry as Felicia bit her lip, as she heard the news. She started to get up as a look of panic set in. Eloise told her to sit down a bit forcefully, then softened her tone and asked please, as she got a raised eyebrow from Reginald. Jeff tried to reassure her that she wasn't in trouble and that she wouldn't be facing deportation if they could help it.

Beth could see that something was still troubling Felicia as she fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat. Beth managed to catch Felicia's eye and with a subtle look and a flick of her head towards the restrooms, managed to convey her meaning. Beth stood excusing herself from the table and Felicia rose gracefully too. Pausing to peck Ted on the lips and whisper that she was going to talk to Felicia, she headed off, following Miss Montega.

Felicia was already in a stall when Beth caught up to her. Beth waited till she was finished, so she could talk before going herself. Somewhere in the recesses of Beth's mind was the feeling that something wasn't quite right about the girl. Beth her the toilet flush, again feeling she was missing something. Felicia came out and washed her hands before checking her makeup and turning to Beth. As they were alone in the toilet, Beth asked Felicia if anything was wrong. Felicia shook her head and said she was just nervous; Beth nodded, but couldn't shake the idea that she was hiding something.

Beth explained the they were only trying to help, and that if it turned out that she was related in any way to the owner, he might be able to help her stay in the states and maybe help her with employment. Felicia smiled and thanked her, before brushing past on her way out.

Puzzled, Beth went into a stall and sat down, trying to work out that niggling feeling. She relieved herself, hearing the now familiar hiss as her stream came out. Tearing a piece of toilet paper from the dispenser, she froze at it suddenly hit her. Felicia wasn't who she said she was. In fact she wasn't even a woman. Beth wiped herself automatically, as she tried to get her mind around that last thought. Incredible as it seemed the little clues fit like a glove. She was scared, because if it turned out that Don Luis was her relative, then he might also know he had no niece but a nephew. The sound that Felicia made urinating sounded different to that of her own, plus she never used any paper, something that no woman would omit. Certain that she was right, Beth wondered if she should warn Sara and Jenna of another possible goo candidate.

Rejoining the others, Beth made no mention of her discovery. She looked at Felicia closely trying to catch her out, now that she knew her real nature. Beth guessed that Felicia must have been on hormones since she was little, as there where no outward signs of masculine features, like big feet of overly large hands. Her figure was perfect and her face angelic and Beth wondered what the men she had run from were really after. Had Felicia been some sort of prostitute, or had they found out she was still a man under that feminine disguise. Whatever the case, Beth was determined to help her if she required it.

Dessert was self-service, where a large table was set out and laden with all sorts of fattening dishes. Beth managed to get Jeff alone for a moment and whisper in his ear. His eyes widened and he took a quick look at Felicia before looking at Beth with a questioning look. Beth chose a light dessert of steamed ginger pudding with vanilla custard and a dollop of ice cream. Some of the others had fruit salad with the works. Ted, to Beth's annoyance, had a rich steamed plum pudding with custard and a large slice of chocolate gateau, something she would have liked, had she not have to worry about calories in this new model chassis.

Ted did offer her a taste of the gateau, which she accepted, forgiving him of his ability to store it away without worry. Coffees were served and they were just wondering when Don Luis would arrive, when a short man wearing a stylish suit and sporting an outrageous moustache, approached their table. His manner was very friendly as he sat down in the chair offered by the waiter.

"Hello, I'm Don Luis Alfonsa Torre de Montega, your host and the owner of this restaurant," he introduced himself.

Jeff introduced everyone to Don Luis, leaving Felicia till last.

"So this is the delicate flower you mentioned might be related to me," Don stated, moving closer to Felicia so he could take her hand and kiss it.

Felicia blushed and lowered her head, looking at this charismatic man from her beneath her long lashes of her coyly tilted head.

"Is your mothers name Consuelo Alfonsa Montega Rogue?" asked Don Luis, curiously, as he looked intently at her.

Felicia nodded, and said yes in a quiet voice. Don's eyes lit up momentarily, and then grew puzzled.

"Consuelo is my sister, so you must be my niece, but the last I heard she only had three children, two girls and a boy. None were named Felicia as I remember. I haven't seen my sister in a long time as I was considered the black sheep of the family." Don shrugged, giving everyone an apologetic smile. "My only contact with the rest of my family is through friends. Let me think for a moment.... ah yes the older girl was called Marie after her mother and the other was ... Juanita and the boy was Felix."

Felicia rose from her chair tears streaming from her eyes as she turned and fled to the exit and reached outside. Beth stood up, telling the others to stay as she left them in their seats confused at Felicia's actions. Only Jeff had an inkling of what had upset Felicia and he nodded to Beth to follow her. Beth walked as quickly as she could in her heels, seeing Jeff restrain Don from following, with a few words in his ear. Beth marvelled at the distance Felicia had put between them when she got to the exit. Obviously, Felicia was accustomed to running in heels without twisting an ankle. Beth would never have caught up to Felicia if she hadn't slowed down by a railing overlooking a deep ravine in which a river flowed.

"Felicia, stop," Beth called as she finally caught up to her. Beth's breathing slowed, as she caught her breath. "Felicia," Beth began again, as the crying woman turned her face towards her. "Or is it Felix," at the woman's flinch, Beth knew her hunch was right. "Its okay, you don't need to run. I can help you," Beth promised, hoping her words were getting through.

"How can you help? I'm a freak," she sobbed, turning back to look into the ravine. "I should be dead, I should never have let them sew me up," she responded.

"Please tell me what happened, are you transgendered?" Beth asked, putting an arm around Felicia's waist.

"No, this wasn't my choice, I was once just a normal kid," she confided, turning to blubber into Beth's shoulder. "I was in a gang in my home town and was caught trespassing in a rival gangs territory. They... did something to me as a lesson to the rest of our gang."

"What did they do?" asked Beth feeling she next the answer already, but figured that Felicia needed to get it out in the open and face it.

"They cut off my sacs and the end of my penis, leaving just a stub." Sobbed Felicia as she told her tale. My gang found me bleeding and near death. They carried me to a man who used to be a doctor. He sewed me up for some bottles of tequila that the gang had "acquired," free of charge. I never went home after that, I took three weeks to recover in the place the gang was using as a hideout. I was only twelve years old."

But you look so beautiful now, what happened to you?" Beth asked again.

"Well, I stayed with the gang till I started puberty. With no male hormones flowing I started growing breasts. One of the gang members noticed and took me away to another place only he knew about. He stole or bought female hormones for me to take. He told me they were vitamins I was lacking because of my lack of cojones. I believed him, but things only got worse, my boobs really grew fast and I ended up as his girl, doing to him whatever he wanted. He supplied me with clothes and I grew up like a girl learning to act and behave like a girl. Later I was his prostitute, giving blow jobs or taking it up the ass."

Beth hugged the distraught women by her side as she unburdened herself of a lifetime of miserable memories.

"Felicia, what would you say if I told you I could change you back into a man, cojones and all," Beth suggested.

"Me a man? Ha! What a joke. I'm twenty-one years old. I could never relearn to be a man. I've resigned my self to living this lie. At least I'm good at it. No one knew my secret till now, only you found me out." Felicia acknowledged.

"There is a second option," offered Beth. "I could give you a body that was completely female, you could even get pregnant," Beth suggested.

"You could?" Felicia gasped, in surprise.

"Yes, but let's not talk about that now, we need to get back to the others. Think about it and let me know. Oh just so you know, it takes just a few hours and involves no surgery."

"Wow, that's incredible. Oh no, what am I going to tell my uncle," Felicia wailed.

"Leave it to me honey, I'll think of something," promised Beth, as she crossed her fingers behind her back.

Beth took the reluctant Felicia back inside and sat her back down at the table, saying that Don Luis's mention of Felix had brought back unpleasant memories. Ted asked if that had any thing to do with Felix's disappearance at a young age, explaining that Don Luis had mentioned that while they were outside. Constance asked Felicia, if she knew Felix intimately, that perhaps he'd been or was her husband, hence the surname

"Don Luis, may I speak to you privately?" implored Beth, saving Felicia the need to answer.

"Oh of course, please come into my office," Don agreed, eagerly. Beth saw Felicia's look of gratitude as they moved away from the table to a door at the rear of the restaurant.

Don Luis offered her a glass of port, as he sat her in a comfortable chair in his office. She accepted it graciously, glad of the small delay while she gathered her thoughts. Looking at the man in front of her, she decided to tell him the whole story, trusting her instincts on his possible reaction.

"Don Luis, Felicia is your niece. Long ago she was your nephew Felix," she started. Seeing Don's nod, she told him the unvarnished truth as Felicia had related to her not ten minutes ago. She also told him of her offer, saying she had found a way to rewrite the DNA of a person's body. She also mentioned the possibilities that Felicia may choose to remain female if she accepted her offer. Finished, Beth sat back and finished off her port waiting on Don Luis's reaction. Don sat thinking, his face impassive and unreadable.

"Felix's father is dead. He was in the wrong place and was killed when he ran afoul of some drug runners. His mother was living in El Paso where all her children were born. When her husband was killed, she went into Mexico to her hometown, talking her kids with her. Felix was only three at the time."

"So Felicia doesn't need a green card if she was born in the US?" Beth asked.

"No, she has dual citizenship, as her mother was born in Mexico." Don Luis answered. This thing you do, with the DNA, I take it you went though it yourself?" he asked quietly, shocking Beth to the core.

Beth didn't know how to answer, but her blush said it all.

"When, my friend Jeff contacted me, and told me about Felicia's name, I was curious enough to come. Then when he told me his daughter was getting married, I got even more curious. You see, I know from when we first met and became friends that he only had a son, and yet here you are. You are, what is the word... trans... ah yes, transgendered?" Don asked.

"No, I was a heterosexual male at the time, and yes I went though the process," confirmed Beth.

Deciding to tell Don, she related a short version of the accident, that had Don nodding chuckling at times, as he listened to her far fetched story. When she had finished, he asked one question.

"Are you happy?"

"Yes Don Luis, I'm very happy."

With a sigh, he stood up and walked back to the table. Beth followed, hoping that Don would find room in his heart to accept Felicia back into the family.

Don stood by Felicia's chair, looking down at her. She looked up, searching his face for a clue of his feelings, knowing that he knew all about her. She didn't know whether to run or stay in the awkward silence of the moment. Then, suddenly Don reached out and pulled Felicia out of the chair, his arms went round her body and tears fell as he hugged her.

"Welcome home child," he said softly, releasing her from the hug and holding her at arms length, allowing room to look at each other in the eye.

"Uncle," Felicia sobbed, flinging herself back into his welcoming arms.

Tears were flowing from most of the eyes around the table at this joyful reunion.

"I don't care if you were once Felix, you are family. We thought you were dead, but you have risen like a phoenix from the ashes." Don Luis stated, not bothering about the shock on some faces at the table.

"Felicia is a man, or was?" questioned Eloise, paling in astonishment.

"She is my niece, if she wants to be, I won't turn a child away due to some antiquated bias about correct gender roles," reassured Don Luis.

Eloise was left gasping like a goldfish and about as noisy. Until Reginald took the initiative and stood and hugged Felicia, giving his wife a warning look.

Eloise tried to recover herself, as she saw that Felicia's status was being readily accepted, seemingly, without a qualm by all the rest.

"I never would have guessed, you make a remarkable looking woman," Eloise finally conceded, giving Felicia a quick smile.

Everyone then stood, taking turns to hug the overcome young woman. Tears flowed as her emotions boiled to the surface. Beth held back from the congratulations, allowing the others their turn. Felicia, seeing Beth at the back, broke through the group and cried out.

"Beth! I can't thank you enough for what you did. If there's anything I can do for you, just ask."

"Well..." Beth replied, looking at Felicia with a speculative look. "There is one thing you can do for me,"

"Yes?"

"Would you consider being a bridesmaid at my wedding?"

"Me? A bridesmaid," she asked stunned. "Oh of course I would," she answered, with a giggle, hugging Beth tight.

Don Luis interrupted the proceedings then with a call for silence.

"If there's going to be wedding then I offer you my services for the reception, free of charge of course. I can give you any menu you want, plus I offer you both a honey moon at my ranch in Texas with all expenses taken care of," he offered, beaming at Beth and Ted.

"That's a very generous offer, but it's not necessary," began Ted.

"Nonsense, you have given me back my child, there's nothing I can give you to that's not too much to show you my gratitude. Her mother will be overjoyed to hear she is still alive," Don insisted. "Felicia? Whatever you decide to do with Beth's offer, you have a home with me you'll never need to word again unless you want to help out around one of my restaurants."

"Maybe I could wear one of those outfits, and serve tables," Felicia giggled, pointing out one of the waitress's scant uniforms.

You want to kill me girl? I don't think my heart would stand it seeing you in that sexy getup. Anyway no niece of mine is waiting on tables, you'd be better as the maitre d. Boy that would be a great draw card," laughed Don Luis.

Felicia decided to stay with her uncle, so they could catch up. Don Luis wanted to let her mother know she was still alive, and promised Felicia that her current situation would be eased into the conversation. Beth took Don Luis aside for a moment and gave him the directions to their new lab, and told them to be there at 9 am in the morning if Felicia decided to take up her offer.

Everyone left then, but not before Eloise again apologised for her prior bad behaviour.

"What bad behaviour?" Beth asked, raising an eyebrow. She gave Eloise a hug, having decided to forgive and forget the whole thing.

"Thank you," Eloise said simply, the tears in her eyes, showing her sincerity.

Jeff offered to drive Reginald and Eloise back to their hotel, leaving Ted to take Beth home. On the way, Beth rang Jenna and gave her a quick run down on the Felicia situation. Jenna said she would tell Sara and they would get things prepped for when Felicia arrived.

Ted caught some of it, but asked for the whole story, regarding Felicia. Beth managed to finish the gruesome details before they got home.

"Sheesh, she is one determined kid, to survive all that and still manage to grow up looking as cute as she is," Ted declared, as he drove up the driveway.

"Well, taking female hormones before puberty, ensured her bone structure developed like a woman's. If she decides to go the whole way, it won't take long to complete her change, seeing she's only missing her internal female organs," Beth mentioned, by way of explanation.

It wasn't until they were both in bed together, that Ted continued.

"So, you think she will remain female? Or go back to being Felix?" he asked, rolling over to look at Beth.

"Well, I hope she will remain female, remember we haven't tried to go the other way. To grow into a male might mean she would need extreme amounts of calcium to add to her height, or she may end up as a male, but at the same size. She also has only had sexual experience in the female role. She would have to relearn everything again. After that initial time on hormones while she grew up to look female getting her boobs and all the rest of it, she went on birth control pills to maintain her figure. Her brain has been swimming in female hormones for years. It might be impossible to relate to being a male again."

"But you managed, you relearned everything. Looking at the way you move and act, I can hardly believe that you were once male," Ted replied.

"Yeah, but your forgetting one thing, I had help," Beth answered, as she pointed to her own head. "I had the original Beth's memories acting as a guide. You could say this body came with a built in "How-To" manual. Felicia won't have that. She will have nothing to fall back on, to help her cope being male." Beth reiterated.

"I think you're right," Ted conceded, kissing Beth on her lips, silencing any further discussion.

The next morning, Beth woke to an empty bed. She put on her robe wondering where Ted had gone. She found him in the lounge, sitting staring blankly out the window.

"Earth to Ted, come in Ted," she quipped.

Ted turned to her, his eyes focusing on her luscious body, barely concealed in her diaphanous robe, his pensive expression shifting to one of lust as he took in the view.

"What's wrong?" asked Beth, sensing Ted was fighting a dilemma.

"It's my parents." He offered cryptically. "I don't want them to know about the goo and what it can do." He answered.

"You're a poet and don't know it," Beth laughed, not seeing what the problem was. "Just don't tell them then, if that's what you want."

"But they are bound to find out. Do you realise that they know you as Beth Winslow, daughter of Jeff and Constance Stockman. Once they find out your parents surname is different to yours and the reason why, the faecal matter will hit the rotating air device.

"Hmmm. I see your point," acknowledged Beth. "Why don't you want them to know about the goo?" asked Beth, as she bent down to pick up a playful Maggie.

I don't think she could keep it a secret. Oh, she'd try, but then I think it would eat at her that she knows something revolutionary and yet can't tell anyone." Ted responded, looking dour. "You saw what she was like, she wants to be on the top of the heap, and so she can look down her nose at everyone. She'd love to lord it over all her friends and the rest of the relatives."

"But she changed, when Reginald took charge," offered Beth, by way of support for Eloise.

"Yeah, that really surprised me. It's just I feel better knowing there was no temptation to cause her to revert back to her old ways. I could get to like her as she is, maybe gave back some of the love I had for her when I was just a kid," sighed Ted, accepting Beth's hug.

"Well we will have to work around it then." Beth suggested. "Maybe I was adopted, explaining why I have another surname."

"Hmmm, or maybe it's your secret identity, like super girl," laughed Ted, feeling much better. "Whatever we come up with, we need to tell your parents, before it slips out."

"Okay, you feed Maggie and start breakfast, and I'll get right on it," Beth ordered, handing Maggie into Ted's arms.

"Hey!" protested Ted weakly. "First you dress me up in your robes and now you want me to do the cooking? It's a conspiracy, I tell you."

Beth looked quizzically at Ted, dressed in her pink robe, before grinning and saying that he had picked that one out, all on his own. She giggled, refusing to listen to his feeble excuse that it was dark when he got up and he had just picked up the first one at the end of the bed, and he'd been so distracted thinking about his parents, that he hadn't noticed the colour.

After breakfast, Beth got dressed. Taking some of their dirty clothes into the laundry, Beth sorted and started a load going, so that all she needed to do when they got back was to load the dryer. Ted had finished drying and putting away in the kitchen and Beth smiled at the simple domesticity of it all.

After loading up the car with some food and cutlery for lunch at the warehouse, they drove out to meet Jenna and Sara. Maggie had picked her favourite spot on Beth's lap and settled down to snooze through the ride. Jenna and Sara were already there, preparing equipment when they arrived. Shelly was there also, keeping the children occupied at the other end where the building had a set of offices. Ted unloaded the food and put milk and the stuff that needed to be keep cold in the fridge that was in the small kitchen area. Beth hugged her sisters, asking if there was anything she could do. Ted left then and headed in to work, leaving Beth behind.

"No it's okay, we can't do a lot till they come," replied Sara.

Beth took the opportunity to tell them all about Felicia and her uncle while they waited. A car horn sounding outside, notified those inside of Felicia's arrival. Beth hurried to unlock the door and ushered Felicia and her uncle inside.

"Wow! Big place," Felicia gasped, as she looked around nervously.

"Yes, we needed room for all the equipment," offered Beth, as she took them both to where Sara and Jenna were working.

She noticed Felicia giving her some curious looks, before Felicia finally asked her a question.

"You were once a guy? Uncle told me about you, but I can't really believe it," she asked.

"Sorry, I had to tell her, so she could see how you turned out," Don Luis apologised, shrugging his shoulders.

"That's okay, I don't mind," Beth reassured him.

"Don said you've only been a woman for a short time, and yet you look and act completely normal, like you were born female," Felicia questioned, trying to make sense of it all.

"Well my package came with some unforeseen extras, like memory shards from the original owner," explained Beth patiently. "This is something that won't happen to you. If you should decide to take the more dangerous path of reverting to a male, you'll get no assist on how to behave like a male," Beth warned.

"More dangerous?" Felicia frowned, as Beth's words sank in.

"We haven't tried a female to male and don't know if there will be complications if the body tries to increase your size. There maybe a leaching of calcium from your existing bones to form the extra bone needed to increase your stature, leaving you prone to bone breakage as it becomes more fragile. We don't know just what the effects will be, or whether we can minimise them," Beth explained.

"Well that won't worry me as I've decided to remain as I am. I just need the internal bits to make me complete," Felicia, smiled as she saw Beth's reactions once she realised Felicia was going to become fully female.

"That's excellent, you won't regret it," Beth rejoiced, before hugging Felicia tight.

 

To be continued

  

  

  

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