Posted by: Admin on Saturday, August 17, 2002 - 04:53 AM 
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The Landlady
Part Four
What made the strain even worse as the days passed, was that Janice never once indicated in any way that she had even the slightest hint of my old identity. She always dealt with me in the most condescending, especially when it came to giving me advice, which was always unsolicited and unnecessary. Worst of all, she was particularly insistent about convincing me to acquire a more conservative wardrobe. Like a typical teenager, (which I was, sorta), I shrugged off her admonitions, and often reacted by wearing the most revealing miniskirts and low-cut tops, or the briefest shorts and tank tops I could find whenever she was around. Considering the affect of her presence, I thought my behavior justified (and vengeful too, I guess) if it hurried the confrontation I dreaded, but knew was inevitable.
Gradually, the increasing tension of Janice's proximity grew until I began imagining that any minute now, she'd turn to me and say in her most contemptuous arrogant manner, "Larry, why are you maintaining that ridiculous perverted disguise? It even looks like you've grown your own breasts! Why don't you go put an some proper clothes and try to be the man you should be for a change?"
So, when she was around, which were often, were spent by me perceiving us entwined in a kind of permanent cat-and-mouse game during which my 'Lora' facade was constantly threatened by a potentially world-shattering confrontation.
She and Lea often spent many of their evenings together in the parlor, or out puttering in the garden on warm nights. I was usually there too, and got a good deal of perverse pleasure in simply and watching Janice's occasional raking examinations of my prodigious anatomy. It may have been my imagination, but I could have sworn I saw a bit of jealousy in the expressions she often failed to mask. I knew not whether it was jealousy of my closeness to Lea, or of my youth and physical beauty, or something else, but she was often eyeing me thoroughly.
It was during one such evening that Lea told Janice a totally fabricated story of 'my' life, while I sat nearby on the high-backed sofa, practicing my most recent knitting lesson with a tangled of yarn heaped in my skirted lap,
"Lora's staying here while she attends school, poor dear. Her father was a career officer in the Marines. He died in that infamous terrorist bombing of the U.S. barracks in Beirut back in the early '80's. Evelyn, my sister and her mother, took her husband's death so badly that she had, complete mental breakdown." (I was trying my best to pout appropriately and produce a tear or two.) "So Lora went to live with her paternal grandparents until she finished high school. Then I invited her to live with me and attend the excellent local business college."
All this was pure bunk, but Lea related it with such emotion and conviction that I almost believed myself. In fact, when she told the parts about my 'daddy's' death and 'my' mother's mental collapse, I was amazed to find myself really crying!
Janice swallowed it hook, line, and sinker, and I must admit I was pleased at the effect my tears had on her. (I suspect Lea's talent had something to do with my sobbing episode, but couldn't prove it.)
As they chattered on, I was paying only slight attention to the conversation, concentrating instead on my inept knitting efforts that seemed to get worse every time I tried fixing them.
Then I heard Lea ask, "So, Jannie, dear," (the first time I heard her pet name for Janice I almost choked) "tell me about you and Mr. Rossman.... Larry, was; it? You seemed happy enough at first."
A pained expression distorted Janice's face. :Yeah, ...well, I guess we were," she hedged. There was obvious agitation in her tone and expression, which I almost hoped was from guilt. "You know how important my faith is to me, Lea." (knowing nod) "...and it hurt terribly that Larry wouldn't share that with me. And he finally made it very clear, both in word and deed that he'd never attend services again. So, I decided it would be impossible to live with him on those terms. I actually did love him once ... or wouldn't have let him talk me into marriage without him first joining the congregation. But when even that hope was dashed, our relationship died with it."
Lea's sadness was a sham, I thought, since she knew all this already, but it was for Janice's benefit, Still, it didn't stop her from doing some fishiing. "I'm so sorry, my dear. It must have been simply awful."
Janice's bowed head dipped even more as she dug a tissue from her purse.
Then she proceeded to dump out the whole can of worms. "I never met the fellow, but after hearing of your divorce, I made discreet inquiries and some rather odd information surfaced."
I almost fell out of my seat in surprise before regaining control, but I did manage quite efficiently to further tangle the already hopeless mess in my lap.
Janice's head bobbed up, eyes wide, and her cheeks flushed embarrassment. "W..W..What kind of odd information?" she asked tentatively.
Lea hesitated, obviously for effect, then went on. "Well, after everything you've been through, maybe it's best that you don't know." Her reticence surprised me, until I realized she was playing her own cat-and-mouse game with both of us. She was trying to make Janice face her own pain and guilt. But she was also letting me know in an indirect, that I had some of those same issues to resolve too.
Janice dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. "I probably know anyway." Pulling herself erect with visible effort, she added, "You found out Larry was a pervert, right?"
"Well, not exactly," Lea hedged, flitting a glance in my direction. "But you obviously know about it, so there's no need tri..."
"He was queer, Lea... (sob)..!" my ex-wife bawled suddenly. "All that time I was living in the same house, sharing the same bed with a sick, disgusting pervert! In our own sacred home that man was wearing a dress! Oh, Heaven help me, you can't imagine how dirty and degraded I felt after surprising him there in the living room."
Someone sniggered, and I realized it was me when Janice glared at my faux- pas. "Hey ... that's not so bad, is it?" I interjected lamely. "I mean, guys wear earrings and long hair, don't they? It could have been worse.., like ... he could have been gay, ya know. Yuck!"
"What REAL man would do such a thing?" Janice snapped.
"Well, I don't think I'd have made such a big deal out of it," I retorted.
"All right, Lora," Lea chided, "that's enough. Janice is our guest and we're here to listen and help, not judge." She reassured my 'ex' by firmly clasping her hands. "Oh, my poor Jannie. It must have been very hard on you, what with Larry's problem, then the divorce. I know how much you were hurt by all that. But life does go on."
Jan appeared to take comfort in Lea's sympathy and seemed to shrug off her pain as she wiped the wet streaks from her face. "You know," she said more calmly, ".even after all the misery and anguish he caused, and the terrible failure I felt when the divorce came through, I cried even harder when my lawyer told me Larry was dead."
"He's what!" My horrified reaction was far too extreme to be justified in a young woman who had supposedly never met the guy. But I couldn't help myself. The shock was too great.
Suddenly, I realized that I had ner asked how Lea had handled Larry Rossman's sudden disappearance. I had, however, pressed her to explain all the papers that proved Lora Covington's existence. But she only diverted my attentions elsewhere, and eventually I just figured she had acquired them via her witchcraft, or through her 'contacts'
Now, despite the sudden shock, all the obvious questions filled my head while Lea explained away my outburst. "Ever since her father's untimely death, Lora's tended to overreact to such things." Then she turned and spoke to me very soothingly, "Lora dear ... please forgive us. Maybe if you knew the details it'd be easier?"
I nodded glumly, easily tailoring my expression to match the image she'd painted of my 'troubled' nature. Besides, that's how I really felt!
"Jan, you're welcome to jump in if I get the basics wrong, okay? So, let's see, as I recall, the news story broke about the time you were so sick, Lora, so you never knew about the accident. I suppose it wouldn't have mattered to you anyway, since you didn't know there was a Mr. Rossman until you met Janice. Apparently, he was driving to a construction site (he was an architect, right Jan? ... I thought so.) and lost control of his car in Dupertail Canyon. There was a fire too, as I recall, and even dental records weren't preserved."
Janice cut in. "...B..But they found what was left of his wallet, and I identified that little metal business card holder I'd given him for his 40th birthday. His initials were engraved on it."
Her voice quaked a bit and her eyes glazed over, but there were no tears. "Anyway, he's dead now, so there's no point reviewing his faults, damning though they were. Maybe I still had a tiny bit of hope that he'd repent and come back to me, but of course that's impossible now. After Larry's death our home reminded me too much of better times, so when you asked if I'd be interested in moving here it was a perfect excuse to sell the house and try to rebuild my life."
Well, now I finally knew the 'official' explanation of my late male identity's demise, along with the reason that Janice was living upstairs instead of in 'our' house.
The cord was finally cut. With one fell swoop, in my mind and heart I truly became the young woman named Lora Marie Covington, consigning my pre- diet life and identity to the dimly lit memory vault where it belonged. There was certainly no going back. I WAS Lora Covington, and that was that!
Lea flashed her best smile. "That is exactly what you should do, Jannie, get yourself back together and regroup. And we're just the ones to help, aren't we, Lora?"
The question caught me off guard. "...uh.., yeah.. sure," I stammered, not really thinking about what she was saying.
Soon afterward, Lea's plans became evident when she began spending a great deal of time in the cellar, which I'd visited only the one time. (She always kept the door locked and hid the key.)
Meanwhile, she encouraged me to socialize with Janice. The prospect was unappetizing, but became much more enjoyable than I expected. With my identity so camouflaged, it was amazing how easily we took to each other. Whether this was Lea's doing was impossible to know, but soon we were the best of friends. Often, in fact, it was took some effort play my new role as Janice's young girl friend, and not reveal my true emotional age. In fact, we grew so close she began to confide in me just as if we'd been sisters!
It was stunning to learn that she was extremely insecure, hiding her shyness beneath that hard mantle of religion, which I resolved to chip away at as the opportunities arose. I spurned her constant pressure to adopt the ultra- conservative cover-it-all fashions she favored (it was almost like she was in mourning all the time!). Instead, I found it ironic that our growing bond was strengthened even further by my encouragement that she make her own nominal (at first) improvements.
To that end, I assailed her 'presentation'. She knew I had recently become a licensed cosmetologist and hair stylist, and surprised me by accepting an invitation to give her a makeover. Unraveling the bun that she perpetually wore, I worked at perming her hair, and giving her face the full treatment, all of which did wonders for her looks. It wasn't easy, since she'd become awfully dumpy over the years, but considering what I'd started with, the results were quite satisfactory,.
She couldn't stop staring in the mirror at the finished product. "I'd never have believed it! You've made me look years younger," she sighed.
"Thanks," I replied. "Cosmetics aren't only a social necessity for us gals, they can be a fountain of youth as well."
"I can certainly see that!" She stood and frowned at her image. "Too bad the same miracle can't be worked so quickly on the rest of me. I could sure use a good diet."
Her comment blasted in my ears like a sonic boom!
I couldn't help thinking of my own unique experience, and found myself saying, "Yeah, that'd be a step in the right direction. Ya know.., Aunt Lea has a marvelous diet program that she worked out herself. Why don't you ask her about it?"
My feelings for Janice had evolved into a companionable sort of pity after discovering how she'd brought so much of her pain on herself. Now I found within myself a desire to hurt her, to seek revenge for all the sermons and righteous wrath I'd endured at her hands during our stormy marriage. Putting her through Lea's 'program' would serve her right! Especially if, as I suspected, the process would work upon her the exact reverse of what was done to me. Then, as a male, if she refused to accept the facts and insisted an returning to her old wardrobe, that'd be the ultimate payback! She'd be a TV! Hahaha .... the image was so funny I missed part of what she was saying.
"......let myself go over the years. Do you think Lea would help me?"
"It certainly can't hurt to ask." I didn't add that, if Lea's frequent and lengthy retreats to the cellar were any indication of her plans, her response was a forgone conclusion. By now I also had no doubt that she had engineered everything to that end.
With a distant look in her eyes, Janice stood staring at how attractive I'd made her look (from the neck up). Her next words reminded me of a hateful comment I'd made just before she threw me out. "Ya know, Lora, just before Larry left, he accused me of being more masculine than he was. Can you imagine? He even tried to rationalize his perversion by ranting about me earning more and supporting us so I could wear the pants, while he spent so much time at home he was only doing what a good housewife should."
She paused for a moment then added, "...and he may have been right, at least about me. I did try to dominate and force my will on him, especially in the religious department. And by the end, I was actually supporting us, paying the bills. So psychologically, if not physically, I really was 'wearing the pants' in our house." Another long Pause. "...Now why would I think of that now? At the time I rejected it as just more of his crazy rationalizations."
The memory shattered my thoughts of revenge. "Maybe there was more truth to it than you were willing to admit at the time," I contributed.
"Hmmm, Could be, and there was something else, too ... May God forgive me, I was glad we never had children. Lora, Your the first human being I've ever admitted this too, but getting pregnant scared me to death! And to prevent it I even defied my own moral code forbidding birth control."
There! The crack in her armor that I'd been waiting for. "Oh, Janice, that's so sad. I'm looking forward to having kids myself. Didn't you want them?" I pressed.
"Of course, but not if I had to bear them myself! There was always adoption, but I could never bring myself to tell Larry how I felt. Then, as our marriage deteriorated, it was easier to say nothing. My fear of pregnancy grew so strong that my interest in sex waned until I was frigid."
"Oh my !"
When Janice turned to me there were real tears in her eyes. "Lora, you're such a pretty young thing, and we've known each other only a short time, but it's so easy to talk to you. It's almost as though you're the sister I never had. Would you be too terribly surprised if I made yet another small confession?"
I smiled and shrugged. "Why not? What are friends for anyway? Maybe you'll feel better by sharing it." I couldn't help but wonder whether our marriage could have been mended if we had communicated this well as husband and wife.
She bit her lip and took a moment, while the tears seemed to flow freely. "Ok.., but don't laugh.. (GULP!) ... After Larry left, I had a lot of time to think about us, and especially about what he said. And you know what? Since his death, there's been many a time I've wondered whether we'd have been any happier if the tables actually had been reversed and he'd been the wife while I ... Oh Dear God, ..(sob).., I wish he (sob) was alive so (sob) I could say (sob-sob-sniff!) ... oh, I'm s..s..so s..orry!"
My vision blurred with tears of my own as I suppressed the urge to tell Jan where Larry really was. Instead, I spouted platitudes. "Tears won't bring him back, Janice, but they do tend to cleanse the soul." It sounded lame, and it was, but was much better than what I might have told her.
Wiping mascara streaks from her face, Janice sobbed, "Thanks, Lora, they do." Then her glassy eyes looked puzzled. "That's a very profound statement for one so young,"
I grinned to myself and shrugged. "Yeah, well, Lea often accuses me of being wise beyond my years, but I think she really means that I'm too smart for my own good."
That made Janice's lips twitch in a grin as I turned the conversation toward less heady matters by asking her if she'd like to go shopping. I was determined to get her into some more stylish clothes. Besides, shopping tended to cure my doldrums, so maybe it would do the same for her too.
Janice did eventually ask Lea about the diet, and both of us got far more than either had ever bargained for.
My 'ex', of course, was "reconstituted" and renamed 'John', of all things. I'd have thought Lea could be a bit more original, but what's a girl to do? I never had any say in the matter anyway.
Meanwhile, I got to be nurse, housemaid, and "chief cook and bottle washer" until 'John' could fend for 'himself'. I never worked so hard in my life, either.
During those three weeks while Janice slept off the 'weight', I changed the bed, hauled her to the bathroom, and cleaned up the frequent 'ugliness'. I never realized how much work Lea had done just to keep things tidy and clean while I puked and crapped my way through those days.
When the big 'event was due, Lea shooed me from the room before her 'Friends' showed up. However, I did hear the thunderclaps that signaled their arrival and departure.
Later that day, Lea caved in when she couldn't stand my pouting mug anymore and let me watch John's emergence through a one-way mirror.
"You've come through beautifully," Lea proclaimed while I looked on from that dark closet-sized room behind the glass.
Janice stared groggily at her reflection, then her eyes widened. "Good grief, I'm almost thin! Uh.., but it looks like I've lost most of it below my waist. Lea.., my hips and thighs are a lot thinner, but my chest and shoulders look heavier."
"Janice, do you recall what Larry said before he left you? Something about the two of you reversing your traditional roles?"
"Huh ... uh ... yeah, and I even told Lora about it. Did she tell you?" Her question sounded more like an accusation.
"No, my dear Jannie, she did not. However, since you now know my true nature, you must realize that I am perfectly capable of transforming Larry's statement into fact. ...No, don't interrupt. This is important! You must understand thoroughly.
"When we first met, you were already independent, and a bit too aggressive. You dominated your relationship with your Mr. Rossman, and with Andrea. I'll give you some credit for burying yourself in religion to channel that aggression, but it wasn't enough. You were the stronger personality in your marriage, you know that now, and admitted as much to Lora, and to me just now, right?" (Nod)
"So, if you now so choose, you need only wish it, and you will become what you have subconsciously desired all these years. Want it enough, and you will become a MAN!"
Janice's eyes glazed and her pale lips pulsed like those of a gasping carp. "Th-Th-That's not possible!" she groaned.
The whole scene, words and all, looked and sounded awfully familiar.
"It most certainly is!" insisted Aunt Lea. "When I took in Andrew, he was a runaway little punk. You met Andrea two years later. There have been several others, of both sexes, whom I've been able to mold into useful citizens with a purpose to their lives. You saw my sanctum in the cellar, you were the object of the little ceremony there, and the results are here before your eyes. What else but magic could accomplish such dramatic results without killing you?
"What I offer is a miracle, if that is how you want to view it."
After a short pause, Lea added, "Were you ever really happy, Jannie?"
Janice's only response was a slow shake of her head.
"Then accept your destiny. I perceive that you have always begrudged men their strength; hated your own feminine weaknesses. Maybe that is partly why pregnancy terrified you so. And that brings up a question you need to consider. Was fear your real reason for avoiding pregnancy, or was it because you actually hated your own womanhood?"
Janice cried, "Oh God, forgive me for being so selfish!"
"I want to put things right, my dear Jannie," Lea cajoled. "But you must want it. Would you rather continue life as is? If so, you will never enjoy the family you have wanted and never dared to have; you'll miss the fulfillment that could bring. My way offers that too!"
The tear-reddened eyes stared at Lea in disbelief. "You could really do that? It's so hard to accept. It goes against everything I've believed in for so long."
"Look at it this way. Maybe God has decided HE should correct a few chance errors in the overall scheme of things. HE certainly wants us all to be happy, at least that's what most religions say HE wants for us. Couldn't this be HIS way of ensuring that for you, by bringing you back here? Maybe through me God is offering you a way to resolve the torment that is raging in your soul."
"What if I go ahead, and hate that too?"
"Let's cross that bridge when we come to it."
"Oh..., I've been such a creep for so long.., anything would be an improvement."
Naturally, Janice took the 'treatment' and John turned out to be a very handsome gentleman of about twenty-two years, standing six-foot-three, with broad shoulders. He's lean as a willow, and has the tightest, cutest ass I'd ever seen! (And I'd been watching lately, for sure!) Of course, Lea mysteriously acquired all the proper documentation, and John Morton Hayden (Janice's maiden name) moved into the upstairs rooms from which Janice Hayden Rossman had suddenly disappeared.
I'm certain it was part of Lea's grand design that John and I should become 'close' friends, and more. He still didn't know my true identity, though he once asked rather bluntly if I was one of Lea's projects. I could hardly deny it, now could I? But that didn't seem to bother him at all. In fact, it seemed to add a bit of zest to our rapidly developing relationship. Knowing that this tall good-looking young man's soul was a recycled version of my ex-wife's also made it easier to accept his amorous advances without having nervous virginal fits.
One evening we stood on the porch watching fluffy patches of clouds float across the face of the full moon. The mood was too romantic to resist, so we didn't. Our kiss was long and deep. The warmth and security of John's firm embrace gave me such comfort and a sense of belonging that I instantly realized that, of all people, he was the man I'd been waiting for.
When we finally separated, my emotions made it hard to breathe. It felt so much like my last session with the hairbrush that I knew I'd die in order to get more of the same.
"Lora," John whispered, his breath caressing my ear, "this may sound weird, but I think Lea meant us for each other."
"That's not weird at all," I replied, reaching up to run a red-tipped nail along the stubble line of his lantern jaw. "I'll bet you even money she planned it to be so from the very beginning."
"Ha, you're money's safe. And she probably intended to let our raging new hormones do the rest!"
Still held firmly in his arms, I felt his hidden erection press against my stomach and knew I'd never need my favorite hair brush handle again! I rose to my tiptoes and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, then smiled suggestively. "So, what do we do about THAT?"
"Tough question, ...hmmm..?" He feigned thoughtfulness, then hugged me tight as we merged into a long, hard, wet kiss.
When we finally separated for air, he blurted, "Ah.., what the hell, let's get married!"
I gasped theatrically. "John! What an impetuous fool you are, and I've never heard you swear before!"
"That's not so surprising since we've known each other only a short time." He looked down and eyed me closely. "Or have we?"
I suddenly realized how guilty I must look and turned away.
A firm grip pulled my chin up to meet his suspicious gaze. "Lora, did we know one another before you came to live with Lea?"
Ouch, there it was. Steeling myself, I pulled away to arms length and answered truthfully, or at least with a qualified truth. "Yes, John, I knew you before." I had to swallow my heart, then hedged, "But who we were doesn't really matter now, does it? I mean, look at us! That part of my life already seems like a faraway dream. I AM Lora, and I think I'm falling in love with you, John Hayden, ...you brute," I chided playfully, then pleaded, "Isn't that what's important now, anyway?"
"Yes, dear beautiful Lora, it is. But you can't blame me for being curious. After all, you know who I was."
"I'll make you a promise," I countered, pulling a plan from the air.
"What?"
I assumed my coyest and most provocative pose. "If you're really serious about marriage..."
"You bet I am!"
" ... then I'll tell you after the ceremony."
"Swear on a stack of Bibles?"
"Now you're being ridiculous, but yes, if you insist."
Since such things still held some weight, even for me, I literally made that promise on a stack of scripture!
Lea was thrilled. Then I remembered how she'd felt betrayed when Andy left. After discussing it with John, we decided to stay in the upstairs apartment while looking for a house of our own nearby. That made Lea ecstatic, and she insisted on having the wedding there in her house.
So, just as in that old dream of mine, although the vast chapel and long carpeted aisle were missing, I was that beautiful blushing bride in my white satin and lace gown. John was exquisitely handsome in his black velvet tuxedo. The Mayor himself performed the ceremony, the President of the local university gave me away, and three City Councilmen were 'best men'.
That night we took our time undressing each other then collapsed on the bed in a heated embrace.
John's substantial erection pressed against my hip while our tongues played tag. Then his lips traced a sizzling trail of fire across my heaving breast and engulfed a fat nipple. Wave after wave of glorious pleasure swept over me. My tits were broiling magma.
The expanding flames swept down between my legs and threatened to consume me with exalted bliss as my husband pressed my breasts together and his mouth engulfed both nipples at once. Twin explosions of dazzling passion swirled through my golden orbs. My hips bucked to the rhythmic rasp of his teeth raking those fat erect nubs. The heights he pushed me to were so lofty I grew dizzy.
Oh, the glory of multiple orgasms! I rode that roller coaster with rapt joy, digging my nails into his back, or holding his head firmly against my throbbing mounds. My mind was saturated in an erotic fog and my whole body was on autopilot.
After an eternity, our lips locked again as John moved over me. My legs spread wide as his long, hard pole settled between my thighs. In a way, we were both new to this and a tiny voice in the back of my mind wanted to make it easier, so I slid my hand between us and grasped that gargantuan obelisk. My God! My delicate fingers barely encircled its girth as I carefully positioned the throbbing head.
I was so hot and wet that penetration was deliciously smooth as my body accepted the thick shaft. When it was in just inches, my lover began a slow piston action, each lunge probing a little deeper. The pulsating thrusts matched the cadence of my heart, which pounded like a kettledrum beneath my ribs. Suddenly, I felt two 'bumps', one at my crotch when the base of his shaft nudged at my pubis, the other more indistinctly at the other end, deep within me. He was literally knocking at the very door of my womb! It felt like that rod was trying to penetrate all the way up to my lungs. My entire being centered on that corpulent beam that filled me so completely.
Spasms racked my body and my legs looped over his hips and my ankles locked, digging my heels into his ass. We flew together in a driving passion that sent me to such sublime sensual heights I didn't care if we never came down.
Just as I reached a particularly wrenching orgasm, John buried himself in me and froze, holding me in a crushing embrace. I noticed he was holding his breath too. Then I felt it! Through that incredibly sensitive little 'love muscle' of mine, I felt a pulsing in the shaft it was hugging so securely. Much deeper, there were several explosive spasms as his essence splashed into the center of my womanhood. Another orgasmic lurch sent me reeling at the very thought that in a short time some microscopic 'wiggly' in those millions might thrash its way to meet its destiny, and fulfill mine!
Even now, I get warm little jiggle-shocks whenever I recall that 'first time'. It was wonderful beyond words! We've had a great sex life since, but that night was truly special. Isn't the 'first time' that way for everyone!
John let out a long low moan in my ear. I was savoring my own more gradual slide down from the highlands I'd climbed while his shaft lost its turgid grandeur. Though I desperately wanted it to remain where it was, it went limp and he rolled away.
During the long moments of silence that followed, his arm lay across my belly, his fingers gently stroking the valley between my breasts.
"Lora, darling?" he eventually whispered. "I've never had such a wonderful experience in my life! The power, the force of it is almost overwhelming. It's definitely an improvement over my previous existence."
"I know what you mean," I murmured through the afterglow. "But in my case the reverse is true. I'm gonna love being your wife and lover, Lover."
He rose up on an elbow and pulled-my chin around until our eyes met. "Honey, I think it's about time."
"You wanna go at it again, you luscious stud?" I beamed hopefully.
"No, at least not for a while. What I meant was that you made a promise, and now I think it's time you kept it."
That damned promise! If I'd had my way, he'd never have known. But maybe now was the best time. I stalled by propping myself up on the pillows and gathering what willpower and courage I could to withstand the terror that gripped my gut. "Uh .... Honey ... you know I was a man before I came here?"
"Yes, of course I do. You know that perfectly well," he retorted impatiently. Golly, how a man's mood can change. And I thought women were bad!
"One day I too saw the 'For Rent' sign out front and stopped to check it out. You've known Lea intimately for years while I knew of her only by reputation. I knew nothing of her 'talent', of course, and, believed just as you did that such things didn't exist, except in fantasy or sci-fi books or on TV. Well, my story is very similar to yours from that point. I also wanted to try a diet..." I gave her a quick summary of my efforts, and Lea's. "But my motives were far different from yours. (GULP!) You see, I was a male transvestite and wanted to look better in my women's clothes..."
John's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean you were just like my husband?"'
"Mmmm, well yes, ...pretty much," I stammered, then swallowed my heart, clenched my teeth, and blurted, "..in fact, John darling, ...I was Larry!" My voice was barely audible, but he heard me anyway.
For a split second, he seemed stunned, and then a wide grin split his face from ear to ear and explosive laughter filled the room. Tears of mirth washed from his eyes as gurgling fits racked his chest. I wondered if he would literally 'split a gut'.
It was several minutes before he calmed down enough to say, "Oh ... I'm.. ..sorry ... dear Lora .... ... that's.. so funny ... Why on earth ... would you say such ... a thing?"
"Because its true!" I insisted, realizing he didn't believe me. "What do you want me to do, prove it?"
"Larry's dead," he retorted with grim firmness. "There's nothing to prove."
"Did you see his body?"
"Uh ... no, the coroner said he was burnt too badly."
"Then I'll have to give you the proof." In painfully minute detail, I described the fateful evening when Janice caught me in her clothes.
By the time I'd finished, John's jaw was hanging limp and he was gawking at me in wide-eyed astonishment.
Then the laughter returned in hearty boisterous waves and lasted almost as long. "M..M..My ... God.., do you realize ... how Freudian this all is?" he gasped.
"All too well, my husband, all too well! I presume you believe me now?"
John nodded in bewildered acceptance. "After what you just said, how can I doubt it? I certainly never told anyone about it, not even Lea. But it's more like reincarnation to me, since I thought Larry was dead anyway."
"I was, at least spiritually. Lea almost certainly saved me from a fate worse than that gruesome death she 'arranged'."
"Me too."
"Well, John-my-husband, what now?"
"Isn't it obvious? We've both been given a new lease on life, so let's take full advantage of it. As far as I'm concerned, as of this instant Larry and Janice Rossman are really and forever dead. Mr. and Mrs. John Hayden are newlyweds beginning their young married lives together. I think the best thing we could do is forget our singularly unpleasant pasts and begin anew. And you know what?" His large hand engulfed my raw sensitive breast flesh and tweaked a hard nipple.
"Mmmmm?"
John smiled and licked his lips hungrily. "I'm about ready to act like a newlywed again. How about you?"
"I thought you'd never ask!" I replied eagerly with a similar expression. In the back of my mind sat an image of the unused pills in the medicine chest, and the quick calculations I'd done when we set the wedding date.
Two months later we bought a house just three lots away, which pleased us all. And, almost exactly nine months after our glorious wedding night, I gave birth to little Judith Marie, to the delight of all, especially her 'fairy' godmother.
* * * The End of A New Beginning * * *
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