THE

CLINIC

by Lisa and Lorna

† part #3 †

During the next several days, Chrissy considered what had been done to Chris. She had come to the conclusion that being a woman, or at least as close to being female as she ever could, was really not that bad, especially here on the island. Also, she wondered what she would do off the island. And what about official records, birth certificate, driver's license, etc?

Almost immediately after the Operation, Chrissy noticed a positive and universal acceptance of her by everyone, staff and patients, even those who had previously been the most distant and stand-offish. Almost every woman

expressed her interest in and concern for her welfare. The Group was especially supportive, wanting Chrissy to be with them constantly and doing anything they felt would help her adjust more easily. After a while Chrissy began to wonder why none of them, not even Alice or Mattie, ever made sexual advances toward her. Liaisons were hardly uncommon in the clinic's all-female environment to which Alice and Mattie were obvious and frequent evidence. Yet there were no overtures in Chrissy's direction. Oddly, she began to anticipate such situations and would get very excited at the prospect, yet she never knowingly encouraged anyone either.

One Friday morning, Chrissy was asked to be at Mrs. Ambrose's office at one o'clock that afternoon.

Surprised by the request but curious, she reported promptly and was instantly ushered into the inner office by the secretary.

Mrs. Ambrose offered her hand and greeted

Chrissy warmly.

"Thank you for coming, my dear." She indicated for Chrissy to be seated.

Two other women were present. One was Andrea. The other looked familiar but no name or place came to mind for a moment. Oh, of course! Ms. Miller, the lawyer.

Mrs. Ambrose's watchful eyes scanned Chrissy briefly. "How do you feel, my dear?" "Fine," she reponded politely. "There was really very little pain. Now, I suppose I'm as well as I'll ever be."

Mrs. Ambrose nodded to Dr. Smith who paused for a few more seconds, appearing to collect her thoughts. "Chrissy, you probably think it was cruel of us to force this change upon you without your consent. However, as I've told you before,. we believed that your becoming a woman was in your own best interest. And you would not have consented to come here if you had fully understood the documents you signed, would you?" "No, "she admitted. "But that still doesn't

make what you did right!"

"Maybe so, maybe not," interrupted Mrs. Ambrose. "But tell me, Chrissy, do you think you can be happy this way?" She waved pointedly. "As a woman, I mean?"

The question took little consideration. Chrissy surprised them with an immediately answer. "Yes, I think so, Mrs. Ambrose, at least here at the clinic. I don't know if I could go home now. I guess I don't have any friends there any more. And what about legal documents? No cop would ever believe I was the Chris Davis who my driver's license says I am!"

Mrs. Ambrose chuckled pleasantly. "No, I suppose not. You are certainly welcome to live and work here if you wish, for as long as you like," she proposed. "Your being here as an employee prior to the operation was a concession

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