to Dr. Smith. However, if you now wish to try something else, we will hold a place for you for one year."

Ms. Miller spoke for the first time. "Chrissy, we can easily handle the legal matters." She patted a small case in her lap. "There are a few items for you to sign now, if you wish, to make the necessary changes in various official documents, like your birth certificate. It will take about a month to process all the paperwork through the system during which you could take a few weeks' vacation. You could come and stay with me, get yourself a new driver's license, and have an opportunity to mix with some people you own age. I would need you there anyway for various legal matters, pictures, signatures, that sort of thing. What do you say, Chrissy? Would you like to go back into the world for a while."

Chrissy sat in stunned silence for at least five minutes while the three women waited for her response. She swallowed hard to get the huge lump out of the back of her throat. "Well, I'm not

sure. You see, I was by myself..."

Ms. Miller interrupted.

"As a young woman alone, it would be best if you could stay with me. That way we could ease your return to society until you gain confidence and are more comfortable with your new public identity. Then you can

decide what you want do with your future." "It's not .. well.. the last time we met you tricked me. You got me to sign all those papers!" she protested.

"Chrissy, dear," Ms. Miller said. "I'm truly sorry. I didn't want to hurt you. I did make myself your guardian, but only to help you, not hurt you."

"What are those papers?" Chrissy indicated the case in Ms. Miller's lap. "And when do you

need them signed? I'm not signing anything in a

hurry! Never again!"

Ms. Miller laughed heartily, along with Andrea and Mrs. Ambrose. "If you

"That's fine," Ms. Miller answered. wish we can move into another office and examine the documents in detail. But don't take too long reading them," she grinned, "I have to leave at noon Sunday."

"OK,

Chrissy stood and gestured to the door. let's get started." She headed for the door. Rounding her

"Chrissy?" Mrs. Ambrose called. desk she approached her with open arms and the Boss embraced the newest woman on the island. "I'm very happy for you, my dear. We don't want to loose you, but that decision is yours to make. We have given you a new life in a most complete way, but now you must decide for yourself what you will do with what we have given you. are a beautiful woman now. My dear, you someday appreciate that and maybe, eventually, thank us for doing what we did." They embraced

I hope you will

again and she whispered affectionately into Chrissy ear. "If you have any questions or problems you can call on me anytime this afternoon or tomorrow. I'll tell Mary not to expect you

back today. Now go," she ordered.

In a small conference room, Ms. Miller produced the documents which she had brought and gave Chrissy a general description of each one. After checking through the materials, Chrissy asked that she be allowed to return to her rooms with them and read them there. She was determined that she would not repeat Chris's experience. She would thoroughly read and consider everything before she committed herself to anything. was her future, her life she was contemplating and she would have complete knowledge of what was contained therein before setting a pen to a single line. Without objection, Ms. Miller consented.

This