gently pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately.

Even when the long embrace ended, Chris was struck dumb for a moment, still firmly locked in Ron's grasp. Finally, she caught her breath and looked into his deep brown eyes. "Yes, I think I'd like that. But give me a few days to get settled in, okay? Call me in a couple of days. I'll be here." She smiled, butterflies churning in her stomach and her knees about to buckle.

"Sure," he answered eagerly as they separated and he turned to leave.

"See you later," she called and watched him wave, smile broadly, and climb into his car before she returned to the house on slightly unsure legs. 'I never realized there were still gentlemen in the world. And My God, he tasted good!' she thought as she climbed unsteadily up the stairs and into her room.

Julia arrived a few minutes later, a worried expression came over her face when she saw her young guest. "Is anything wrong, Chrissy?"

Chris had collapsed into the nearest chair. "No, nothing's wrong," she answered with a half smile. "I'm just a little mixed up, I guess, and happy too. And tired. I think I'd like to talk about it tomorrow, girl talk. Right now I'm so exhausted I just want to soak in a hot tub and then sleep for a week." With a lopsided smile she rose shakily and headed for the bath.

Julia shrugged. "OK, whatever you say. What are you going to do until then?"

"Think about the evening, and Ron," Chris answered, noting the knowing look on Julia's face. "And about how I feel. Along the way I'm going to get ready for bed. I had fun, Julia. Thanks." "You're entirely welcome. Get a good night's sleep and we'll talk tomorrow. Nighty night," Tulia quipped as she closed the door on her way

out.

Sunday morning everyone slept late at the Millers'. It was 10:30 before coffee was perking in the kitchen and breakfast -or brunch -was on the table.

Looking at the beautiful warm sunshiny day, Bob smacked his hands together eagerly and suggested, "Let's spend the afternoon at the beach. Whadaya say ladies?" Without waiting for an answer, he glanced quickly at Julia then added, in Chris's direction, "And, if you like, I could call Ron and invite him along."

Julia interceded while Chris dabbed at the coffee she had spilled. "Not for a while, dear. Chris and I have some legal papers to review and we need some time for girl talk. Why don't you go dabble in the garden or something."

He left, muttering something about wasting such nice weather.

In the study, the legal transactions were all good news for Chris. All documents that concerned Chris's legal status now showed the proper sex of female, except for the recently expired driver's license. They could apply for a permit and test the next day so that was covered too. The medical and various other debts Chris's parents had left behind were already mostly paid thanks to the payment system worked out in Chris's original contract to provide for the appropriate but substantial payroll deductions that the debts demanded. Even the various purchases made at the shops had been cleared up. Chris began to realize just how generous his 'salary' had been. So, the estate problems were essentially resolved, and the direct-deposit bank account was even beginning to grow, despite the numerous claims and payments. The only problem Chris appeared to have would be if she returned to the old neighborhood where everyone remembered Chris Davis as a healthy young