•

Transvestia that. the shoe fitted; seven and a half-A. As I idled over another coffee I relived the first time I had seen the Duchess waiting on the corner, (for me?) I broke my revery and rinsed out the cup, brushed up the crumbs and felt the luxury of her clothes as I walked in to the front room to put the coat back in the box. I had just started unbuttoning the coat when the roof fell in! ! !!

•

CHAPTER FIVE

Cushion crutch tips and a rubber heel make absolutely no noise so I didn't hear a thing 'til the key turned in the lock and the front door swung open and Grace came in... . She stood near the door, half frightened half puzzled not comprehending the sight that met her eyes. Her new coat, hat, black suit and one black kid boot. There I stood on her crutches, one leg showing..no mate. I was petrified! Solid rock from hat to heel.

•

Grace walked over to the sofa, a smile slowly came, with relief she sighed; "it's you... I thought at first it was a burglar or another woman then I saw my clothes on you, the crutches and all, I know you weren't going to steal them so what on earth are you doing in that get- up? I'm not going to do anything to you, but I've got to find out why you are dressed in my clothes. Are you really a boy or one of those double-sexed people.. what do you call them...hermaphrodites, or something?"

I started crying from humiliation, fear and exposure by the one person I was really mad about. I knew the world had ended the moment she walked in the door. Prison-- the asylum, I didn't care, nothing mattered any- more the worst had happened. I'd rather she'd caught me naked--or setting fire to the house or really stealing her things, but this. ...to be caught this way---dressed in

her clothes!

Grace sat down on the sofa and reached out taking my hand and said, "come on, dear, sit here by me and we'll have a heart-to-talk. I think we've got something to work out and I'd like to help you. This needn't be the tradgedy you seem to feel it is." She put her arm around me and drew me close to her. The electric sensation that coursed thru me from her touch revived me and I eased my crying. Grace tilted my face up and looked into my