Bridge Party

a transestia

TRUE STORY

Frieda

As I stepped inside through the front door, I heard the babel of feminine voices coming from the living room. Then I remembered that it was the second Tuesday of the month, - February - which meant that it was Mary's Bridge club day. And I recalled her saying at breakfast that it was her turn to be hostess today.

I was coming home at noon because I was still recuperating from a bout with the flu, and was only putting in a half day at the office. I'd dropped several pounds, and was down to 155, the least I had weighed since high school days, 25 years earlier. On my five foot nine frame, this left me pretty lean.

Leaving my coat and hat in the hall closet, I poked my head into the living room. Choruses of "Hello, Fred” greeted me, and I responded. They and their husbands were all our good friends. When the exchange died down, Mary said, “Darling, Esther Wilson just called to say she isn't feeling well and can't come, so we're one short. It's much more fun to have two full tables. Do you suppose you could fill in? After you've had a rest? How are you feeling?"

"Much better, sweetheart." Then a wonderful opportunity dawned on me. "Let me lie down for a little while, and then -.`` I said with a grin, "perhaps I'll just slip on a simple afternoon frock and join the rest of you girls."

They laughed and one or two said, "Fine”, or “O.K." Then Carol Drake chimed in with, “Oh, you just want to flaunt those lovely legs of yours at us again, Fred, and make us all jealous, - and I don't blame you. But we need you, so we'll take you any way you come.'

""

37