"Hi, Marcia!"

And that's how Marcia was born.

I have plenty to tell about the vacation itself, so I won't waste words on the weeks of my training. Actually, by the time they bought me a fairly expensive wig, and other things, coupled along with the fact that I had to give up my counseling job, the money saved was not of a great amount. But by this time, everyone was so excited about my transfor- mation that Marcia became the main project.

I had argued from the start that I wouldn't need to wear all that stuff girls wore. I could pass for a young teen-ager. But JoAnne quickly pointed out that with the proper padding and make-up techniques, I could pass for a college coed. I didn't argue much more after that. Everyone was determined that Marcia should be a real lady, and I was not so sure that I wanted to keep Marcia from her fate.

In the few weeks of training, I learned, and did, many things. All the hair was shaved off of my legs, chest, underarms, etc. I got a crew cut so the wig would fit better. I now had a hairpiece to go along with Susie's fall. I learned how to walk like a girl. Speaking was a bit of a problem, but I found that if I talked softly, a distinctly feminine ac- centuation came to my voice. Through JoAnne's artistry, I was intro- duced to perfume, face powder, mascara, lipstick, eye shadow, false eyelashes, everything. I wore lingerie from slips and panties to padded girdles and padded bras. Jewelry, nail polish, nylons, every article of clothing Susie and JoAnne had, I began to know quite well. I learned to walk sexy in a pair of high heels. Every night for three weeks, I would get dressed up with the help of JoAnne and Alicia. One night I would be wearing a tight skirt, ruffled blouse, and high heels. The next night it would be an evening gown with long white gloves and silver dangling earrings. But every night it was something exciting. I dressed completely as a girl and became Marcia for a few enjoyable hours. After I was dressed, Mom would have me pose, ask me ques- tions, and discuss problems I might face as Marcia.

Marcia became a good-looking girl. I was amazed, and quite pleased. I was very feminine and pretty. I could act and think like a girl.

As I look back on those weeks before the vacation, I wonder what- ever happened to Mark? Had he passed on to some other place? All I knew was that I was a girl. I was Marcia, and I loved every minute of it.

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