pool chattering constantly about a number of unfamiliar topics from nail polish to doll dresses. Dennis was considerably relieved when Lisa's mother came for her and the little girl said goodbye to Maryann.

-

The afternoon wore on and then it was time to leave the pool. Dennis went in for one last swim and climbed out to dry himself before the walk home. He felt a warmth inside that no towel could impart. For the last few hours he had done something that seemed impossible — and yet it had happened. He had become a little girl. It was a most secret dream. It was a wish he had lived with as if it was born within him. He had known that desire for so long. Now he felt the fulfillment. It had been dark and hidden so long, afraid and guilty and ashamed. But this afternoon he had given the secret girl within a beautiful life. The simple freedom of this masque- rade was intoxicating and he would treasure the memory of that intoxica- tion for a long time.

"That's a pretty suit."

Dennis looked up to see whose voice had interrupted his reverie. It was the lifeguard Maryann standing above him and very close beside him looking down with her warm vibrant smile.

"Thank you."

For an enchanted moment he felt as though he had been a girl forever.

As Dennis returned home along the path his heart was aglow. The blue swimming suit with the red trim and the white pleated skirt was safely hidden away in the woods awaiting his return on another day. Dennis whistled a tune as he skipped along down the hillside. His happi- ness was such that he scarcely felt the sting of the U-shaped area of sun- burned skin etched upon his back and chest in the peculiar tell-tale pat- tern. Dennis did not think of the sunburn at all until that night as he undressed for bed. He worried a bit about it but relaxed in the hope he could keep it covered until the red faded. Except for that it would have been a perfect day for Maryann.

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