"That's what I have in mind. You want that I'm sure?"

"Doctor Gilmer!" It was Julie. "You are wanting his permission to change the body he is now in to that of a male?" When he admitted this, she continued: "We need some time to make that kind of a decision. There isn't any big rush is there?"

"Why no . . . Julie. I just thought he would be anxious to have that surgery, so the two of you could resume your lives as normally as is possible under the circumstances."

"Well I want to talk it over with Deborah. After a few days, we will give you your answer." And that is how it happened. We drove to one of our favorite spots by the bay waters where we parked and discussed the problems. Actually I had felt completely satisfied in this feminine body, and the news that my old male body was destroyed gave me a momentary feeling of elation. When he mentioned the sex change to a male again my spirits sagged.

"Deborah darling," Julie began. “I don't know about you, but I'm not so sure that I prefer you to be a man. I have thoroughly enjoyed the creation of your feminine traits and from masculine emotions I have molded you into a perfect female. Now you fit the body."

"I am just as confused about it as you are," I told her. "I love you no less than ever, and it is possible that my love for you is stronger since it has taken on new dimensions, but I confess, I'm happy in this new life." (Besides I was a number of years younger and far prettier.)

I smiled at her and from my heart I answered. “Julie, you have stood by me so closely and faithfully, in spite of everything that has happened. How could I be disturbed enough to change my feelings toward you?”

"You are Deborah now. Your body is petite, beautiful and so femi- nine that I doubt if you could ever look masculine, even with the male equipment. Over these months you have acquired an amazing degree of femininity, and have adjusted so wonderfully with this new body that I cannot consent for its loveliness to be tampered with by physicians. I want you to stay Deborah for the rest of your life."

"But what about you?"