"What?"

"I'm... I'm sorry. Maybe I could say I didn't realize, but that sounds phoney. I'M . . . I'm . . . I'm scared! Don't leave Jean. I'll do anything that you want."

"No, I can't help you like that, you have to do it for you, not me. You'll have to work this out for yourself, all we can do is show you, perhaps when you realize this the next girl, if they send one, maybe can set you on the path."

"Jean, I don't need another girl, I don't want one." For some reason, I was almost in tears, too. "I like you. very much and I can trust you.

I wish you had told me about your sister before, I was worried about having to go out all alone . . . I'd like to be your sister, to be somebody and belong to someone who really cares, not like a cold therapist. Would you maybe, still have me?”

By this time tears were streaking down my cheeks, as I stood facing her. Her face softened, and she moved toward me, picking up a hankie, she came over and lightly patted the tears on my cheeks. Then taking my arm, she led me to her bed and sat down next to me. She put her arm on my shoulder and I cried against her breast. She stroked my hair and made cooing noises like one does to an unhappy child. Finally I stopped crying. She wiped my cheeks again, gave me the handkerchief to blow my nose, and said

"Of course, you can be my sister, if YOU really want to. But you'll really have to try and do what I tell you. This can be a beautiful and wonderful thing, if you let it."

I gave her a nod and a little smile.

"That's better, it does a girl good to have a cry. Now if you're willing to make the bargain to try to learn to be a girl, I'll try my hardest to make you the lovliest sister that any girl could ever want.”

"I agree, I'll try Jean, really I will." I said grateful for her change of heart.

"Then let's seal the bargain." She stood up and moved over to the dresser top. Picking something up she came back over."

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