RANSVESTIA

The Colonel held our chairs for us as we sat down, and as he seated himself, he laughed and said, “Greta talked incessantly — just like a woman."

I blushed and said, “It was only that I've been lonesome for some outside company. Promise that you will come again soon.' He prom- ised and we chatted in generalities during the rest of the lunch. We hur- ried through the dishes and had an extra coffee in the living room.

Colonel Anderson 'checked out' my progress and complimented us on my training. No English was spoken that afternoon as we reviewed my foreign languages. Mostly, though, we concentrated on Greta -- her voice, mannerisms and memory of friends and relatives. We begged him to stay for dinner, but he declined. He promised he would return in a week and bring Major Atkins with him.

The house seemed strangely empty after he had gone and Helen and I just sat and looked at each other for several minutes. She came over and sat down beside me. “Greta,” she said softly, “I've missed male com- panionship the last few months, and underneath that makeup and toggery, you are still a man." Before I realized what was happening, she put her arms around me and kissed me. I was too startled to move for a few seconds, then I returned her kiss with love and feeling. When we finally came up for air, both of us were a little embarrassed.

I looked at her and said, "Now I know what's been wrong with me lately. I, too, have missed companionship." We just looked at each other until our emotions were under control.

I spoke first. "Helen, this situation could easily get out of hand. I'm desperately in love with you and that makes our set up here impossible to continue as it has been."

Helen looked miserable her eyes filled with tears and her lips trembled. "But, darling," she cried, "what can we do? I love you, too. The past few months have been wonderful as well as torturous for me. I've wanted to express my feelings so many times, but you seemed so indifferent to me."

"I didn't dare tell you how I felt about you." I told her. “All those hours we've spent with you just inches away from me had we known the other's feelings I'm afraid my training would have had many, many interruptions."