RANSVESTIA

"No, never, not at all," smiled Helen. "I want to get married in time, and have a wife-and children. So," there was merriment in her voice, "how could I do that if I became a woman myself?"

"B-But G-Greg..." began Kate. She never stuttered, not even when she was afraid, but this boy-girl was more than terrifying, and Kate was horribly confused.

"I thought you knew about that," said Helen sharply. "I thought the best way to get him off my back was to let you catch him."

"Of course," Kate was hardly thinking straight. "But we only want to help you. We must be able to do something for you."

"Accept me," said Helen. "Accept me as I am. I am a transvestite, at least according to your library's definitions. I love being a boy and being accepted as a girl. Accept me as that."

Kate stared at the 'girl.' "Maybe I could," she said slowly. "But the others." She shook her head.

"In their own time, they'll come around," said Helen. "You'll see. Just you wait and see."

Still disturbed by the conversation, Kate nodded doubtfully and made an excuse about finding Cathy and supervising dishes before she left.

She was hardly gone from the room, before there was a hard rap on the door, and Jim Porter came in quickly. The door closed softly behind him. He, too, came over to the sill and sat where Kate had before. He stared intently at the golden girl, and his hand touched her lower calf, caressing the stockinged leg.

"Don't," she breathed, trying to pull her leg away. But he held on firmly.

"Your mother meant you to live like this," said Jim Porter, a wild look in his eyes.

"No," Helen shook her head, pulling her legs away from him. "She told me all about Sally." Jim Porter had been reaching for her anew.

54