RANSVESTIA

R

"Later," Valerie almost whispered.

"I'll see you then," I said, pulling out of that room as fast as I could.

I've never changed so fast in all my life. I must have been out of there in five minutes flat. Not that I could eat anything at all. All I could think about was what Natalie had said. Valerie wasn't queer. She had girlfriends! And why not, I thought bitterly. She's a man, isn't she? She's fooled me just as much as she's fooled everybody else. And then I thought of her performance with Earl and I was revolted. Needless to say, I played some of the worst bridge of my life that night. The Lewises, I think were heartily glad when we broke off early and Roy took me home.

Roy wanted to come in so that I could keep my promise to him from the night before-but there was no way. Eventually he got the message and went off in a huff. I could tell he thought that what had gone on earlier between us had somehow changed my opinion of him. It was a pity. I had intended to let him stay that evening right up until the moment when I saw Natalie cuddling Valerie on the bed.

I went into Valerie's room. It was so neat that you'd never have known that anyone had been there earlier. I brooded about for a little while. By my watch, Katrina would just be starting her act. I doubted I could keep awake long enough that night for her to be home. There was only one thing to do. I went back to my room and prepared myself for bed. Then I went into Valerie's room and got into her bed. It was a good thing it was queen-size, I thought sourly. I lay back on her silk-covered pillows and was asleep in seconds. I didn't hear her come in, get changed for bed or slip into bed beside me.

She must have disturbed the pillow, because I was aware of her, of the Werth cologne she'd just started using, all in a flash. I sat up and would have gone for the light but her hand touched my arm and she whispered, "Don't."

I considered and lay back. She had laid just about as far from me as it was possible to be in that bed. "I want to talk to you,” I said, trying to shake the cobwebs. I was waking up fast.

There was a rustle as her head moved. I think she must have nodded. "You couldn't wait until morning." It was a flat statement of fact.

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