RANSVESTIA

chance to accept the fact that I wasn't cured. I'm not sure that I could have accepted her accepting me.

1 met my present wife through my work. Itold her about my dressing even before we became involved. Her initial reaction is fairly typical of her viewpoint she said that if it made me happy, then it was OKwith her. All through Cindy's emergence, my wife has helped make Cindy the girl she is today. My wife sewed Cindy's first dress; she helped me select the proper cos- metics and has consistently provided helpful directions as I pro- gressed.

It was less than two years ago that I went out for my first public venture. I made a quick trip to the mailbox at about 11 p.m. I was convinced everyone would spot me, even in the black of night. After that adventure I slowly mustered the courage for other trips to the post office and to closed shopping centers. I took many walks on dark streets at night.

I had one experience which still makes me shiver when I think about it. One Sunday afternoon I was dressed and alone in the house. The doorbell rang, and Ipanicked. Without my wife there for protection, what could I do? I did the only intelligent thing - I hid. The ringing persisted. Faster than a speeding bul- let, I started to undress. Now the ringing was at the back door- bell. I managed to change clothes, wash my face, and clean my nails just in time to catch a prowler who had climbed up on the front deck and was entering the sliding glass door. Luckily, he was even more frightened than I was and left quickly. It was many months before I could dress again without my wife at home.

Another somewhat funnier event occurred while we were trying to sell our house. Periodically I would dress on the week- ends, hoping that the realtors would call before attempting to show the house. Inevitably, one Sunday a realtor appeared at the front door without calling first. I ran for the garage and hid in the trunk of my car. What a sight that must have been! At the time I was really frightened, but now we still laugh about it on occasion.

Last February, my wife and I went to a movie together. This was the first time that we had gone out together while

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