The Class Project
by Janice Dreamer
Chapter 18
Robyn sat on the toilet and stared at the blue plus sign on the little
white stick. This simply could not be happening. How? How could she be
pregnant? What the hell was she going to do?
She leaned forward and put her head in her hands.
A gentle tapping on the door was followed by Cathy's soft voice, "Robyn?
Are you okay in there?"
Robyn closed her eyes and drew in a gasping breath. "I'm okay."
"You sure? Do you need anything?"
She sighed and put the stick down on the edge of the sink. No matter how
much she might wish for time to stop she knew she had to move forward.
She pulled her shorts up and opened the door. Cathy was standing there in
the doorway looking concerned. Behind her were Meg, Amy, and Donna all
ready to offer their support. There was no judgment on any of their
faces, only deep empathy and understanding for one of their own who was
going through something they'd all feared at one time or another. Robyn
swallowed a lump in her throat. Other than Jim, she'd never had such
wonderful, supportive friends.
She waved at the telltale test stick on the sink. "It's positive."
"Oh, Honey, it's going to be okay."
"We're here, Robyn, if you want to talk."
"Come here, Sweetie, you could use a hug."
"Yes, we're all on your side, Hon, girl power together."
Robyn felt numb gratitude for their understanding as she was touched and
hugged and coddled by these women. Somehow the future didn't seem quite
so bleak and unbearable as it had just moments ago.
* * * * *
Tom Johnson guzzled his beer and let out an enormous burp. He gestured at
the porno unfolding on the tv screen and muttered, "Fuck, look at the
boobs on that one!"
One of the frat brothers tossed a cheeto at Johnson and taunted, "Johnson
you gotta get your mind off hooters, we've got serious shit to discuss
here, dude."
"Yeah, yeah. What's more serious than tit fucking?" Johnson shot back.
"Aren't we supposed to be figuring out what to do 'bout those fuckin'
Tuskers?" a third member of the frat responded.
"Yeah, you're right," Johnson said, sitting up straighter in his lounge
chair. "Okay dudes, how we gonna get those assholes back? They really
made us look like jerks last year." He and Brad and several other
fraternity brothers were drinking beers and engaged in a strategy
session. They were trying to think up a stunt to pull on their school's
archrivals the Tuskers.
"What if we steal their mascot?" one of the brothers offered up.
"Man, that is so lame. Every year it's the same old shit."
"Yeah. But I hate that fucking pot bellied pig. Somebody ought to kill
that fat piece of shit."
"Even better... what if we steal the pig and have a roast? We can make a
chunk of change to boot."
"We'll do it the weekend of the lacrosse game with the Tuskers. Invite
them to the roast. They'll be eating their own mascot!"
"Sweet!"
"Okay, brothers, is everyone in favor?" Brad said, assuming his role as
fraternity president and taking the vote.
The motion carried unanimously. Now the brothers resumed more important
discussions: how they'd screw the various porno starlets in the video
they were watching.
* * * * *
Robyn sat alone in the evening by the motel's small pool. The day had
been warm and pleasant but a chill was beginning to creep into the air;
Robyn shivered but didn't make any move to go inside. They were supposed
to leave tomorrow and she was still in complete shock.
"How you making out, Robyn?" Meg walked over and sat down beside her. "Do
you want to talk about it?"
Robyn smiled wistfully, grateful for her friend's concern. "Thanks, Meg.
I'm... okay, I guess. As okay as I can be. Totally shocked. Confused.
Scared."
Meg hesitated a moment then said very gently, "Look, sweetie, I don't
know if you've thought about it and all... but... are you... you know... going to
keep it?"
Robyn blinked. She hadn't even thought about her options. She'd just been
overwhelmed by the simple fact that she was pregnant. "Keep it? The
baby?"
Meg nodded. She stroked Robyn's arm and took her hand. "I know it's
difficult to talk about. But I'd be a pretty crappy friend if I didn't at
least remind you that you do have choices."
"Thanks, Meg." Robyn squeezed her hand and managed a tentative smile. "I
appreciate you being honest with me. To answer your question... I... don't
know."
"Well at least you're not making hasty decisions." Megan let out a little
sigh of relief. She put her other hand on top of their joined hands.
"What about the father? Are you going to tell him?"
"The father." Robyn sighed. "I just don't know, Meg. I guess I've got to
tell him." She ducked her head, feeling a bit embarrassed mentioning Brad
to Jim's sister. "I kinda dread that. I'm not sure what his reaction will
be."
"If he's a jerk about it he's not worth the time of day. Men can be such
asses."
"I know. I know. He's... well he didn't grow up like you and me. He's
different. He can be really sweet. And he can just turn all distant in a
heartbeat."
"Well don't let him intimidate you. Whatever you decide, it's your
choice. You need to stand up to him."
"I know." Robyn bit her lip and continued, "I'm also worried how Jim's
going to take the news."
Megan was silent a moment. She loved her brother and she loved Robyn like
a sister. She knew the situation between them was awkward. But she had
faith in her brother. "Jim's a good guy, even if he is my brother. I'm
sure he'll stand by you. He's not one to turn on a friend. Especially in
a time of need."
Robyn nodded, realizing the truth in her words. "Yes, you're right. Jim's
one of the truly good ones. He's been such a good friend to me. I'm more
worried about him being disappointed in me than anything."
"Disappointed? Never. He might get pissed at the father if he turns out
to be a jerk, but I don't think he'd be disappointed in you."
"I hope not. I value his friendship. I need all the friends I've got
right now."
"Well, you can call me anytime you need to talk, you know that don't
you?"
"Thanks, Meg, I appreciate that." Robyn felt tears welling in her eyes.
* * * * *
Jim sighed and brushed the hair back from his eyes. He stood stiffly and
stretched muscles cramped from sitting too long in front of his computer.
He reached out and clicked the mouse, starting up the video. This was the
hundred and seventy second iteration of the video enhancement routine. He
and his friends had been making steady progress and he hoped this version
was just about perfect. They'd transferred the original VCR recording to
DVD and the computer enhanced video was now ready for viewing.
Jim fast forwarded through the preliminaries. He had that portion
committed to memory by now and knew it contained no significant clues. He
slowed to normal speed when he reached the part where the interference
started. There was still some fuzziness in parts but he could clearly see
the swirling shape take form inside the pentagram where the computer sat.
He also saw both Bob and Cathy standing clearly inside their own
pentagrams. When the ultimate moment of the change arrived he saw their
bodies start to glow and reform themselves into their new shapes. The
process took about two seconds and was culminated by a white flash from
the computer when the demon dissipated. Immediately afterwards they fell
to the floor and lay unconscious for the remainder of the recording.
He backed the video up and looked at the transformation frame by frame.
It was truly fascinating to see Bob's huge form shrink into the lovely
body of Robyn. Cathy's transformation was no less amazing even though it
wasn't as dramatic in extent. He clicked the mouse to stop the playback
and rubbed his eyes tiredly.
With this recording and the files they'd managed to recover from Bob's
fried hard drive Jim had reconstructed the summoning program. He was 99%
sure it would work just like the original. But he was torn. He didn't
really want to tell Robyn that he'd cracked the problem. He was afraid
she'd immediately want to change back. He felt honor bound to help her if
that was her decision but he knew he needed to make one last effort to
change her mind.
He knew she was due back from Florida today but she'd probably be at that
asshole's apartment. He wouldn't see her until after classes tomorrow.
The only question now was how he intended to go about breaking the news
to her.
* * * * *
"Pregnant?" Brad stared at her as if she'd just grown a second head.
"What the hell are you trying to pull? You told me you were on the pill."
"I... I was Brad. The doctor at the health center said it was probably the
antibiotics I was on a while back when I was sick. They reduce the
effectiveness..." she trailed off helplessly as Brad turned away from her
and started pacing the room.
"Brad?" she asked tentatively.
He whirled on her, his face a study in barely controlled rage. "What?"
"I... I'm sorry. I thought you should know."
Brad looked at her. His expression was unreadable. Then suddenly he
smiled ingratiatingly and reached out to her face. Robyn flinched, as if
expecting a slap, but he tenderly brushed her cheek with his hand. "Well,
Sweets, it's okay. It's not the end of the world. We can take care of
this."
Robyn smiled slightly, relieved that he seemed to be getting over his
initial surprise. But she was uncertain what he was saying. "Take care of
this? What do you mean, Brad?"
"We can go to a clinic. It'll be quick and painless. And all our problems
are over."
She bit her lip. "I don't know Brad. Is that the right thing to do?"
She'd always thought she was pro-choice. Of course that was an easy
position for Bob; he'd never be in a situation where he'd actually have
to *make* the choice. Now, she was uneasy with the idea of abortion. She
had a baby growing inside her. A baby! Her baby... and Brad's. Shouldn't
they spend more than two minutes deciding that baby's fate?
Irritation flashed across his face but he quickly suppressed it. His tone
turned wheedling, "We've got our whole lives before us, Sweets. I'm
graduating this spring and you've got at least two more years. Do we
really want to be tied down with a kid right now? Think logically,
Sweets. We've got plenty of time to have children... in the future."
Robyn's emotions were running wild. Was Brad implying a future together?
With children? Is that what she wanted out of life? His points were valid
too; they were very young and not ready to have a baby. What kind of life
could she give a child? She didn't know the first thing about babies. She
was still learning about being a woman, much less a mother! Hell, she
didn't even know how much longer she was going to be female.
"I'm so confused," she finally said truthfully.
Brad's mind was running on adrenaline. He calculated how best to get the
bitch to do what he needed her to do. He'd have to fake concern and
sympathy until the deed was done.
"Just let me take care of everything, Sweets," Brad said smoothly. He
took her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. The little bimbo was
fun in the sack but it was time to move on, he thought to himself. He
should have just dumped her when he had the chance, back when she got all
pissed at him over that other twat with the fake boobs. Well once he made
sure she got rid of the kid he'd end this once and for all.
* * * * *
Robyn sat morosely in the clinic waiting room. A splash of harsh early
morning light glared into her eyes. Every sensation seemed sharp, yet
paradoxically unreal. Brad was at her side but he was miles away. She
hadn't slept a wink last night nor had she since discovering she was
pregnant. She was so weary from arguing with Brad. He insisted she stay
with him last night, even though all she wanted to do was go home. It had
been an awkward night. Every time the subject came up Brad insisted that
abortion was the only possible choice. She'd finally allowed him to sway
her and convince her to come here this morning.
The nurse called her name and she stood and woodenly approached the desk.
She was ushered back to an examination room and instructed to disrobe and
put on the paper gown. The nurse very briefly explained the procedure; a
simple 'Dee and Cee' she called it. Dilate and Curette. Dust and Clean as
one of her friends had referred to it. The doctor would be with her
shortly. The nurse left her alone.
Ten minutes later a young male doctor tapped on the door and slipped
inside. His manner was a bit brusque, he had three other rooms with
patients waiting. He frowned when he glanced at his young patient. Robyn
sat fully clothed staring at the tray full of instruments on the counter.
"Miss? You'll need to undress for me to proceed."
She looked up at him as if he were speaking a foreign language. She was
trembling.
"Are you all right, Miss?" the doctor asked. His manner had suddenly
turned gentle. He'd been through this many times and was familiar with
this reaction.
Robyn shook her head. "No... I don't think so, Doctor."
"Have you changed your mind?" he asked gently.
She nodded. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. She simply couldn't go
through with this.
"It's okay. I understand. You need to be sure. Why don't we postpone this
for now. I'll send the nurse back in and she can give you a list of
obstetricians, just in case."
Robyn wiped her eyes and sniffed. "Thank you Doctor."
The nurse ushered her back into the waiting room a few moments later.
Robyn was clutching several pamphlets on pregnancy and a list of ob-gyn
specialists.
Brad stood up, smiling insincerely. "That was quick."
"I... I didn't do it," Robyn said.
Brad's smile froze and his face darkened. "What? What do you mean, you
didn't do it?"
The nurse interjected in a motherly fashion, "Our patient here just
wasn't sure. She needs time to make up her mind. It's a big decision
after all."
Brad whirled on her with fury in his eyes, "You keep out of this you old
bat! The decision's made. She doesn't need time." He turned back to Robyn
and snarled with dangerous venom, "You get your ass back in that room and
get rid of that brat, you hear me?"
Robyn stiffened. She'd never seen Brad like this. It shocked her and
angered her. What right did he have to talk to her like this? Who was he
to tell her what to do? She felt her decision validated; now was not the
time to take such rash and irrevocable action. "No! I won't. I won't let
you or anyone else take my baby."
Brad made a fist and shook it in her face. "Fine! You stupid bimbo! We're
done!" He suddenly whirled around and picked up a chair and hurled it
across the room. He kicked another chair and several people scurried out
of his way. One man stood and took a step towards him. Brad snarled at
him, "Try it dickhead!" He stalked out of the clinic, slamming the door
behind him.
There were several groups in the waiting room and they all started
talking at once, completely amazed at Brad's shocking behavior. Robyn
stood trembling with emotion at the center of the chaos. She felt fresh
tears streaking down her face and broke down in sobs. The nurse gently
steered her to a chair and urged her to a seat. She handed her a tissue
and asked if she needed a cup of water.
Robyn shook her head and fumbled in her purse. She pulled her out her
cell and opened her contact list. She started scrolling down looking for
a friend she could call to come all the way downtown and get her.
"Jim? Hi, it's me..." she said with a quaver in her voice. "Can you... can
you... can you come and take me hoooome?" she ended with a wail as the
tears overtook her again.
* * * * *
Brad drove like a wild man through the early morning traffic. He narrowly
avoided several accidents. Horns blared but he ignored them. The fucking
bitch! The goddamn fucking bitch! He pounded on his steering wheel with
both fists. He wanted to smash something. How dare that stupid little
twat keep her fucking brat?!
His rage was a dangerous thing. He'd never felt this intensely over a
fucking girl. She'd been the best lay he'd ever had but now she ruined
everything. If she thought she could somehow trap him by keeping the
baby... What the fuck had gotten into her these past months? She'd been so
compliant. Perfect for him. He'd even begun to have notions about
continuing their thing (he was incapable of thinking the word
"relationship"), after all you just didn't throw away the best sex you
ever had. When he graduated and joined the family business he could
continue hooking up with her. Even after he eventually married Rebecca...
But now the fucking cunt had got herself knocked up and refused an
abortion.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" He screamed. Goddamn bitch! He'd beat her face in if
she were here right now.
He pulled out his cell and dialed as he swerved away from a pedestrian in
his path. "Johnson? We're doing it today. Get that fucking truck from
Bennett and meet me at my place. That fucking pig is ours, Dude."
He noticed a liquor store and pulled in. Beer was just the ticket. And
Jack Daniels to give it a bite. Fucking bitch stand up to him, will she?
* * * * *
Jim stood and dusted his hands together. He surveyed the apartment; it
was a mess with all the furniture pushed back to the edges of the room
and wires taped down to the floor. It was as exact a recreation of the
way the video showed Bob and Cathy had set things up for the summoning as
he could manage.
He'd loaded the summoning spell into his own computer that now occupied
the central pentagram. The screen flashed 'Press Enter to Start
Countdown". Now all he had to do was wait for Robyn to return. He hoped
she'd be surprised. He also hoped he could talk her out of it. He hoped
that with all his being.
But if she turned him down he was committed. He'd go through the
summoning spell with her and help her restore herself to a male. He was
so full of nervous energy he couldn't sit still. He paced about the room,
checking the clock every five minutes. He knew Robyn was supposed to work
this evening and he hoped she'd stop by the apartment to get her uniform
beforehand. But that was several hours away.
His phone rang, interrupting his pacing. When answered it he heard a very
upset Robyn wailing for help. He instantly felt a protective urge and
gripped the phone with white knuckles. "Robyn? Where are you?" Jim said
into the phone, trying to remain as calm as possible.
"It's okay, Robyn, calm down. I'll be there as soon as I can. Just sit
tight." Jim closed the phone and rushed out the door.
He didn't have a car and didn't want to wait for a taxi so he set off
running. The address she'd given was only a mile and a half away. He
could make it in ten or fifteen minutes. As he ran his thoughts circled
round in his head. What was Robyn doing downtown? Why was she so upset?
Was she hurt? He worried something serious had happened.
When he reached the address he saw it was a clinic. Oh God, he thought,
she's hurt. He dashed inside looking left and right for his friend. When
he spotted her he hurried over and knelt down in front of where she sat
huddled on an old plastic chair.
"Robyn, are you all right? What's wrong?" Jim gasped, out of breath.
She looked up at him with tear streaked cheeks and sniffled. "Jim," she
whispered. "Thanks for coming."
Jim took both her hands and stared deeply into her eyes. "Are you okay?
You're not hurt?"
She nodded and sucked in a deep breath. "I'm okay. I'm not hurt."
He pulled her into an embrace and sobbed, "Robyn, Robyn, I... I'm so
relieved. God, you scared me!"
After a bit she pulled back and said softly, "I'm sorry. I... I couldn't
think of anyone else to call..."
"What's wrong, Robyn? What're you doing here?" He looked around, really
seeing their surroundings for the first time. This was some kind of
women's clinic. The majority of the patients waiting were couples. There
were booklets scattered everywhere on childbirth, STD's, and abortion. It
was beginning to dawn on him what type of clinic this was.
Robyn blushed a furious shade of red. She dropped her eyes and fiddled
her fingers with Jim's where he still held her hands. "I... Jim, I'm so
sorry. I... I'm pregnant." The last word was whispered so low that Jim
could barely hear it.
He shook his head and leaned in very close. "I'm sorry, I couldn't hear
you. I thought you said you're pregnant?"
Robyn nodded silently. She bit her lip and refused to meet his eyes.
Tears rolled down her cheeks and dripped off her chin.
Jim enfolded her in his arms and rocked her gently back and forth. "Shhh.
It's okay. I'm here. We'll figure this out."
Robyn burst into uncontrollable sobs at his tender understanding
reaction. She clung to him and cried while he patted her back, smoothed
her hair and whispered condolences into her ear.
Finally she was pretty much cried out and pulled a bit away from him. She
sniffled and he held out a tissue he'd scooped up from a nearby table.
"All better?" he asked.
"Mmm hmm." She nodded and blew her nose. Her eyes were red and her cheeks
streaked. "Thank you, Jim."
"Want to talk about it?"
She nodded slowly. Her hands were busy shredding the tissue nervously.
"I'm pregnant. I told Brad and he... he..." she stopped and drew in a breath.
"Brad said we're too young and... and... he thought we should... we should...
anyway, he brought me here. To get an abortion." She barely whispered the
word.
"Uh huh," Jim said gently. He reached out and wiped her cheeks with a
tissue and held it for her to blow her nose. "Go on."
"Well... when they took me back... they were so nice and... said it was so
simple and no problem. But... but I just couldn't. I couldn't decide. I
mean... it's a *baby*." She shook her head slowly and looked up at Jim for
understanding. "I couldn't."
"I know," Jim said. He touched his forehead to hers. "I understand,
Robyn."
"Anyway... Brad got mad when I... when I... didn't. He stormed off and left me
here. And... well... I called you."
"Jerk!" Jim swore vehemently. "It's okay, Robyn. I'm here. Let's see
about getting you home."
Jim asked for a phone book at the desk and called a taxi. They waited
silently, both preoccupied with their own thoughts, until the cab arrived
then he gently helped Robyn to her feet and they went out to go home.
* * * * *
Back at the apartment, Robyn stared in wonder at the work Jim had done to
set up the summoning. She reverently touched the wires and brushed her
hands across Jim's computer sitting inside the center pentagram. Turning
to him with eyes welling with tears she said in hushed tones, "You did
all this? For me?"
He nodded. "I thought I'd surprise you. I know how much you want to
change back to Bob..."
"Jim..." Robyn interrupted him. She started to protest but he held a finger
to her lips.
"Hear me out first, Robyn," he said. He swallowed nervously. He guided
her over to the couch and urged her to sit. He sat on the edge of the
sofa next to her and turned to face her. He took both her hands in his
and said very solemnly, "Please, just listen to me before you say
anything, Okay?"
She nodded. He was acting all weird again. Today had been such an
emotional day. She just didn't feel like dealing with more drama just
now.
"I umm... I know you want to change back to Bob," he started again, almost
like reciting a memorized speech. "I can understand why and all... it's
just... I... umm... I think you..." He paused and seemed to mentally revise his
rehearsed speech. He was starting to sweat and his voice was trembling
with emotion when he continued on a slightly different direction. "I...
umm... I got everything ready. I recovered the program completely and I've
made all the preparations. We could run the program right now, it's ready
whenever you are." He paused, searching her eyes, hoping to see her
thoughts.
Robyn's eyes darted to take in the set-up he'd worked so hard on. She
drew a breath to say something but he held up his index finger to stop
her.
"Hang on a sec, Robyn, I'm not finished. It's ready... but... I..." Here it
was, he had to tell her. He'd been holding these feelings in for so long,
afraid of her reaction, that the moment took on a sense of unreality. He
took her hands again and finished in a rush. "I don't want you to. I know
it's selfish of me but I want you to stay as you are. As Robyn. I... I... I
think I'm in love with you..."
A surprised gasp escaped her lips. Robyn's eyes widened and she started
trembling. She raised one hand to her mouth which had fallen open
slightly. Tears welled in her eyes and her chin quivered. In a voice
turned tremulous with emotion she whispered, "Jim..."
He saw her reaction and his face fell. He bulled on, "I'm sorry. I
shouldn't have said anything. I'll help you change back. Just forget I
said anything..."
Robyn swallowed and a tender smile spread across her lovely features. She
leaned toward him, tears rolling down her face. Reaching up, she placed
the tips of her fingers lightly on his lips, silencing him. "Jim, dear
Jim, *wonderful* Jim..." He looked suddenly confused and hopeful. "I've
been in love with you for months... I... I was just too stupid to realize
it..."
She moved her hand from his mouth, brushed his cheek and cradled the back
of his head, urging him forward with slight pressure. She turned her head
slightly and brushed her lips against his with gentle whisper soft
tenderness. Jim reached for her and drew her into his arms, holding her
tightly. The kiss quickly turned passionate. They'd both been waiting so
long for this, their pent-up emotions flared intensely.
Robyn realized he'd picked her up in his arms and was carrying her down
the hall. She was thrilled and nervous all at the same time. He
reverently laid her on his bed and continued to kiss her passionately.
Jim slowly eased her blouse open, taking his time, savoring every
millisecond. He lovingly kissed each inch of skin as it was revealed.
Robyn was gasping with arousal. She pulled at his clothing, wanting to
feel his bare skin against her.
He paused when she was fully nude, amazed by his incredible luck. This
was Robyn! Gloriously perfect. And she wanted him. She loved him! He
kissed her deeply, their tongues entangled. He felt like a nervous virgin
as he slowly planted a trail of kisses down her body. This first time
would be marvelous.
Robyn squirmed on the bed, her heart swelling with emotion. Jim was
driving her insane with his slow teasing touches. Her skin tingled, her
breasts warm and nipples tightly erect, her sex thrummed with heat and
dripping with desire. This was Jim! He was the man of her dreams, no one
else could compare. And he loved her! She moaned and tangled her fingers
in his hair as she felt the slickly soft flick of his tongue on her outer
labia. Oh God, she thought, this is perfect!
* * * * *
Robyn cuddled up against Jim's lean muscular body. She sighed contentedly
and kissed his chest just below his nipple. Why did they wait so long?
This man was her destiny, she knew it with a visceral certainty. She
closed her eyes and offered a prayer, thanking whatever forces in the
universe that had made her female and brought them together.
Jim lazily ran his fingers through her hair. He couldn't believe his
incredible luck. He would spend the rest of his life with this woman.
"Jim," Robyn said softly. Her cheek was pressed to his chest and she
raised her eyes to see his face. "I love you."
"I love you, Robyn."
She bit her lip, knowing she had to bring up the topic. "Jim... I'm
pregnant..."
"I know." He touched her face tenderly. "Our baby will be perfect. She'll
be just like her Mom and I'll love her so much."
Robyn's eyes shone with unshed tears. "What if she's a he?"
"Then I'll love him. We'll raise this baby with love just like the others
that come after. Did I ever tell you I want a big family, like my Mom
has?"
"Did I ever tell you how much I love your family? I want a big family
too."
Jim urged her upwards closer to his face and kissed her.
"Oh I wish I didn't have to work tonight," Robyn sighed. She felt Jim's
arms tighten around her. She glanced outside and saw it was getting dark.
Much as she hated to, she needed to start getting ready.
"I need to drop off a paper at the computer center anyway," Jim said. "I
almost forgot in all the excitement. I'll tell you what, I'll meet you at
Peepers."
Robyn smiled like a little girl. Jim was so different from Brad; he
actually *wanted* to spend time with her. "Okay. I love you, Jim." She
kissed him and slipped out of bed.
"I love you, too." Jim was already pulling on his jeans. Robyn briefly
reflected on how easy guys had it when getting ready; Jim was out the
door while she was still waiting for the shower to warm up.
* * * * *
Chapter 19
"I gotta take a piss," Brad muttered as they pulled into his parking lot.
Johnson was driving. He'd kicked Brad out of the driver's seat for his
own protection; Brad had drunk so much his aggressive driving was
terrifying. They heard a squeal of protest from their kidnap victim in
the back of the truck. Tusky was tied to a hook in the pickup's bed. He
was still "dressed" in the cheesy cape and little tricorn hat of his
mascot costume.
"Man that pig is loud. Bet those fuckers are gonna squeal even louder
when we serve ol' Tusky up for dinner," Johnson laughed.
"Fucking A, Dude!" Brad whipped it out and started peeing in the parking
lot behind the cover of the pickup truck.
"Hey, you got any beer in your fridge? I just killed the last one."
"Sure, sure, go on in and help yourself. I'll be there in a minute." Brad
tossed Johnson his keys and stumbled off toward Robyn's apartment.
Fucking bitch.
Brad tried the door to Robyn's apartment. It was unlocked. He let himself
in. He glanced around the living room and took in the jumble of wires and
computing equipment. What the hell were these geeks up to now?
His eyes landed upon a DVD with 'Bob/Robyn' scrawled on it in black
marker. What was this? Some kind of family album? He picked it up and
turned it over in his hands.
"Who's there?" Robyn called from back in her bedroom. "Jim? Is that you?"
Feeling crafty Brad shoved the DVD in his coat pocket and called back,
"No. It's me."
Robyn came out of her bedroom with a scowl on her face. "What are you
doing here?"
"I won't be long. I just came to deliver a message." Brad's manner was
belligerent.
"So? I'm listening." Robyn crossed her arms and stared at him like he was
some disgusting bug.
"If you think for one minute that you can cash in on that little bun in
your oven you better think again bitch," Brad started up. "My family has
a whole staff of lawyers who eat gold digging bimbos like you for
breakfast. We'll bury you in the courts. Your brat will be grown and
sleeping around like its mother before you even get in front of a judge.
Trust me, girlie, you don't want to mess with me."
Robyn hadn't even flinched at his nasty tone. She felt strong and secure
in his presence for the very first time ever; knowing Jim loved her in
return leant her courage. She looked him up and down and spoke with icy
venom, "My friends all warned me about you but I wouldn't listen. You're
scum. You're beneath scum. I don't *want* your money. Not one cent." She
snapped her fingers in front of his face for emphasis. "I can't believe I
had the poor judgment to actually trust you... to *sleep* with you. God!
There's not enough soap on the planet to wash your stink off me. It makes
my skin crawl just looking at you, to think I..." She stopped her tirade
and waved her hands in a dismissive gesture. "No, you're not worth my
anger. You're pathetic. Get out before I call the police."
Brad turned white with anger. He'd been all set to totally intimidate the
little slut and frighten her into going back to the clinic and submitting
to an abortion. He certainly had *not* been expecting her to stand up to
him, to defy him. Who the hell did she think she was dealing with here?
He actually drew his fist back, on the brink of smacking that haughty
look off her face. But she held up her phone and punched in 9-1-1 and
held her finger over the send button, just daring him.
"You haven't heard the last of me, bitch!" he snarled then turned on his
heel and stormed out of the apartment.
* * * * *
Brad stormed back into his apartment. He was still pissed that the little
twat would stand up to him. He threw himself into a recliner and yanked
at his jacket, pulling his arms out of the sleeves. As he did so he came
upon the DVD he'd just stolen. Curiosity got the best of him and he got
up to put it in his player. Maybe it was worth a laugh?
Johnson was slouched on the couch with a beer watching sports. There was
a mirror with the residue from a couple lines of coke on the coffee
table. "Hey what the fuck? I was watching that, Dude."
"Shut up a minute, will you? I want to see what's on this video," Brad
snapped back. He seated himself and did two lines. They settled back and
watched the preliminaries. Brad vaguely remembered the ugly Goth bitch
with his lard ass neighbor. Cathy. She'd been a serious dog back when he
dated her roommate. Except she had gotten really cute lately. And that
fat shit... how could such a hideous dork have such a hot sister? No
telling genetics, he thought. When Cathy and Bob just stood still for a
stretch he pushed fast forward, searching for some action.
"Whoa!" Johnson said, surprised when Cathy and Robyn suddenly fell to the
floor. Brad backed up the video until just before they fell. There was
Bob and the Goth chick. Then they morphed, the Goth chick turning much
better looking... into Cathy, Robyn's hot looking friend. And Bob turned
into... no! It just wasn't possible. This kind of shit only happened in
sci-fi movies. They replayed the scene over and over, at regular speed
and in slow motion and it sure looked real. Brad didn't think the nerds
had the capability to fake this and make it look so real.
"Fuck! D'ya think that's real, Dude?" Johnson finally broke the silence.
Brad shook his head. "I dunno Dude. It sure looks real to me. I just
don't fuckin' know..."
Brad sat staring at the television with Bob frozen in mid transformation
to Robyn. His mind was trying to accept the implications of what he saw.
This could explain a lot of things. Why Bob suddenly disappeared and
Robyn appeared. Why a red hot babe like Robyn was still a virgin. Why she
seemed so clueless about most things girls take for granted. The more he
thought about it the more he came to believe what he saw on the DVD.
"If it's real then... that hot little bitch used to be a *dude*!" Johnson
said, awestruck.
Brad nodded. "Looks like."
Johnson whirled on him, malicious glee written large on his face. "Dude!
Then that means... you've been fucking a *guy*!" He laughed in Brad's face.
Brad's face darkened. He snapped, "Fuck you, Dude! She could fool
anybody. She's the hottest little pussy I've tapped in a long time. You
wanted to do her too. Hell you were all over her that night at the
'Trap."
Johnson grinned evilly. "I know, I know. She's hot, even if she is a guy.
Even now... knowing she's a guy... I'd *still* like to fuck her."
Brad seemed lost in thought a moment, then a smile grew on his face and
he said, "Y'know, that might be arranged. I got an idea..."
He leaned down and laid out two more lines on the mirror.
* * * * *
"I'll be there in a couple minutes. I'm just passing that vacant lot on
South Street," Robyn said into her cell as she was walking. She was
running late for work. Brad, the snake, had held her up. What a loser!
Then she'd been so pissed she fussed around instead of getting ready. Now
she was hurrying past a vacant lot on her way to Peepers. She decided to
call Jim as she walked. Now that all the misunderstanding was cleared up
she couldn't get enough of him. "Well, let me get off for now. I love
you..."
She was grabbed from behind and she screamed and dropped her phone. She
struggled but whoever held her seemed ten times bigger and stronger. A
large male hand covered her mouth while another arm pinned her arms to
her sides and lifted her off the ground. Her eyes were wild and she tried
to bite the hand that held her mouth but it was so strong and so large it
just held her jaws together making it impossible to move at all.
She looked in all directions for some kind of help but she was dragged
back into some bushes at the rear of the lot. Brad stepped out of the
shadows and grinned at her. "Good work, Tom. Watch her though, the little
slut is feisty."
Robyn rolled her eyes but couldn't see her captor. She flailed her legs,
trying to kick him but he turned her sideways so she was held helplessly
in a position where even that proved fruitless.
"She sure puts up a fuss," Johnson said. Robyn tried to scream again when
she recognized his voice but she only succeeded in making tiny squeaking
noises. "That'll make it more fun when I stick my cock in her. I can't
wait to feel her squirming. You should have twisted it off when you had
the chance, bitch. Now you're gonna pay!"
They were going to rape her, Robyn realized. She redoubled her struggles
to free herself but all to no avail. Johnson's muscles might as well have
been made out of steel for all she was able to budge them.
"So Robyn, or should I say *Bob*? Tell me something, man to man," Brad
stood before her in drunken triumph. "How's it feel to get a good
fucking? Huh? Is it better for a girl? I *know* you got the best cock
ever all those time you fucked and sucked me, bitch. And now you're about
to get the fucking of your faggot ass life!"
Robyn's eyes went wild and she stopped struggling when Brad called her by
her former name. How the hell had he found out? She felt cold fear run
down her spine.
"That's right, *Bob*," Brad continued in a sneer. "Thought you could get
knocked up and blame me for the brat? Thought you could cash in on my
family's money? Well think again."
Robyn screamed in agony as he slammed his fist into her belly. Then she
was reduced to gasping for breath as all the air whooshed out of her body
from the force of the blow. Brad pummeled her in the stomach again and
again, leaving her limp and all but unconscious. Johnson let her go and
she sank to the ground in a tiny puddle of misery. She couldn't think,
she couldn't act, she could only hurt.
"So much for that brat!" Brad husked out as he leaned over and put his
hands on his knees, resting from the effort of beating her.
She felt hands around her middle raising her and setting her on her hands
and knees. Oh God, what was happening?
"High time I got some pussy from this bitch," Johnson said from behind
her. Her skirt was roughly torn away and her panties lowered to her
knees. She heard the sound of a zipper and gasped in pain as a hard penis
roughly invaded her vagina.
Robyn knelt on the cold hard ground grunting in pain at each thrust of
Johnson's organ into her abused body. Every inch of her body hurt, she
was totally humiliated and frightened almost into catatonia. She couldn't
think, she simply prayed for the ordeal to be over.
Suddenly she heard heavy breathing and the sound of bodies running
through the weeds. Oh God, they've called their fraternity brothers to
help violate her.
But Johnson suddenly withdrew from her body with a surprised grunt of
pain. She heard Amy's voice raised in the familiar attack scream of
kickboxing and the sound of a heavy body hitting the ground.
She slumped to her side in the dirt. Vaguely she saw people fighting by
the light of the moon and a distant streetlight. Jim was trading punches
with Brad. Johnson rose stiffly to his feet and tiny little Amy launched
herself through the air to land a wicked kick to his ribs. He screamed
like a girl and went down. Peeps jogged up then and paused to assess the
situation, ready to jump in if he needed to. Brad took a punch to the
face and fell. Jim turned to look for Robyn and hurried over when he
caught sight of her.
"Robyn? Oh God! Robyn!" Jim screamed. He was crying and cradling Robyn's
limp body in his arms. Amy and Peeps both ran over to help when they saw.
"Franklin, let's get out of here. I think the bitch broke my ribs,"
Johnson's hoarse voice rasped out.
"Right behind you, Dude." Brad muttered as he rose to his feet. They
needed to get out of here before things went from bad to worse. The two
limped over to Brad's car and raced away from the scene of the crime.
"We need to get this child to a hospital," Peeps said. "Somebody call
911."
* * * * *
"Dude, this fuckin' pig won't move," Johnson rasped between shoving
against the hindquarters of the Tuskers' mascot.
Brad turned around from Robyn's front door and snarled, "Just wait a
minute you stupid jock. I'm trying to open this fucking door."
The two had hit a bar after running away from Jim, Peeps and Amy. They'd
had quite a few drinks and now were in the process of getting their
'revenge' on Robyn for having the audacity to be rescued in the middle of
a rape. They'd drunkenly decided to put the pig into Robyn's apartment so
it could 'shit up the place'.
Finally Brad succeeded in opening the door. He turned around and helped
Johnson motivate the reluctant pig. They push-pulled the animal until
finally it was inside. Brad flicked on a light and saw the summoning set
up. He'd noticed it earlier today when he stole the DVD but now it struck
him what its purpose was.
"Dude! Let's fire this bitch up!" Brad gestured to the computer. "Those
dweebs will prolly have the cops on us and we can use this sucker to
change our looks." Brad was in the throes of a drunken stroke of genius;
the idea seemed positively inspired to his pickled brain.
Johnson stared at him like he was crazy. "You mean turn ourselves into
girls? No fuckin' way!"
"No, you idiot. You can make yourself into a young Joe Montana and take
your choice of NFL draft picks. I can become... hell, I don't know. But
somebody the cops aren't gonna be lookin' for anyway."
"Yeah..." Johnson said, starting to like this idea. His grandest ambition
was to make the pros and under all his bravado he'd always secretly
worried he wasn't good enough.
"Hang on a sec'," Brad muttered. "Gotta catch that pig, can't have him
knocking shit around while we do this."
They rounded up Tusky and tied him to a kitchen table leg, putting down
half the contents of the refrigerator to keep him content. It didn't
occur to them that he was positioned right next to the computer in the
central pentagram.
"Okay... how does this fuckin' thing work?" Brad said. "Click mouse to
start... Hey, Dude, stand over there inside that star on the floor..."
* * * * *
"Please, can my friends come back? Please?" Robyn asked the emergency
room admitting nurse. She was in pain but had regained some of her wits.
She simply didn't want to be alone. The nurse felt compassion for all
rape victims and nodded her head. It was the least she could do for the
poor child who'd just endured a hellish ordeal.
Jim, Amy, and Peeps crowded around her bedside. Scott showed up several
minutes later, having been called by Amy. Jim smoothed her hair back over
and over and whispered endearments and encouragement. Amy held her and
cried silent tears of sympathy, remembering her own rape a few months
back. Scott stood behind Amy with his hands on her shoulders lending
quiet support. Peeps stood back from the group, his face an unreadable
mask. Robyn closed her eyes and drew strength from her loving friends.
A young doctor came and did an examination. Robyn endured the prodding in
stoic silence. Finally he was satisfied and pulled the covers up.
"You're a very lucky young woman," the emergency room doctor explained to
Robyn. "You've got two broken ribs but your baby is fine."
Robyn gasped in relief and felt tears of joy spring to her eyes. Jim
squeezed her hand and kissed her on the forehead. It was all going to be
all right.
Robyn was interviewed by a policewoman. She took her statement and the
statements of the others. The hospital had confirmed that Robyn had been
raped. They took samples from her vagina and under her nails to do DNA
testing.
Finally, they said she could go home. Jim seemed upset that they didn't
at least keep her overnight to make sure she was okay but Robyn was only
too happy to leave.
Peeps brusquely kissed her forehead and said he had to get back to his
bar. He offered his wishes that she get better soon.
"Mr. Peeps?" Amy said tentatively as he was turning to leave.
"Yes?"
"Um... Robyn's going to be out for a while until she gets better..."
"So?"
"Well, I was wondering if maybe I could come back to work... now that
you're short handed and all?" Amy said with lowered eyes and a deep
blush.
Peeps silently eyed her a moment. Unknown to the others, he bit the
insides of his cheeks to hold back the smile that threatened to spread
across his face. Finally he barked out, "Fine. Suit yourself, girlie. Be
there for the evening shift tomorrow. And you'd better not be late!"
"Yessir!" Amy chirped with a happy grin.
* * * * *
Tom Johnson swayed unsteadily inside the little star outlined with
twinkly lights on the floor. This is fucking bullshit, he thought to
himself. He couldn't believe Brad had talked him into such a stupid idea.
Fucking Franklin used to be cool but ever since he got hooked up with
that bitch Robyn he'd been changing. Losing his edge. He even begged the
bitch to take him back as her boyfriend after they pulled that killer
stunt on Amy. He was acting like a pussy whipped wimp.
Now here he was in some dorky dungeons and dragons scene, acting like
they were calling up a demon. Fuck! They were very possibly wanted by the
cops for rape. How the fuck were they going to get out of that?! Sure as
shit not by playing witches and devils.
He blinked blearily as some kind of form took shape where Tusky was tied
up next to the dorks' computer. It sure looked a lot like what they'd
seen on the DVD. This was just stupid. He needed another beer.
"Fuck this shit!" Tom muttered and took a step towards the refrigerator.
He crossed the line of the pentagram and his brain exploded with white
light. He sensed a supremely evil presence gloating with triumph as he
tumbled unconscious to the floor.
* * * * *
Chapter 20
"Holy fuckin' shit! It's Bob!" Scott swore as they entered the apartment
and flicked on the lights. Lying unconscious, sprawled on the hardwood
floor was their missing roommate, Bob. He was half naked, the clothes he
was 'wearing' were all way too small for his enormous body and had split
at the seams, almost like that cheesy sci-fi movie 'The Hulk'. But Bob
wasn't the only thing knocked out on the floor; there was a large pig
with the regalia of the Tuskers' mascot Tusky and a smaller pig who was
dressed in jeans and flannel shirt. "What the fuck is goin' on here?"
Jim was helping Robyn up the stairs and he froze as he took in the
carnage. "What in the world..."
Robyn realized instinctively what had happened. "See if there's wallets
in those pants Bob and the smaller pig are wearing," she directed.
Jim searched the pig and Scott searched 'Bob'. They both came up with
wallets. One they flipped them open it was revealed that Bob's body
carried Brad's wallet and the pig's wallet belonged to Tom Johnson.
"Okay, you guys, get the keys from Bob's pockets," Robyn was taking
charge. "We're going to clean this mess up and move Bob and both pigs
over to Brad's apartment. Jim and Scott, you're going to have to do most
of the hauling here. I'm in no shape to help and Amy doesn't have the
muscles."
They got busy. In less than ten minutes they managed to move all three
unconscious bodies over to Brad's apartment. In a moment of kindness
Robyn went back to her room and picked up her old wallet and a pair of
jeans and a shirt that she knew would fit the new Brad. She carried them
over and flung them down on the unconscious corpulent form. Robyn noticed
the television had a freeze frame image of herself and Cathy halfway
through their magical transformation. She ejected the DVD and took it
with her. The last thing they did was toss the keys on the table and pull
the door locked behind them.
"Well, it's only a matter of time now," Robyn said. "I'm not sure what's
going to happen first, they wake up or the police come looking for Brad.
Either way it's not going to be pretty." She flashed a smile that had no
humor in it. "A part of me wants the bastards to suffer... but another part
just wants to let this episode go."
Scott and Amy had been exchanging confused looks throughout the whole
process. They both had the impression that Robyn and Jim thought the pig
and Bob were actually Johnson and Brad. But that was completely
impossible. They helped move the bodies but it was more a matter of
humoring their friends than anything else.
When they were settled back into their own apartment Scott was the first
to question them. "What the hell was all that about anyway?"
Jim and Robyn were sitting next to each on the couch; Jim was holding
Robyn's hand. They exchanged a glance and shrugged. Jim said, "Robyn?
It's your choice."
"It's time we told them the whole truth, I guess," Robyn said. "Guys, I
know how difficult this is to believe but... I used to be Bob."
Both Amy and Scott expressed disbelief. until Jim put the DVD in and
showed them the transformation. Amy began to credit the story as she saw
Cathy's transformation. She remembered Cathy from before and watching the
goth girl instantly change into the person she'd formed a close
friendship with was very convincing. She'd never met Bob but it was
undeniable that the man in the video changed into her friend Robyn. And
that man looked exactly the same as the man they just moved over into
Brad's apartment.
It didn't change the way Amy thought of Robyn. She couldn't possibly
think of her friend Robyn as anything other than a girl, no matter the
evidence. Amy just filed it away in her mind the same way a child deals
with her parents' sexuality; she knew it was true but she just couldn't
picture it. Instead of worrying about Robyn's male past she struggled to
take in the strange transformation of Brad and Johnson.
"You mean to say, that Brad and Tom called up a demon and changed
themselves into..." Amy was talking herself through the convoluted course
of events. "But why would Tom want to be a pig?"
"He probably didn't want it. We'll never know, but the demon is very
tricky," Robyn said with a self deprecating tone. "I didn't *choose* to
become me." She gestured down at her own body. "But I was lucky. The
demon thought it was doing me dirty but I'm so much better off than I
ever imagined. I love my new life. I found the love of my life..." She
glanced up at Jim, who kissed her tenderly. "I wouldn't change back for
anything." Even this horrible night could not change the fact that Robyn
was happy as a woman.
"A pig!" Amy snorted. "There's a poetic justice in that."
"Not just a pig," Jim said. "When we were moving them I noticed that our
old pal Tom is now a sow."
"Oh wow!" Robyn said. "That starts to make sense. I'll bet the demon
substituted Tusky's idea of the perfect lover for Johnson! That would
follow its pattern. It's what happened to me, after all."
Amy laughed evilly. "Oh I wish I could see the look on his face when
Tusky wakes up to find his new lady love!"
Scott was listening silently the whole time. Now he turned to Robyn and
said with amazement, "So you're really Bob? And you and Jim..."
Robyn shook her head. "I *was* Bob. Scott, that's true. I have Bob's
memories. But I've changed. I'm Robyn, now and forever."
Scott seemed satisfied with that. Robyn certainly was a different person
from Bob. And no matter that she claimed that she used to be a guy she
was positively female now, in attitude as well as appearance. Amy surely
accepted her as a girl and a friend and he trusted her instincts.
"Well, I personally think it's a change for the better," Scott finally
said after he had a moment to take everything in.
"I do too," Robyn smiled at him. "Thanks Scott. Sorry I didn't tell you
everything all at once but... well, you have to admit it's kind of
unbelievable."
"I'll say. If it weren't for what I've seen tonight I still wouldn't
believe it."
Robyn shifted and winced at the pain in her ribs.
Amy was at her side immediately. "I wish I'd gone to the police when I
had the chance, Robyn. Then all this might never have happened."
"It's not your fault, Amy. Those two are poison. The world will be well
rid of them."
* * * * *
The next morning Robyn and Jim were awakened by a policeman at the door.
It was officer Rollins.
"Good morning, Ms Wilson." He touched his cap in a brief gesture and
said, "I'm terribly sorry about what happened to you last night. I'd like
to assure you that every resource of the force is being mobilized to
capture your assailant."
Robyn shifted uncomfortably; her side was throbbing. "Thank you, officer.
Is that what you came by for?"
"No, Miss. I'd like to ask you a few more questions about Robert Wilson."
"Oh?" Robyn stepped back and gestured for him to come inside.
"I won't be long," Rollins said as he seated himself on the chair Robyn
indicated. "You see, we've found Mr. Wilson."
"You have? Where?" Robyn asked innocently.
"That's where you come in, Ms Wilson. We obtained a search warrant for
Mr. Bradley Franklin's apartment, based on your statement that he and Mr.
Thomas Johnson assaulted you last night. Once we entered the apartment we
discovered Mr. Wilson unconscious on the living room floor. Curiously
there were also two unconscious pigs in the apartment. They also found a
considerable quantity of cocaine and Ecstasy in the apartment."
Robyn blinked as if this was all news to her.
"Your statement last night said that you and Mr. Franklin had been in a
relationship for some time. Were you aware that he and Mr. Wilson were
involved in illegal drugs?"
"No, I wasn't. Although it doesn't surprise me. I've heard of girls
suffering horrible indignities involving drugs and Mr. Johnson and Mr.
Franklin and their fraternity brothers. I'm lucky to have escaped as
lightly as I did."
"If we need you to identify Mr. Wilson can we count on you to come down
to the station?"
"Yes, certainly officer."
"Good. Although I don't think you'll need to, we've plenty of other
witnesses. Just between us, he's been delirious ever since he regained
consciousness. Claims he's not really Bob Wilson. Although I doubt if
that will help him much. The courts in this county don't go in for the
insanity defense in drug trafficking cases. Well, I won't trouble you any
more. I know how tired you must be."
"Officer?"
"Yes?"
"What about the pigs? What's going to happen to them?"
Rollins blinked. "I believe they are being sent to a local farm. They'll
be well cared for while they're fattened up."
Robyn gulped. She didn't think she'd ever eat ham again.
* * * * *
Epilogue
Cathy slipped out of the bathroom. She was 'dressed' in a silky gown that
only emphasized rather than concealed. She felt happy and sexy. She knew
she was ovulating.
"Your news is so fantastic, Dear, I want to celebrate," she purred as she
glided across the room, putting a little extra sway into her walk.
"Remember when we promised each other we'd start our family once you made
full professor?" She smiled and lowered her eyes. "I'm ready if you are."
Greg held his arms out to the love of his life and said, "Of course I'm
ready. I've been ready."
Cathy jumped into bed and practically assaulted her husband.
A long, wondrous time later they lay cuddled together fully satiated.
Cathy planted a kiss on Greg's neck and whispered into his ear, "I think
we scored a bullseye."
"I hope so," Greg replied in a drowsy voice. "It's about time we started
catching up with Robyn and Jim."
Cathy giggled. "I don't think I'm the Earth Mother type that Robyn is. I
saw her new commercial on TV the other day. She looks even more beautiful
than ever, if that's possible. Four kids and running that business, I
don't know where she finds the energy."
"Well Jim and Scott and Amy *do* help a bit with the company, I expect."
"We should visit them this summer when we're on vacation. I want to see
my goddaughter. I bet she's grown a foot!"
"I know. Jim said she was starting first grade this fall. Last week I
spoke with him about their IPO for Digital Demons. He wanted some advice
on franchising law. Their legal advisors are good but he wanted to cover
all the bases."
"You never told me they were taking the company public!" Cathy said with
mock reproach. "That's pretty exciting for them!"
"Pretty exciting for us, too," Greg said with a grin. "With that chunk of
stock they gave us for an anniversary present we'll be fixed pretty
good."
"All the more reason to pay them a visit! It's been way too long. And
Donna and Ben and John Peeps too. I can't believe she's a partner in
Peepers now. And running her husband's business to boot. Since she got
her marketing degree she's really gone to town. Besides," Cathy patted
her tummy. "I want to be able to gloat about our new baby. Finally we're
not going to be the only childless couple among our friends."
The End
Afterword: I started this story in 1995, nearly 12 years ago. Since then
my life has totally changed (in the truest fictionmania sense). In the
intervening years I lived and experienced a lot of life. As I reread the
early chapters I'm struck at how na?ve some of my ideas were. I've
written several stories since I started this, my first tg story. I always
felt ashamed that I left this tale incomplete. Now it's finally finished
after over 11 years and I'm free of the guilt of being one of those
internet authors who post something only to leave the readers hanging.
I've tried to stay true to my original vision when I started the story.
I've worked through the years with the outline I wrote back in 1995 and I
believe I've basically been successful. I appreciate all the emails I've
received from kind readers through the years telling me they enjoyed this
story and asking when I plan to finish it. Well here it is... finally!
Enjoy!
Janice