A Woman In Full: Sharon's Journey Continues; Part XII - A Toast At The End free porn video

A Woman In Full: Sharon's Journey Continues Part XII - A Toast at the End Jocelyn took Tuesday off. Sharon pampered her all day and made her a sumptuous dinner that night. Then she sent her to bed by 9:00. On Wednesday, Jocelyn met with all of her direct reports and told them that she would meet with all of the managers in her division on Friday. When she did, she made very clear where they were as an organization. "We've just seen what can happen when one person runs rampant and everyone else is afraid to stand up and say, 'no'. I've been told that I intimidate some of you. If that's true, then you need to find another job, because I want people who will always be willing to stand up for what they believe. "At the same time, we all have to accept that we win some and lose some. When you win, please do so graciously. And when you lose, make sure you accept it as one of those things and move on. If you find yourself losing way more than winning, talk to your manager about it, and that includes if your manager happens to be me. "One other thing. In the course of this mess, some of you read or heard things about my personal life. I can tell you, it was very hurtful to see those things in print or to hear them being gossiped about around the water-cooler. But it also taught me that we are who we are, and each of us needs to be comfortable with that and respect the choices that are made by others, and if I hear of anyone gossiping about anyone else, you will be history." She could see one of her younger managers, Kevin Galvin, whispering to someone next to him and smirking. "Comment, Mr. Galvin?" she asked. He blanched at the sudden attention. "Please. Share it with all of us." "I was just saying that I wonder if that means that guys are going to suddenly start coming to work in dresses." She was pleased that there wasn't a trace of laughter. "I think you already realize that a remark like that is very un-smart. But I'll take this opportunity to say that not only wouldn't it bother me if you all did, but you might find it an enlightening experience. In fact, I would encourage it. Maybe we'll even set up a company-wide Crossdressing Day." Sharon had noticed that Jocelyn was back to her normal self by Friday morning - no signs remained of her long, grueling hours and lack of sleep. So, she made the rounds, having at last found another butcher, although up on East 67th Street, and made a northern Italian veal dish, grilled zucchini rolls, and a light risotto. Before she got too far along, she had an idea. When she heard David come in, she popped out into the hallway. "I have a favor to ask," she said. He was still looking morose, and so she worded it carefully. "Were you planning on dressing this afternoon?" "No. Why? Did you want me to?" She smiled and touched his arm. "I'm just asking. But I do have a favor to ask. My clothes still fit you?" He nodded. "Could I borrow something of yours? I promise to return it to you, cleaned, next week." It was sweet that he was that shocked. But then being flattered seemed to take over, because he immediately agreed. Two hours later, Sharon was putting the finishing touches on her makeup, the dinner having been served and the plates covered, and the wine having been poured, when she heard Jocelyn come in. "I'm home, darling!" she called as the door closed behind her. "Be right out," Sharon called back. She took one last look in the mirror. One last touch of lipstick, which was already heavily applied, to go along with the excess of eye liner, eye shadow and mascara. "Perfect," she whispered to herself. Jocelyn had her back to her when she walked into the dining room. She had already taken her blazer off, revealing the white chiffon blouse that she had worn, with the silk camisole she loved so much underneath. The pencil skirt was tighter around the hips than her other skirts, and the curves thus formed were already arousing Sharon's little nub. Jocelyn turned around and gasped. Sharon was wearing Deanna's school uniform, the baby blue pleated skirt rolled so that it hovered nine inches above her knee. The white blouse was only buttoned immediately above and immediately below her bust line, and the loose ends of the blouse were tied tightly under her breasts, revealing her bare midriff. The skirt was so short that the lace tops of her nude thigh highs were plainly visible below the hem. Sharon smiled as Jocelyn's gaze traced a line down her legs, to the lace-trimmed anklets and the stiletto-heeled pumps. "You are a total slut!" Jocelyn gasped at last. Sharon pranced over and licked the tip of her nose and giggled. "Dinner's ready," she said, a teasing lilt in her voice. Jocelyn immediately kissed her on the mouth while her hands reached up under the tiny skirt. Sharon could feel her shudder as she felt the tiny g-string underneath, then gasped herself as Jocelyn's hand tenderly stroked her little nub. "You fucking little tramp, you're already wet." Sharon kissed her earlobe and probed her ear with her tongue. Jocelyn kissed her neck, then her throat, then down to the top of her breasts, all the while squeezing her butt cheeks. "But, dinner is..." Sharon started to protest. The two buttons that were holding her blouse together were already undone, and Jocelyn was licking and nuzzling her bare breasts. They were kissing and walking toward the bedroom. "But dinner..." "Fuck dinner! I need you now!" Jocelyn had already kicked her heels off and shed her blouse. As they fell onto the bed, Sharon put her hands under the camisole and pushed it up over Jocelyn's head. Their tongues were dancing around each other as Sharon unhooked Jocelyn's white lace bra. As they kissed and held each other, Sharon whimpered as Jocelyn's nipples brushed against hers. Jocelyn pushed her down onto the bed and shed her own skirt. Wearing nothing now except white lace panties and white pantyhose, she straddled Sharon and lowered herself until the crotch of her pantyhose gently nestled against the clearly wet front panel of Sharon's g-string panties. "Fuck me," Sharon whimpered. Jocelyn chuckled. "All in good time, my schoolgirl slut." As she continued to tease her little nub, her tongue flicked teasingly over Sharon's nipples, now painfully erect. Sharon loved the sight of naked Jocelyn towering over her, her breasts swaying gently as she continued to tease her wife. She loved Jocelyn's pantyhose tease, the feeling of nylon against nylon and the sight of her own stilettos and anklets. Jocelyn backed away and bent down, at last freeing Sharon's little nub from its nylon and lace prison, but before she did, she tugged at the waistband of the panties, pulling the thong hard against her ass. Sharon whimpered and squirmed in response. "You love to tease me," Jocelyn said, "now you have to lie there and take it." Jocelyn went down and kissed her little nub, flicking it with her tongue. Sharon wrapped her legs around Jocelyn's neck, and she responded by kissing her nub some more but not licking it. "Fuck me!" Sharon begged. "Not yet, my sweet." Sharon felt a single slim finger working its way up inside her. She had no choice but to loosen the hold her legs had on her spouse. The finger slipped out and then back in. "Finger fuck!" Sharon whimpered. One finger became two. "Open up, my sweet," Jocelyn cooed, punctuating her pillow talk with kisses and teasing caresses of her breasts. "I can't believe your tits are actually bigger than mine." "I'm your wife. Mine should be bigger." Jocelyn couldn't resist, and she kissed Sharon deeply and their tongues resumed their playful dance. Sharon was desperate to move things along, and so she knelt up on the bed and brusquely pulled down both Jocelyn's pantyhose and her panties. "Don't you dare take another thing off," Jocelyn said. "I want to fuck you just like the schoolgirl slut you are." Sharon giggled as they lay back down on the bed together. Only now Sharon was on top of Jocelyn and had her face buried in her wet, fragrant pussy. She loved that, for all of Jocelyn's appearing to be in control, she was actually more aroused than Sharon. Sharon's tongue probed as deep as she could go, then drew slowly, lovingly, teasingly up and out, taking her time as she licked Jocelyn's clit. Now it was Jocelyn's turn to whimper and gasp. "Am I doing it right?" she asked. She paused and gazed down at her spouse, smiling. "Don't stop. You can't stop!" "Why not?" she asked with a girlish pout. Jocelyn spread her legs further apart for emphasis, and after waiting just another moment for effect, Sharon returned to her licking, kissing and sucking. She stopped again to tease, but then resumed before Jocelyn could say anything. This time, she returned to her clit and sucked hard and licked, and Jocelyn went gasping into a towering orgasm. Sharon laid down next to her and planted a very wet kiss on her cheek. Jocelyn turned toward her and kissed her and licked her juices off her wife's face. Sharon giggled. For a moment, she feared that Jocelyn might be too tired. But she rallied quickly, and was soon straddling her wife again. "Now it's my turn," she said as she slowly teased Sharon to hardness. Sharon sighed as she felt one of their sex toys penetrate her anus while Jocelyn kissed and sucked her nipples. "Now," she begged. "No, no, no, no, no, no," Jocelyn murmured in her ear. She pulled back and gave her nub a teasing lick and Sharon whimpered with delight. "Such a bad girl," Jocelyn cooed. Then she kissed her nub. "Ooooh," she said, "So hard and hot! My baby really wants it, doesn't she?" "Come on, Jocelyn! Please!" "Please, what?" "Fuck me!!" "Slut." Another kiss, another lick. She pressed the toy deeper inside her. "Please," she whimpered. Without another word, Jocelyn lowered herself down, impaling herself on Sharon's nub. It had been a long time since she had seen it this erect, and she sighed with her own delight as she slid down onto it. But then she didn't move. "Jocelyn! You're still teasing me!" "Poor baby." Sharon began to squirm, trying to thrust her nub deeper into Jocelyn. "Bad girl!" But she was laughing as she said it, and soon she began to rock in unison with her wife. She could sense them getting closer to the edge, and just as she felt she was ready to climax, she reached down behind her and flipped a small switch. Suddenly, the little sex toy buried in Sharon's ass sprung to life, buzzing inside her. Sharon cried out as she exploded inside of Jocelyn. She felt as if rivers of jism were rushing into Jocelyn and that they might never stop. She cried out for her and realized that Jocelyn was crying out just as lustily. Later, they would feed each other the dinner that Sharon had prepared and sip wine and giggle. But for now, they just held one another. In early June, Jocelyn found she was pregnant. Sharon was so happy that she immediately told Julie, Amber and KC. They all cried and hugged her and told her she'd be a wonderful mom. Jocelyn settled back into her role as CFO at the company. The Justice Department filed civil fraud charges against Brad Holloran. They also filed charges against Kate DeVries for her role, but she immediately took a deal with a suspended sentence in return for her testimony against Holloran, and he, too, took a deal, one that sent him to prison for up to fifteen years instead of the potential maximum of 140 if he'd been convicted at trial. All summer, Sharon waited for signs of a thaw between David and KC, but nothing happened. She didn't ask him about it and he never mentioned it. Neither did KC, who was more concerned with her father's deteriorating marriage to Amber. By late October, Jocelyn was beginning to show. Sharon braced herself for another onslaught of Page Eight notoriety in the Sun-Trib, but then came the news that they were very eager for a settlement in the defamation suit. Sharon said she would consider it, and they began to have talks about it, but in the meantime, she said, it was a given that absolutely nothing about them would appear on Page Eight. It was agreed. Halloween Night, the restaurant again decided to have what had become their traditional festivities, and Jocelyn begged Sharon to reprise her role from the first year as the naughty Dorothy. She was glad to see that she still had the sparkling red stilettos and the micro-mini blue gingham dress. The white thigh-highs were easy. Jocelyn went as Glinda, taking advantage of the fact that her condition had made her much more buxom than usual. Everyone assumed the low heels were part of the costume, but the truth was that she couldn't manage much higher ones. Rod was the Scarecrow, with a large pink plastic member hanging out in front. "Braggart," sneered George, who went as the tin man, with a large metal extension on the front of his costume. "And yourself?" Rod sneered back. "At least mine's covered," George replied. It was well after 2:00 when they finally got back to Gramercy Park. Rod and George made sure they got in okay, then got back into the same cab and continued on home. "That was a lot of fun," Jocelyn said. "Although, I must say, that is a rather eccentric group of co-workers you have there." "Yeah, they're not normal like us." They both giggled. Sharon had just gotten into bed when Jocelyn came out of the bathroom in her nightgown. Sharon was about to say something when she saw a pained expression cross Jocelyn's face. "What's wrong?" Sharon asked. "Nothing. I just..." But then she convulsed in pain. The ambulance was there in minutes. By then, Sharon had again gotten dressed. The technicians assured her that they would do everything they could. Jocelyn lost the baby. Sharon kept herself strong for Jocelyn, assuring her that they could still try and reminding her that they'd known there would be a risk. But then, early the next day, riding home with George, she released all of the hurt. And she fell sobbing into his lap. "You said yourself there's nothing to stop you from trying again," he said when she cried it out and they were safely inside the apartment. "I know," she said. "But I was lying. The risk is worse each time." He held her again. She never noticed him crying with her, or Rod coming in later and placing his hand on her head as George held her. But when the emotion had left her and she ran out of energy to cry, George still held her. And it was then that she finally put into words the feelings that had been tearing her up. "She thought she had to make it up to me," she said. "She still feels guilty that she cheated on me. It was three years ago. I forgave her! She begged my forgiveness and I said yes. We got married! "But she found all that stuff about that woman, and it made her feel guilty, and now she thinks she has to make it up to me." "I know," George said, holding her. "I know." "She doesn't have to. She's the love of my life. She doesn't owe me anything!" "Don't cry," George said. "Please. We understand." But how could Sharon make Jocelyn understand? It was Rod who suggested the solution. "Tomorrow, we'll go and pick her up to bring her home. George and I will go with you, and we'll bring her home. You will not reassure her that you can try again. I don't care what you say, but you won't say that. When we get home, you will tell her, word for word, what you just told us. We will repeat it, if we have to, but I doubt we will." The next day, they met at the hospital. Jocelyn looked much better, and she was full of spirit. They got into the car to go home, and she turned to Sharon and said, "We'll try again." Sharon froze. "You have something to say about that, don't you, sweetie?" George asked. Sharon nodded. She then repeated everything she'd said the night before. Jocelyn's face fell. Silence fell, and it was Rod who broke it. "I've never known any two people as in love as you two are," he said. "Part of the reason we two love you two so much is because of the love you each have for the other. I'd be jealous, only it would cheapen our friendship, and I refuse to let that happen. "Listen to her, Jocelyn. You adore Sharon. She adores you. Each of you would do anything for the other, and you both do. Adopt a baby, if you like, because Sharon would make the most incredible mother. Or else live your lives with the same warm love to all you have already shown for your fellow humanoids. It's up to you. Just please be our friends forever, because we couldn't possibly live without you." There had been no further need for words after that. By late November, Jocelyn was back at work and Sharon had reason to hope that her novel might soon be picked up by a publisher. The Sun-Trib offered a very generous settlement on the defamation suit, and Michael Chung urged Sharon to accept it. The Times never mentioned the settlement, but the Sun-Trib's rival tabloids in the city all joined the feeding frenzy. Sharon and Jocelyn issued a one-sentence statement: "We will have no comment other than to say that the settlement was fair to all parties, and we want only to get on with our lives like anyone else." "That was one hell of a 'no comment'," George deadpanned. The gossip pages didn't lack for material, though. It seemed at least two or three times a week, there were salacious details of the Platt divorce. Justine was photographed in and around some of the wilder clubs in Chelsea and SoHo, often accompanied by an infamous Thai transsexual hooker named Joy. "She's all that Randall and I still have in common," Justine was quoted as saying, although the Sun-Trib printed a retraction the next day, saying that she had been "misinterpreted". Howard Mason was promoted to CEO of Jocelyn's company. He urged her to accept promotion to COO, but she declined. In the aftermath of the scandal involving the SEC, there were many changes that needed to be made in the company's reporting system, and she wanted to make sure she oversaw that. "Besides," she said, "my job already takes a lot of time away from my family life. I plan on doing this job for a few more years, and then I want to begin to throttle back. No one ever lay on her deathbed saying, 'I wish I'd spent more time at the office'." "I want to have a Thanksgiving dinner," Sharon said one night as they lay in bed. "You make Thanksgiving dinner every year. You, me, George and Rod." "I know, but I want to expand it this year. I don't think Alicia and David have much to do, and I'd like to invite some other friends, too. Maybe Julie and Jack and the kids." "Sounds like fun." Everyone accepted except for Amber, who explained that they were taking one last stab at holding the marriage together, and so would be having Thanksgiving dinner with family. "You can always stop by for a nightcap," Sharon said. "And if you have any change of plans, just call. No need to stand on ceremony." Amber said she would keep that in mind. She was just coming back from shopping for some of the things she'd need for Thanksgiving dinner. As she walked, with bundles in both hands, she prayed that the strap on her handbag wouldn't snap. As she turned onto Gramercy Park West, she saw a priest walking back and forth in the middle of the street, peering up at the houses in front of him. "Can I help you?" she called out. "You look lost." "First let me help you," he said. He was young, maybe 30, a nice looking guy in his stiff collar, with a pale complexion, dark hair and blue eyes. She was amused that, for the briefest moment, he appeared to be checking her out. He took most of the grocery bags from her. "Lead on," he said. She thanked him and led him up the stairs and into the apartment. "On the table is fine," she said. "Thank you so much. Now, how can I help you?" "Well, I'm looking for someone whom I believe lives on this block. At least I've been told she does." Sharon told him she knew most of the people who lived in these buildings and asked who it was he was looking for. "Sharon Boyle," he said. "That's me. I'm Sharon." "My name is Fr. Robert McGinty. I'm the pastor over at St. Columba." "Over in the West Village, isn't it?" "That's right. I've come because of a mutual friend. A homeless man named Bart..." "You're the one who gives him a place to sleep and wash up sometimes," she said, interrupting him. He nodded. "Is he all right?" He hesitated, and fear gripped her stomach. "Ms. Boyle, I found him this morning in the washroom. He was dead." She squeezed her eyes tightly shut. "I'm so sorry," he said. She nodded. She opened her eyes. "What happened?" she asked, her voice low. "It looks like an overdose of some kind. He's at the city morgue, now. But he talked about you a lot, and I thought you'd want to know." She nodded. Then she remembered her manners. "I'm sorry, Father. Can I offer you something? A cup of tea?" "That would be very nice, thank you." She put the perishables away and put the kettle on. "He talked a lot about you," the priest said again. "You meant a great deal to him." "I helped him out a little," she said. "I wanted to do more, but he wouldn't let me." "Yes. He could be rather...oppositional." She brought two tea cups over. He thanked her. "He saved my life, once. Literally," she said. "Yes, I know," he said. But then he looked distraught. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I can't say why." "That's all right, Father, I understand completely. I was raised a Catholic. Sanctity of the confessional." He nodded. "You saved his as well, you know," he said when he'd recovered. "I didn't save it. I just prolonged it a little." "Ms. Boyle, in this life that's all any of us can ever do." She liked him. He had a warmth, a sense of human understanding that she readily appreciated. And when he called her "Ms. Boyle", she got the sense that he knew a great deal more about her than he had let on. "What will happen to him, now?" she asked. "That's in God's hands. But I wouldn't worry too much about that." "I don't mean that. I mean, what happens when a homeless person dies in this city?" He frowned. "Not much, I'm afraid. The medical examiner will determine the actual cause of death and that will be registered. If some family member claims the body, they'll release it to them. Otherwise, he'll be buried in an unmarked grave on Hart Island - that's in the East River, right next to City Island." "A potter's field." "Yes." No, she couldn't let that happen. She refused to let it happen. He'd been an intelligent, caring human being who'd been beaten by life but still deserved something. "If I make the arrangements, Father, will you say a Funeral mass for him?" The young priest was stunned. "Well...yes, I can, that's no problem, but there's more to this than just saying a mass. You'd have to have an undertaker involved, and..." "Yes, we'll need that. He's not going to be buried in some potter's field on a little island in the middle of the river. He deserves a funeral, a decent burial and a headstone." She was growing more agitated as she spoke. "He may not have had much of a life, Father, but I'm not going to let him pass out of existence without a word or a remembrance!" He understood. And he admired her. But this would be thousands of dollars, perhaps tens of thousands. "I'm not a poor woman, Father. I can afford it. Will you help me?" Jocelyn understood. She even offered to split the cost with her, but Sharon declined. This was something she and she alone would do. "Well, I'm going to the funeral with you. I won't let you do that alone. And that's final." There would be no wake, since there would be no one to come. Fr. McGinty asked Sharon if she would like to say a few words at the service, but she didn't think it made any sense to do that, since she and Jocelyn would be the only ones there. "My only problem," she said to Jocelyn, "is what to wear. I wasn't family to him, and I really didn't even know him that well, so black would be inappropriate. But most of my dresses are kind of light in feel, or else they're evening dresses and those are all inappropriate." Jocelyn recommended she go out and buy something conservative and tasteful. She agreed that black was out, but thought that navy would be a good color for her. "But I thought you might wear your navy skirt suit," Sharon said. "I'll wear the gray herringbone instead." She went out the next day and found a nice dress in navy blue with a very soft velour empire bust and long sleeves, while the skirt was flared rich crepe. She also bought plain navy pumps with a three inch heel. The day of the funeral, she wore them with white pantyhose. "You look lovely," Jocelyn said as they got ready. "I love that dress on you." "Kind of a shame, I guess. Because after today I'll never want to wear it again." The funeral home sent a limousine for them. As they walked out, Sharon glanced around to see if anyone was around. She really didn't want to have to answer questions. Of her friends, she had only told Julie, who had offered to come. "No," Sharon had told her. "I feel badly that Jocelyn is even coming, but she insisted." "Of course," Julie had laughed. "She's your spouse." The limo driver kept glancing at them in the rear view, but other than that it was a quiet ride. When they pulled up to the church, Sharon saw Julie and Jack waiting out front. "She insisted," Jocelyn said with a smile. "So did Rod and George." Just then, Sharon saw them at the door of the church as well. Julie came up to her as they got out of the limo and hugged her. "If you thought I was going to let you go through this alone, then you're not nearly as bright as I thought you were." "Thanks, Jules. Any other surprises?" There were. Alicia and David were there. Mr. Wentworth, the new tenant on the third floor, was there. So were the two women up on four. Beverly Colby was there, and so was Michael Chang. Just before the service began, she saw Amber, Frank and KC come in. "After we get back from the cemetery," Jocelyn told her, "we'll have some of them back to the house." "But, I haven't planned..." "Carol Anne is handling the food. She's catering it for free, and she told me to tell you that if you give her an argument, she'll fire you." "Can we make this quick?" George asked as they sat in the front row together with Jocelyn and Rod. "I mean, this place gives me the heebie- jeebies." She tried not to laugh. She almost succeeded. Just before they got started, Fr. McGinty came over to her. "I know you said you weren't going to say anything," he said. "But considering the turnout, would you like to reconsider?" "I haven't prepared anything." "Just speak from the heart, darling," Jocelyn said. "That's what you do best." Sharon nodded. The service began. After Fr. McGinty gave a short homily, he invited Sharon to come up and speak. She smiled when she saw a box of tissues on the pulpit. "First, I want to thank all of you for coming today. I really had just wanted to do this because I felt it needed to be done. Bart deserved it. "Bart and I were friends, and it was a friendship that in many ways was defined by the misunderstanding that started it. I saw Bart one night outside Lincoln Center, and I stuffed two bills into his cup. He had a funny habit of referring to bills by the names of the person who was pictured on them, so dollar bills were 'Washingtons' and five-dollar bills were 'Lincolns'. "The next time I saw him, he recognized me and thanked me for having given him two 'Hamiltons'. He just couldn't believe that anyone would have given him twenty dollars. The thing is," she went on, her voice thickening, "it was a mistake. I had thought I was giving him two singles, but I'd pulled two tens out of my purse by mistake; I didn't even realize it until I got home that night. "I felt terrible that he thought so highly of me because of a mistake, but I couldn't tell him it had been a mistake because he would take it as me not wanting to have been as generous as he'd thought I was. It wasn't that I wanted him to think better of me," she said, starting to cry. "I didn't want him to think I thought less of him. So I never told him. Until now." She paused and took a tissue, dabbing lightly around her eyes, hoping her mascara wouldn't run. "Because now, it can't hurt him. Wherever he is, he is better off than he was here. And I always wanted that for him. "I wanted to make sure he was remembered, and that he had a permanent, marked and well-kept resting place. Because even if our society considered him a failure, he was a human being who loved and hurt and feared and hoped and had opinions. He had value. "His memory still does. "Thank you for coming today, all of you. And the next time you see a homeless person begging, please give him something. Maybe a 'Lincoln'." She sat down and felt like she was going to break down. Jocelyn took her in her arms and held her, and after a minute she was all right. Fr. McGinty finished the service. Afterward, they were milling about, waiting for the casket to be loaded back in the hearse, when the priest took Sharon aside. "I just wanted to thank you," he said. "And I wanted to let you know that if you ever want to come and be part of our congregation, you would be most warmly welcomed." "Thank you, Father, but I'm afraid that particular membership card expired a long time ago." "Check again, Sharon. There is no expiration date. And," he added, holding up a hand, "I know what you are thinking about the church's attitudes toward...certain lifestyles. I can't answer for them. All I can tell you is that the God I know and love welcomes everyone and rejects no one who accepts him." "I'll think about it," she said. He thanked her. The trip up to Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx and back was a blur. Sharon felt a physical relief when they crossed back over into Manhattan. By the time they got to the house, it was obvious that Julie had taken over the proceedings, while Carol Anne and Lola took care of the food. "I've got an editor interested in the manuscript," Beverly said to her. "Really interested. We'll talk more on Monday. But I think this may be it." The other tenants didn't stay long, but Alicia and David did. Sharon was glad to see that, even though David seemed particularly diffident and kept slipping in and out of the crowded apartment. She didn't see KC. "Hi," KC said to David, sitting on the top step of the front stoop. "Hi," he said, glancing up at her. In so doing, he caught a glimpse up her skirt and so turned away, lest she think he was looking. She sat down next to him. "Join you?" she asked, already sitting. He nodded. "How's Ty?" he asked. "Getting big. He's starting to walk, now. He gets into everything!" She smiled as she said it. "That's great. You look great. You cut your hair. I like it short." "Thanks. Amber says it makes me look older." He considered that. "I guess. I like it because it draws more attention to your eyes." She thanked him again. "How have you been?" She asked. "I don't see you around much these days." "School's gotten a lot harder. My mom's really pressing me to gear up for college, so..." "What about...?" "Deanna?" She nodded. "Sometimes." KC stared out at the park. "Why?" he asked. "Did you think it would go away?" She shook her head. "No, I just wondered." A large truck turned off 21st Street onto Gramercy Park West and inched up the block, just barely making it past all the parked cars. The noise forced a pause in their conversation. "I miss you, KC. I miss you and Ty, but especially you. I miss our time in the park together." "Me, too." By now the truck and turned onto 20th Street and then down Irving Place, its roar fading with it. "Any boyfriends?" "You kidding? Me? With a kid? Socially, I am strictly toxic waste." "Assholes." She smiled at that. He always defended her. And he always asked about Ty. And he was so very sweet. She turned and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks," she said. "I needed that." He turned and his lips brushed against hers. It lasted longer than either of them expected. "Would you go with me to my junior prom?" he asked. "When's that?" "May." "Kind of far in advance, isn't it?" "Might not get another chance to ask you." Thanksgiving morning was chilly and overcast. Sharon was up bright and early preparing the turkey. By the time Jocelyn came out to the kitchen, it was nearly nine. "Hey, there, Sleeping Beauty!" Sharon said. Then she placed a cup of coffee in front of her. "I guess I'm not going to get a frittata for breakfast this morning," Jocelyn noted. "Not even if you offered to make it yourself." Jocelyn pointed out that she's been working nonstop since the previous Saturday. "I want it to be perfect," Sharon said, as she had all week. "So, what's the final count?" "Rod and George, Jack and Julie and the kids, Alicia and David, plus us - eight adults, two little ones. Plus possibly Alicia, Frank, KC and Ty for desert, but I've been told not to count on that." Jocelyn was about to make a crack about it, but decided against it. Sharon was having much too much fun, and the last thing she wanted to do was to put a damper on that. Instead, she came up in back of her and held her around the waist. The phone rang. Sharon answered it. The conversation was short, and she finished by saying, "Don't be silly. Of course you're welcome here! Don't give it a second thought." She didn't make a face until she ended the call. "That was Amber. She threw Frank out this morning. Wouldn't go into the particulars. So, add her, KC, Jason and Ty to the dinner list." "We'll just have slightly less leftovers," Jocelyn said with a laugh. Sharon threatened to throw a wooden spoon at her but refrained. Rod and George were the first to arrive, and they brought a case of wine with them. "Rod was going to make something," George said, "but, really, who can compete with you?" Julie and Jack were next with the kids. Julie contributed a huge platter of homemade cookies. "Sharon's recipe," she would say when they were served. Amber and KC arrived with Jared and Ty, as well as a loaf of banana bread that KC had made. "Completely on her own," Amber said. "I'm domestic, but not that domestic." Megan was thrilled to have Ty to hover over, and immediately commandeered Jason into helping. "Not like her mother at all," Julie said. "No," Jack agreed. "I suspect she picked up that trait from her Aunt Sharon." There was a knock at the door. Sharon opened the door and smiled to meet her newest guests. It was Alicia and Deanna. Deanna looked lovely, wearing a royal blue pleated nylon dress with a lace overlay and a scoop neckline, and a thin silver belt with little metal studs. It fell to a few inches above her knee, and she wore tan pantyhose and black pumps with a four inch heel. She wore the long blonde wig, but styled neatly and tied back with a matching blue ribbon. "You look lovely!" Sharon gasped. "We actually went shopping for it together," Alicia said with a smile. "You don't mind?" Deanna asked in a whisper. "Of course not. You can always..." But then the realization struck her and she gasped. "What's wrong?" Alicia asked. "Amber and KC are here." "I thought you said..." Alicia began. "It was a last minute thing," Sharon said. "She only called me this morning." "Why didn't you tell me?" Deanna cried, softly. "Because I didn't know you were going to dress." Deanna paled, and Sharon was worried she might faint. "Well," Alicia said. "Come on. We can't stand here all day." "I can't!" "Why don't you wait out here and kind of compose yourself," Sharon suggested. "Then just come in when you're ready." "What's up?" Jocelyn asked, coming up from behind Sharon. "Oh, hi, Alicia. Great to see you. Happy Thanksgiving; come on in. And...oh! Deanna! You look fabulous!" Sharon tried to signal Jocelyn to keep it down, but she didn't catch it, and KC, walking by, heard the name and stopped. She stared, stunned, at Deanna, who could only stare back. "I guess you two have a lot to talk about," Jocelyn said. "You can use the bedroom," Sharon said, stroking KC's hair as she did. "Talk as long as you like. We're not having dinner for a while, yet, and I'll call you when we do." KC and Deanna both stared at her. She reached out and touched their cheeks with her hand. "You are both wonderful people," she added. "Truly wonderful. Just remember that." KC turned first and started down the long hallway to the bedroom. Deanna hesitated a moment, but Alicia glared at her and she soon followed. "Come on," Jocelyn said to Alicia when the girls were out of earshot. "You look like you could use a stiff one." Don't cry, Deanna thought. She knew if she cried, all would be lost. Say something, her mind added. You must have something to say. "I'm sorry," she said aloud. The look on KC's face told her it was exactly the wrong thing to say. "Yeah, I know," KC replied. "If you'd known I was going to be here, you wouldn't have dressed like this." You're both wonderful people, Sharon had said. Deanna took a deep breath. "You're right. I wouldn't have." KC stared at her. "And it would have been a mistake," she went on. "Because as much as I felt like I wanted to die a couple of minutes ago, and I'm still kinda shaky on that, in a way I feel like a huge weight has just been lifted off of me - I no longer have to worry about how you'd react if you saw me dressed, because now you have." "And you think that's it?" KC asked. "It's all gonna be cool, now?" Deanna walked over to her. In her heels, she was a lot taller than KC, who was wearing black patent leather dress flats. "I don't know what's going to happen. But I do know that finding out is going to be better than trying to keep from finding out." KC thought about that but didn't say anything. "I'll tell you another reason why it would have been a mistake not to dress. My mom and I went shopping together for this dress. She took me to Macy's. We'd spend time together with me as Deanna, but never like this. "It wasn't just the dress. We shopped for makeup - I got a makeover - and shoes and a purse. It was like she was finally really okay with Deanna." KC nodded slowly. "It's important that she be okay with that," she said at last. "It's much more important that you be okay with it. But I knew that if I couldn't win her over, I'd never win you over." KC was still staring at the floor. Deanna was about to ask her to look at her, but she did it on her own. KC looked her over appraisingly, as if seeing her for the first time. "That's a lovely dress," she said. "That shade of blue really looks good on you, especially with the blonde hair." Deanna took note of KC's soft burgundy sweater and short black A-line skirt. "I love that sweater. It's so soft. It makes me want to hold you." KC glared at her. "Well," she went on, "I always want to hold you. The sweater just makes the idea that much more inviting." The glare softened. "I love you, KC. I'm sorry you were shocked. I think the very best thing would have been for me to let you know I was going to dress and then go ahead and do it." KC shook her head. "I'd have tried to talk you out of it," she said. She gave a little sad smile at the end. "I didn't mean here. I should have let you see me dressed before today." They lapsed into silence. After a long while, KC turned to her. "I have to say, you look really great. If I didn't know you, I'd think you were a real girl." "Thanks." "I'm not sure I meant it as a compliment." Deanna's face fell. "On the other hand," KC went on, "I'm not sure I didn't. I think this is what it means to be conflicted." Another long silence followed. "Can I ask you something?" KC asked at last. Deanna nodded. "Were you planning on taking me to the prom as David or Deanna?" "Oh, definitely as David. My courage has limits. Besides, I can't wait to see you in a formal gown - you'll be so beautiful." She was glad to see KC smile for the first time. "Prom queen, teen mother division," KC replied. "You know what? Your being a mom is part of what I love so much about you. It sets you apart from the other girls. They're all so vain and catty, and you're so far above that." There were two sharp knocks at the door. A moment later it opened and Amber came in. "Sorry to break in on you two, but Ty is fussing a lot. I think it's all the people." "I'll take care of him," KC said. She started toward the door, but stopped and turned back to Deanna. "Can you give me a hand?" Deanna only hesitated a moment before following her out into the crowded living room. KC swooped in and picked Ty up, bounced him up and down a few times and he settled down. He reached out and grabbed a tuft of KC's hair and pulled. "Hey, none of that," she said, then kissed him so that the rebuke wouldn't sting. "KC," Julie said, "you're a real pro." Deanna came over, and KC turned so that no one else would hear. "Not to close. He's in a real grabby mood right now and that might not be too good for you, if you get my drift." Deanna blinked. But then Amber came up behind her and whispered, "Holy shit, you look good!" Sharon recruited Deanna, Alicia, Amber and George to help bring out all the food, and the dining room table all but groaned under the weight of it all. Not only had she served up a twenty four pound cackle bird and stuffing, but there was also her signature veal cutlet in mushroom cream sauce, broccoli polonaise, green beans and cherry tomatoes, spinach dumplings in a butter sage sauce and buckwheat cheese fritters. It seemed as if the food and wine were endless. Deanna and KC were each offered wine, and both accepted it. Deanna left a little trace of lipstick on her glass when she took her first sip, which made KC giggle softly - to be heard only by Deanna. "Before we all dig in to this incredible feast," Jocelyn said, standing, "which was made entirely by Sharon and not at all by me, I would like to ask you all to raise your glasses in a toast." Everyone stood. "I give you all my beautiful wife, Sharon; whose friends are legion and intensely loyal, because she is always loyal to them; who helped me through the worst nightmare of my life and through it all cared only for me; who has helped nurture the children, given guidance to the adolescents, supported our neighbors, fed the homeless and still managed to write a smashing good novel which we will see on the bookshelves in the coming year. "She is a woman in full." End Author's Note: At the end of the final episode of the final season of the widely acclaimed series, "Upstairs, Downstairs", Masterpiece Theater host Alistair Cooke said that what had pleased him the most was the fact that people would come up to him on the street and ask about the characters. Had Sarah had her baby? Did Lady Marjorie really go down on the Titanic? "To them," he said, "they were real people, and they cared about them." I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read my two novellas about Sharon and Jocelyn, and especially those of you who have come to care about them as I do. My goal has been to provide a real-world kind of story that celebrates the courage of transgendered people who live their lives as they really want, while at the same time showing the challenges with which they have to cope. In so doing, I hope I have offered an alternative to that brand of TG fiction that demeans and debases transgendered people.