My Wonderful Obsession 42 free porn video

My Wonderful Obsession Part 42: New Millenium, New Me Rob continued to prod me about coming to Keystone over the Christmas holidays, so I finally got off the pot, so to speak, and emailed him that I wanted to but just couldn't. Family obligations, work commitments, that sort of thing. Of course, those were just lame excuses. The real reason? To put it simply, I wasn't ready ... meaning, my body wasn't quite there yet, and as much as I longed to be with him again, I'm not sure my head was there either. Oh sure, the trip was supposedly all about skiing and partying, which I was totally into and all, but I'm sure both of us knew what was REALLY supposed to happen out there in the snowy Rockies. So, truth be told, my number one excuse was my new 'equipment' - which, according to the surgeon, still needed some 'tweaks' - and there's no way on God's green earth I was going to risk anything bad happening to my special little pussy until it was certifiably ready for 'action.' Add to that the fear factor - like, would I be able to perform like a real woman? Rob would be expecting me to be just like all the other girls he must have bedded, and what if he thought something about this Sandra girl was amiss? Whatever - apart from all that, you couldn't keep me away from him! Rob emailed back and said that was a real shame, was there anything he could say or do to change my mind, I would've had a fabulous time, and I really needed to get back on the boards before my 'muscle memory' forgot how to do it. Anyway, he said, he did understand and maybe there'd be another opportunity before the ski season ended. Not wanting to seem negative when he was being so gracious, I responded that I'd love to come and I'd try to make it work, somehow. So that basically set the stage for my next few months as a new woman - meaning, life went on pretty much as usual. Or close to it. No more running after dark for me - I got Kath to go with me or I just stuck with daylight hours, which by that time of year were in short supply. Actually, when I did feel healed enough to try going faster than walking speed, it was a very different experience than before my surgery. With no male stuff packed tight against my crotch, there was this wonderful freedom of movement. I loved it - and resolved to get back to my previous level of fitness as soon as possible. Soon, Mom and I were busy decorating the house and despite working practically every day at the restaurant, I managed to get time off between noon Christmas eve and the afternoon of Boxing Day, which I spent at home with my family. We all had a great time - especially Phil, who had no less than three females to wait on him hand and foot and prepare and serve all the food. My sister-in-law, echoing Julia's comment, asked me if I was having second thoughts about giving up the advantages of manhood. As if! Oh, and I got to spend some quality girl time with Kath over the holidays, mostly watching movies and playing board games, but we also sang some Christmas song duets for her parents, with her dad accompanying on the piano. I must say, the atmosphere at her house seemed much improved from how it was earlier that year. I even got a holiday hug from Mrs. Thomas, and Mr. Thomas never once said or did anything mean to me or his daughter. A miracle on OUR street! Then, before I knew it, the holidays were coming to an end and Mom, Kath and I were celebrating the New Year, in our pajamas, in front of the TV, with platters of yummy finger food. The kickoff to Y2K really was a big deal! There were SO many people who were totally freaked about the new millennium, but as the celebrations progressed from Australia to Times Square, and the world was still in one piece with everything working exactly as it had on December 31st, it looked more and more like the whole scare was just overblown hype. Too bad for all the people who got rid of all their possessions and expected to be whisked up to heaven, or to some other planet, or wherever. Sucks to be them, as Kath remarked. No sympathy at all from her, as usual! ***** Well, as far as I was concerned it was a good thing aircraft could still fly, or you wouldn't have found me in a window seat a few days later, watching the white landscape go slowly by seven miles below the plane that was whisking me back to Portland. I would've had to hop a train, or a bus, or even thumb a ride - whatever it took, as long as I got there. It was super-important to me that everything was as perfect as it could possibly be with my new accessories. More evidence of my obsession? Uh- huh! In fact I was so concerned about it that I hardly slept in the days leading up to my trip. I was only in the clinic three nights, though - and it was mostly good news. The doctor said he was pleased with how everything was looking, and he only had to make a couple of minor cuts and some stitching to my new labia in the area of my new clitoris, all under local anesthetic. Even better, he also told me I had about five and a half inches of vaginal depth, which he said was close to the best you could expect. He attributed the successful outcome to my youth and my 'diligent' after- care. I replied that it was really him and his wonderful staff that deserved all the credit, which I know is absolutely true! Whatever - I felt physically lightened, like a weight had been lifted off me, with the knowledge that this huge step in my life had gone well. When I was being discharged the following morning, the woman told me they'd be following up regularly with my own physician to make sure I was doing okay, and if I had any questions or concerns I was to contact her immediately. I assured her I would. Then she handed me an envelope which she said contained my personal care instructions, some legal paperwork, a prescription for pain medication, and my statement of account. She said my bill was all paid up so I was free to head home. As I waved goodbye, I made a mental note: 'Have to give Mom a great big hug and thank her again. Like, TONS.' ***** Life soon got back to my normal routine once again - exercise, going to work, doing laundry and housework, helping Mom with cooking, and looking after her accounting. Except it didn't feel much like the 'old' normal. Sure, it was a whole new millennium and I had to force myself to put '2000' instead of '1990-something' in the year field when I was writing checks. But something had changed in me, psychologically, after losing the last outward evidence of my maleness. Like I said before, I really DID feel like a different person now. It was almost freaky, not having those thingies hanging down between my legs. I mean, they always let you know they're there, don't they? Not just when you see yourself in the mirror after a shower, but when you get dressed and pretty much whenever you so much as move. And if you tense your sphincter muscles, they assert themselves - almost like they're shouting, 'I'm here, I'm here!' And you're so used to it that you don't give them a second thought. So you could say they were conspicuous by their absence. And all I got when I tensed my sphincter muscles was some mild discomfort in my groin - but at least it wasn't a sharp pain like it was in the weeks after my surgery. Some nights, when I rolled over in bed, my hand would go habitually to my crotch to re-position the now-missing parts, and instead it would find the folds of my new labia. Every time that happened, it was like a revelation - like a dream had come true. You see, when it happened before I'd often have an erection from a dream where I was just a normal girl, and in that warm, erotic moment I'd play with myself until I couldn't stand it anymore, then I'd give myself the most delectable hand job, imagining it was Mark's or Rob's penis I was grasping and not mine. Of course, all that was before my genitals got injured and then re-made to be like a girl's. But now when my fingers touched that special place, it was even more exquisite than before - and I began to explore my new vulva, very carefully at first and then, as healing progressed, more earnestly. It was an enormous relief to discover there was real feeling there, that the nerves were intact and working! At times, I suppose I did feel like there was something missing with the new Sandra, like when I sat on the toilet to pee and had no control over where the stream went, or how much noise it made, but that wasn't exactly causing me regrets. Besides, as Kath pointed out, I had some very obvious things on my chest that guys aren't supposed to have. True, I agreed, and now I also had a not-at-all obvious thing between my legs, like all girls have. Kath, being her usual contrary self, stated there really wasn't anything between my legs, because holes, you know, aren't really anything - just holes. And I shot back that for something that wasn't anything, MY hole sure cost a lot of money. Whatever - not having anything sticking out from my crotch definitely helped me feel more 'girly,' as Megan had put it. And a good chunk of that saved-up 'hole' money went into new clothes, especially a lots of new underthings, to feed that feeling. I basically tossed out all my old panties and most of my bras (they weren't fitting so well anymore, I told myself) and went kind of wild buying new ones. A big part of the fun was being able, for the first time, to strip down to my panties in fitting rooms and let the salesgirls see all of me, instead of having to keep covered from the waist down. How incredible that felt! No wonder I bought so much stuff. Mom just shook her head whenever I'd walk in the door loaded down with shopping bags. She probably thought I'd lost my mind! But I think she kind of enjoyed sharing in the fun, because she always insisted that I model my purchases for her and she never said hated anything I put on - even the panty that looked more like a thong than briefs. Good thing I never showed her the actual thong I bought! Now, I DID remember to hug her lots and thank her over and over again for looking after the medical bills, 'cause that's the only reason I had enough cash in the bank to be able to splurge on myself. There's one special purchase I didn't end up putting off very long. Phil and Natalie had decided to head down to Florida at March break for some much-needed rays, and she mentioned to me that she needed a new swimsuit for the beach. "Oh, I need a new one too!" I exclaimed. "Why don't we go shopping together?" She raised an eyebrow. "I can guess what YOU have in mind," Natalie smiled. "Your first bikini? Sure, I'd love to - I wouldn't want to miss this!" So she drove us to the mall, where there were at least three stores that had swimwear for sale at that time of year. We started with the department stores, and not finding anything Natalie thought was worth trying on, ended up at a specialty store. "Too bad they didn't have what I was looking for," she said as we entered. "This place is expensive." "I don't mind," I said, heading for the racks of two-piece swimsuits. "I've been wanting one of these for years!" As we started our search, Natalie explained that, even though the suits were displayed in matched sets, you usually had to buy them as separates to get the best fit top and bottom. A girl would often end up going with a patterned top and a black bottom. "Well, I really want both pieces to match," I stated. "Guess I'm pretty fussy, huh?" She laughed, "Yes you are! But that's okay -- sometimes I wish your brother was more like you." "No, you don't!" I giggled. "One weirdo in the family's enough." Her laugh turned into a frown. "Sandra, please never say that about yourself. Remember, only positive thoughts!" I nodded in agreement. That little exchange reminded me how lucky I was to have not one but TWO really special mentors. Erica, who I could learn from as another male living successfully as a female, and Natalie, who was so perfect at modeling how a naturally feminine young woman who's comfortable in her own skin should speak, dress and act. Anyway, we had SUCH a fun time in that store. The way it worked out, we each looked for what we thought would look good on the other. I tried to put myself in Phil's place when Natalie modeled my picks for her. Like, would this one really grab his attention - and keep it? There'd be a lot of pretty girls in bikinis on that beach, and I wanted make sure he only had eyes for one! And I let Natalie be the judge of what really flattered my body. After all, the first time I wore makeup was when she did my face years earlier. So I trusted her! And that's a good thing, 'cause it felt pretty freaky to step out of the change room in front of my sister-in- law, wearing my first-ever bikini. But her face lit up! She had me turn around a couple of times, and then step over to the full-length mirrors so I could inspect myself from the front, sides and rear. Her first pick was exactly what I would have gone for - solid-color hot pink, with a neck strap and elastic back. No ties on either piece. The bra had great support for my boobs, and the bikini bottom was nice and tight to my skin - and my crotch! Freaky or not, I thought it looked super-gorgeous on me. "That color really IS amazing on your skin," she said approvingly. "Color Me Beautiful," I giggled. That's the name of the book Natalie had loaned me, which became my bible for choosing what looked best with my skin type. "But I'm not sure I really like this style on you. I think it's kind of, you know, a more athletic kind of style?" "Athletic?" "Uh-huh. Like, you'd wear this running on the beach or playing volleyball with the guys. Let me try something else on you." I started following her back to the rack before becoming aware that I'd caught the attention of the other women in the store. So I quickly scurried back to the change rooms! Natalie handed me a floral-print bikini, and in no time I was modeling it. "Much nicer!" she exclaimed. I had to agree - both pieces had string-ties, the bra at the neck and back, and the bottom on both sides. She surprised me by undoing the neck and back, carefully adjusting the bra cups to fit them more perfectly to the contours of my breasts, and then re-tied the strings. "There, that's better," she said standing back to take another look. Then she led me to the mirrors. "What do you think?" I hardly knew WHAT to think - except WOW. Talk about taking your breath away! I immediately saw what she was getting at. This top had a plunging sweetheart neckline which showed a lot more of my cleavage, and the string ties on the neck, back and bottom gave the suit a decidedly airy, feminine appeal. I loved the satiny fabric, too, and the pattern was totally eye-catching. No way I'd avoid attracting attention with THIS on! "Oh, Natalie, it's better that anything I could have dreamed about! I totally love it! What do YOU think?"" "I think it's absolutely adorable on you. It'll be even better when your hair grows out more - so don't get it cut!" "I won't, I promise." I couldn't stop looking at my reflection. This was a dream come true, I thought. I couldn't wait for Julia's next pool party! The fun didn't stop there. We each tried on a few more suits, and she thought one of my choices for her was ideal. Then she found me another that I thought looked as fantastic as the other. I couldn't decide between them, so I decided to buy both. Natalie said, "You must have the perfect body for these bikinis - you can wear their matched sets. I have to buy a size larger top." "Like, DUH," I giggled. "It's 'cause you're built better than me up there. Wish I needed a bigger top." "No you don't," she replied, wagging her finger and smiling at me. "You're happy with the body God gave you, remember?" I just shrugged and nodded at the irony. Yes, God may have given me a body, but He also gave me free will and I used that to make a few little changes. Still, she was right - I had to admit my new body was really as perfect as a guy swapping genders could ask for. ***** I should've expected Kath's reaction to all my splurging. We were hanging out in my room, just visiting and chatting away like teenage girls do, and when she used my bathroom she saw some packaging from my new underthings in the trash. "Oh, I see miss Sandra has been shopping - AGAIN - without her best friend along to offer sage advice?" 'Yeah,' I thought, 'advice not to buy it at all!' "Uh, yes, I did do some shopping. But I didn't think you'd be interested ..." "Not interested? Didn't I help you buy your first camisole? And your first bra too, as I recall." She was right about that. "I'm sorry - I guess I should've asked you ..." "No you shouldn't have - I'm just pulling your leg, stupid. I couldn't handle going shopping with you. Anyway I've got like a ton of school work to catch up on." "Well then, don't give me such a hard time. But since you brought it up, d'you wanna see what I bought?" I didn't wait for an answer before opening my dresser drawers and holding out my new favorite - a very pretty pure white lace-patterned underwire push-up with see-thru cups - and no padding whatsoever. "At least I do a decent job of filling these things now." "Uh-huh - you got more up front than some girls." Kath took the bra and examined it, holding it out in front as if to gauge how it would look on her, as I took some more bras from the drawer. "Sandy," she declared, shaking her head in disgust as she handed it back, "you are now certifiably insane. You have such unbelievably girly underwear! Like, everything about you is so girly now. Even your room - what's with the lacy bedspread, anyway? And those pillow shams - they're a bit much, aren't they?" "I happen to like lace ... a lot. I can't help it - I'm a girly kinda girl. Pretty things make me feel good about myself." Kath was picking through the drawer examining my new bras. I'd carefully folded them but she didn't seem to care. "They look so expensive. Like, how in hell can you afford all these?" "Well, you know what they say - a girl can't have too much nice lingerie. But bras ARE getting kind of pricey, now I'm into the adult ones." "Well, DUH! Maybe you shouldn't be buying so many. So exactly how many bras DO you own, girly girl?" she asked, sniffing one. "Scented?" she asked, looking at me and shaking her head again. "I like my things to smell nice," I stated, holding up one of the perfumed sachets I kept in all my dresser drawers. "Counting the one I've got on, I'd say maybe fourteen or fifteen?" "FIFTEEN? You ARE insane. No woman needs fifteen bras! You only got one set of boobs, you know." "I'm making good tips. I like to treat myself. Besides, this way I can go like a week or two before doing laundry." I thought that was a good argument, but Kath wasn't on the same page. "Sandy, do you mean you only wear them like once? Every girl I know wears her bra, like, three or four times before she washes it." "Really? Don't they start to, like, smell?" "Maybe a little, but like, who cares? They're underwear. Who's smelling your underwear?" 'I'm sure I could smell mine if I didn't wash them,' I thought. "I can think of someone who might smell yours." "Ben's a guy, Sandy. He has other things on his mind than what my underwear smells like. How do you know my BO doesn't get him all excited?" I made a mock gagging sound. "Sorry - I'm not into BO, Kath. I'll just keep my things smelling nice if it's all the same to you." "Suit yourself - you can be such a princess sometimes." "And you can be such a tomboy! You're SO lucky to be born a girl - I'll never understand why you don't just accept it and stop fighting it." "I'm just not girly girl like you are. Like, don't get me wrong ... it's okay being female, most of the time, but some things I can't stand - like all the expectations society has for us? Like, we're supposed to look a certain way, and behave a certain way, and dress a certain way ... guys just don't have that shit to deal with. And boobs, they're no fun either - they're always in the way, and they bounce and they get sore when I have my period. Oh yeah, and periods! You have no idea how lucky YOU are, Sandy. You know, I could've handled being a guy just fine. Then we wouldn't even be talking about all this shit, 'cause I wouldn't have to even think about it." Well, I thought, living with all those expectations and a period with all the cramps and tampons and mess and everything would still be worth it if I could have been 'real.' But there was no arguing any of this with Kath, that's for sure. Especially the boobs part. I knew how I felt and that's all that mattered. ***** The subject of lingerie and what goes into it came up on my next get- together with Erica, too. Still mulling over Kath's rant, out of the blue I asked how many bras SHE owned. "Me? Oh, a dozen and a half or so? Maybe two dozen? Why, honey?" I grinned. "Thought so. My friend Kath said no woman has fifteen bras - like, that's how many I have? But I thought, you know, it depends what kind of woman we're talking about, doesn't it? If you're really into fashion, you probably have a lot." "You NEED a lot. For me, every outfit wants its own bra? I like my underwear to color-coordinate with what I'm wearing on the outside? And if I want to wear something really feminine, my bra and panties have to be ultra-feminine too." "Oh, I'm the same!" I agreed enthusiastically. "It's so much fun putting my outfit together. Sometimes I have to try on, like, five different bras to find the one that just works? But I love it! I love how girly they make me feel. And I love how great they make my body look." Wow, I thought - it's so incredibly cool talking about this with another 'girl' like me. Erica smiled, "Same here. I LOVE wearing bras - all styles. It's the one piece of underwear that only fits people with the right stuff? I think you should do whatever makes you feel more feminine? You want to be totally believable, so you have to believe it yourself? Not so easy when you still have that little reminder between your legs." "SO true! I'm so glad I don't have to worry about THAT anymore. But having boobs makes you feel like a girl too, doesn't it? When mine started to grow I was a bit freaked out, but I was like, totally thrilled that I'd be able to fit girls' clothes better." "Yes, that's why I decided to go for the boob job. I needed to be as real as I could be. I've had them a few years now, and I've never regretted doing it." "My friend Kath says she doesn't like having boobs, like, they're a lot of trouble." Erica smiled, "I run into that sentiment a lot? A lot of women just don't appreciate being women, Sandra. I always think, 'What's not to like?' It's way more fun than being a man. It CAN be a lot more work ..." "But it's FUN work, right? To me it's more like a hobby - something really fun to do. I just love the whole process, you know, picking out nice clothes to wear, doing my hair and makeup and nails ..." "AND you get to wear all that nice lingerie." "Totally! I think I love that part more than anything. I'm so used to pampering myself with nice lingerie that it'll always be a part of me. But bras are SO expensive? And they don't seem to last very long, do they?" "Mine do. I only wear a bra once before washing it? Your body oils get into the fabric and break down the elastic, then they don't fit as well anymore." "Hmm," I nodded. "And they get smelly, right?" "They do," she laughed. "Do you machine wash yours?" "Uh-huh." "Oh, you should only wash them by hand. I get in the shower with my bra on and take it off and wash it with my shampoo - it's mild enough? Then I hang it, but not by the straps - you don't want them to stretch. Be nice to your pretty things and they'll be nice to you - that's my motto," she smiled. That sounded like excellent advice, coming from a busy, stylish woman. "Poor Edward!" I giggled. "What does he think about bras hanging in the bathroom?" She laughed, "If it were ONLY bras! I suppose he thinks he has a wife - certainly not a boyfriend!" "Like, all you have to do is take OFF your bra and that'll convince him," I kidded. Then I switched topics - slightly. "Does he, uh, like your boobs ... I mean your breasts?" I hoped Erica wouldn't mind the personal question, but I really wanted to know more about her sex life! She raised an eyebrow, but answered with a smile. "Well, he seems to. He certainly pays a lot of attention to them? The rest of me's feeling pretty jealous!" That made me giggle out loud. "I'M feeling jealous too. When I was going out with Mark, he always played with mine a lot? And I'd go totally insane when started kissing them? Like, he could take my whole boob in his mouth. Course they're a bit bigger now ..." "Ted tries to do that," Erica giggled, "but he only has a B-cup mouth and my girls are D-cup? My inserts could be the problem - I SO wish they were natural like yours. Now THAT'S where I'M jealous of YOU - AND your killer body, AND your beautiful voice ... oh, and now I can be jealous of your vagina too. You know, you're as perfect as a trans boy could ever hope to be? So please don't sell yourself short, honey, okay?" I was about to reply that none of those advantages were worth much without a man to appreciate them and share them with, but that wouldn't have been completely honest. I loved my body and how it looked, and the only improvement would be to have been BORN a girl. But if I had to choose between being a plain-Jane genetic female and being a physically beautiful transsexual, I'd probably go the trans route. But that's just me and my crazy obsession with appearance above all else. Pretty shallow, I know. So I nodded my head and stuck with the topic at hand. "But it must be SO amazing to be married ... I mean, to be living with a man and being his wife and everything? I'd give anything to have that." Erica looked me in the eye and smiled. "You're right, it IS wonderful. I wouldn't trade my life with Ted for anything? I love being the woman he likes me to be. I love cooking for him, and fussing over him, and keeping house for him, and dressing to please him ... or to get him going? And I'll admit it - I do love making love with him ..." "You said you felt like a kept woman sometimes." She laughed, "Yes, I did ... but I have to admit, I do love being kept." "I'd love that too." Erica nodded sympathetically. Then she gingerly broached the subject I'd been deliberately avoiding. "Speaking of Mark ... I think you said the baby was due in January? What's ..." "Babies," I corrected her solemnly. "They had twins. Born on the twenty- second. A girl and a boy. I guess that means they're fraternal twins ..." I turned my face up to the light, partly to avoid eye contact with Erica, and partly to prevent my tears from running down my face. They did anyway. My friend reached across and put her hand on mine. "Honey, I'm so sorry ... this is so hard on you, isn't it?" I dabbed my eyes carefully with a pinkie finger to try saving my eye makeup. "Yeah ... but it's crazy. Like, I'm supposed to be happy for him? And for Pam? I mean, they have these healthy little babies ... one of each, even? Like, they have the perfect family already." That brought on more tears, and Erica passed me a kleenex. Her face showed concern, and she squeezed my hand. "Honey, I know I should be just listening, and not try to give you any advice? But I have to - sorry, it must be my 'Y' chromosomes. Sandra, don't forget you're only eighteen ... you have so much time on your side? And you're so very beautiful. There's a million perfectly nice men out there who'd consider you the girl of their dreams, no matter what you were before. You WILL find the right man some day, and you'll get married ... trust me on this, okay?" I sniffed and nodded, trying to smile. "Well those million guys better not take too long. I'm an impatient kinda girl." ***** Winters tend to be uneventful seasons for me nowadays, but that winter there was so much happening - like the birth of Mark's twins - events that would herald more big changes in my life. Shortly after I saw Erica, Ted - I mean Edward - phoned to ask if I was still thinking of switching careers. "We're looking for a new office girl," he explained. "Erica told me you might be interested." I was a little dumbfounded at first, then I remembered our conversation from before Christmas. "Oh, yes ... uh, thank you! But I, uh, don't have much experience ..." My mind was racing, and I wasn't making much sense. He didn't seem put off. "I understand your mother has a small business and you've looked after the books for the past few years." "Uh, yes I have. But I haven't got any formal training in accounting? I do everything on a computer, and I know Microsoft software and stuff like that? But my only real job has been as a waitress ..." "From what I know, a very good one. I understand you're particularly good at dealing with people." "I do enjoy that a lot." "Well then, I think you might be the just kind of young lady we're looking for. We like to hire girls who know how to add and subtract, use a computer, handle paperwork, greet clients, that sort of thing. We're not necessarily looking for a college degree; high school is adequate. But we want them to be well-spoken and be very presentable, and know how to make people feel welcome and valued. This position could be right up your alley, Sandra." This was all such a surprise, even though Erica had broached the subject with me before Christmas. I hardly knew how to respond! "Uh, thank you so much, Mr. McMillan ... it DOES sound pretty interesting." "Wonderful! When can you come downtown for an interview?" "Interview? Oh ... any time, I guess." "Excellent. I'll have Leah Sandborn, our office manager, call you and set it up." "Sure. That would be fine. And thank you SO much!" The initial shock was wearing off, and now excitement and anticipation were taking over. Edward thanked me as well, and we said our goodbyes. I couldn't wait to tell Mom, and when she got home I'm sure she could barely get a word in edgewise. "Oh, Sandra, that sounds just wonderful," she exclaimed when I finally shut up. "It's so perfect for you. I'll admit I never felt comfortable with your waitress job. I've never been able to get to sleep until you were home safe. Now at last you can work normal hours." "I haven't got the job yet, Mom. They're probably interviewing lots of girls with more experience than me. And even if they did offer it to me, what if I don't wanna take it? I make pretty good money at Milestones. Office jobs don't pay much, do they?" "It's a big law firm, honey," she countered. "If they want you for the job, I'm sure they'll pay you enough." "We'll see," I said. "It'll be the first question I ask." That was baloney, of course. While waiting for Mom to get home, I'd already decided to take the job if it was offered to me. I mean, waiting tables wasn't a terrible way to earn money, but it was beginning to get me down, having to work bizarre schedules and put up with unruly patrons who constantly ogled my body and made lewd comments. That happened with the other girls, too, but they seemed to take it in stride, like that's what you'd expect from guys. Not me, though - it always made me uncomfortable. So maybe it was time to move on. Anyway, if I wanted to pursue a career as a professional woman, I needed to start somewhere, with something more professional-sounding to put on my resume, didn't I? Actually, those were mostly just rationalizations too. Do you want to know what REALLY had me excited about going to work for Edward's law firm? If you answered new clothes, you'd be right - I'd have the perfect excuse to buy myself some of those amazing skirt-and-jacket sets that Erica said would look so good on me. And I'd get to wear them to the office every day, and attract the attentions of all those young, handsome, up-and-coming lawyers who'd maybe even ask me out on dates! Maybe I'd meet my OWN Edward, just like Julia Roberts did in 'Pretty Woman'! By the time Ms. Sandborn phoned the next day, I could barely conceal my excitement. She asked me a few questions, mostly about my current job, my age and education, and made an appointment for me to come in for a real interview. When we hung up, I resolved to go all out to look like the perfect administrative assistant. I'd get Karen to do my hair, maybe even my makeup, and I'd go back to the same shop where I bought the dress for Erica's dinner party and find the perfect jacket, skirt and blouse combo, and maybe some new jewelry and even a new pair of shoes. Oh, and I'd need the right kind of coat too - very up-to-date with a high collar, hip length, or maybe knee length, with a big wide belt to accentuate my waist, preferably in blue or yellow. Oh my God, I couldn't wait! ***** But before any of that could happen, I got another phone call - this one from Rob. My heart missed several beats when I heard his voice! "Hi theah beautiful," he said in that manly New England accent of his. "I have an offer you can't refuse." "Oh, really," I replied in my driest, sexiest Lauren Bacall voice, trying to come across as hard to convince. "And what might that be?" "Remember that lawyer we sat with at the dinner party? The man with the condo at Keystone?" "Uh-huh? You mean George something-or-other?" "Yeah, George Atkinson. Well, he offered it to me for a week in March." "That's nice of him. But don't you already have a place to stay out there?" Rob chuckled. "You're being coy with me, aren't you? You know what I'm getting at." Sure, I can take a hint - but I was having too much fun to say so. "No, I'm sure I have no idea what you mean. You'll have to spell it out for me ... SLOWLY, if you wouldn't mind." He laughed, "Okay, have it your way, sweetheart." Then he spoke deliberately and emphasized every word: "I - WANT - YOU - TO - COME - TO - KEYSTONE. YOU'LL - HAVE - A - BLAST. I - PROMISE. " I couldn't stop giggling. "And uh ... I suppose I'm not allowed to refuse?" "NO." "My, you certainly know how to sweet-talk a girl, don't you?" "YES." Now there were tears running down my face. "So let me get this straight - I'll have my own condo? All to myself?" "All to yourself. Oh, so you LIKE being all alone." "Well, maybe not ALL alone. You know someone who could keep me company?" "I'm sure I could come up with a volunteer for that dangerous mission." He was right, I thought, about it being dangerous. Except I was the only one who'd be in danger! "Good. I'll trust you to find me the right person. He needs to be tall, dark, reasonably good looking ... oh, and definitely an expert skier ..." "Only reasonably good looking?" "All right then, if you insist - drop-dead handsome. Does that sound better?" "Much better. I know the perfect man for the job, I promise. So ... are you in?" What could I say? He HAD sweet-talked me into it. "Umm ... I suppose so. But you have to make me another promise, okay? I'll need some more lessons - like, I'm worried I won't be up to skiing the Rockies? I hear they're really steep." "Killington was steeper, actually. But Keystone's bigger - it's got a lot more terrain. And the snow's a lot lighter, so you'll be skiing like a pro the first day. We might even find you some powder to try out. You're going to love it here, trust me. And I promise you some more instruction, but you're doing so well already, you'll be giving lessons yourself before the week's over." This was a man, I knew, who kept his promises. It was hard not to be convinced! Except for one thing. "Uh, Rob, can I get back to you on Friday? I have a job interview tomorrow. Like, I don't think I'll get the job, but if I did I might not be able to get the time off? I'm going to ask though." I explained that I was looking for a career change, and hoped to find work in a law office. He said that sounded ideal for me, and wished me success in my interview. But not if they wouldn't let me have the week off in March! "Just tell them you're already committed," he advised. ***** But I didn't even have to mention it during my interview, 'cause the first thing Ms. Sanborn told me was, the start date would be at the beginning of April. And that wasn't the only hurdle that seemed to vanish before I had to jump over it. She also complimented me on my appearance (making me thankful I'd gone out and bought a new outfit, pantyhose and shoes included, and got my hair and makeup done by a pro that morning), and confided that I was the first and only interviewee for the job. So much for the competition I was stressing about! By the end of the session we'd covered the work hours, pay and benefits and she told me the job was mine if I wanted it. My head was spinning! But not too much that I couldn't think straight - of course I accepted, and made a mental note to send a thank-you card to Erica. Now it was just a matter of breaking the news to all my girlfriends at Milestones, and the boss as well. THAT I wasn't looking forward to! ***** As it happened, the very next evening I had a special table to serve: the whole Taylor family! They'd reserved a table in my section! You can bet I laid the service on thick, and Julia's mom and dad gave me some really nice compliments. And some ribbing, too: Mrs. Taylor said she'd just keep the tip as a fee for the excellent training they'd given me. And Mr. Taylor said he thought I should pick up the entire check as well. Nice! Julia just kept her mouth shut. Then they asked me if I was going to stick with my restaurant job, or was I looking to try something else, or go to college? "Well to be perfectly honest," I replied quietly, looking around to make sure no one else was listening, "I've been offered a job at a law firm downtown. I've accepted it." "Wow," Julia exclaimed, "That sounds so cool. When do you start?" "April third, but I'm quitting here in the middle of March and going skiing in Colorado for a week." I hoped that didn't sound like the bragging it was. "You're going skiing without me AGAIN? In Colorado?" she pouted. "Well why don't you come then?" I blurted without thinking. Mrs. Taylor looked at her daughter and pre-emptively shook her head. "You're not allowed to cut classes, dear." But Julia was one step ahead of her as usual. "Which week?" she asked me. "The third week - I need to come home on the twenty-fourth? I haven't booked my plane ticket yet." "Perfect! That's March break, Mom. Oh, please say I can go! Sandy needs me to keep her company." "Not so fast," she said. "Sandy, who are you staying with? And where exactly is it you're going?" "I have a condo to stay in - just by myself? It's at Keystone - about an hour from Denver? Oh, it'd be so amazing if Julia could come, Mrs. Taylor!" Now I was getting all excited about the possibility - even though it would complicate my time with Rob. Julia was leafing through her daytimer. "Mom, we only have that one lunch meeting for thirty people that week. You won't need me." She looked from her mom to her dad and back again, a pleading look on her face. "PLEASE?" Mrs. Taylor put her hand up to hush Julia, then asked me a bunch more questions, like were there boys involved, and what did my mother have to say about it? I answered more or less truthfully, saying Mom was okay with it, and the main reason I was going was to take more ski lessons, since I'd been told I was the ideal age to learn good technique and it's something I wanted to be able to do well as I got older. Julia nodded excitedly, "Same here!" But I did admit that it was my ski instructor from Vermont who'd made the invitation. She seemed okay with that explanation, but her dad started asking questions too. Then I had to excuse myself to look after some other patrons, and when I stole a glance at the Taylors' table I could see they were in a heated discussion. I knew Julia had told her mom about my operation, and that made me think she'd be more likely to give her permission - I mean, what could be less risky, sex-wise, than two girls traveling together? When I came back my friend's face was all lit up. "I can come!" she exulted. ***** The next few weeks flew by. Julia and I booked our plane tickets, and we figured out which clothes to bring and what had to be bought. She already had a nice ski jacket she'd only used once, but it still fit, snugly, so I suggested she bring it and buy her ski pants at the resort. Rob said they had some great ski shops there, and he could supply hats, gloves and goggles, so she'd save on those. And me? I worked as many hours as I could, giving Miles four weeks' notice. He seemed put out but didn't take it too bad, having had a lot of girls come and go, but my work-mates, especially Chelsea, were really disappointed I was leaving. By the beginning of March, any lingering pain and discomfort from my operation was gone. Dr. Cooper removed the last remnants of my stitches and pronounced me ready to face the world, or something like that. I took her to mean I could have intercourse if and when the time was right - and I expected it could happen that very month. A couple of weeks before our big trip, Julia asked me to lunch, supposedly to compare checklists. We'd no sooner got seated than she looked me in the eye and asked, "So how serious is it between you and Rob?" I was a little taken aback. "Oh ... I dunno, not REALLY serious. Like, we've dated? And we've done stuff ..." "What kind of 'stuff,' Sandy?" 'This is awkward,' I thought - 'is Julia going through some kind of jealous phase all of a sudden?' "Um ... we've been sort of intimate? But we didn't ..." "I know, I know - he couldn't stick his dick in you, 'cause you had one of those too. But you COULD do other things, right?" "Yeah ..." She was quiet for a minute, then she looked me square in the face again. "So now, are you gonna go all the way with him? Like, is that what this trip is all about? I mean, you never invited me along, I kind of invited myself." Damn, that girl was perceptive. But I couldn't very well be completely upfront with her. "Julia, c'mon - it's about going skiing ... in the Rockies! Like, it's true that Rob and I have been seeing each other? And yes, we might end up doing it? But he probably has all kinds of other girlfriends there, for all I know. So I'm not counting on anything? Like, I don't even know if I WANT to have sex with him ... I've never tried it - well I have with you, but I can't do THAT anymore, can I?" I felt tears welling up, and I knew I was starting to ramble, so I tried to make a point. "Look, I'm just leaving my options open? But I'm telling you the truth - I just wanna have an awesome time out there. With you! I'm sorry I never invited you - I don't know where my brain was at. I'm so glad we saw each other at the restaurant and you asked to come. Like, I'd be all by myself if you weren't coming." She just stared at me without a word as I dabbed the tears from my eyes. Then she looked away. "I'm sorry, Sandy. I just don't wanna be in the way. Like, three's company, you know? And I was thinking you'd just go off and do your thing with him and what was I supposed to do?" "I won't, I promise." Then her face broke into a mischievous grin. "Tell you what - just find ME a hot guy and I promise I'll be fine." I was surprised! "Oh yeah? And what would Alex think about that?" Her grin disappeared. "I don't give a shit what he thinks. Like, I told him I was going with you and he freaked out on me. He tried to tell me I couldn't go." "He DID? How come?" "'Cause he's a controlling prick? Sandy, I have no idea why I kept going out with him for so long. Maybe I was trying to get over you ..." "I pissed you off that much?" "Yeah, I guess so. Anyway, I told him to fuck off. I should've done that a long time ago." "So you've broken up with Alex? Like, for good?" "Forever. Sandy, don't ever let me get mixed up with a jerk like that again. I give you permission to whack me over the head with a baseball bat." "I dunno, the asshole who beat me up died from that. Maybe I should use a pillow instead?" Julia erupted in laughter. "Oh yeah, we could have such a HUGE pillow fight. I can hardly wait." That made it sound like she was STILL pissed at me. But I was glad she'd gotten rid of Alex - I never really liked the guy, and he certainly didn't square with Julia's feminist leanings. And I was also relieved that her unease about the trip had been resolved, for now at least. Then it was just counting down the days till departure. My last day at Milestones was bittersweet, and there were tears, but I got an unexpected two-hundred-dollar bonus from Miles, who told me I had a job waiting there whenever I wanted to come back (like, who knew he was that classy?) and the girls threw an all-night pajama party for me at Sheila's place after the restaurant closed. That was so nice of them, and such a lot of fun. The best part was, I never once had to worry about accidentally exposing myself! ***** "I'm so happy for you, honey!" Karen exclaimed as she led me into her esthetics studio. "Your operation was a success, you've got a new job ... and you're off to Colorado for a skiing vacation. And there's even a hot man waiting for you out there! Life doesn't get any better, does it?" "How did you find all that out?" I demanded. "Oh, I know - it was Julia, wasn't it?" I remembered that my friend had seen Karen a few days earlier. Karen nodded and laughed. "Sandra, there are no secrets around here. You know, I'm very jealous - I'd love to learn to snow ski." "I thought you hated snow," I said as I began stripping off my clothes. Now that I didn't have my male parts anymore, I wasn't as self-conscious fully undressed around her - and besides, she'd already laid eyes on the new 'me' on my previous visit. "Don't you always go to the Caribbean in the winter?" "Uh-huh - I don't like being cold. But this would be different. The idea of warming up by a roaring fire with a glass of wine - AND the right man to snuggle up to - it just sounds SO romantic. I'd do that in a minute." She handed me a cover-up and turned around to give me some privacy as she prepared the hot wax solution. I positioned myself on the padded table. "Well I don't know about the 'man' part, 'cause I'll be hanging with Julia? But I'm really looking forward to getting back on skis. I had SUCH an amazing time in Vermont last year? Rob is like, the BEST instructor ever! By the last day I was skiing all the blue runs and hardly ever falling." "Except for Rob," she kidded. "You must be excited to see him again." "Oh, for sure. He's a great guy. He's really attentive - like, he knows how to treat a girl? And he always makes me laugh." "AND he's insanely good-looking ..." "Oh yeah. Like, his eyes ... they're just incredible." I could feel my temperature rising, and it wasn't from the wax Karen was spreading on my thighs. "The rest of him isn't hard to look at either." "So honey ... Pardon my nosiness, but is this going to be the big, um ... event?" "Big event? Oh - THAT'S what you're getting at. Well, I HAVE thought about it - a lot? I dunno - like, Julia's going to be there, right? So I don't know if it'll be the right time." "Do you want it to be?" Now she really WAS getting nosy - but it was Karen, so I answered truthfully. "I guess so. I'm kind of scared though. Like, what if it hurts? What if I don't like it? What if he doesn't like ME? What if he thinks something doesn't look right down there? What if he doesn't even fit?" "Whoa, honey! First of all, he won't know you're not a hundred percent natural. That doctor did an amazing job. You might've fooled me if I didn't know you used to have a penis. I don't know about how he'll fit because I haven't seen his, but I do know this - you'll have him so turned on that he'll be desperate to get it in you and do his thing. He won't be pulling out a magnifying glass, honey, trust me. The important thing is to relax. Have a glass of wine - that always helps put ME in the mood - and wear something pretty and lacy underneath. You want him to enjoy unwrapping his gift. He'll be enthralled." "I DOES sound like fun," I concurred. "I just hope he DOES fit. I've, uh, seen him before? Well, I mean I did, like ... a hand job on him? He's definitely bigger than Mark." I still can't believe I shared that with her, although I WAS discreet enough to keep the oral sex part to myself. "Maybe he was more turned on by you. Whatever, it doesn't matter. D'you have some KY?" "Uh-huh." "Make an excuse to visit the bathroom, and lube yourself up inside. Then don't let him put his fingers in you or heaven forbid try to give you a tongue job. Tell him you've been desperate to feel him inside you, and you can't wait another second." "Why do I need to do that?" "You don't know? Vaginas secrete their own natural lube when you're aroused, and it has a very distinctive smell. And taste. You might not have that going for you." "Well, my doctor said I'd have some secretions, but not much. He didn't say if they'd smell right. Anyway you're right - I'll use some extra lube. It's just that I can't, like, expand as much as real girls? So I do need to be a bit careful." "I'm sure it'll all be fine. I'm SO excited for you - you're going to lose your virginity! With a very handsome man! It's a very special time for you, Sandra. Just remember what I said before: he'll enjoy himself a lot more if you do. Let him know how wonderful he's making you feel. And then you'll enjoy it a lot more too, and it'll be better for him, and then for you, and that's how you have great sex together. You probably won't come the first time, or the second time or third time, so don't stress about it, but you will sooner or later, if what I've read about that doctor's work is true. And when it happens you'll want to have sex every hour of every day. It can be pretty addictive!" "I can't even imagine," was all I could think to say. Karen had finished removing the last of the wax residue from my legs, and was about to start work on my armpits. Like I always did, I ran my fingers over the soft, newly-bare skin above and around my pubic area. "Uh, Karen? Would you mind taking off some more around my ... you know." She grinned and said, "I was wondering about that. Do you mind?" She tugged away the small cloth that hid my crotch, and looked closely. "The hair hasn't all grown back yet, but I could do a small triangle? I have another client who likes that look. I mean, her boyfriend does. It's a bit more uncomfortable than having your legs done though. Are you okay with it?" "I have a high pain threshold. Go for it." I hoped I was right about that. But it would be worth it. I loved my new femaleness, and even though pubic hair was normal for a girl my age, I still connected hair anywhere but on the top of my head with maleness. A small triangular patch down there would be my one small compromise, I figured. And did it hurt? Oh, YES. When my waxing session was (thankfully) over, Karen led me out of the room and we sat facing each other at a small table. Having my nails done professionally was a new experience for me, and it cost a lot, but I needed super-gorgeous, super-tough nails for my big trip. I didn't expect to have time to do repairs let alone a complete strip and re- coat, so another splurge was in order. She showed me a palette of all the newest colors and shades, but the choice was simple: my all-time favorite, hot pink. It'd go with my ski suit, I reasoned. She had a really showy hot pink, though - a metallic shade that looked perfect, if a bit over-the-top. I went for it, and got my toenails done too - just because. Karen gave me a warm hug and a cheek kiss as I was leaving. "I'll be thinking about you," she said softly. "And I want to hear all about it when you get back." "Like, every detail?" "Everything. So you better make it really good!" ***** A serious twinge of guilt passed over me as I sorted my ski outfit and tried each item on. I'd been given these expensive gifts by the McCowans, whom I'm sure didn't expect me to break up with their son so soon afterwards. Now I was jetting off the very next day to see, and ski with, the very guy who'd contributed to that breakup. They'd be SO angry with me if they knew! As you might expect, Mom wasn't too thrilled I was doing this either. She would never out-and-out forbid me from doing something I really wanted to do; that's not the kind of mother she is. Not like Julia's mom, or Kath's mom. As I explained before, my mother always wanted more than anything for her kids to be happy. If that meant letting her eighteen-and-a-half-year-old daughter gallivant off to the Rockies where there was a young man she just KNEW was lusting after that daughter, then what could she do? But you can bet I got a huge lecture just the same! Julia's mom drove us to the airport for the early flight to Denver, and she lectured us non-stop on the importance of safety, both on the slopes and around all the hot ski jocks she imagined were out there just waiting to pounce on two young, inexperienced women. She also made her daughter promise to phone home every day. "And girls? No drinking!" was her parting shot as we did our goodbye hugs curbside. Julia rolled her eyes and we winked at each other. After clearing security we were both ready for the ladies' room - Julia to pee and Sandra to make sure her hair and makeup were flawless before boarding. "I read somewhere that women take four times as long as men in restrooms," Julia commented as she emerged from a stall to find me still primping. "You sure must skew the numbers." She dug in her bag and pulled out her own makeup case. "I might as well do something with my own face. Can't have you grabbing all the attention!" That made me giggle. It really was amazing to be able to do this with Julia. She was such an attractive girl now, and when she spent a little time on her face she looked drop-dead gorgeous. Her eyes, especially - the same ones she used to totally ruin with goth-like makeup! And being in front of the mirror with her reminded me of the very first time I ventured into a women's restroom, which was also the first time I ever wore a skirt and lip gloss and passed myself off as a female ... and it was all with this same girl. "I hate to have to keep reminding you, but it was you who got me started." "Yeah, and sometimes I think I created a monster." "Well, I'll be forever grateful. I happen to love my life now - so there!" Julia watched my reflection as I undid my ponytail and pulled a brush through my hair, letting it settle evenly across my shoulders. "You look SO different now, Sandy. It's so hard to believe you're the same person." "You've seen me with long hair before - when I had those extensions?" I put the brush back into my purse and we headed for our gate. "It isn't just your hair. It's your face, your boobs, your hips ... everything, like even your mannerisms? I used to think you were insane to wanna be a girl - it was supposed to be like, a joke, right? I never thought you'd actually do it, like, for real." "Guess the joke was on you, huh?" "Yeah, I was wrong. And here you are ... a real honest-to-goodness babe!" "Hey, I can't believe you'd label me like that," I exclaimed, feigning shock. "Are you stereotyping me, Julia Taylor?" She laughed too. "Well, no offence, but it seems to me you're stereotyping yourself." I shrugged, "Maybe so, but I'm having the BEST time doing it. I just think I'm so lucky to be who I am now, and I really want to take advantage of it? And I want YOU to do the same on this trip. Like, let's just be two best girlfriends and have the best time two single girls can have ... deal?" Julia grinned and we shook on it. "Oh, I'm all about that, Sandy. But it's a good thing you didn't say that in front of my folks, or you'd be having all that fun by yourself." ***** The shuttle bus drove straight into a mini-blizzard as soon as we began the climb into the Rockies. Soon we couldn't see anything outside the fogged-up windows, even when we entered a long tunnel. So much for mountain sight-seeing! So Julia and I just continued with the non-stop chatter that had begun before we even fastened our seat belts back in Cincinnati. But soon we were pulling up in front of a big lodge-style building with enormous piles of snow all around, and more being added by the minute. "Good thing you can ski powder!" quipped Julia, as we alighted into an absolute winter wonderland. I'd never seen so much snow in one place in my life. The nearby slopes were completely obscured by the falling snow, except at the bottom, and I could just make out the forms of skiers and snowboarders emerging from the whiteout on their way back to the lift lines. "I can't!" I shot back. "I was counting on you for some tips! Like, I've only ever been on groomers." "Fat chance of that," she laughed. "I've been on skis exactly twice - and I spent most of the time flat on my face - or parked on my butt." While the shuttle driver retrieved our luggage, I glanced around hoping to catch sight of a familiar face. "It's only three, Sandy," Julia kidded. "Mister Wonderful's probably still at work." "Well, he said he'd meet us where the bus stops. Why don't we head inside and wait there. Maybe there's a nice big fireplace ..." "Not a bad idea - but it IS kinda special how those big snowflakes collect on your lashes." "Yours are collecting a lot more. I love your lashes and I'll have you know I'm very jealous." "That's 'cause I came by mine honestly, GIRLfriend." We'd just started to drag our big suitcases up the steps when a tall red-jacketed figure stepped between us. "Hi beautiful," said the man, as he grabbed the handle of my bag. "ROB!" I squealed, and I spontaneously threw my arms around his neck and received a big kiss on the lips in return. "Been waiting all winter to do that," he quipped, fixing me with that melt-your-heart gaze of his. "I've been waiting all winter to get one!" was all I could think to say. He was SO dreamy! Then I came to and pulled away a little. "Oh ... Rob? This is my friend Julia." I hoped all the lovey-dovey stuff hadn't made her feel left out. Right on cue, Rob immediately focused his attention - and his deep blue eyes - on her, and a big appreciative smile appeared on her face. I felt relieved, if a bit jealous. "It's great to finally meet you, Julia. Sandra's been telling me all about you - sounds like you two have a pretty special relationship." "You could say that," she replied drily. I was relieved she didn't feel the need to elaborate. "How was the trip?" "Pretty good ... your friend Sandy here almost made us late, 'cause she couldn't decide what to wear for you, but you'll be happy to know I got her butt out of the house in the nick of time." "Thanks, Julia - I owe you one! Well, let's get you both settled in and then I'll tell you what's up. Follow me, ladies." He picked up the big duffel that contained my boots and all our ski wear, and we set off along the narrow shoveled part of a paved path that wound its way gently downhill toward several one-and-two-story condo buildings. I was glad our suitcases had wheels, although Julia complained that we should've brought ones with snow tires. Soon we arrived at our accommodations, and when we stepped through the door both of us gasped. "Oh, this is incredible!" I squealed again. "It's like we're in a movie." "It's huge!" was all Julia could say. We kicked off our snowy shoes and began to look around at our home for the next six days. "I love the fireplace," I gushed. It was made of big multi-colored rocks, with a massive solid-wood mantel. A plush, off- white rug sat on the floor in front of it. I immediately envisioned a big, roaring fire with two pajama-clad girls basking in the warmth of the flames. Julia headed for the big picture windows. "Look at the view!" she exclaimed. "Can you can see the whole mountain from here?" I inquired. "Just the front side," Rob chuckled. "It's a lot better when the sun's shining. C'mon, I'll show you your rooms." He led us down a short hallway and into a spacious bedroom with a rustic-looking four-poster queen bed and matching side tables and dresser. The bedding looked expensive but not very fancy. "How does this suit you, Julia?" "Uh ... I think I could put up with it." She was already checking out the softness of the bed. "Mama Bear says it's just right!" "And there's your bathroom," he said, pointing to a door across the hall. "Thanks, Rob - it's just perfect," she said appreciatively. I was so happy that she was! Then we retraced our steps to the living room, down a second hallway, and into a beautiful, bright room with a decidedly feminine touch to the d?cor. It featured a queen-sized bed with an upholstered headboard and a beautiful white eyelet duvet cover. The window curtains matched. How did they know eyelet was my favorite? The room even had its own ensuite bath, which I thought might come in handy. "And here's yours, Sandra. What do you think?" "I think I love it," I replied. And I did. So much that I decided on the spot to make over my own room at home - with lots of eyelet. "It's so pretty!" exclaimed Julia. "Perfect for YOU," she added, winking at me. After helping us move our bags into our rooms, Rob sat us down in the big living room and outlined the week's options, which basically consisted of ski lessons, skiing, apres-ski partying, eating, sleeping - and repeating the process each and every day of our stay. What an awesome time we were going to have! I was SO glad I decided to come, and even more glad that Julia could come with me. How amazing to have a best girlfriend to share it all with! In reality, both of us girls were really excited to just be in that incredible place, let alone all the fun to be had! But before the shops closed we managed to look after some important details, like getting our ski packages rented, buying her a pair of ski pants and goggles, and obtaining our lift passes, all of which came at a nice employee discount courtesy of our host. He'd also arranged for both of us to do three half-day lessons, and he showed us where the ski school met each morning. Back at the condo, Julia and I modeled our ski wear for each other, just to make sure everything looked and worked perfectly. "I love your outfit," said Julia. "I wish I had a one-piece like that. It fits you like a glove! And I love the color on you!" "Yeah, it's nice until you have to use the bathroom," I stated. "But yours looks great too - you were smart to buy the white pants and not the black ones. They go with any jacket ... and your butt looks way better in white." "What d'you mean?" "I mean I can see your shape!" "Really? In these things?" "Uh-huh. I can totally tell you're a girl from behind. Like, women's ski pants are tailored to make your butt look yummy? But you need a jacket that's not too long, and fits snug above your waist? Yours is perfect." "And here I thought it was a size too small. Well anyway, your butt looks kinda yummy in that suit too. There, I gave you a compliment." I laughed. "It must have been SO HARD for you. But thanks anyway." I gave her a hug. We had an invitation to join Rob and some of his co-workers for food and drinks that evening, so we both got ourselves freshened up and prettied up as much as we could, not having brought anything especially girly to wear, like skirts. Following his directions to a rustic-looking building with a heavy wooden door, we entered and edged past a waiting crowd, and before the hostess had a chance to acknowledge us I caught sight of a raised hand across the packed, noisy room. Rob came over and guided us back to the table where five other people were already seated - three guys and two girls. Introductions were made