Triptych

As a transsexual in transition, as a shemale, she was both male and female. At the same time, however, she was, paradoxically, neither. She seemed to transcend the arbitrary categories of sex and gender. By being neither male nor female but also both, at the same time, she seemed to be more, not less, of a man and more, not less, of a woman.

Sheila's explanation astonished Russ. It was profound. Although she was by no means a stupid person, the depth of her insight rocked the artist. It was a revelation to him that, as an artist, he should have seen himself. Her understanding not only amazed him, but is also inspired him. Throwing back the blankets that covered him, he bounded from the bed, startling his lover, and sprinted, naked, from his bedroom, into his studio, where the triptych stood, its right panel not only unfinished but also unbound. Now that Sheila's declaration had stimulated his creative energy, he couldn't wait to begin-and to complete-the third panel of his threefold painting.

So rapt was he with the idea that had seized him as to how to finish the triptych that Russ had not heard Sheila's barefoot approach. He was unaware of her presence until he heard her speak, concern in her whispered query: "Is everything all right?"

Russ seized her in his arms, kissing her. His lips ground against her own, his teeth pressing hard against hers. "Everything is magnificent!" he exclaimed, when he'd released her. "You are magnificent!"

"What did I do?" she asked, befuddled.

"I cannot talk now," he replied. "I have work to do!"

Russ remained in his studio for days, Sheila bringing him food and drink, most of which remained unconsumed. He left the studio only to answer the calls of nature. Sheila worried about his health. After a week, she became concerned about his mental stability. His project obsessed him. Never had she seen him so passionate about anything, including her.

She telephoned a friend, Arnold James, who was also an artist, a musician, confessing her anxieties to him.