Denise - New Beginning

"Oh, I know it is, but I know you're never really comfortable around my friends, especially when we start acting gay and silly." She looked thoughtful for a minute. "Lately, when you've been over, you've seemed just barely able to coexist with Denise in a slightly stand-offish sort of way."

Since what she said was pretty much on target, I said nothing and intently munched a french fry.

"Well?" she prompted.

I found a patch of tabletop to examine. "Sis, on a logistical level moving in with you is a great solution." I pulled in a deep breath. "I'd like to think I can handle it on a psychological level."

"If I agree to try to make sure my friends behave civilized when you're around, and you try to at least act semi-sociable toward them, it might work." She paused until I looked up at her. "Oh, and I won't make out with my dates in the living room and I'll make sure Denise doesn't try to seduce you," she added with an impish grin.

On that note we ceremoniously shook hands over the remains of our lunch. By the next weekend, I was moved in with Margot and Denise.

*****

The first night in my new digs, Margot and Denise made supper for all of us. I had sat through a couple of meals with Denise before and had made it through with minimal discomfort, nut I hoped that they weren't planning to make this communal dining a regular thing.

As I worked my way through a rather tasty pasta dish of some sort, I tried to inconspicuously study Denise. Like a lot of people I had my share of preconceived notions about transsexuals. They had been running through my head since I had begun to consider sharing an apartment with one. Like any other normal American male, I had first learned of transsexuals through adolescent Christine Jorgensen jokes explained to me by more enlightened peers. Then there were the usually unflattering portrayals of "she-males" or "trannies", often as prostitutes, on mainstream television and occasional exposure while surfing pornographic websites. The ones on mainstream television were usually obviously masculine, over-dressed, and had way too much makeup. Some of those on the porno sites seemed to be rather attractive and feminine as long as their nether region weren't exposed.