Hettie
By Marva Gregorio De Souza
The old lady took her time. Slowly making
her way along the tightrope of life, engorged with the memories from yesterday
and still filled with hopes for tomorrow, and possibly the day after.
It was a strange day and Hettie wondered
how it would all pan out, how would she cope with the changes and how could she
explain to everyone her decision.
Three o’clock. It was time to go in. The
brightness of the waiting room was challenged by the brightness of the doctor’s
surgery, a battle that would continue until 6pm when everyone went home and the
lights were switched off. Hettie sat down on the chair next to the desk and
waited patiently for the doctor to look up from the notes he was making. This
was the last thing she needed, more time to gather her thoughts, more time to
change her mind but no this was it, she would not turn back now. This she owed
to herself.
Hettie at six came to greet her with a sad
smile. The same sad smile as Hettie at seven and eight, fifteen, twenty-five
and even now at seventy-two. Hettie at six was playing in the sand pit at
school with the boys, always with the boys. More comfortable with the boys,
they understood her, she understood them. The girls just teased her because she
didn’t like dolls and always wore trousers and cut her hair like a boy. The
doctor spoke and Hettie at six went away again. “How can I help you Mrs Barker?
How are you feeling?”
“I’m very well thank you doctor. The reason
I’m here is because I’ve come to a decision regarding a certain matter.”
The doctor waited for her to continue. The
pause lengthened so he decided to prompt her. “Yes, Mrs Barker?”
“I want a sex change. Wanted one for years
without realising what it was I wanted of course. It just wasn’t conceivable
when I was younger. But I’m not happy, never have been. I’ve given and given
and given I can’t give any more. It’s time to take something for me. So I want
to be the man I’ve always sensed I am inside.”
She stopped. It was the doctor’s turn. Of
course he would try to dissuade her, it was his job, it was the norm. But she
would remain steadfast, would not be shaken.
“OK, Mrs Barker, I think its time we considered
a special home for you.”
“Surely in your position you must hear about cases like
this everyday. I’m not crazy, just different.”
“Don’t you remember coming to see me a
month ago and having this conversation?”
“No. I’ve certainly been thinking about it
for a long while but this is the first time I’ve plucked up the courage to come
and speak to you about it.”
The doctor sighed the sigh of the
compassionate. “You came to see me a month ago and said that you wanted a sex change,
to become the woman you always sensed you were inside and I suggested you try
dressing as a woman for a while to see how you feel about it before any
commitments were made.”
“That’s rubbish. Complete and utter
nonsense.”
“Feel between your legs.”
“I beg your pardon!”
“Feel between your legs. Go on, right now!”
Hettie looked into the doctor’s eyes and
saw the care, the concern, the desperation and she reached reluctantly down to
her lap, moving her hand up simultaneously. Henry flinched slightly as his
world crumbled around him again.
“So let’s talk about your care now shall
we?”
THE END
Nice little vignette for my namesake.
ReplyDeleteThank you Henry ;)
ReplyDeleteI like the twist at the end of this story, really fun!
ReplyDeletejim
Thanks Jim. I do like a good twist :D
ReplyDelete