By Jan
Arriving home from work, Sam threw his briefcase on the settee and rushed to his PC. He logged on and typed : Are you there, Brad?
There was no reply. Sam sighed. He pushed back the chair and headed to the bedroom to change from his suit to casual slacks and jumper. He made a mental note he was now Alison, as 'she' threw on a wig and a little makeup. She sat by the computer, and reflected on the past three years . . .
. . . three years ago, Sam was a wreck, hating his job and himself, and wishing he could get his life together. Sam was an excellent computer programmer, but had an overwhelming desire to wear feminine clothing and live and work as Alison. He had explored the Internet, and found lots of information, but no answers. Three years ago, Sam decided to confide in Jennifer, a colleague and fellow programmer, and told her of his preference for wearing feminine clothing.
He had no real idea why he chose to tell Jenny, but was now glad he did. At first Jennifer was not really interested in Sam, as he appeared rather withdrawn and moody at work. However, she saw him as intriguing, and over a couple of years, their friendship developed, and, with Jenny's support and guidance, Sam saw how he could live in the two worlds that had confused him for so long. Sam's work as a programmer gained new recognition, and Alison began to develop her own presence and personality at nights and during most weekends. Sam decided he could live again, and Alison and Jennifer often dined together, sharing successes and consoling each other on disappointments.
. . . hissss . . . The muffled shrill of the kettle startled Alison, and she headed to the kitchen to pour a cuppa and raided the cupboard for a small piece of chocolate.
Sitting back in front of the computer, Alison tried to imagine what Brad looked like. She liked Jenny, but also wanted to have an imaginary boyfriend. The Internet chat channel was the obvious choice, as she could pretend and make friends to her hearts desire. The current contact was with Brad, a computer lecturer at the local university . . .
. . . the cat clawed at Alison's lap, again snapping her back to reality. "Come on Sal, I'll feed you. Let's go", as they headed off to the back veranda.
She had first met Brad a year ago on the Net, and talked through their computers off and on during that time. Over the last month, they had communicated almost every day. Although they knew they lived in the same regional area, they had never met, agreeing that their friendship was more fun through the screen. But then, Alison knew she could never tell Brad her 'secret'.
Lately, though, Alison was finding it difficult to keep her mind off Brad, but how could she tell Brad all about herself? She had never been out with a guy, and was not sure if she should.
"Forget about him" , Jenny snapped over coffee one recent Saturday. "But he is the nicest guy I know".
"You haven't even met him. Besides, you need to remember there is a minor difficulty if you do go out with him!" But Alison was not interested. She had already decided that, one day, they would have a relationship beyond their PC's. Still daydreaming about Brad, Alison opened the fridge and surveyed its contents. A quick snack tonight, thought Alison, as she selected the leftover stew from yesterday.
By the time Alison returned to her computer screen, the message was waiting - Hi Alison ? How was your day?
Alison decided it was time the relationship moved along, but not quite sure how to handle the consequences. I have been trying to imagine what you look like, she typed. How about sending me a photo? There was a short delay, and then he replied : Sure. I will have to find a good one. I will send it tomorrow, if you send me one of yours. Alison couldn't wait to see Brad, but was somewhat anxious about sending her photo to Brad. She knew Brad went to the gym three times a week. Alison was sure he was a hunk, and thought he would see through her photo immediately. While she looked reasonable as a girl, she knew she was no supermodel, and was still learning how to look acceptable in public. And photos are so unforgiving . . .
Alison spent an hour searching through her photo albums, before giving up and heading for the phone. "Jen, you have got to help", she asked, when her friend answered. "Brad is sending me a photo, and wants one of me in return. I look terrible in all my photos".
"What about that one of you from that special group dinner last year?" Jennifer reminded Alison of the dinner that she attended several months earlier with several friends. "You looked great that night".
"The pictures are awful. I have either got my eyes shut or my mouth open. If only I looked like Lynette. She always looks gorgeous in every shot". Alison's cousin Lynette was the most photogenic member of her family.
"I've got a great idea," Jennifer exclaimed. "Why not send Lynette's picture?"
"That would not be fair. Besides what happens when Brad and I eventually meet?"
"Worry about that when, and if, it ever happens," she said. Alison was not convinced, and eventually chose a not too bad picture of herself.
Next afternoon, Sam hurried home, disposed of his suit and donned an outfit from the ever increasing wardrobe of Alison's clothes. Alison logged on to her computer. Brad was waiting. Have you got the photo?, she typed on her keyboard? Minutes later, a picture of a gorgeous guy, with curly, dark hair and enormous brown eyes appeared on the screen. She had only ever dreamed of meeting such a great looking guy.
Now it is your turn, Brad typed in. Alison picked up the photograph she had chosen. I can't send this," she groaned. Grabbing her album, she selected the best photo she had of Lynette . . .
The next day, Jennifer looked stunned when Alison showed her the printout of Brad's picture. "Wow!" she gasped, wouldn't I love to meet him!"
Me too! but how can I when he thinks I look like Lynette?"
Alison knew she would eventually have to tell Brad the truth, but there was no hurry. She had noticed that their conversations had become rather stilted since the photo swap.
One Saturday morning, about two months after the photo swap, Alison went for one of her regular walks to the park. A tall, skinny guy was playing catch with a Labrador pup. The puppy ran past her and stopped to check her out. Alison dropped to her knees to pat it. The owner approached and smiled shyly.
"What a cute puppy! How old is it?" Alison said.
"She is five months old", he said, eyes smiling.
"My friend Brad has a five month old Labrador".
"Really? My name is Brad, too."
Alison laughed uncertainly. Was this just a coincidence? This guy looked nothing like the photograph. "My name is Alison," she said, introducing herself.
"Er, you don't have a cat named Sal, do you?", Brad asked.
Brad and Alison stared at each other, and then collapsed together, laughing uncontrollably. Hours later, they left the park, vowing to introduce Alison's niece to Brad's brother, the only one in his family who had done some modelling.
Alison had cleared her first hurdle. Brad appeared to accept her warmly. But what of the future. Should Alison tell him everything? But how? And what if he could not handle Alison's secret?
Perhaps I will write the sequel in the future . . .
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