CHAPTER 13
The next morning, Sascha jumped up when her mother knocked on the door, "Come on Sleepy. Time to get up and start cooking. Let's go!" It took her about 15 minutes to wash up, dress, and go downstairs. "Well, look who's awake," Allison commented as Sascha stumbled into the kitchen.
"Coffee?" She headed for the brew machine. After adding the milk and sugar she gulped down a mouthful. She gasped, "HOT, HOT, HOT!" And started fanning her mouth. Allison and Eric covered their mouths, trying not to laugh.
After the coffee cooled Sascha finished it and ate a toasted bagel. She sat back in her chair and brushed bagel crumbs off her placemat. "Okay Mom, I'm ready to start cooking." She looked around the kitchen, "You know, Mom, we forgot to do the turkey stock last night."
"I know Honey, but you looked so tired I didn't want to bother you with it. We can do it now."
Mother and daughter cooked for the rest of the morning and a fair part of the afternoon. When the broth finished simmering, they strained it and set it aside for later when they made stuffing and gravy. They sat down for a second cup of coffee, Sascha let it cool this time, and talked about her life in Boston. Sascha showed Allison pictures of her apartment.
"It's very nice. How can you afford it?"
"It belongs to Robert's company. They use it for visitors. Because of the debacle with the MIT dorm and everything that happened, he said I can use it at no cost until the end of the school year. Oh, and if I want it next year, I have to pay the rent and electricity bill.
"How can we afford it? Shouldn't you re-examine the dorm option?"
"Mom? The rent will be $250. Robert says it's something called 'Rent Control'. And it's a great location Mom. I'm right on a bus line and close to a subway station. I can get anywhere in Boston."
"$250? You're kidding, right?"
"Nope."
"Sascha does Robert live there with you?"
"What? No. He stops by when we go out. But I live there alone. I have no idea where Robert lives."
"What about during summer break?"
"Mom? Didn't I tell you? I've already been accepted into an accelerated summer program there at MIT--if I do it this summer and next summer I'll graduate in three years. Then, if I'm lucky I can start a Master's Program."
"Are you sure you're not taking on too much?"
Sascha smiled and patted her mother's hand, "Mom, I think as long as I don't get injured or end up homeless on the streets again, I can do the work. It will feel strange--after the last year, just having a regular schedule should be pretty simple."
"What about your...health?"
Sascha nodded, "I lost quite a bit of weight on the street. But I've gradually got it back. As long as the sky is clear I walk to and from school every day. I do a lot of stretching during study breaks at home...I mean the apartment. Sorry, this is home."
"But what about your...health?" Allison insisted.
"Oh." Sascha understood, "Every Thursday evening, I attend transition group therapy sessions. When I first started going, they didn't want me because they thought I wasn't transgender--they suspected I was a reporter or something. I took the most obnoxious person into the ladies' room and pulled down my panties. She apologized and when we went back to the meeting she said, 'Relax everyone she's one of us. I just had my six-month appointment with Dr. Lawrence. She said I'm doing great--better than almost all TG girls. At this meeting we decided...I mean I decided I won't be getting breast implants. That was quite a relief. In a couple weeks I have an appointment with a speech therapist to discuss my voice. I think it's too low."
"Your voice is fine. It is not too low. You shouldn't worry about it." Allison assured her as she finished her coffee. The temperature alarm on the probe thermometer sounded, alerting them that the turkey was nearly done. They cleaned off the table and started prepping their side dishes for the stove and oven.
They pulled the turkey out of the oven. Allison moved the probe around until she was convinced the bird was done. They started the casseroles, potatoes, and stuffing. Sascha started pulling out dishes and silverware and moving them to the dining room.
"ERIC!" Allison shouted, "Start getting washed up! Dinner in thirty!" She turned to Sascha, "Okay Honey, I've got this, go wash up and get dressed."
Sascha hurried upstairs. After showering she dug through her closet and found a nice dress and shoes. She joined her mother downstairs, where they got everything put out, ready to eat. Eric came into the kitchen. He kissed Allison and gave Sascha a hug. "Wait just a couple minutes, okay?" He said just as the doorbell rang, "I invited a couple guests. Sascha honey, would you get the door, please?"
"CARLA, CARRIE! HI!" She greeted them with hugs and invited them in.
"How are you kid?"
"I'm good Carla. How are you? Carrie how are you doing?"
"We're well. Thanks." Carla answered. Carrie fidgeted.
"Guess what?" She blurted, "I have a girlfriend! Can you believe it? Me!"
"I knew you would. Who is it?"
"Do you remember Sally Jennings?"
Sascha had to think, "Oh yeah. Pretty girl, brunette, shorter than you? Wasn't she in the Math Club?"
"She's the captain of the math team! She's so smart it's scary."
Eric came into the entryway, "Hi Carla. Welcome. Is this Carrie? It's nice to meet you. Come on everyone, it's time to eat." He led everyone to the dining room where Allison waited.
"Come on folks, let's eat while the food's hot." They all sat down and the women talked while Eric carved the turkey. Dinner was delicious. Eric caught a break this time, Carla and Carrie insisted on helping Allison and Sascha with the after-dinner clean-up. Carrie and Sascha started washing and drying. Carla and Allison wrapped and put away leftovers and handed the dirty dishes to the girls.
When it was all done they gathered in the family room. They turned on a football game and, sort of, watched but the conversations continued until Eric decided he'd waited long enough for a turkey sandwich. Everyone followed his lead.
That night after Carrie and Carla left, Eric, Allison, and Sascha sat in the living room watching whatever movie was on. "I wish Steph had been here," Sascha said quietly.
"I know Sweetie, we do too, but as you get older sometimes responsibilities and commitments you've made have to come first. By the way, when do you have to go back?"
"My train leaves Saturday morning at eight from the same place you picked me up. Tomorrow I have a ton of stuff to do: I need a new driver's license, a new debit card, and finally I need to find the city's 'tourist board'.