My phone rang. It was just after eight in the morning and I was about to get my day started. I looked at the caller ID and answered immediately.
"Hi Paula. This better be good at this time in the morning. What's up hun?"
There was a brief pause and then, in a slightly shaking, odd voice, she said, "Anna. Can you come round? I need you to see something."
"Hun. I'm about to jump in the shower. Can't you at least give me a clue?"
"I... something happened to me in the night. I... want you to try and help me understand."
I sighed. "Okay, hun. I'll shower and dress. I'll be round in about half an hour, is that okay?"
"Thank you Anna. I'll get the coffee ready."
"What's happened to your voice? You sound different. Smoother. A little higher. Bit of a hangover after our celebrations last night?" I asked with a smile on my face.
"Um... that's part of it. Please. Let me explain when you get here."
"Okay hun. See you soon. Mwah!"
I disconnected the call, wondering what on earth was up with her. I'd known Paula for around three years. She was in her mid twenties when we met and I had just turned thirty. When I first met her she was known as Paul but I sort of had an inkling there was something different. He was more diminutive, delicate and, well, feminine than most men. He had... odd hair. It was colourless. I mean pure white. I thought he'd dyed it, but he told me that it was some condition that meant there was no pigment in it. He'd also grown it to shoulder length and had grey blue eyes. He was, to say the least, enigmatic.
He
had become part of a small group of friends. Three girls and
him
.
About two years ago
he'd
contacted all of us and asked if we would meet with
him
in a little bar that none of us ever frequented. We all met up and
he
wasn't there. We all wondered between us what the mystery was.
It was at that moment that a woman came up to the table, already holding a drink, and said, "Hi girls." She had Paul's signature white hair and grey-blue eyes. She was wearing a knee length summer frock and heels. There was a pause while it sank in.
Penny was the first to speak. "Paul? What... Did I miss the call to a costume party?"
She
cleared her throat. "This is why I wanted to meet on neutral territory. I... can I sit down?"
I patted the chair next to mine that we'd saved for...
him?
. "Of course, hun."
She sat down, took a sip of his beer and in a slightly shaky voice said, "I... I've decided I want to be... a woman. I've thought about it ever since I can remember but... I want to be public about it and you, being my best and closest friends, I wanted to let you know first."
Sandra said, "Ohhh...kay. What are we supposed to call you now, then?"
She
relaxed a little, smiled wistfully and said, "Paula. I thought it was easiest."
I looked at her. "So... Paula... how far do you want to go with this?"
She swallowed. "All the way, Anna. I know it will take years but I have felt trapped in this body all my life, knowing I wasn't really male at all. I went to my doctor and told her. I have to go through a thorough psych evaluation and I have to live openly as a woman as part of that process."
Penny said, "Wow. Okay. Big news, Paul..a. You're going to get tits and everything? I mean... what about down there?" She indicated his lap with her eyes.
"Eventually, yes. That as well."
Zoe hadn't spoken yet and Paula looked at her. "Zoe? Your opinion really matters to me."
She looked conflicted but said, "If that's what you want, hun, I'll back you all the way. We all will, won't we girls?"
We looked at each other and we all nodded. Paula was close to tears.
"You girls are the best. Thank you so much."
The next couple of years were painful for Paula, but Penny, Sandra, Zoe and I were there for her. When her best friend betrayed her and called her all sorts of horrible names, we held her and comforted her. I clearly remember that night. We'd gathered at Paula's house when she'd called on us. The pain that had been caused was palpable. Paula couldn't stop crying and we all fussed over her, telling her it would be okay. She could rely on us.