Author's Note: This chapter involves a trans-woman who has yet to have SRS (sex reassignment surgery). I'm hoping I depicted her well, however I don't have much experience with trans people or the community, so please let me know if I wrote anything dangerously stereotypical or bigoted. Just know that it was unintentional and I will make every effort to avoid it in the future.
Life as an unemployed millionaire was surprisingly dull. Alicia didn't complain, she much preferred a sedentary life to the idea of working a thankless job, though she did her best to stay active. While it was easy to afford one, she didn't hire a maid for the house, preferring to clean it herself. After so many years doing so, it became automatic for her and was finished hours before either of her children came home. For that reason, and because she had immoral feelings simmering below the surface, she sought a friend. Samantha filled that role flawlessly.
She shouldn't think of her like that. The neighbour was her friend through and through, not simply a substitute to help placate her reignited sex drive, though she suited that too. Samantha had a strong jaw to match her slightly broader frame, which blended well with her slight musculature. Handsome was a good description, though her femininity came through clear as day, if a little over the top at times.
That day, for instance, Samantha wore a blouse with a cute waist jacket on that looked a bit unusual for her shoulders, but she donned it with confidence. Her makeup, however, seemed to overcompensate. Too much lipstick for her, admittedly plump, lips that didn't help the abundance of foundation and blush applied to her cheeks. That said, her radiant smile overshadowed it all as she greeted Alicia.
It was their now weekly lunch out together. The first time was just a coincidence, then they recognised each other as neighbours and got to talking, from there it was surprisingly easy for Alicia to relax around her. She didn't have many friends from her younger days, most reached out for a shred of her new fortune, but Samantha was just as well off and didn't flaunt it. Perhaps that was why Alicia felt comfortable in her thrift store jeans and decade-old shirt.
"Looking good," Samantha said.
"Sorry, I didn't have anything nicer."
"Why? It's just lunch, not like we're business partners or something," Samantha said. Her voice was wonderfully androgynous, deep and melodic with just a hint of airiness that some of Carmen's friends had. The perfect tone for more private meetings.
Alicia busied herself with a menu to ignore such thoughts, "So, what do you recommend? I'm still getting used to this place."
"Definitely the steak sandwich. It's a big plate though, so we should share."
"Sounds good. Do they have wine?"
"Only the cheap stuff."
"That's good too," Alicia said and waved down a pretty waitress. While it was only one in the afternoon, she could have a glass or two of wine, plus she felt the alcohol was necessary to loosen up. And hopefully keep her less than noble thoughts at bay.
They'd only came up in the past couple weeks. Since her talk with Carmen, her proudly out polyamorous daughter, whose girlfriends defined the word 'decadence', she was left thinking of finding a partner more and more. Wrong as it was, she envied her daughter and her lovers, especially Stacy. Perhaps it was just a childish hope, but that was almost exactly how she'd imagined herself as a mother. So big and soft and inviting, like her mere presence could brighten even the darkest day. If she looked like her, would Carmen have...
"Here's your sandwich. Let me know if you need anything else and please enjoy."
"Thanks," Samantha said and took a long breath, "Oh man, I never get tired of that smell."
"You're a regular?"
"I know the owner pretty well. Used to come here all the time when I was younger and things were... let's say 'difficult'. He even gave me my first job. Safe to say, I wouldn't be owner of my own restaurant without him."
"You're not one of those places that'd get on Kitchen Nightmares are you?" Alicia asked.
"Hell no!" Samantha snorted, "If my people ever let it get that bad, I'd probably burn the whole place down myself." Alicia joined in her husky laughter, basking in her friend's smile.
They were just friends. It was comfortable like that, but Alicia's thoughts wavered more everyday. Carmen was partly to blame, unconsciously flaunting her outrageous figure around the house, though she never found the will to make her stop. So many young people hated their appearance, the fact her daughter loved hers was something she could never take away. It still worried Alicia how much she thought of her oldest's body, especially when sleep eluded her and the only cure was self-care.
She needed a partner. That was Alicia's conclusion last week after the fifth time in as many nights, yet she wasn't sure if a guy suited her anymore. A penis was ideal, she was still fairly sure of her heterosexuality, yet she wanted a woman's body more every day. It didn't help that any man would fall laughably short of her. At a least a woman wouldn't have as much to worry over.
It'd be nice if she could be with one of her daughter's friends. They were all so big and womanly and... endowed.
"Yo, Ali? Earth to Ali, you there?"
"Huh?! Oh, sorry. Lost in thought," Alicia said and took her half of the sandwich. Samantha was right, almost four inches of filling separated the bread slices, nearly too much for her to handle on her own. She managed a bite, "Wow, that's good!"
"What's up with you? I noticed on the phone, but now I'm sure something's got you worried," Samantha said, taking a mouthful of her own.
"It's nothing. Really."
"I'm here for you. It's not often I meet someone I can just relax with. Word of advice, do not go into business. Every other lunch I have is strictly professional," Samantha groaned.
Alicia smiled, "Thanks, I'll steer clear. Hey, can I... is it okay if I ask you something? Purely hypothetical."
"Go for it."
"So, uh, let's say I've been straight my whole life, but now I've been thinking about women and worrying whether I'm gay, but I also don't even know how to start dating again with all the new technology and stuff, plus it's really weird for me and..."
"Take a breath," Samantha said, reaching over to grab her hands, "You're babbling. We've got plenty of time, so take it slow, okay?" She squeezed her hands.
"Okay," Alicia took a long breath and organised her thoughts a little, "My daughter just came out to me and her girlfriends are really, really amazing. It's got me thinking and I just don't know if I'm straight anymore. It, uh, doesn't help that I've been off the scene for over twenty years."
"Alright," Samantha exhaled slowly, mulling over the information, "Well, I know a few single lesbians if you want me to set you up with any. It also doesn't hurt to look things up. You'd be surprised how many women are like you. And probably will like you."
"So it's not... odd?"
"Of course not!" Samantha squeezed again, firmer, but it was her eyes that held Alicia like a vice, "You're a fantastic woman, Ali. Gay, straight, bi or otherwise. Don't let anyone make you think different."
"You think so?" Alicia didn't mean to, but her voice dipped low, a tone she hadn't used since her last night with her husband, "So, I should get myself out there?"