Chrysalis Part 2-Chapter 12
This story is about a young man's quest to fix a major birth defect--he was born without a penis. On his quest he meets his soul mate and many other soon to be friends.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and events are the product of the author's imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any real person is coincidental.
The story depicts procedures and practices common for gender reassignment; however, this story does not claim to be a medical treatise, and information is primarily for the purpose of the story and not medical advice. This story is written for adults with adult themes. If you are underage or live in a location where references to gay relationships or transgender people is forbidden, please log out of the story or move.
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Chapter 12--Cordelia Duncan
Chris returned from Slim and Zoe's tired and concerned about Tom. He threw on a pair of sweats and an old T-shirt; he wanted to rush over to Tom's apartment and throw his arm around Tom. He missed Tom, but did not regret moving out and establishing himself as a person. A knock on his door, interrupted his debate. Chris opened the door. "Chris Wentworth?" Chris nodded. "These are for you." The man in a brown uniform handed Chris the bouquet of roses. "Please sign here." Chris put the roses in the crystal vase on the dining room table and fished out the card. "Sorry for being a total ass. Can we be friends? Tom" Chris gave a soft smile as he remembered the first night they met. How had he the balls to approach him? Chris emitted a quiet laugh. Right, I have no balls...yet.
After lunch at Zoe and Slims. Chris settled into his normal Sunday routine of texting Helga, Ariel and his sister, setting out clothes for Monday and Silent Models, and reading. The place was dark except for the lamp by the sofa and three candles burning, causing the shadows to dance. A knock on the door startled him from a reverie concerning Tom. "`Tis some visitor, only this and nothing more," Chris muttered to himself. Chris opened the door expecting to see Tom following up on the roses, but a woman stood at the door--obviously in distress. The woman was in her mid to late forties, dressed in a tweed suit with a white frilled blouse. Her hair was red, not apple red but more burnished copper. She looked at Chris, her eyes still puffy from crying. "Mr. Wentworth may I come in?"
Chris led her to an easy chair next to the sofa. "She looked around the room at the dim lights and the candles. "I hope that I am not interrupting a pleasant evening." She sat and pulled a handkerchief from the sleeve of her jacket.
Chris gave a half laugh, which seemed to ease the woman some. "Sunday night, I like to ratchet down and ease into the new week." Chris patted the woman's hand. "It is just a quiet night home alone, Ms..." Chris looked at the woman realizing he had no idea who or why was sitting in the chair.
"Oh, how rude of me," she stated seeming lost in her own thoughts, "Mr. Wentworth."
"Please, Chris is fine."
She smiled weakly, "I, I'm Cordelia Duncan. Dennis Duncan is my husband." Chris tensed. "No," she continued, "Dennis Duncan is my ex-husband. I filed for divorce last Friday." She paused to gather control. "I'm here to apologize for what that fucker tried to do to you." She started to cry. Chris just held her hand and let the tears take the course. "I didn't know. I'm so sorry. I didn't know how much a monster he is."
Chris needed to break the tension. "Would you like something to drink? Coffee, tea, water, or wine?"
"Water would be good." When Chris was in the kitchen. "Sorry, but wine is what I really need. White if you have it." Her voice was stronger and in more control.
Chris returned, handing her the wine and having a glass of red for himself. As he sat, he took both of her hands in his, softly stroking the back of her hands with his thumbs. "It is not your fault what he did. You did not know."
A sob escaped from Cordelia, "But I suspected. I knew something was wrong, but I..." She took a sip of wine. "But I didn't know what. I didn't want to believe. I mean I married the man." Chris let the silence linger. "I married him and all the time he was this monster." More silence punctuated with hitches in breathing. "I married the monster. He is my second husband. I was lonely after the death of my first and my son was young and needed a father." Her eyes met Chris's unspoken question. "Yes, I think he did abuse my son. But I was too blind, too unwilling to believe the subtle evidence." A cascade of tears released all the guilt. "My beautiful, loving child changed into a sullen withdrawn teen." The handkerchief dabbed at her eyes. "He tried to tell me when he was ten, but I refused to believe him." More tears. "He does not speak to me, has not in five years." She paused to look into Chris's face. She saw only compassion. "He moved out when he was seventeen after high school." Her hands fluttered like butterflies caught in a wind. "I put money into a bank account we set up when he was a child. I don't even know if he is using it."
Chris stood up and grabbed Cordelia's hand. "I think we need some cheese and crackers with the wine. Do you want to help me, Cordelia?"
"Cordy, Chris, just Cordy."
"Cheese is in the drawer in the fridge. I'll get plates and a knife." They worked in companionable silence.
Returning to the living area, Cordy asked, "I am sure your parents are very proud of how well you are doing. Modeling is a tough business, but you're a rising star."
Chris closed his eyes and schooled his face. "I haven't spoken to my parents since I was sixteen." Cordy leaned back in surprise. "You know I'm in transition from female to male." She nodded. "My father took exception to that, and by extension me. I was no longer welcome in his house."
"Oh, God, Chris, I'm so sorry." Now she was patting Chris's hand. "Being a parent is so hard, and we want so much for our children that we often forget that what we want is not what they need." A tear slid down her face. "Please don't give up on your parents, no matter how hard it is because they still love you but don't know how anymore."
"I know." Chris gave Cordy a reassuring smile, "I talk to my sister often and she is visiting in May. Doors are opening."
"I miss my Zachary immensely. I would do anything to bring him back. He does not need to forgive me. I just want him back in my life." Both cried for their individual loss and each other's loss. "I do not how much longer the company will be solvent after all the lawsuits, but I have talked to the staff. They are amazing and resilient. The atmosphere is so much lighter. I never understood why the place was always so glum. I guess I need to find a new manager." She gave Chris a questioning stare.
"Might I suggest Maureen? I know she is just the receptionist, but she knows everything and everyone. She is respected and liked."
"I will look into her. I have a staff meeting tomorrow. I am going into Slackers more often now. I see my responsibility is to my company."
"They will appreciate that, and you will do very well as an active owner."
Cordy stood, wiped her eyes and flattened her skirt. "I need to leave and give you back the remainder of the evening." She gave Chris a kiss on the cheek at the door. "I did not mean for this night to be so emotional. Thank you for everything. You are a remarkable young man." Chris blushed. "My attorney will be contacting you this week to discuss remuneration for Dennis's behavior."
"That is not necessary. I have no intention of suing. I am just very pleased that I helped put an end to his activities."
"It is necessary because I need to do this. You have rid my company of a very evil man. And given me hope again."
Chris softly closed and locked the apartment door. He nibbled on a dollop of brie on a cracker ruminating over Cordelia Duncan's visit and her pain, but also her hope. Chris glanced at the roses on the table and smiled. He also knew hope.