Member-only story
Courage, Trans rights
Courage in an Ill-Fitting Red Dress
A Wine Aisle Epiphany
I am not the best person to tell this story. I am fully aware of the hypocrisy of criticizing someone’s behavior when, at the same time, I am, sadly, just as guilty of the same transgression. Since I am the one who witnessed the thing, I need to write it down, with the understanding that I am guilty and need to learn from it. The reader may need to read between the lines and see if a lesson is hidden.
This happened last Christmas Eve when you thought there would be goodwill and mutual acceptance between people, including in the part of the country where I live. An area in West Virginia that appears to be economically somewhat better off than the rest of the state. Whether it is higher income or more debt, I cannot tell. Still, as it happens in communities like this, the same stuff you can buy cheaper at your local Save-a-Lot is sold at a premium in a more upmarket store, one of which we have locally and where the sad event took place.
Sitting on my favorite chair in my oldest clothes, I suddenly realized that at some stage over the coming weekend, I might feel like having a glass or more of wine and knew there was none in the house. Since I often meet social acquaintances or co-workers at this store, I usually ensure I look respectable. However, I also realized that the same store would close very soon, and with that, my only chance of buying alcohol until deep into the following week. I decided to take the chance and drove to the store.
As I got out of the car, after scanning the area for familiar faces, I headed for the main entrance, where workers were already dragging in half-dead plants before closing the doors. While hurrying through the parking lot, I noticed a tall lady in a brilliant red dress walking into the store with the long treads of the male body she was born with. This evening, her perfectly normal, healthy male body was prominently displayed in a brilliantly red mini skirt with a matching red top, high heels, and blond hair waving behind her in the cool winter air.
Between this lady-in-red and me were two other women entering the store a few yards behind her. They were two women who looked the same, sounded the same, and dressed in all aspects…
