Sisters' Secret

"I don't . . ."

"I didn't mean for it to go this far," she said. "I would have stopped. I just got caught up. I'm so sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

Asha didn't answer me. She just buttoned the first few buttons and made a beeline for the door. Seeing what she was doing, I jumped off the couch and followed her. I caught her as she reached for the doorknob. I grabbed her elbow, not hard enough to hurt her, but enough to restrain her and prevent her from leaving in such a state.

"Please talk to me," I begged.

"Don't you get it?" she said, sounding desperate. "I have a penis. I'm a transsexual."

"A transsexual?"

"I'm sorry, Devon. Please just let me go and you'll never have to see me again."

"Why would you say something like that? I love you, Asha."

At last, Asha stopped struggling to get through the door. She turned slowly to me, her eyes slowly rising to meet mine. I knew it must have taken a tremendous effort. Her eyes were wet and shining, but also filled with hope. She waited for a moment before speaking.

"Do you mean it?" she asked.

"I do," I told her.

"Oh, Devon," she breathed, "I love you too."

She threw open her arms and I went happily into them. We held one another tightly, not with the same physical and sexual urgency that we had before, but in a more tender embrace. I buried my face in her hair, breathing the sweet fragrance, and she leaned her face against my shoulder. Then I turned my face to hers and we kissed, sweetly and softly.

"I don't know how I'm supposed to feel about all this," I admitted, "but I know how I feel about you and that's enough."

"That's kind of you to say," Asha said, "but we have to face reality. If you're not attracted to me sexually, then what kind of a relationship can we have?"

"Who said I wasn't?"

"There's a difference between finding someone sexy and wanting to have sex with that person. Especially a person like me. If you're not interested in me sexually, I'll understand. I won't hold it against you. I'll know it's just how you are."