Karin,
Your joke reminds me of a true story. I remember it well because it happened this weekend.
My wife and I like to eat at a certain local restaurant here in town. Nothing fancy mind you. Something like a Denny's or a Cracker Barrel. We eat there maybe about once a month. There's a guy there that we've been friendly with because nine times out of ten he's been our waiter/bartender what-have-you and we tend to shoot the breeze while we're there. Topics like football games (or basketball) or brewed beers; general, non-controversial stuff like that. No religion or politics.
Well we haven't been there in a couple of months now, so Saturday evening my wife and I went there for dinner. When Chuck (not his real name) came to our table to wait on us, there was a subtle difference in his appearance and manner. I couldn't quite determine exactly what was different, but maybe it was the fact that he wasn't shooting the breeze about football or whatever. Maybe it was the fact that he told us his name was no longer Chuck; that he now went by Charlene. Maybe it was the make-up and earrings. Maybe it was the dress. Maybe it was the fact that he now had what outwardly appeared to be breasts. Maybe it was the fact that he no longer spoke with a loud gregarious voice. Now he's soft-spoken. With long fingernails and feminine jewelry adorning his fingers, his wrists and his neck.
I probably didn't handle it very well. For the first time ever in my life I was absolutely stunned speechless. Even my wife was silent; that awkward kind of silence. What do you say to someone you've known for years who suddenly has a sex change? While we weren't rude or obnoxious or anything like that, the situation was extremely awkward. I could barely get the words out to place my order. It probably didn't help that the first words I managed to utter were "So what's new?". (I was referring to the items on the menu.)
I remember Dr. Renee Richards (sp?) and his/her story. But I only know of Richards through news accounts. I never really gave much thought to him/her. It was just a story. Not real. Something you see on television.
This situation is real. I know Chuck. Or perhaps I should say I knew him. It's sort of like the guy you know has died and someone else has taken his place. It's just totally weird.
Well, I feel better having written about this to someone, but I sure didn't sleep well last night thinking about it. Maybe with time I'll have a better understanding, but I don't think so. Maybe some things are better off not being understood.
KJC |
