Sequel to The Shaded Parlor
The Parlor has grown into a multi-national corporation, with five parlors and blazing tables on two continents. Montie Cleaver has risen to the post of Vice President of Expansion at Clayton Industries. It’s her job to hire and train all the staffs for each venue.
When she hires the staff for the new Boston parlor, the person who will become a main host seems to be flirting with her. But there’s something about Patrice Flanagan that intrigues Montie, something she knows she should stay away from. But Patrice isn’t just Patrice.
When she shows up as Patrick Flanagan, Montie realizes she’s dealing with a multi-identity, genderfluid person who may be in direct conflict to her own lesbian identity. Can Montie fall for Patrice and still keep Patrick in his place?
When we got back to the house, we went inside, and Pat pulled me into his arms.
“I hate to have a one track mind, but I’ve been here since eleven this morning and we’ve only made love once.”
“Yes. That’s what I was looking forward to, too.”
“Great. I’ll go get ready.” He took his suitcase into the bathroom.
Oh, good! I thought. He’s going to become Patrice, as I’ve always wanted. I readied the bedroom, lowered the blinds, pushed off the bedspread, and started to take my shirt off. I was just about to unhook my bra when the bathroom door opened.
There stood Patrick in all his paraphernalia.
“Hello, lover,” he said softly.
“No, I can’t do this,” I said, putting my shirt back on.
“What? Why?”
“No offense, Patrick, but you’re not equipped with the things I love. If you want to use that thing, at least take your binder off so I know you’re a woman.”
“But we did this before…”
“No, you did this before. I just laid there. It was like a nineteen fifties marriage, and the husband didn’t know anything was wrong.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I did. I told you I was a lesbian, and I wanted a woman in my bed.”
“I didn’t think you were so adamant.”
“I’m sorry your brothers made you be Patrick,” I started.
“My brothers did not make me be Patrick. I am Patrick.”
“You’re Patrice.”
“It’s the same person.” His eyes were narrow. He was sure of his knowledge.
“No, it’s not. Not in my bed.” This time I wanted him to know how determined I was. “Pat, I’m a lesbian. I told you that the first day. I don’t sleep with men, real or fake.”
“Patrick is not fake.”
“He’s not real.”
“Yes, he is!” He looked up at the ceiling, getting overwhelmed.
“I want a vagina.” I said softly.
“I gave you one.”
“And I loved it, I cherished it. I ate it, and I stroked it. Pat, that’s what I need. I need a woman.”
“I am a woman.”
“Twenty-four/seven?”
“Of course not. Who is?”
“I am, and I want Patrice twenty-four seven. Don’t you understand?”
“Don’t you?”
We were both getting heated. He turned his back to me. We stood there, neither of us moving. Was this real? Did he have multiple personalities? Well, yes, he did, but was that a finite? Would he always have Patrick? Did he need professional help? Could he control them? Could I help him?
Finally I said, “Look, Patrick’s my friend, but Patrice is the woman I love. I am totally in love with Patrice. Please bring her back.”
“I’m not sure I can twenty-four seven.”
“Can I help you?”
“No. No one can.” He looked down at the floor.
I threw my arms around him. “Oh, Patrick! I don’t hate you. I just don’t love you the way I do Patrice.” He nodded his understanding. “I don’t want to go off halfway around the world with us like this,” I assured him. “Can I kiss Patrice?”
“You can always kiss Patrice.”
“No, I can’t. Only when you present her,” I glared at him ... her ... them!
Pat started to unlatch his strap-on but returned to the bathroom. A few minutes later, Patrice came out, nude.
“Is this better?”
“Yes!”
“I adore you, Montgomery,” she said after the first kiss. “But ...”
