Allow me to introduce myself and relay a most unique experience I have had in my life. My name is Elizabeth Moore but I commonly go by Liz. Having worked at a small law firm for about ten years, I have risen to the position of the Office Manager. While the position carries many significant responsibilities, there are times I regard it as nothing more than babysitter for the dozen or so lawyers, and equal number of paralegals, the numerous office assistances. The firm has four partners covering a variety of specialties with each having a stable of young attorneys that work with them. As the Office Manager, it is critical for me to get to know everyone on the staff, to insure they have everything necessary to perform their jobs and oversee the billing of time and various other tasks. I also direct the office assistances and assist in prioritizing their assignments and I have final say in their hiring process. Likewise, the partners handle all the hiring of attorneys and I only become involved once a position has been accepted. I am also tasked with handling client-needs when one visits the office.

About a year ago, I was introduced to one of the latest additions to the firm, Terry Penn. Terry was brought on as a specialist in bankruptcy cases and reported to the partner that handles much of the Business and Financial Law. Of course as an attorney, Terry was always dressed in professional suits, had well-manicured hands and hair that looked coiffed as if done just before walking into the office. Terry struck me as very confident in everything she did, her walk, her mannerisms, her voice, everything. Yet as the first month of her employ progressed, there was just something about her that gave me pause. While I could not put my finger on what it was, and I didn’t let it interfere with the work relation, it was something that tended to be tucked in the back of my mind. Because it is my job to interact people and I feel the best way is to get to know them, I did not hesitate doing any less when it came to Terry. Yet in all my years and the numerous people I met, there was just something about her that escaped me.

About two months in, it happened that I was in the office on a Saturday to clear some issues I had not completed during the week but needed early the next week. While expecting to be the only person in that day, it surprised me when Terry arrived shortly after noon. As she strolled past my desk, I asked “What brings you to the salt mines on a weekend?” Terry smiled replying, “Oh Mr. P has this brief he wants readied for Tuesday morning and I don’t want to risk not finishing Monday.” As she headed toward her office, I noticed her attire was nicely matched and well-tailored even though it wasn’t a workday. I, on the other hand, had chosen a pair of jeans and lightweight blouse. As she disappeared around the corner, I resumed my task at hand. About an hour later, I hear “Oh Damn!” echo down the hall from our copy room and then silence. Shrugging, I keep working. Suddenly I am startled by Terry standing at my desk. Realizing she caught me off guard she apologized “I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.” “That’s okay, I just didn’t expect you since I didn’t hear anything after your expletive” I said. Flustered Terry said “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to curse that loud, I was having trouble with the copy machine. That’s why I’m here, I think I broke it.” I chuckled and said “That old thing. It needs to be pushed out the window and let to crash on the ground. Let me take a look.” We walked back to the copy room and after looking at the codes, I commenced to removing the jams and clearing the paper. As it reset Terry says “Thank you so much, you’re a lifesaver. I have never been very good with these machines.” I returned to my desk and set about finishing my work. About 4:30 Terry walked out with her purse on her shoulder, stopping at my desk said “I’m done and heading out. You want to go grab a bite or a drink? It’s the least I can do since you saved me from the copier.” Closing my last file I said “Sure, I had nowhere to be this evening.” As I gathered my things, Terry queried “What, no boyfriend to take you out on the town? Surely someone as attractive as you would have a steady.” I replied, “No, no one special, I date a few different people.” What I didn’t mention to her was that I enjoyed the company of women as much as I did men, but I didn’t want her to feel awkward. As the elevator opened to the parking garage, Terry said, “Follow me, I know a neat little pub that is quiet enough that we can hear each other.” About ten minutes later we arrive and get a booth off from the main bar traffic. After ordering drinks I pick a light dinner from the menu. Through dinner and several drinks we talked about virtually everything imaginable from work history to schooling to movies and music. At one point Terry excused herself from the table to use the restroom. As she is walking back to the table, I suddenly figured what had eluded me all this time. As she sat back down across from me, I asked one simple question, “How long?” Terry was confused by the question so I asked again a little softer so as not to be overheard “How long have you been dressing?” A sudden panicked look overcame her and she blurted out “How did you know?” followed with “Are you going to tell the partners?” I reached across the table patting the back of her so perfectly manicured hand and said, “I know people and from the day we met I knew there was something unique about you. And as for telling the stuffy old birds that run the shop, your secret is safe with me.” The rest of the evening was a long conversation about her decisions, how she manages things, and how she is always so stylishly dressed and made up. I continue to use the term ‘she’ because that is her preference and I am perfectly fine with that. When asked about her sexual preferences and activities she was rather matter of fact when she said, “I have no intention of having a sex-change. I don’t have sex with guys and am not gay. Rather I have always considered myself a lesbian trapped in a man’s body.” At that I smiled and leaned across the table. As she leaned forward to hear what I was going to say, I whispered, “Nobody’s perfect, I’m bisexual myself.” And we laughed. After that evening, I knew we would be great friends and I would never betray her secret.

Over the next month, our friendship grew. I didn’t hesitate complimenting her attire when she wore something especially nice. She even took the time to coach me on what to buy to accent my figure, face or eyes. One particular Friday I told her how I loved the ensemble she had put together. As she was leaving for the day, she stopped at my desk and said, “Why don’t you come over my place tonight, we can open a bottle of wine and I’ll give you a style show of some of my favorite pieces. Not having any other offers, I accepted. Smiling, she handed me a piece of paper and said, “I thought you might be game. Here’s my address.” As I arrived at her townhouse she was just picking a bottle and said “I hope you like reds, I have a few I have wanted to open for a special occasion.” Putting on some music we sat on the couch and talked about what had been going on and the such. Feeling a slight buzz as I worked on my second glass of wine I asked, “When is this show you promise going to get underway. I want to see some of your special outfits.” “Well by all means,” she said as she headed into her bedroom. Minutes later, she was showing me a rather smart outfit. We would talk about it and she would disappear only to return in something else. At one point I asked, and I suspect it was motivated by the third glass of wine, “How is it your breast are so well defined if you are not taking anything?” Smiling, she opens her blouse and displays a body shaper that has nice pair of C-cup inserts. Equally feeling the wine she said, “While I don’t have the nice knockers you have and the ones you see are fake, I bet my real nipples are just as sensitive as yours.” We giggled and as she headed to don another outfit said, “Why don’t you open another bottle?” After a couple more outfits, she said “Sit tight, I have one or two more that I consider special.” The next thing she appeared in was what is best described as a one-piece satin loungewear. It was a shimmery red and looked very sexy. With the front designed to be slightly open, it was quickly apparent that Terry had shed the body shaper as there was minimal cleavage pushing it open. I told her I liked that and with or without breasts it looked very good on her. As she sat sipping her wine, I slid my hand across her leg stating, “I always loved the feel of satin.” The wine certainly had lowered my inhibitions. Terry headed to change saying, “Just one more.” When she returned she stopped in the doorway in a pale blue lacy baby doll nightie with bikini panties. Both were virtually see-through and I could tell all her hair had been waxed away. Setting my wine glass down, I stood and as I walked to her I said, “Wow, you look hot in this!” and started kissing her.