By Jillian

Chapter One Hundred-one

Bob’s attention was drawn to the sound of the door opening and heels clicking on the tile. When he looked in that direction he saw Tanya and their mother returning from the exam rooms. He nudged his Dad, who then also looked in their direction.

Standing up, Bob asked, “Everything all right?”

Tanya grinned and said, “Nothing a little Motrin won’t cure.”

“Good,” he added as he nudged his Dad to say something.

“I’m glad you’re all right,” Dad reluctantly offered.

Tanya smiled at his words and quickly ran up to him, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. After a moment, she whispered, “Thank you Daddy.”

After a moment, Dad pulled back and held her at arm’s length studying her appearance for a second. Pursing his lips he asked, “Do you plan on dressing like this all of the time?”

“You mean in women’s clothes? Yes,” she replied with a confused look on her face.

“No, that’s not what I mean,” he stated. Gesturing to her skin tight mini-dress and heels, he continued, “I mean like this. I ask because if you expect me to attempt to accept you as a daughter, I expect you to dress and behave like a lady. Not some common tramp.”

Bob jumped to his sister’s defense saying, “These clothes were part of her cover tonight Dad.”

Tanya thought for a moment before adding, “That’s true, Daddy. I can guarantee I know how to be a lady and frankly prefer dressing and acting in that fashion.”

Dad let her words sink in for a moment before responding, “Good. I expect you to dress and behave properly when you come to dinner again tonight.”

“Yes Daddy,” she beamed. Turning so she could once again address the others she continued, “Now, I need to go visit a friend who’s upstairs. Bobby, can you come with me?”

He looked at his watch before replying, “I’m afraid not. I need to get to the precinct for a meeting with the captain. Sorry, I know I’d said I’d try to go with you.”

“That’s okay,” she stated. “Mama, when do you need me there to help get dinner together?”

“Nonsense,” Mom responded. “You may be my daughter now, but you’re still a disaster in the kitchen. Just be there by six for dinner.”

“Yes ma’am,” she said before turning toward the elevators and leaving her family.

Directing her attention toward her son, she stated, “And you, young man, need to bring your lady friend with you this evening.”

“Lady friend?” Bob asked innocently.

“Yes,” Mom started, “You know, the young lady you spent the night with this week?”

Stunned, Bob blurted out, “Wait, how did you…?”

Smiling, Mom said, “I thought so. Bring her with you so we can meet her. Six o’clock.”

“Yes ma’am,” he replied.

Dad interjected, asking, “Do you need a ride anywhere?”

“No, thanks Pop,” he replied. “My partner is supposed to be bringing my car by. Besides, I’m going to have to give Tanya a ride back to her car once she’s done here.”

“Okay,” Dad said. “Well, I guess we’ll see you this evening.”

Chapter One Hundred-two

Cynthia was lying in bed dozing when she was disturbed by the sound of the door to her room opening. Looking in that direction she caught sight of Tanya entering and chirped, “Hey, Bitch!”

Smiling, Tanya responded, “Hey Cyn. How’re you feeling?”

“Lots better, really,” she said. “In fact I think they’re gonna let me out of here tomorrow.”

Taking her friend’s hand, Tanya beamed, “That’s great! Need me to come pick you up?”

“Well, duh,” she replied.

“Oh, I have great news,” Tanya offered. “You don’t have to ever worry about that creep again. They caught him last night.”

“So you were able to help them catch the guy?” she asked.

Tanya symbolically buffed her nails and stated, “Yup.”

Sitting up Cynthia asked, “So what happened?”

Joining her friend by sitting on the edge of the bed she responded, “Well, I can’t really talk about it, but I can tell you he’ll never hurt anyone again.”

“So you mean, he’s dead?” she asked.

Suddenly looking sad Tanya involuntarily shuddered as she replied, “Yes.”

Cynthia took her friend’s hand in hers and looked into her eyes with concern as she asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” she stated. “Maybe a little shook up, but I’ll be fine.”

“Well, don’t try to be tough about it, all right?” Cynthia begged. “Talk to someone if you need to. If nothing else, talk to me, okay?”

“Okay,” Tanya replied. Looking at the room’s clock, she suddenly jumped up off of the bed and said, “I’ve got to get going, before my family decides to abandon me here.”

“Go,” Cynthia encouraged. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

“Okay,” Tanya said before starting toward the door. Before opening it to leave, she turned back toward her friend and said, “Love ya, Cyn. I’ll see ya later.”

Opening the door, she exited the room and headed down the corridor toward the elevator.

Chapter One Hundred-three

Tanya exited the elevator and made her way back to the emergency waiting room, where she found her brother sitting waiting, playing a game on his smartphone. As she approached him, she asked, “Don’t you have to be in your boss’s office in a couple of hours?”

“And yet I wait here patiently for you to come back downstairs so I can give you a ride to where you parked your car,” he smugly retorted.

“Okay, okay,” she responded. “Let’s get going then.”

He got up from his seat and started toward the exit, Tanya following. As they passed through the door he asked, “So how’s your friend?”

“Great,” she replied. “It looks like she’ll be getting out later today.”

“That’s good,” he commented as they walked toward his car.

“Yeah,” she stated. “I’ll be coming back as soon as I can run home and get changed.”

“Change?” he asked. “Why change?” When they got to his car he used his key fob to unlock it and opened the drivers’ door.

Opening the passenger side, Tanya said, “Aside from the fact I got the evil eye from Dad for this outfit? It’s impractical, uncomfortable and inappropriate as daywear goes.”

“You’re such a girl,” Bob said as he climbed into the car.

Tanya followed him getting into the vehicle, commenting, “Thank you for noticing.”

Joking he said, “You’re welcome.”

As they backed out of their parking space, Tanya asked, “Now, do you remember where I parked?”

Chapter One Hundred-four

After dropping off his sister at her car, Bob steered his vehicle toward the precinct house. Stewing over what was about to happen left him so distracted that he didn’t notice much of the trip, leaving him surprised when he realized he’d just pulled into his assigned parking space.

“I wonder how much trouble I’m gonna be in?” he asked himself as he climbed out of his vehicle. With some trepidation, he walked into the building and found his way to his desk where he took a seat to await his appointment with the captain. While waiting, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Connie.

On the third ring she answered groggily, “Hello?”

“Sorry, I didn’t realize how early it was,” he responded.

“Bobby?”

“Got it in one,” he chuckled.

Stifling a yawn she asked, “What’s going on? Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing wrong,” he replied. “I was actually calling to see if you were available for an early dinner this evening?”

Yawning again, she said, “Yeah, I’m actually off tonight. What did you have in mind?”

“Well,” he started, “My Mom has requested our presence at six for a family dinner.”

“Our?” she asked, suddenly seeming much more awake. “But…” she stopped, not certain what to say.

“It’ll be fine,” he reassured her. “I’ll pick you up at 5:30, okay?”

Again finding her voice, she asked, “But what should I wear?”

“Nothing fancy, it’s just dinner at their house,” he stated. “So, 5:30?”

“Just dinner at their house? There’s no such thing as ‘just’ dinner at the parents’ house,” she whined. Thinking for a moment, she sighed before continuing, “5:30.”

“Great!” he enthused. “I’ll see ya then.”

“Okay,” she admitted. “Just remember that you owe me for this one. I can’t believe you roped me into dinner with your parents.”

“Taylor!” the captain shouted from his office door, interrupting Bob’s phone call.

Bob held up his hand to signal his commander that he was on his way as he said into the phone, “Listen, I have to go, but I’ll see you later, okay?”

“5:30,” she stated. “I’ll see you then.”

The line went dead, so Bob returned his cell phone to his pocket as he stood up and made his way to the captain’s office. Once at the door, he knocked twice to announce his presence.

The captain looked up from his desk and ordered, “Come in.”

Bob reluctantly entered the office and stood beside the chair facing the desk, waiting for permission to be seated. Finally, the captain stated, “Take a seat.” Bob sat down and nervously awaited what he feared was about to be a serious dressing down.

“So fill me in,” the captain began.

Bob cleared his throat and stated, “We tracked the suspect to an old farmhouse and signaled for backup, but knew there was no way they’d get there in time to prevent the attack. So I ordered Sergeant Parker to go in through the back while I took the front. When I got to the door, I kicked it open and saw the suspect over his victim.

“Eyeing a clear shot, I aimed and fired, striking the suspect in the temple,” he paused briefly. “He then fell off to the side, dropping the knife he had been holding to his victim’s neck.”

The captain stated, “So you kicked open the door, announced yourself as a police officer and seeing that the suspect wasn’t relenting, you aimed and discharged your weapon, fatally wounding the suspect.”

After a brief moment of silence, Bob responded, “I don’t honestly remember…”

Cutting him off, the captain ordered, “No, you announced yourself as a police officer.”

“But…” Bob began.

“No buts,” the captain interrupted. “It was a clean shoot, so no admin leave called for. If you didn’t identify yourself as an officer, then there would be an extended IA investigation. So…” he held out the last word for a second, trying to lead Bob into saying what he wanted.

Catching on, Bob responded, “Yes, I identified myself as a police officer and ordered the suspect to move away from the victim. When he didn’t respond, I fired killing the suspect.”

“Good,” the captain said. “It’s a clean shoot, so after you take a couple of days off you’ll start back in.”

“Yes sir,” Bob replied.

“Oh, one more thing,” the captain continued, “I’m permanently assigning Sergeant Parker as your partner.”

Smiling, Bob said, “Thank you sir. Will there be anything else?”

“No,” he began, “Get the hell out of here and relax for a couple of days.”

“Yes sir,” Bob stated as he saluted his commander. “Oh!” he exclaimed suddenly, “I meant to ask. Is there any way to add my sister to my medical plan?”

“I don’t know,” the captain replied. “Let me check on that and get back to you, all right?”

“Thank you sir,” He stated before he turned and left the office, heading directly toward the exit.

Chapter One Hundred-five

Tanya pulled her car into the driveway and shifted it into park before shutting off the engine. Flipping down the vanity mirror, she checked her makeup before exiting the vehicle and walking toward the front door.

The door swung open as she stepped up onto the porch and her mother stepped out to greet her with a hug, saying, “Sweetheart! You look lovely.”

“Thanks, Mama,” Tanya replied as they entered the house. Once inside, she removed her coat and hung it on the rack by the door before turning back to her mother and asking, “Is Bobby here yet?”

“No, but he should be here any minute,” she responded.

“Where’s Daddy?”

“Oh, he’s in the living room watching television, I think,” Mom answered. “Would you like to give me a hand in the kitchen?”

“I thought I was a disaster in there?” she teased.

“You are,” her mother laughed, “But I still hope to someday correct that problem.”

Thinking for a moment, Tanya said, “Let me go say hi to Daddy first.”

“Good luck, dear,” Mom stated before heading toward the kitchen.

Tentatively, she walked toward the living room, where she saw her father half dozing while watching TV. When he didn’t notice her at first, she cleared her throat before saying, “Hi Daddy.”

Looking up, he noticed her standing in the doorway and commented, “That’s more like I would expect a daughter of mine to dress.” Standing up, he walked toward her and she toward him until the lightly embraced.

“I love you, Daddy,” she whispered into his ear.

“I love you too,” he replied, “Even if I do have serious reservations about some of your life choices.”

She stepped back from the embrace and looked him in the eye for a moment before a sly grin graced both of their faces. She stated, “Well, you might as well get used to it, because this is what ya got from here on out.”

“That’s kind of what I thought,” he responded dejectedly.

“Tanya!” Mom shouted from the kitchen.

“Oh!” Tanya started, “I told Mama I’d help her in the kitchen.”

“You’d best get in there then,” Dad said more brightly. “Because I’m getting hungry and want my dinner sometime soon.”

“Yes sir,” she replied before exiting toward the kitchen. Once she made it there she asked, “What would you like me to do?”

Handing her a bag of carrots and a peeler, Mom said, “Peel these if you will.”

“Sure,” she responded. Taking the proffered items, she found her way to the trash can and started her task

The monotony of her task was interrupted when the front door burst open and in wandered Bob and Connie. Mom, who was the first to respond to the new arrivals said, “Bobby! I’m so glad you could make it.”

Turning her attention to the young woman by his side, she asked, “And who might this be?”

Tanya interrupted, saying, “Connie!”

“Hey Tanya,” Connie responded.

Laughing, Mom said, “I take it you’re Connie then?”

“Yes ma’am,” she replied.

“So, how did you two meet?” Mom asked.

Connie responded, “I work at Spencer’s Bar and Grill, where Tanya plays sometimes, and one night Bobby came by to hear her play and we sort of hit it off.”

Bob jumped in saying, “I’m going to go on through to see Pop.”

“Good idea, dear,” Mom said before watching him leave the ladies to join his father in the living room. Turning her attention back toward Connie, she asked, “So tell me, how is your employer dealing with Tanya’s recent changes?”

Connie looked toward Tanya before replying, “Well, my boss says that as long as there aren’t any complaints and business doesn’t fall off, he doesn’t have a problem with how anybody dresses.”

“Well that’s good,” Mom offered.

“Yes,” Connie continued. “It’s just a pity most of the clubs around town aren’t quite so open-minded.”

Mom stated, “Tanya had told me that a few of her regular bookings had cancelled her.”

Tanya interjected, “Mom! Do we really have to talk about this right now?”

“What?” she asked. “I’m worried about you, that’s all.”

“Well don’t,” Tanya stated. “I’ll be fine. I just need to get back out and hustle some more bookings. I’ve been in this position before and probably will be again. It’s no big deal.”

“No big deal?” Mom questioned. “Just how do you plan to pay your bills without a full schedule of jobs? Not to mention things like medical bills?”

“I have a little saved up,” she replied. “Plus, I plan to fill my calendar back up fairly quickly. As for the medical bills…” she allowed the thought to go unfinished.

Connie interjected, “Actually, I…” she stopped herself when she realized she wasn’t supposed to mention what she was about to say.

“What?” Both Tanya and her Mom asked simultaneously.

Trying to dismiss her faux pas, she said, “Nothing. I had a brain fart.” All three ladies burst out in a fit of giggles

In an attempt to regain some control, Mom said, “Girls, why don’t you come give me a hand finishing up this dinner?”

Connie responded, “Yes ma’am.”

As the three of them settled into various tasks preparing the meal, Mom commented to Connie, “So I gather my Bobby is quite taken with you.”

“Why would you say that?” Connie asked, surprised by the statement.

Smiling, Mom replied, “He hasn’t brought a girl home for a family dinner in years. Bringing you here today is like declaring you a part of the family.”

Stunned, Connie couldn’t speak for a moment. When she was finally able to respond she smiled and said, “Well, he is a pretty special fella.”

Toward Tanya, Mom commented, “Looks like he’s not the only one who’s smitten.”

Tanya responded, “You may have a point there, Mama.”

“Now all we have to do is find you someone,” Mom mused.

“Mom!” Tanya protested.

Once everything was ready, Mom instructed the girls to carry all the serving dishes through to the dining room while she went to the living room to call the boys in to eat. Sticking her head through the doorway, she called, “Gentlemen, dinner is served.”

Rather than waste time responding, the men jumped up from their seats and practically ran to the dining room, barely avoiding knocking Mom over in the process. By the time she had recovered from her near miss with the herd of wildebeest, they were already seated and waiting impatiently for her to tell them they could start loading their plates.

Taking her own seat, she called out to the younger girls, “Come have a seat so we can start dinner before these two start to waste away like little Ethiopian children.” Giggling at that description, Tanya and Connie made one last trip from the kitchen and after setting down their final loads took their seats.

While the girls filled their plates, the boys began devouring what they’d already piled onto their own and quickly the room descended into near silence as everyone was too busy eating to speak.

Chapter One Hundred-six

“Miss Taylor,” called the receptionist as she stepped through the door into the waiting room. Tanya closed the magazine she’d been thumbing through, stood up and followed her into Dr. Sanchez’s office.

The doctor looked up from the file she’d been perusing and smiling, said, “Tanya! It’s good to see you. How have you been?”

Tanya crossed to the chair she usually occupied during her sessions with the doctor and as she sat down she replied, “Busy is probably the best short answer.”

Dr. Sanchez got up from behind her desk and circled around to the chair facing her patient. Sitting down, she asked, “So what’s been going on?”

Tanya took a deep breath before replying, “Well, let’s see. I introduced my parents to the real me, played several gigs, helped my brother catch a serial killer…”

The doctor interrupted her, asking, “Wait…what was that?”

“Oh,” she started, “I helped my brother catch a serial killer.”

“I thought that’s what you said,” she stated. “How exactly did you do that?”

“I was the bait,” Tanya said in a matter of fact like tone.

“Wasn’t that rather dangerous?” the doctor asked in a stunned tone of voice.

Pondering her question, Tanya responded, “I suppose it was, but it wasn’t just about me. This guy was attacking the TG community…including one of my best friends…and I was in a position to be able to help capture him. On top of that, it was a chance to do something the men in my family could respect. I couldn’t not do it.”

“On the subject of your family,” she started, “How did it go when you came out to them?”

“I’ve had more enjoyable root canals,” Tanya joked. “Mom was fine with it, I think, but then again she probably had a pretty good idea what was coming. As I’ve said before, I suspect she knew all along.”

Pausing for a second before continuing, she then said, “My brother walked in on me in my nightgown when he came by my apartment in the middle of the night and that’s when I finally decided to just introduce ‘Tanya’ to my parents.”

“Why did that prompt you?” she asked.

“Well,” she began, “I was afraid of what Bobby would think. When he discovered me, we had a long talk and even though he wasn’t entirely comfortable with my changes, he was at least open minded enough not to judge me too harshly. At that point I realized that there was no reason to continue putting it off.”

“That’s a rather interesting line of reasoning,” she commented. “I find it fascinating that you were more afraid of your brother’s reaction than you were of your parents, though.”

Tanya opened her mouth and closed it a couple of times before she was able to begin speaking, “Bobby’s always been a fairly big part of my day to day life; even more so than my parents. I think I was afraid of losing him. Once I knew he wouldn’t abandon me, I, ah…” her voice trailed off.

“Yes?” Dr. Sanchez probed.

Pausing a brief moment to collect her thoughts, Tanya continued, “I knew I at least had my brother in my corner,” she stated. “I didn’t feel quite as alone, I guess.”

Shifting topics, the doctor asked, “How exactly did you become involved in helping your brother?”

Smiling, Tanya responded, “Bobby was trying to catch this guy…you know, that guy who had been going around attacking girls in the T community? Well, that was his case and he wanted to send someone into the club scene who might catch their suspect’s eye. There wasn’t anyone on the police force that could believably pull off being Trans.

“I knew he was trying to catch the guy that attacked my best friend Cynthia,” Tanya continued. “When he told me what he was planning to do, I volunteered to act as the ‘bait’. I felt like it was the least I could do for my brother, not to mention the community.”

“That’s a rather selfless position,” she stated. “Probably more than most would’ve been willing to do.”

Thinking about that, Tanya smiled and said, “Maybe you can blame my family for that. I mean, my brother’s a cop, my dad was a cop, my grandfather was a cop…you get the idea.”

“So you think this was maybe your way of following in your family’s footsteps?” she asked.

She thought about that question for a moment formulating her response before she said, “Maybe?”

It was the doctor’s turn to smile as she asked, “Did your work with your brother have an influence on how your father sees you?”

“Definitely,” she stated. “At least I think so. I think I earned some respect in both my father’s and brother’s eyes.”

“So what happened that night?”Dr. Sanchez probed.

Taking a deep breath and sighing, Tanya responded, “They believed that their prime suspect had been finding some of his victims at ‘Slipper’s’. In fact, they had surveillance photos of the man they believed to be responsible, so before I went in they showed me those pictures to help me find him.”

Frowning, the doctor asked, “Rather dangerous, don’t you think?”

“I suppose it could have been,” she said. Deciding not to let the doctor know just how dangerous it had actually been, she continued, “In the end they were able to get him. That’s all that matters, as far as I’m concerned.”

“I would think you would’ve been worried for your safety,” the doctor stated.

Tanya admitted, “I was, but I also knew that Bobby wouldn’t let anything bad happen to me.”

“Why are you trying to downplay what happened?” she probed.

Looking guilty, Tanya meekly asked, “What makes you think that?”

“Aside from all of the non-verbal cues you’re giving off?”

Tanya looked at the doctor trying to decide how much detail it would take to satisfy her. In the end, she opted to go with the truth. “Okay, you asked. I went in hoping I’d find him and get him to try something so Bobby would have something concrete to go after him with.

“I lucked out,” she continued. “I found him and managed to control my emotions well enough to convince him I wanted to go with him. We left the club and he was going to take me somewhere planning to kill me.”

“I would imagine you were terrified,” Dr. Sanchez interjected.

“I knew we wouldn’t get too far away from the police who were tracking us, but then he found the tracking device and tossed it out the window,” she finally managed to say.

Shocked, the doctor said, “You must’ve been terrified.”

Nervous laughter escaped from Tanya’s mouth as she responded, “You could say that.”

Probing further, the doctor asked, “So what happened next? You’re here, so I know your brother got there in time to save you.”

“Well,” Tanya started, “This guy got rid of the tracker, but didn’t think to get rid of my cell phone. You know how they all have GPS built in to aid 911 responders? Bobby ran a trace on my number and used the signal to find out where he took me.”

“I know that he took you to an old farm house outside of town,” the doctor stated. She then asked, “What happened?”

Taking a deep breath, she responded, “I will admit that at this point, I was terrified. He had me sprawled on the floor with him over me, holding a knife to my throat when Bobby broke down the door, came in the room and shot him in the head.”

“Oh my God!” Dr. Sanchez exclaimed. Then more calmly she asked, “And how are you doing in the aftermath of all this?”

Smiling once again, Tanya responded, “Better than I might’ve expected really. Maybe a couple of nightmares, but nothing too bad. I’m not losing any sleep or jumping hysterically at every odd sound, so overall I’d say I’m doing pretty well.”

“I’d have to say I agree,” commented the doctor. Glancing at her watch, she exclaimed, “Oh! We’ve run over.”

“I’m so sorry,” Tanya responded.

Standing up, Dr. Sanchez said, “Don’t worry about it. We made a lot of progress today.” Walking over to her desk, she continued, “So I’ll see you next Monday at our usual time?”

Smiling as she stood up, Tanya replied, “Absolutely.”

Chapter One Hundred-seven

The ringing of the telephone interrupted Connie’s thoughts. She reached for the receiver, lifted it to her ear and spoke into it, “Hello?”

“Hey, Con,” came Bob’s voice from the handset, “How ya doin’?”

She couldn’t help the smile that broke out across her face as she replied, “Pretty good. Yourself?”

He chuckled as he said, “I’m going a little stir crazy. I guess I never should’ve taken the captain up on that time off.”

“Well,” she responded seductively, “If you’d come over here I could help alleviate your boredom for a while.”

“Of that there can be no doubt,” he commented. “Actually, the reason I called was to see if you were free for dinner tonight?”

“That kind of depends on when this evening you were thinking,” she responded. Continuing, she stated, “I have to be at work this evening by seven.”

He paused to make her believe he had to think about when they could go out. When he thought he’d waited long enough he asked, “How about now?”

“Now?” she asked. “You mean like heading this way now to pick me up?”

“No, I mean now,” he replied. “Come look out the front door.”

A smirk began growing on her face as she walked to the door, opened it and looked outside. When she saw him standing beside his car, looking directly at her house waving with his free hand she whined, “Bobby!”

He closed his phone and started walking up the sidewalk toward the front of her house. As he approached, Connie said, “Stinker!”

When he reached her front door he asked, “Do you want to go?”

Giggling, she answered, “Sure.” Reaching her arms around his neck, she pulled his face down closer to her own and slowly kissed him gently.

Chapter One Hundred-eight

Tanya pulled her car into a parking space, put it in park and shut off the engine. Reaching up, she pulled down the vanity mirror and checked her makeup, deciding to touch up her lipstick before going into the club.

She climbed out of the car and opened the back door, reaching in and picking up her guitar case. Locking up the car, she made her way inside the nightclub.

As she stepped inside, she looked toward the bar and upon spotting Connie, she gave a little finger wave as she headed toward the stage. Once there, she unpacked her guitar and after checking to see it was in tune, placed it on its stand and flipped on the power on the PA system. Those tasks completed, she made her way over to the bar.

Connie looked up from where she was working behind the bar and greeted her friend, “Hey Tanya. All ready?”

“Absolutely,” she responded. “How’ve things been around here?”

Connie took out a large drink glass, scooped some ice into it and added diet coke before placing it in front of Tanya. Once done, she replied, “Fairly busy, actually.”

Taking a sip from her glass, Tanya asked, “So how do you like working behind the bar instead of waiting tables?”

Laughing, Connie said, “I don’t know about it being instead of since I still have to serve tables part of the time, but I like it a lot actually. And not just because I can wear athletic shoes to work in instead of those damn heels.”

Tanya added her own laughter to Connie’s for a moment before asking, “Will you and Bobby be at Mom and Dad’s for dinner tomorrow?”

“Well, duh,” she answered, then added, “Like your Mom would take no for an answer.”

Giggling, Tanya nodded her head in agreement before asking, “Just when is that idiot brother of mine going to get around to making an honest woman of you?”

“What makes you think I’d say yes?” Connie countered.

She stared at her friend seriously for a moment before losing control and laughing loudly. It took her quite some time to calm down, but once she did she replied, “Maybe because you continue to see the lummox despite his substantial short fallings?”

Smiling, Connie responded, “Okay, I guess you’ve got me there.”

Glancing at the clock, Tanya said, “Looks like it’s about time to start.”

Connie reached over and refilled her glass before adding, “Oh, the boss wants to talk to you in between sets about adding another night each week.”

Picking up her glass, Tanya replied, “Cool. I’ll talk to ya later.” She turned away and began her trek toward the stage. After climbing onto stage, she sat on the stool she’d placed center stage and picked up her J-200, double checking that it was in tune.

Looking up at the assembled crowd, she leaned into the microphone and said, “Good evening. Welcome to Spencer’s. I’m Tanya Taylor and I’ll be playing until two o’clock this evening. If you have any requests, please let me know. If I don’t know the specific song you want, I’ll try to come up with something suitable.”

Without any further words she began playing an instrumental arrangement of “Something.” She couldn’t suppress the smile that erupted on her face as she looked upon the crowd and reflected on how much her life and changed as she continued playing.

The End