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Chapter 21 All Rise

Mr. Robertson stood staring at the young woman who just brushed past him into his office until his secretary said, “Close your mouth, Mr. Robertson. I'm sure the young lady has a tale you need to hear.” The councilor stepped into his office and shut the door to find the doctor holding the person calling herself Jesse Hartman at arms length to get a look at her.

“Turn around dear where we can see you,” said the doctor. “Your father isn't going to stand a chance when he sees you. I have been looking over the DNA reports. There is no denying that you are the man's child. As one would expect, there is the familial chromosomes present, but there is something not quite right that makes it even tougher for him to deny that you are his daughter. You and he have too many chromosomes, and they match perfectly.”

“Excuse me. You seem to have me at some what of a disadvantage.” stated the lawyer after he had regained his composure.

The doctor turned to the lawyer, “Mr. Robertson, may I introduce Jesse Hartman, heir to Bill Hartman's estate.”

“I don't know what you are up to, Mr. Hartman, but it is not funny and I don't like being made the butt of someone’s joke.”

“Mr. Robertson, I assure you that this is no joke. I'm no longer Mr. Hartman, but Miss Hartman. I AM completely female. My grandfather's will referred to me as either his grandson or his granddaughter. That is why we are going to court today. My father is insinuating that my grandfather was mentally incompetent. As you can see, he was not.”

“Let me get this straight. When I was retained by you, you presented yourself as male and now you want me to believe that you are female. It takes years of psychotherapy and months of recuperation for one to change genders. Either you lied to me in the beginning or you are lying now to protect your grandfather's reputation, win this case, or both.”

“I have never deceived you Mr. Robertson. My grandfather followed the religious beliefs of the Native Americans has his forefather before him. His last letter to me was to take a spirit quest into the wilds behind our ranch to seek my spirit animal and to seek a minor deity named Coyote.”

“Yes, I read that. What does that have to do with this case?”

“This minor deity, Coyote, changed me from male to female as a trick on me to see if I was strong enough to come before the Great Spirit.”

“Are you trying to tell me that some sort of god changed you? And you expect me to go to court with this argument? I have a half of mind to ask you to leave and find yourself a new attorney. Of all the hair brained....”

Doc Henley stepped in, “Mr. Robertson, we understand that the case may have become more complicated, but I can assure you that Miss Hartman is telling the truth. If you don't feel you can win a slam dunk case, we can surely find someone more open minded.”

“Doc, maybe you're right. He is not the lawyer he thinks he is. Mr. Robertson do you think you can at least get us a postponement while I find a more competent attorney? Probably not.” Jesse started for the door. “Oh, by the way, don't bother sending me a bill for fees for which you apparently are incapable of earning.”

“Now wait a minute. No one calls me incompetent and incapable. I AM a DAMN GOOD lawyer. Closed minded perhaps, but not so that I can't learn.”

“Look Mr. Robertson, either you believe my story and find away to present my case, or you tell me now that you can't represent me, so I can find some one else,” said the young woman.

Mr. Robertson looked into the eyes of the young shaman. As he looked, he felt himself being pulled into what he would later recall as the abyss. He tore his eyes away before he felt he would sink any further. “I will represent you,” he said dejectedly

“Not good enough Mr. Robertson. Either you agree that my case is winnable, or I go looking. I won't have someone who feels forced to represent me and give a half heart-ed attempt at trying.”

“Miss Hartman, it is difficult at best to believe your story. People being changed by god like creatures are not common today. These are the tales out of Hollywood. It isn't supposed to happen, but apparently it has. Still the court is going to need proof, that not only are you this man's child, but that you are who you say you are. We have a few hours before court. Let me call a couple of friends and have them examine you both medically and psychologically. We will meet back here at 1:00. The court is only thirty minutes away.”

The lawyer walked over to his desk and placed a call. “Margie? Brett here.”

“I have a client I need you to examine.”

“No I am not going to tell you what I am looking for. I need you to find it yourself. And, it is a rush. They came from out west and have a 2:00 O'clock court case. I may need you there.”

After the attorney hung up the phone, Jesse asked, “Who is Margie?”

“Dr. Margaret Spencer. She is a gynecologist in the medical complex about a mile from here. Sara will take you over there. Let her examine you thoroughly. If and when she asks what she is looking for, tell her she is trying to find anything that might have suggested that you were once male. Do not tell her that you were once male. In the mean time I will contact my psychiatric friend and let her examine you as well. Dr. Henley, I suggest that you go with Miss Hartman and watch out for her interests. I will ask the judge for a short delay of a couple of hours. These exams may be a bit long.”

Jesse and the doctor got up to leave as the attorney picked up the phone to call someone else. “I will call Sara and tell her where to take you next,” he yelled as they walked out.

Sara looked up at the two, “Where are we going now.”

“Mr. Robertson wants me to be examined by Dr. Spencer.”

“Let me grab my things and we'll go.”

About ten minutes later, the three people from the attorney's office were standing at the reception desk of Dr. Spencer. The older nurse behind the desk said, “You must be Miss Hartman. The doctor told me to wait and leave the office open for you. She normally has rounds at the hospital this time of day, but without any expectant mothers nearing term, she has time to see you. Fill out these forms and we will get you on back.”

Doc Henley laughed at the statement of the nurse, “Now, I know how the other half lives. Hurry up and wait, fill out the forms, then if you are lucky you get to come back into the inner sanctum.”

Sara spoke up, “You forgot, step on the scales, take a temperature, check the blood pressure, pee in a cup, and then you're shown to an exam room where there is another wait for the doctor.”

“Yeah, the doctor breezes in asks a few questions. Then he may look into your eyes, ears, nose and throat. He will listen to your heart, write a script and you're done. Sometimes I wonder if I was better off just trying to wait out what ever is bothering me,” said Jesse.

“Ouch,” said a short middle age woman from the door going back to the examination rooms. “That was a pretty bad indictment of the medical profession. Accurate, but bad.”

The embarrassed youth stood, “I'm sorry that we were having fun at your expense. Please, forgive us”

“Oh, there is nothing to forgive. I have to sit and wait on doctors myself. That is why I try not to make people wait too long. Still it is troubling that we can't spend the time that is really required to get to know our patients. I'm Doctor Spencer. Margie to my friends.”

Jesse held our her hand, “I'm Jesse Hartman and this is Doctor Robert Henley. You know Sara Lancaster.”

“Yes, I know Ms. Lancaster. How are you Sara?” asked the OBGYN while she air kissed the older lady.

“Dr. Henley, where do you practice?”

“I practice in a small town west of Helena. I am mostly in family practice and take my turn in the ER.”

“So that means you specialize in everything.”

“I delivered a few babies in my day. Maybe half the town,” he laughed.

“Sometimes, I think I would like to give up the city life for small town life.”

“You're welcome to come out to our town. I am looking to retire in a few years and I need someone to look after my young friend.”

“I may just take you up on that. Now, Jesse why is Dr. Henley saying I need to look after you?”

“I need you to give me a full examination and then we will talk some more.”

“Okay, Let’s get you undressed where I can do a breast exam and a pelvic exam.”

As Dr. Spencer began the breast exam she started asking questions to distract the younger woman. “Mr. Robertson said you are due in court at 2:00 and this exam may be part of his case. You mind filling me in on what is going on?”

“I can't tell you everything until you have finished with the examination. However, my grandfather left me his ranch out west and my father is fighting me in court over it.”

“That is sad. Money or the lack thereof seems to tear more families apart. I can't tell you how many single mothers I treat. Most of them marry out of spite and the man they marry has no more intention of being a good husband and father than a grizzly bear. Their only interested is in having sex and a good time. Once there is a child on the way, they see their good time ending and they split. Or the girl realizes that they had it better with daddy and moves back in. Either way, I see the wreckage when the pregnant child ends up here.”

“You are very passionate about this.”

“I know, but I don't know how to help much except to give them discount exams, but I still have an office to run and employees to pay. Not to mention malpractice insurance. Many gynecologists are getting out because they are afraid they will be sued for wrongful death if the baby dies, sued if for some reason the baby has a problem during birth or right after, sued if the mother has complications, or sued if the baby lives and is a special needs child through no fault of the doctor. They call it wrongful life. With the Affordable Care Act being implemented, doctors won't be able to charge enough to cover their overhead. One could get bitter if one is not careful.”

We are done with the breast exam. I didn't find anything unusual. You're still young enough I wouldn't recommend a mammogram. Put you feet in the stirrups and we will do the pelvic exam.”

“Ah, doctor, just so you know, this is my first gynecological examination. I don't know what to expect.”

“Didn't your mother take you to have an exam?”

“No?”

“Usually mothers take their young daughters to the OBGYN for their first exams fairly early.”

“My mother died a couple of years a ago.”

“I had a patient named Lydia Hartman that died a couple of years ago, but she had a son. I'll explain what I'm doing and the instruments I will be using. This won't take long, and I promise it won't be painful. It may be a little uncomfortable at times. Just lie back and relax.”

Dr. Spencer began the examination and was talking Jesse through the various stages. When ever the procedure was going to get uncomfortable the doctor would warn the young woman. Finally the exam was over and Jesse was allowed to sit up. “Everything looked perfect to me,” said the OBGYN. “I glad you are still a virgin. Too many young people have sex without realizing the consequences. Is this what Mr. Robertson needs me to testify to, later today?”

“Well not so much that I am a virgin, but that I am fully female. Lydia Hartman was my mother.”

“I don't understand. Lydia would have come to me if she had another child besides her son.” The doctor's voice trailed off on the word son as she came to the realization that the young woman sitting in front of her used to be a boy. “But how? I just examined you, yet there's no way you could have been a boy. The best plastic surgeons I know can't reconstruct a vagina with fallopian tubes and an intact hymen.”

“So you're saying that there's no way that I could have ever been male.”

“I am saying that, either you found the best plastic surgeon in the world, you were never male, or you are an imposter posing to be someone you are not.”

“I think that is what Mr. Robertson wants you to testify to in court. I will give you the full tale after the hearing.”

“Okay, I will be there, but it seems my testimony will hurt your case than strengthen it.”

“We shall see. Thank you doctor.”

As they walked out into the waiting room, Ms. Lancaster stood and said, “Mr. Robertson said he got a hour delay. That gives us time to see the psychiatrist. We will get something to eat before I drop you off.”

Sara took them to a local diner next to the doctors building they just exited. “The psychiatrist is in the same building but we have a few minute’s wait. I thought you would like some of our local fare instead of a chain store or fast food restaurant.”

They were in and out in about thirty minutes. The secretary lead them back in to the medical building and to the elevator. They stepped out of the elevator into a reception area that appeared to be for the entire floor. Ms. Lancaster walked over to the receptionist. She looked up and asked, “May I help you?”

“Yes, I'm from Mr. Robertson's office. He has set up a special appointment for Ms. Jesse Hartman.”

The receptionist consulted her computer then turned to her notes. “Here it is. She is to see Dr. Williams. If you'll have a seat and fill out these forms I'll let them know you're here.”

“More forms,” giggled Jesse remembering their earlier conversation.

She had just started the forms when a tall lanky dark haired man stood in the doorway and called her name. The young woman leaned over to Dr. Henley, “You had better come with me. I don't like the looks of this man.”

They rose and started toward the door. When the young shaman reach the man she held out her hand saying, “I'm Jesse Hartman. This is my personal physician, Dr. Henley. He will accompany us.”

“Miss this is highly irregular. I do not allow others to be in my sessions with patients.”

“Dr. Williams, I don't know you. You are asking me to trust you and your judgment of me upon having just met me. That will not happen if you insist that Dr. Henley may not come with me.”

The psychiatrist puffed himself up, “Young lady, it is the way I run my office.”

“Doc, this man is an arrogant fool. We can do without his 'expert' opinion.”

An older lady was standing behind Dr. Williams. “Dr. Williams this is the second patient you have run off this week with your arrogance. I want your resignation on my desk by the end of the day.”

“You can't run me off. I am a full partner,” the younger doctor said.

“We will see about that. I do have the authority to make sure that you have no more contacts with patients, and our pay checks are based on the amount we bring into the firm. Your check is going to be mighty thin from now on.”

Dr. Williams huffed and turned to walk back to his office. The older lady looked at Jesse and Dr. Henley, “I am sorry for the actions of my colleague. I am Dr. Baker. What was it that brought you in to the office today?”

Doc Henley said, “My young friend is in need of a quick evaluation. She is facing her father in court over her grandfather's will which left everything to her.”

“I don't know if I have time to do much as my next patient is in thirty minutes, but come on back where we can talk.”

“I'm Jesse Hartman and this is Doctor Henley. Mr. Robertson sent us over to get a quick evaluation before court at 3:00 today.”

“Brett knows it takes longer than the time allotted to give a good eval’. Why the rush and why the need?”

“We just flew in from Montana, and up until a few weeks ago, I used to be a boy. My grandfather's will stated that he left his ranch and everything to his grandson/granddaughter. My father is protesting on the grounds that my grandfather was incompetent even though there were two credible witnesses to his competency.”

“Stop a moment and let me catch up. You used to be a boy, and now you are presenting yourself as a girl?”

“Not presenting. I was happy with being a boy, but now, I am a girl. I just came from the gynecologist's office and she pronounced me a fully functioning female. I am a virgin with an intact hymen.”

“If you were happy being a boy, why did you have the surgery. Although, I have never heard of a plastic surgeon who can make an intact hymen.”

“Dr. Baker, how familiar are you with Native American lore?”

“I had a ‘religions of the world’ class back in college. We touched on the ancient Native American beliefs, but that was ancient history. Most Native Americans are Christians.”

“Most of what you say is true, some still practice and believe in the ancient gods. One of my grandfather's last requests of me was to take a spirit quest to find my spirit animal and to seek a deity called Coyote. Normally a young man travels alone, but an old shaman was sent to meet and to accompany me and start me on my journey to meet Coyote. If you remember, this particular deity is a trickster. He was sent to take me to meet the Great Spirit. Coyote changed me into a she wolf to test me before He took me on my journey to meet the Great Spirit. The Great Spirit decided that I should remain as female wolf for a period of time and then remain as a female when I changed back to human form.”

I know this isn't helping my case with you, but there is one more fact that I need to tell you and demonstrate. The reason the old shaman was sent to meet me and guide me is that I am to take over his duties, and he is to train me. As for the demonstration to prove my tale, Doc look into Dr. Baker's eyes and tell me what you see. I will write down what I know before he does.”

“Dr. Baker do you mind if I look into you eyes. I don't have a flash light, but knowing Jesse, I won't need one.”

“I know myself what Ms. Hartman will say, but please have a look.”

Dr. Henley looked first in the older ladies right eye and then her left. “I see the cataracts, but Dr. Baker do you have a liver problem?”

“Yes, I do, but anyone would know that if they had any medical training. I'm under a doctor's care for this. And someone with excellent eyesight can see or can watch me try to see around, the cataracts.”

“Okay, you know what I have written,” said the shaman handing the paper to Dr. Baker. “Do you have a mirror?”

“I want you to get it and watch your eyes.” As the psychiatrist retrieved her mirror, Jesse began to chant in the language of the ancient People. It wasn't long before Doc Henley began to chant with her. As the young shaman began to reach a crescendo, she noticed that Dr. Baker had dropped the mirror and was chanting as well. Finally the need to chant left the room and they sat back exhausted.

“Dr., please open your eyes and look into the mirror,” asked Jesse.

As the older woman looked into the mirror, her hand went to her mouth. “My Goodness, My eyes, they're clear and the whites are no longer yellow. How did you do this?”

“That is the part I can't explain. I get these feelings I need to help someone or like you they are placed in my path to help them. I noticed you were chanting with me. Did you understand the words you were speaking?”

“I'm afraid I did not. Can you translate for me?”

The young shaman smiled and explained, “This is why I need more teaching. All I know is it is a healing chant that comes unbidden to my lips. I can't tell what the words are.”

I guess the next question is, 'Am I competent enough to be believed when I walk into court.”

“I will be there no later than 4:00 to testify in your behalf. This should be a no brain-er but not many boys are changed to girls by some deity.”

“I will let Mr. Robertson know when you will be there and Sara Lancaster will tell you which courtroom to attend.”

As they left Sara gave the doctor the address of the courtroom and called Mr. Robertson to tell him they were on the way. They met Mr. Robertson and Dr. Spencer at the courthouse at 2:30 and found an unused room to plan strategy.

“Here is what is going to happen,” said Mr. Robertson. “Your father is going to claim that your grandfather was incompetent on the grounds that he had no grandchildren and that he placed in the will an ambiguous statement of grandson/granddaughter. We are going to present the DNA evidence linking you to your father. Then he has to prove that your grandfather was incompetent by the ambiguous statement. That is where things may get dicey, but if we wait for you show yourself at that moment we might surprise him.”

“I know you are my attorney, but I think we can put him and his lawyer off their game early if I show up and sit at the table on time. I had a dream that they paid off the DNA expert and he will perjure himself denying the DNA link. Doc Henley is the DNA expert in our county back home as he has to act as the county coroner when there is a death in the county. If it is a murder, then he has to match up DNA evidence along with the autopsy.”

“In a small rural county, one has to wear many hats,” replied Doc.

“Okay, I won't introduce you until it is time. In the mean time, I want you to act as my secretary. If your father thinks he recognizes you, just don't acknowledge him.” The attorney looked at his watch. “I hope you are ready, it is time.”

Mr. Robertson led Jesse, Doc Henley, Dr. Spencer, and Sara into the courtroom. The two doctors sat behind the bar in the first row and the others sat at the defendant table. Jesse's father leaned over to his lawyer and whispered loud enough for all to hear, “I knew that wimp wouldn't show.”

The bailiff called out, “ALL RISE”
 
 
To Be Continued...