Be sure to read the beginning of Chris' journey.
Chris called me again, recently. He just could not handle it anymore; he was ready. "Come on over," I told him, "and let's see if I have any answers for you." Hanging up with Chris, I called a good friend who works at a salon to see if he could work Chris in today. My friend gave me a time and said that we would be there. When Chris arrived, I met him at the door. "Come in! We are going somewhere, and forget the way I look."
We jumped into my car and off to the salon we went. On the way, I shared what I had planned, and I asked Chris if he/she was really ready. Chris said shakily, "Yes, I am." At the salon, my friend gave Chris a full makeover, and even had the nail tech do her nails. The makeup artist also did a great job at bringing out the face of a stunning looking young woman. A new Chris, different from the one who had entered the salon walked out to the car with me and go in. She and I and I drove back to my house where he chose a wig from my collection -- nothing too outrageous, but a simple everyday-look wig. Once dressed and completely transformed, Chris asked if I would go with him to see his wife and tell her everything. I was shocked to say the least.
Like anyone would be, I was hesitant to say yes. Recalling that I had agreed to do what I could to help Chris, I agreed. Pulling up to his house, I noticed that Chris was shaking. "My daughter isn't here right now," Chris informed me, "and I think it's best that she's not." I completely agreed with Chris that it was probably of good judgement to do this without his daughter right now. Slowly, we walked to the door and went inside. A woman with the most surprised look ever greeted us and said, "Who are you and why did you just walk into my house?" It was when Chris spoke up, she recognized him. "What are you doing dressed like that and who the hell is this and why is she in my house?
Chris told his wife that they needed to talk, and they walked into the kitchen. I stayed right where I was; I had a feeling that this was going to be chaotic. I could hear them faintly from the living room when an angry voice yelled, "Get out of my house and take your faggot friend with you." I had not planned to say anything, but when Chris' wife stomped into the room, I could not hold back. In a nice calm way, I said, "Look you don't know me, but you're out of line." In retrospect, I guess that she may have had the right to be in her own house, but I was really only thinking of Chris at the moment. "Yes, I am gay," I stated, "Yes, I dress like I am everyday, and I'm proud to be the person I am." Without awaiting a response, I explained, "This is the exact reason people continue to hide, lie, and be deceitful, unfaithful, and even suicidal." Trying to salvage the situation a little I even tried to appeal to her human decency, "From what he has told me, it sounded like you would at least be decent to him and attempt to try and understand his position." Chris' wife was not having any of it. She yelled again, and told us to get out. Thinking it prudent, Chris and I left without further word.
After meeting with his wife, Chris' fear came back strong. I assured him that what he had done was in my opinion for the best. If everything he had told me was his honest feelings, I explained further denial would only hurt all involved. It may be a little rough in the beginning, but it gets better when one decides to come clean and move forward. Given all that had happened, I thought that maybe going to the bar and introducing Chris to other like minded people would be the next best move. Chris agreed. Once there, I introduced Chris to some friends, and we had some drinks, chatted, and laughed. It was a good time for Chris and a time to begin the healing process. Chris was also able to learn that there are other like minded individuals out here. It was important for Chris to see that there is love, and not all hate.
That week, Chris became Nikki and seems to be calming down. Today she called me to tell me thank you for about the fiftieth time. We have set a time to get together later this week or next. Perhaps, we will go get a latte, and then shopping which I believe will be the next big step for her. It is a good feeling when you can help someone in such pain, and watch that person slowly develop before your eyes. She still has adversity before her but I am 100% confident she is going to be just fine. You cannot go wrong when you help someone, and witness them walking into the light.
