Always Coming Home

Questions. Saul opened his eyes as the fog lifted and the pain began. The surgery was over; he finally can start living as he really is—as she really is. It was a long road. Saul struggled her whole life with who she was and how people saw her. Now the final surgery was over: gender reassignment.

Saul started living as Irene years ago, but only started taking hormones recently. As her body changed she felt better about herself. It never went fast enough, of course. The changes were subtle at first. The photo library made it easier to see the changes.

Then it was time for the surgeries. Ten hours of surgery changed her face and voice as the hormones changed her skin and chest. Irene was disappointed at first. The doctor told her it would take time before the surgery fully took shape. Irene smiled more as she saw the improvement. Once she healed she needed more surgery to make her look completely female. It was always painful at first. The results were hard to see right away. Then the surgery did its magic.

Gender reassignment was the last surgery for Irene. Also the most painful. Irene groaned as she woke. She reached down but thick bandages covered her so she could not tell if her parts were really changed. Then the questions started racing through her mind. Did I do the right thing? It was more fear of what lies ahead than doubts if she should have made the complete transition.

As the weeks progressed Irene healed. When the bandages came off she knew she was finally in the body she was supposed to be in. The questions ended as the joy rose. Irene forgot about Saul. Life was brighter, happier than ever before. She built the life that felt natural to her. As the years moved by she fell in love and married. Irene had finally come home.