........Claire and Jo were suddenly with me, under the water in their clothes,cradling me.NINELater that night, after they had changed into some of my... clothes and Ihad put something on, Jo held my hand."Tell me from the beginning," Claire said."From the beginning........"My body trembled in their comforting embraces.I told them about my childhood. The dreams I had. The ones where I wokeup still believing for precious seconds that I was a girl.I told them about the confusion and fear I felt. “Course, I’d trade it for your Pa’s Smith and Wessons. That would be even.”“No!” I answered before Pa could say anything. “Those guns belong at the ranch. If you won’t sell it to me, at least teach me how it loads and fires. Will you do that, Kurt?” He chewed on the inside of his lip.“How many times a week are you meeting with Merv Longsteer?” Kurt asked me. I looked at Pa quickly and saw his mouth twitch.“Two ... Twice a week. Lunch on Monday and Wednesday,” I said. Apparently, Pa already knew. I pointed and moved him off the main floor against the wall to watch the rest of the day. All the rest of the day the blonde young mage watched his class mates catch if not pass him power wise. Finally the day done I watched all the youngsters leave 'til it was finally the young mage and me.Walking up to him I waved a hand and concentrated, sweeping my hand again I felt the counter spell start to work. Looking him straight in the eyes I re-enforced what I had said, "I meant what I said earlier,. I was an extension of this woman's bowels, and I felt sick. I pushed the turd against the roof of my mouth, trying to chew it so I could swallow. It smushed around my tongue, and the texture was vile. I felt the inconsistency of partially digested food and rotting matter. With all of my willpower, I managed to start swallowing. With each swallow I could feel the shit coating my throat with its slimy residue. The taste and smell permeated my entire body, and made my eyes sting. Tears dripped out.