Press your luck 21

When Valerie came home she was pleasantly surprised to see that the house was significantly cooler than when she left that morning. “Oh wow! Who fixed the ac?” she asked, setting her bag down on the couch.
“I did.” He lied
“You did?! How?” Valerie watched Harlow as he tried to think of a believable lie. He turned his face away and twisted the ends of his top between two fingers. How did he ever play poker?
“I mean, kinda. I called someone. A-a friend.”
“You have friends?”
“Of course I do!”
Valerie clenched her jaw for a moment but let the outburst pass, “I meant, outside of Naomi and I, who else do you know? Lucy.”
Harlow swallowed, Lucy didn’t technically know that many people, “H-Harry.”
“Oh.” Val nodded.
“Don’t tell Daniel.”
“Why not?”
“...you know how guys are. Other guys coming over and fixing things they can’t.”
Valerie placed her hand over her mouth and smiled with the lie , “They do have some pretty sensitive egos.” She needed to test something before she truly could rejoice, “Okay, we’ll keep this between us girls.”
“Thank you.” he sighed with relief.
Lucy was referring to men as though they were separate from her. ‘She’s definitely coming out of her shell.’ she thought. ‘Just a little more time before she admits the truth altogether.’  “Well, I’m going to go get a shower and we can chat before Danny gets home.” She left without waiting for a reply from Lucy and quickly took out her phone to type some notes. “Subject is responding well to, like, being pushed further into femininity. Perhaps it allows her to pretend it is not her choice, thus protecting her own repressed psyche.”

Valerie stopped in her room, noticing her bed had been made and clearly washed. “Subject displays forms of gratitude through physical tasks or favors?” As she examined the rest of the room she found a wrinkled twenty dollar bill on her dresser, held down by the corner of her small jewelry box. “Gratitude in person would mean she would have to totally admit her feelings to me as well as herself, something she is not yet ready for. If I push harder, like, will her ‘egg crack’ as it were?” Valerie locked her phone, placing it in her jewelry box along with the twenty dollars Ted had left Lucy while she was curled up on the bed.


Later that night, Harlow had snuck out of the house to make his desperate plea to Sammy. Afterwards, Harlow sat in the dark, alone. He didn’t know how long he had been sitting on the side of the road, but beams of sunlight cut through the alleyways and around buildings as it began to rise. Soon the local bums would rise as well and begin their life’s quest for change. Harlow was truly trapped, he didn’t want to risk calling Sammy before knowing that would be one of the first places they’d look and risk someone he considered a friend and he had been right. But learning there was an actual bounty on his head and even his so-called friend was also taking the offer was a blow to his soul he wasn’t prepared for. He would like to think he wouldn’t do the same if their positions were different. Harlow was always a better talker than Sammy.

“Hey, sexy lady.” An old bum laughed as he approached, “Back for more, eh?!”
“God no.” Harlow stood on his heels and walked back home.

The sun had finished rising by the time he returned to the house. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw Val standing in the living room. “Where were you?!”
“Out.” He said softly. He so didn’t want to deal with her drama right now.
“I can tell! You had me worried sick!”
“You were?”
“Wha-of course I was. I thought something might’ve happened to you!” Valerie had the air knocked out of her as Lucy threw her arms around her and squeezed her in a tight hug. “What’s up with you, girl?” Lucy was smaller, not physically, but she was subdued, quiet. More so than she had been the previous day. “Did something happen?” Did someone recognize her as Harlow?
“I’m fine.” his breathy voice made his words barely audible in his shrunken state as he slowly pulled away from Valerie.  “I just went for a walk to clear my head.” he lied in part, because the walk back had done him some good. He was out of options, he needed to get money together and get the hell out of town. If Sam and anyone who knew Harlow wouldn’t help him then he would find someone who didn’t know Harlow.


It was nearly two weeks since Harlow had sex with Ted and Val had covered for him when Daniel asked how the air conditioner got fixed. “I sold a pair of Lucy’s shoes.”
“What?” Daniel looked to Lucy for confirmation, only to find her rolling her eyes and giggling along with Val.
“I’m kidding.” Valerie said quickly to put the big man’s mind at ease, “She’d kill me in my sleep if I ever got rid of any of her heels.”  Harlow stuck his tongue out at the bimbo while he stirred the food he was prepping in the kitchen. He didn’t argue since she was keeping what she thought she knew a secret. “I called someone.”
“Who?”
“Kyle.”
“K-Kyle?! I thought you broke up with him?!”
“I did. But he’s a handyman now so I called in a favor.”
“What did he want?”
“Oh, I just have to have sex with him.”
A glass shattered in the kitchen, “Lucy are you okay?!” Daniel was more than happy to rush into the kitchen and check on Lucy. His sister was obviously joking but she would continue to torment him if he kept asking questions.
“I’m fine. I’m fine.” He pushed hair out of his face and stared at the broken glass beneath his high heels before he finally returned to his senses and retrieved the broom. Val was joking, obviously, but the near accuracy of it had startled Harlow. If it were anyone else he would think she were being coy, but she wasn’t smart enough for that.

After cleaning, the rest of the evening, like the following two weeks, their lives continued as normal. Their lives continued as normal, Harlow wished that meant he hadn't seen or touched another man's dick but it had become almost a nightly thing where he would kiss Daniel's wrist before putting a condom on him and giving him a hand job. Harlow still felt bad Daniel had gotten hurt because of him, but after a few weeks that was wanning and replaced with suspicion that his dear friend was milking this... or more aptly getting Lucy to do the milking.

Harlow had spent the following week continuing his search for a surgeon willing to help him out for some fast cash. He used Daniel’s phone as much as he could and even started taking shortcuts on his chores to give himself more time at Val’s computer while she was goofing off at school.


Finally the day had arrived as he changed into the operating gown provided to him in his room. Just a week ago he had met Dr.Crane at The Cranecare surgical center and had hurried into the office, not wanting anyone to see him, or even Lucy, at such a place. His heels clicked against the tile floor with every rushed step. It had taken a week of searching to track down a doctor who could help him and two more weeks for him to squeeze him into his schedule. A month after learning about the grants from Naomi he was sitting in the waiting room for a surgical consult.

With every minute that ticked by, Harlow changed his mind. ‘This was too easy. It’s gotta be a set up!’ He’d get as far as the truck before turning back and sitting back in the waiting room. ‘It’ll work. It has too.’ He would pace the floor of the waiting room and flinch every time the nurse called someone’s name before he would hurry back to the parking lot. ‘Maybe the guy tipped off Jefferson and he’s waiting for me in the backroom!’ He’d pace around the parking lot before returning to pace the floor in the waiting room. ‘I’m out of options.’ he’d remind himself.
He repeated this internal argument with himself over the next forty minutes before the nurse finally called his name. “Lucy…Hole?”
Harlow cringed, seeing a few women hiding their snickering faces, as he followed the nurse into the back office, “It’s pronounced Hill.” If all went to plan he would be out of this town, this state, with a name that didn’t make him sound like a porn star.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Hill. I’m Doctor Crane, but you can call me Kevin.” The doctor said warmly as he extended his hand towards Harlow.
“Call me Lucy,” He smiled with relief at not having to explain his last name yet again as he shook the doctor’s hand, “Most people get my last name wrong all the time.”
He chuckled lightly, “My mother was a big fan of Jo Nesbo.”
“Oh…kay.” ‘Who the hell is that?’ he thought.
“Please, have a seat.” He motioned as he pulled out a chair for Lucy. “Now, what brings you in today?”
“We talked about-” He waved Harlow off as he slowly shut his door, ensuring it was locked before he returned to his desk.
“Just covering our bases.” He pulled a form out of his desk, “I saw you pacing in the lobby. And the parking lot.”
“Oh, uh, I was…my phone-”
“No, it’s fine. Good actually. You wouldn’t believe how many women have second thoughts about cosmetic surgery.”
“Y-yeah…but–” Harlow’s voice lowered–“I’m not actually getting the surgery.”
“I know.” Kevin whispered back with a smile, “But, for this to work it is best to proceed as if you were.” In a normal voice he sat up straight and pushed the forms towards Lucy, “Now, Ms. Hill, how soon would you like your procedure done?”
“As soon as possible.”
“Eager. Good.” He silently clicked through several folders on his computer for a few minutes before speaking again. “Ah, this is actually perfect. We had an appointment scheduled next week but she had to cancel.”
“Wow.”
“And since we still had time in the O.R scheduled we can simply swap your profile in for hers.”
“Won’t that be suspicious?”
Kevin shook his head, “It is quite common. What do you say?” Harlow nodded. “Fantastic. First thing we need to do is get some photos.”
“Photos?!”
“For the records.” He explained, “I’ll have one of my nurses come in here in a minute, standard protocol, and we’ll get a couple of pictures before your surgery.” He winked slyly. “First we’ll need to remove your prosthetic.”
“You could tell?”
“I do this for a living.” He chuckled again.
“Fair,” Harlow giggled “but…there’s a problem. I…um used glue and I didn’t bring anything to remove it with me.”

“Not a problem. We have something that can remove it easily.”
“Really?!”
“Of course.” The doctor opened his door and walked out of the office, “Cheryll? I’ll be needing your assistance, please.”
A few minutes later a slim blonde woman in navy blue scrubs walked through the door. “I understand we’ve had a little accident with the glue?” She pulled against a colorful lanyard around her neck as if it were suspenders.
Harlow giggled nervously, “Y-yeah.”
“Not to worry.” She smiled and gestured for Harlow to follow.

Harlow gladly followed the woman into the exam room. He imagined if her ass looked this good in scrubs it must be phenomenal in a skirt like his. Harlow blushed and adjusted his skirt again before he sat on the small examination table. Noticing his embarrassment Cheryll smiled, “Trust me, when I was your age I found myself in exactly the same situation you have.”
“Doubt it.”
“You should trust people more, darling.” She smiled as she snapped a purple glove on her hands.
“You don’t look that much older than me.”
“The surgeons here are wizards.” She picked a small jar of cream off of a cloth-covered tray and scooped some onto her fingers. “You’ll have to take that off.”
“Oh.” Harlow pulled the crop top over his head with the ease of experience, “How old are you then?” He asked as he unhooked his strapless bra behind his back. The last month giving him plenty of practice removing his own bras.
“It’s rude to ask a woman her age.” She smirked as she lifted up Harlow’s fake breast and spread the cream along the seams, “But, if you can guess I’ll tell you if you’re low or high.”
Harlow silently examined the woman for a few minutes while she continued to spread the cream around his chest. He noticed for the first time the multitude of buttons and pins on her scrub top. She had full natural looking breasts which she could have had the doctors remove the effects time and gravity would have had on them. He already knew she had a great ass, he couldn’t be certain with her loose scrubs but he was sure she hadn’t had children yet. “Thirty?”
She smiled and gently pried Harlow’s left breast loose, “Low.”
“Thirty-five?”
“Still low.” She chuckled.
“You’re fu-you’re messing with me.”
“Believe me, I’m not pulling your leg.” She looked at the large breasts in her hands now free of Harlow’s chest, “Not your leg anyway.” She laughed at her own joke, happy to hear the young girl giggling even as she covered her flat chest.
Harlow blushed and covered his chest, suddenly feeling strangely cold and exposed. “Can I put my shirt back on?”
“After we get your photos. Here.” She gave Harlow a rag to wipe what was left of the cream and the glue.
“But for real, how old are you?”
“I’m forty-seven.”
“No way! Did…did they do that?”
“Dr.Crane did my chest,” she smirked as she gave one breast a proud squeeze, “Dr.Nguyen did my nose.” She ran her finger along the length of the bridge of her nose.
“And your a-your butt?”
“Oh no, that I got from God. And pilates.” She giggled. Harlow giggled with her as he clutched the towel to his chest for warmth, “I will let you in on a little secret though.” She whispered. “I did have one more surgery Dr.Nguyen was so kind enough to do.”
“What?”
She stepped back and snapped off her gloves before throwing them onto the tray. “Like I said, when I was your age I was just like you.”
“What am I like?”
Cheryll smiled sympathetically, Lucy appeared to be a sweet girl but she lacked what her dad would call ‘book smarts’. ‘And, hell’ she thought ‘it’s just us girls and it’s not like I’m ashamed.’ “He did my vaginoplasty.” She could see the confused look on the younger girl’s face, “He turned my hot dog into a taco.”
“Oh…wait you’re-”
“Sure am. Trans and proud of who I am today.”
“They do that here?!” Harlow was stunned, the woman was so beautiful and as hard as he tried he couldn’t find anything that betrayed even her age let alone how she had been born.
“They do everything here.” She smirked, giving Harlow a gentle side hug before her face slowly became serious, “Did you want me to ask Dr.Crane?”
“Oh..no, I mean…soo-I can’t…money is, uh-”
“Say no more. They’re wizards, not sugar daddies. Although, if you know one or two hook a sista up.” She laughed.
Harlow giggled nervously. Only stopping to cover his bare chest with the towel again when the door opened. “Hello again, what’s got you lovely ladies so giddy?”
“You know us, just girl talk.” She winked before stepping aside and picking up a clipboard.
“Well alright then, Ms.Hill, if you’d stand over here.”


The next ten minutes were possibly worse than having Cheryll think he was trans like her. He was told to face forward with his arms at his side as the first picture snapped. Then to the left and right. It reminded him of his last mug shot. Unlike his mugshot however Harlow was smiling brightly in each picture. His smile had become standard now but Cheryll was quick with bad jokes she would laugh at and Harlow couldn’t help but giggle along with.  “Alright, Lucy.” Kevin said as he stared at a clipboard. “You can go ahead and put your top back on.”

After he redressed, Cheryll left the room briefly and they quickly discussed Harlow’s part. He would be placed under anesthesia before being wheeled into the operating room. The room itself would be empty and he would simply sleep in the room for four hours and wake up with his breast forms glued back on and bandage. “You can remove them once you’re home of course.”
“Okay. So does that mean I have to come to the hospital without my…without the things?”
“Unfortunately so.” He gave the woman his best reassuring nod. He didn’t know why she would rather have the money than the surgery itself since she was clearly so attached to her breasts but it wasn’t in his best interest to question her. The cut of the grant money would put a sizable dent in his debt and the money he could get for the implants on the black market would clear up the rest. “Now, we should discuss just how big you were hoping to go?”
“I hadn’t really thought about it. Just put down whatever you think is best.”
Dr.Crane was about to ask more questions when Cheryll returned carrying a handful of pamphlets. “Here you go, Lucy.”
“What’s this?” He asked, confused.
“More information on the other gender affirming surgeries you asked about.”
“Oh, uh…thank you.” He smiled and took the pamphlets, stuffing them into his purse quietly.
The doctor cleared his throat as he stood, “Unless you have any more questions I should see to what we discussed.”
“Thank you, doctor.” Harlow shook the doctor’s hand and turned to do the same with Cheryll.
“Oh, you didn’t put your breasts back on?”
“Uh…I also didn’t like, bring any glue.” Harlow giggled absentmindedly. For a moment he hoped it meant he could leave them behind, but then he considered how would he explain it to Val or anyone else who knew Lucy to be a busty girl. “Um…probably a dumb question but do you guys have any glue?”
“Sure we do, honey.” Cheryll smiled.
“I’ll leave you ladies to it, then.” Dr.Crane left back to his office to replace Lucy with the previous trans woman who had to cancel her surgery date.

Now Harlow laid in a hospital bed while the anesthesiologist unknowingly prepared him for a surgery that would never happen. "Good morning, Ms Hale." The doctor said to an already groggy Lucy, "I trust we're nice and comfy?"
"I am, like, sooo good, Dr.Crane." Harlow smiled.
"Oh they didn't tell you? Doctor Crane was called away on a family emergency. I'm Dr Nguyen."
"Wasn't that the name of the other doc…" Harlow's voice faded away as the anesthesia took him.