My First Apartment Chapter 18

Friday morning, I was feeling close to 100%. I went to breakfast by myself. I had French toast and bacon, it tasted excellent. I was talking with another transgender girl there. She just had her breasts done, they were perfect C-cups. She told me what to expect from hormones long term and her breast surgery.

I just sat and listened. The more she talked the better I felt I was making the correct decision.

Mary walked into the cafeteria.

There you are! It's time for your massage, Lana.

Yes ma'am! I said.

It was nice talking to you, Lana!

You too, Christine! I said.

I spent the next two hours getting massaged with warm oils and hot stones. After my massage was over I was escorted to another room. A beautiful Asian woman was waiting for me.

Hello, Lana! I'm Alexis! I'll be your electrolysist today. I'm going to be treating your body with laser hair removal today.

I don't have too much left! I said.

Perhaps! But a good once-over never hurts!

You work at Xtreme salon, don't you? I asked.

Yes, I do! She said.

I thought I recognized you from the other day! I said.

Brianna asked me to look after you today!

Tell her thank you for me, please!

Of course! Lay down, let's get started, shall we! She said.

Alexis went over my body twice with the laser. She didn't get much. Thanks to Chloe and Bunny, I was almost hair-free everywhere.

Alexis was great to talk to. She told me how Ms Stapleton found her in the street and fostered her and raised her from the age of fifteen. She owned her own personal fitness service and worked at the salon. I liked her!

After my time with Alexis, Mary took me to the gym. Mary ran me through exercises to test my body strength and pain levels. I was surprised that I was as strong as I was after being laid up for almost three weeks.

School is starting in a couple of weeks. Charlie sent me some very sexy pictures. God, he's so hot! He wanted to take me out for dinner on Sunday night. Football camp starts on Monday so I wouldn't be seeing a lot of him. Rinanna gave me a couple of ideas on how to help him through camp and still see him. We'll see!

Mary saw my blank expression.

Lana, everything alright? Mary asked.

I'm fine! I was just thinking! I said

About?

Going home! Charlie! I showed her Charlie's latest picture.

He's Hot! Mary said. With an impressed smile.

Where did you meet? Mary asked.

He and his best friend live in my apartment complex.

You're a lucky girl!

He's very sweet!

I'll bet! That's an expensive teddy bear! Have you two been dating long? Mary asked.

About a month! He took me to see Lady Gaga in concert! I told her.

He must like you!

I really like him a lot! I said.

What about your friend Bunny? Mary asked.

I love her too! But every time I talk with her, it feels different! Bunny is just like me! She is just like me she's a year ahead of me in transition. She's been dating Stan, Charlie's best friend. I showed her more pictures.

You four look great together! Mary said.

We have a lot of fun together! I said. Concerts, Dinner, clubs, and dancing. We watched the guys surf! They're pretty good! I can't wait to watch them play football.

Just be careful Lana! I don't want you getting your heart broken. These things have a way of surprising you unexpectedly. Mary said.

I never thought about it like that! I said.

Mary, how long do I have to wait before I can pierce my nose again?

At least two months, I'll ask Dr. Channel to be certain.

How about piercing my tongue like Rinanna?

About the same time frame. We rebuilt your entire face. It's going to take some time for everything to fully heal. While there wasn't much nerve damage, the bones in your face were crushed up pretty bad. You're going to want to wait to pierce your ears too!

Just relax, take your time, let yourself heal. You have all the time in the world. Mary said.

Come on it's dinner time. You need your rest. Rianna wanted to take you shopping tomorrow!

I don't have that much money! I said. I haven't worked in over two weeks! I said.

You worry too much! Mary said.

Maybe, but I don't want to be charity case or a leach either!

This isn't that! Mary said. You're in good company! Trust me!

I lasted all day with only one pain pill and my fatigue was minimal. I went to bed at 8:30. Tomorrow was Saturday and I wanted to make sure I was ready to go home on Sunday. I was anxious to get home and get back to my routine. I missed my friends and my apartment. I couldn't stop thinking about Charlie.

Saturday morning I was up at 7. The sun was shining through my window. I could hear the noises of the city below. I put in a forest green camp shirt and my yellow leggings and sneakers and went to the cafeteria for breakfast.

As I was eating my phone buzzed. It was Rinanna.

Hey girl! She said in a warm upbeat voice. What are you doing today?

Getting ready to go home tomorrow. Nothing special.

I have to go shopping today! Wanna join me? She asked.

Sounds great! I said.

Be downstairs at 10. I'll pick you up.

Sounds good! I said

See ya soon sweetie! She said.

Now I had to decide what to wear. I wore my jeans and a pink T-shirt, and sneakers. I applied my cover-up makeup. I made my way downstairs. I was excited to go shopping in San Francisco . I lived most of my life in California. But this was my first time in San Francisco.

Soon I heard the rumble of a big engine. I saw an old Camaro coming towards the parking entrance. I was enjoying the sound of the exhaust as it echoed on the concrete walls. It was a convertible and the top was down. The woman driving had a scarf over her hair and big Prada sunglasses on. She lowered her sunglasses and smiled at me.

It was Rianna!

Get in! She said

I got in

Buckle up! She said as she revs the engine.

I buckled up. She hit the gas and spun the car in a 180° tire spinning U-turn and we rocketed out of the parking garage.

This car is awesome! I said.

Thanks! My Dad built it for me! Rianna said. It was a birthday present.

Are we taking this shopping? I asked.

No! But I haven't driven it in a while and I thought it would be fun to go for a ride before we go shopping.

Sounds great to me! We drove through the city. We drove past the firm. Fifteen minutes after we passed the law firm we drove into her driveway. Her house was beautiful. It was taupe colored stucco with dark clay Spanish roof tiles. The front entrance had a horseshoe driveway and arched front door.

There was an attached four car garage. She opened the door and expertly backed the car in. In the Garage was her Q7 Audi and in the last stall was a Red Honda Civic Si coupe that looked like something out of the Fast and Furious movies.

That's a sweet Civic! I said.

That's my Husband's car. It was his first car. He and his father built it. We shared our first kiss in that car. It's almost as nice as yours! I said.

Come on in! Rianna said.

He house was beautiful inside. Caribbean White Cabinets with crown moulding. Marble floors and countertops. Stainless steel faucets, appliances and lighting fixtures. The house was two stories two sets of stairs leading to a bridge. 6 bedrooms. 5 1/2 bathrooms. I've never been in a house so big and elegant. The living room and Kitchen overlooked the pool and hotub.

Let's change, then we can go shopping.

But I don't have anything to change into!

You worry too much! Rianna said. I've got two bedrooms loaded with clothes, half of them I don't wear anymore. I'm sure I have something that will fit you! She said.

She was right! She had an entire department store of clothes, all name brand and high end designer clothes. I was in awe!

Pick something! Anything you want! If you see anything you like set it to the side. You can take it with you!

I'm grateful! But you don't have to do this. I'm not a charity! I said softly.

No you're not! But if you don't take something it's going to get donated to the Salvation Army. You're what, about a size 4?

Between a size 2 and 4 now. I said.

Good, almost everything here is between a 2 and 4. Make sure you pick out a couple of skirt and pantsuits. My shoes are size 9. She said.

So am I! I said.

I went shopping alright! Shopping through her slightly used but immaculate clothing.

We spent 3 hours going through her clothes. DKNY, Anne Kline, Tom Ford, Prada, and Versace.

I ended up with several suits, skirts and slacks. She gave me all kinds of clothes for school. We picked out several high heel boots and shoes to match with everything. She had more purses and bags than I could imagine.The bed was piled over two feet high with clothes not including the boots shoes and the stuff on hangers.

I can't accept all this! I exclaimed.

Relax, Lana! You're doing me a favor here! John has been after me to purge my wardrobe for a while now. I would much rather see it go to good use! Besides we'll be going to court in future and you won't be a custodian forever. You're going to need some decent clothes to work in an office somewhere. Dress for success! That's my Moto!

Thank you! I really mean it! This means a lot to me! I said. I hugged her.

After "purging her wardrobe" as she called it. She made us a taco salad for lunch it was really good.

I put on a pink leather mini skirt and white silk blouse she gave me. She gave me all her C-cup bras too. Some of them had to be very expensive. She gave me some gel breasts to go with them, (they looked new).

Rinanna and I went to the mall. She bought herself a couple purses. We went to the Target anchor store. She bought me a couple of suitcases. And two garment bags and a matching carry-on backpack/purse. I stopped trying to argue with her about spending money on me.

We went back to her house and soaked in the hotub for a while. We talked about my assault again. While I didn't experience the same trauma she experienced I started to understand why it was so important to express my feelings about it. She wanted to help ensure it doesn't stay bottled up and fester into depression or rage.

Rinanna made Korean bi-bin-bop for dinner I was really good. She served it white rice and Kimchi. I never tried Korean food before. I loved it.

Where did you learn to cook like this is? I asked.

My adopted Grandma is Korean. She taught me. My Aunt Vanessa's housekeeper Martina taught me how to cook and bake. This is fantastic! I said.

This was taken at Christmas at my grandparents house in Napa Valley.

She handed me a picture of everyone posed on a porch. Judging by the way everyone was dressed it was Christmas morning. She started pointing everyone out.

That's a big family!

We're not all blood related, but we are all family she said.

You have a beautiful family! I said.

Thank you! She said with a smile.

When does your husband come home?

He and kids will be here tomorrow night. I would have gone with them, but work got in the way. But that's alright, I made a new friend! Rinanna said.

Thank you, Rianna. I really mean it. You didn't have to do all this. You, Brianna, Sharon and Becky. I'm grateful! I know you all went well above and beyond for me! I won't forget it! I promise, I'll pay you back someday!

You want to pay me back, Lana?

Yes, whatever you want! I said.

Here's what I want! Go to college, get your degrees, work hard in school! Don't screw around partying. True freedom for yourself means having the ability to do what you want when you want. The harder you work in college the more educated you are, the more choices you can make for yourself.

I'll help you get started. But you have to do the work.

I plan on it. I'm already signed up for the Accounting program at school. I said.

If get your master's degree you can double your income and triple your job opportunities. Just make sure you get a part-time job that gives you some experience.

I was lucky that way. Becky put me up for the summer in between school. I was a receptionist and assistant to my best friend, Cathy. Sharon taught me how to file briefs, motions, and coordination with the courthouse and clerks.

It was a lot of work, but it was worth it in the end. I graduated law school third in my class. I past the bar exam the first time, I was the second highest score in my exam class. I studied for weeks. Most every free minute I had I was studying.

You put in the work, you'll get there! If you need some help, call me! I got your back! Rinanna said.

I will Rianna, I promise. I said

Call me, Ree! Lana.

Thanks, Ree!

You're welcome sweetie! Now let's clean up, and load up. You have a long car ride home tomorrow. She said.

We loaded her SUV almost to the roof in the back with clothes, shoes and undergarments. I did a rough estimate on what those clothes were worth, and was a lot! She packed up more than I saw on the bed. Because on our last trip up to the one bedroom was nearly empty.

I called Tony from the car. He said he was already in San Francisco, staying with family. He borrowed my car for the trip home. He thought it would be more comfortable for me than the Charger.

I told him about the massive amount of clothes Rianna gave me.

We'll make it fit! He said. Be ready at 3 am. I want to beat traffic!

Yes sir! I thanked him again. I didn't want to be in stuck in LA gridlock anymore than he did.

I was after 8 pm when I finally got to sleep. I woke up at 2 am. I took a quick shower and got dressed and ready. I wore my pink leggings and yellow blouse with my new yellow bra with the inserts Rianna gave me.

I admired my silhouette in the mirror. I got a vision of the future me! I couldn't stop smiling. My face was healing up really well. My pain was minor now. I put on my shoes and started organizing everything.

I called for the nurse. Kelly was working.

Where did all this come from? She asked.

Rianna gave it to me! She had a bunch of stuff she was going to donate. So she donated it to me!

I hope you thanked her! This is nice stuff! Kelly said.

Can you help me take it downstairs? Tony will be here soon.

No problem! She said.

Soon two orderlies showed up with three luggage carts. They pulled everything on. Kelly made me sit in a wheelchair. I had a small duffle bag and my purse in my lap. Kelly double-checked my room one last time.

We had to wait for the elevator, my stuff took up most of the room.

When I got downstairs to the entrance. Tony was already loading my car. He had the backseats folded down. When they finished the back of my car was filled to the roof in back. There wasn't an empty space anywhere.

Kelly hugged me goodbye. I gave her a thank you card and one to give Mary and Sophia for their help and care.

I gave Tony a hug. We got into my car and we were on our way home. I went back to sleep in the car.