I’m closer to psychologists than anyone else, and Mary is my closest friend among the psychologists. Three months since starting hormones, and changes were starting to show. That had been six months before, and I am slow at homework. They could keep an ear open for workplace gossip, and may have advice. Mary would probably like sharing those.Īnne had suggested I tell a few female colleagues. Conch fritters? What will Mary think? Coconut shrimp? Will she still be friends with me? Tostones? I ordered the conch fritters. I studied the menu, trying to forget the conversation I was about to have. The server brought two settings, two waters, and two menus. This wasn’t much different from when I told Linda. But I’d been through this before I even had a script. I was glad I got there a few minutes before Mary arrived. The server led me to a table not far from the door. I found street parking on the block behind, walked around the corner, and down Rainier Avenue. I needed a restaurant not far from our schools, with comfortable seating, some privacy, and interesting food.