All eyes were on him. The President, the head of the C.I.A, the secretary of state and even the young snooty aid. Tears began to well up and he felt like he couldn't take anymore. The lies, the secrets, the deception. Every day waking up and putting a facade. He knew his career would be over if it were to leak. He wouldn't be able to go to buy milk. His children, his wife. But he felt it had to be done. That morning, in the daily cabinet briefing, general George Mills, a four star general, confessed before the cabinet that he desired to become a woman.
He was a woman for the past four years, on "Second Life". In the site he was named Laura Mills, Second Lieutenant in the in the Corps of Engineers, married and mother to Ashley, 12, and George Jr., 5, named after his father. Living in a white picket fence house, Laura enjoyed the high-life, enjoying hosting cocktail parties for George and his friends from the ad agency. Living close to the base enabled her to pick up her kids from school, cook dinner for George and attend weekly tap dancing classes. As vice president of the PTA she organized the upcoming winter carnival. She even got Tony Bennett to appear on the main float. Tony Bennett was actually Charlie Milbank, an ex-con who served seven years for armed robbery. After landing a job as a line cook, Charlie spent every waken minute on the site, accumulating fans and friends, appearing each night at the best night clubs and casinos. Every other day buying a new suit and visiting the barber. Six months ago, after a routine mole operation, Tony Bennett went to Acapulco. It was the best time he had in Years.
George Mills put his resignation letter on the oval glass table. He didn't even wait for the reaction of the people in the room. He knew he had to go. After all, the army wouldn't stand a middle aged overweight general with a pare of breasts and shaved armpits. He couldn't say it was for "personal reasons". He just couldn't hold it in his stomach. Come what may. The only thing he felt sorry for were his soldiers. After his family there was nothing closer to him than the troops. He would spend each Christmas in a remote base. One time in was in the pacific. Another it was in Central Asia. Darn, how could he tell his wife she was going to a lesbian? George did not fancy the boys. He always thought that was a bit perverse. He loved his wife and wanted to love her as a full blown woman. If only she would understand. He knew the cabinet wouldn't understand. That is why he told them first. To get that part over.
George pulled his chair way back because his stomach was ledged under the table. He stood up, saluted the people in the room, put his cap under his arm and marched out of the room.
That night Laura hosted the most exquisite cocktail party. The surprise of the evening was the un-announced arrival of Tony Bennett. He came to town two days earlier for a prostate exam.
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