I got home parked the car out the front used my key to open the front door then went straight to my bedroom. I could hear the television going in the lounge but wanted to hide the signs of my tears before facing Mum and Dad.
I stopped the flow of tears then went to the bathroom and rinsed my face. Finally ready I went down to the lounge. Mum and Dad were snuggled up to each other on the couch watching a movie. It was a picture of how I had envisaged myself and Sarah would be in 30 year’s time. The tears welled up in my eyes again. It was all I could do to say goodnight before retreating back to the bedroom.
I was too upset to bother probing emails as I had planned. So decided to go to bed. Back in the bathroom I did my ablutions then cleaned my teeth. I stripped off the clothes and put on the pajamas from under my pillow. I noticed my pajamas were slightly stained around the crotch but decided they would do for tonight. There was now quite a pile of used clothing in a basket at the foot of my bed. I would need to do a load of washing on Saturday.
I set my alarm, climbed into bed and turned off the light. My thoughts as I drifted to sleep were of Sarah and the life that might have been. That was my world, my future when I was Rod, however I knew that could no longer be. I was Jenna.
……
I was again woken by my phone alarm at 6am. It took me a moment to orientate where I was. I didn’t feel like getting out of bed in a hurry and just lay there looking at the ceiling for 10 minutes. Maybe I was slightly depressed or maybe Jenna was just not a morning person.
However soon enough my full bladder forced me to get up. I put on my dressing gown and went to the toilet. After washing my hands I headed down to the kitchen. Mum was already in the kitchen, I think she was surprised when I said “Good Morning” She was wearing a knee length blue satin nightie. I couldn’t help but admire her figure. She really was a very good looking woman. After a quick good morning to me, she disappeared into her bedroom and came back with a dressing gown on. It made me suspect the cuddle on the couch last night had continued in the bedroom.
I made myself a muesli breakfast again and a cup of coffee. Dad came out of the master bedroom showered and dressed for his workshop. He was whistling.
I went and had a shower, washing and drying my hair. I took the last of the Yasmin pills. I knew that meant I would now have a period over the next 7 days. I had no idea how soon it would start. I decided to play it safe and inserted a pad in my panties. I considered myself a veteran with regard to menstrual periods.
I put on one of the dresses that Sarah had selected last night. She had described it as a trench dress. It was tan in color and had a sash belt. I wore the same bra as yesterday but fresh undies. Again I wore pantyhose and finished the outfit with beige shoes that Sarah had also recommended.
I had time to make myself a cut lunch, also grabbing a pear from the fridge. All went into the tote bag along with the forms I had filled out last night. I said goodbye to Mum and Dad and collected Sarah’s suit and silk shirt, which I dropped into a drycleaners near work.
Work was again very busy. There was very little free time to chat with Maria or the other girls. At lunchtime I went to the bank and explained that my card was no longer working (I had intentionally bent it). The teller informed me that I should receive a new card and PIN by mail in about a week. I had observed that if I didn’t think about it, I could perfectly mimic Jenna’s writing style and signature, so filling in a form for the new card did not faze me.
During the afternoon I had a chance to talk to Millicent. I handed her all the forms I had filled in and also explained that I needed to take April 23rd off as I had a pre-existing appointment. That date was after the end of my 2 week trial period but I was optimistic that my job would continue. She said that wouldn’t be a problem.
I also rang the hairdressers and explained that I couldn’t make my appointment on Monday because I was now working. Amy who had answered said they had a spare slot on Thursday night if that suited better. I thought to myself ’Why not’ and accepted.
I stayed late to help Maria clean up the mess that the afternoon crop of school kids had created in our waiting area. I was still sweeping the floor when Millicent left at 5.30. She shooed me out. Saying it was time to go home. She needed to lock up.
I rang Sarah as I walked back to my car and in a sisterly way as possible asked "Hi Sarah, how has you day been? Did you end up going to work"
"Hi Jenna, Yes have been at work, nothing much has happened. I got a lot of sympathy. Oh it was Helens last day, she is off on maternity leave"
"Any news on Rod?"
"I spoke to Hilda earlier who had said there had been no change in his condition. I'm on my way to the hospital now"
There was an awkward silence. Eventually she asked "Are you doing anything tonight?"
"No, I'll clean out the car when I get home, but otherwise maybe see if I can retrieve emails"
"I've just arrived at the car park. I'll ring you if I have any news"
'Ok, Bye Sarah"
'Bye" she hung up
I drove straight home and said Hi to Mum who as usual was in the kitchen. She asked if I was home for dinner. "Yeah, that would be super. I'm planning to clean out Rod's car"
I went to my room and changed into some jeans and a tee-shirt then went out to the car.
I thoroughly searched the car, cleaning out accumulated rubbish. Systematically I worked from the glove box to the boot. I found $15 in coins but there was no sign of the medallion.
Feeling a bit depressed I went back inside. Mum said dinner would be ready in 10 minutes. I returned to my bedroom and decided to look at the emails on Jenna's phone.
I had a look at the phone it was connected to the home wifi. I set it to open up the Gmail account. There were only 5 messages. I was disappointed to see that they were all junk mail. it looked like the account was rarely used. There was no sent mail in the last 3 months.
I then opened up the second account. This was different. It said there were 15 unopened messages. I selected to download messages for the last 7 days. The messages started coming through. A lot of them were what I considered junk. Messages generated from companies Jenna must have dealt with in the past. There were 3 messages that I thought sounded interesting.
One was from someone called 'KatieC', "Hi Emma, Your 1st lesson is Thursday night 7pm. See you then Cheers Katie" The message had been sent on Tuesday. So I had missed the appointment. There was no address or anything else attached to the message. I searched for further messages from KatieC. Nothing in the last 7 days. Why was the message addressed to Emma?
Another message was from 'Alison Banksville' 'Hi Emma, we have a possible job on Saturday night. Give me a call if you are available, Ali" This time there was a mobile phone number under the message.
The third message was from 'James M' "Hi Jenna, The customer was very happy with you. I think we can get some follow-up business out of this. However we will need to keep it secret. Monique would have my balls if she ever found out I was involved. Let me know next time that you can get to Gladesville. I hope the accommodation was fine - James"
My god, I thought that has to be Monique's husband James. He obviously had a side business with Jenna. I would need to check this out.
However that would have to do for now. Dinner was probably ready.
Eileen had prepared a cold chicken and created a salad for dinner. She asked if I was heading out later. I said I had no plans. She seemed surprised.
I helped clean up after dinner then returned to my room. I had picked up my phone and was about to download older emails when a message came through "Hi Jenna heading to Astons, ~11. Do you want a lift?" The message was from someone called 'Shaz'
Astons was a nightclub in town. I had been there a few times when I was Zach. I looked through he message stream. Shaz seemed to be a regular clubbing partner of Jenna's. The texts talked about hot guys so I guessed Shaz was female. Should I? I wondered. If I was going to assume Jenna's life I needed to know her past. Maybe Shaz could divulge a few clues regarding the mystery that was Jenna McKenzie.
I wished Sarah was with me. I would go with her. I wasn't tired, I had gone to bed early last night and had slept soundly. To be honest I was feeling a bit thrilled with the idea of dressing up this body. However if Shaz was male, well I wasn't ready for that. I decided to find out if Mum new anything.
I went back to the lounge where Mum and Dad were watching the TV. "Mum, do you remember my friend Shaz"
"The Redhead"
"Yeah, I was just wondering what you thought of her hairdo?" Why did I just say that?
"Her hairdo? I can't say I have ever paid it any attention. She is certainly a good looking girl"
Oh never mind" I retreated to my room.
I heard Mum ask Dad "What was that about?" as I closed the door.
Ok I know Shaz is female. I feel like doing something. Why not? Money I thought. I don't have much cash. I didn't like the idea of asking Mum or Dad for a loan. I remembered there was only $25 in cash in my purse. I supposed I could use the credit card. At Astons like most nightclubs you could buy drinks with tap and wave. Actually I was a female now. I probably wouldn't have to buy drinks at all. I would just have to make sure not to lead anyone on too far.
I found my hands reaching for the phone. I typed out 'Hi Shaz. Sounds great. Are you still happy to pick me up?' I hit send. Immediately I thought what am I getting myself into?
Shortly a I reply came through. "I'll pick you up at 10.45 Remember to wear Red" It was only 8.15. I had a couple of hours to get ready.