Return-path: Envelope-to: lojban@lojban.org Delivery-date: Mon, 14 Feb 2022 09:12:52 -0800 Received: from mail.rocksolidautoss4.xyz ([194.26.141.40]:52607) by 2960f3a90e82 with esmtp (Exim 4.94.2) (envelope-from ) id 1nJetp-0002ru-6e for lojban@lojban.org; Mon, 14 Feb 2022 09:12:51 -0800 DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha1; c=relaxed/relaxed; s=dkim; d=rocksolidautoss4.xyz; h=Date:From:To:Subject:MIME-Version:Content-Type:List-Unsubscribe:Message-ID; i=micheal.vaughn@rocksolidautoss4.xyz; bh=CfiLBQ//NZhIkrs0arRpUaJZOPw=; b=dBPLucIVl3vbM7mrUnMMfMTOtksNshkHhiGd2YbuHuHeuoXyxvOxfNA6xibqCQKy1D4Aahws1sfX KsuFSZnBGaqChNPTFxk74SKnvc/U/UVLFfnCLtvFJP42LVXF9dWs7LWXehSLJWDUn2pfcieuexbk WDlTf6x0heJb/OG9lrc= DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; c=nofws; q=dns; s=dkim; d=rocksolidautoss4.xyz; b=QrI9ih6rJWMU45hds5xysYmtXVFNqWZLvzM7RpYtx/TzG8PVYkVipnZOf7evVAh3ioVKbqSbJLg7 mOQ6LTXZTHxm6p28rH7G0DCOwYUm++/+BiMvjsBGSqDJOFmwMmyAzqqY/wndvV1UI+xtcosqScH2 OWZVViUJ94syQXsA86M=; Received: by mail.rocksolidautoss4.xyz id h1a7gm0001ga for ; Mon, 14 Feb 2022 12:14:32 -0500 (envelope-from ) Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2022 12:14:32 -0500 From: "Micheal Vaughn" To: Subject: Customize And Engrave Anything For A One Of A Kind Masterpiece! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_Part_337_306351104.1644858454113" List-Unsubscribe: Message-ID: <0.0.0.25.1D821C6554310C2.562093@mail.rocksolidautoss4.xyz> X-Spam-Score: 3.4 (+++) X-Spam_score: 3.4 X-Spam_score_int: 34 X-Spam_bar: +++ X-Spam-Report: Spam detection software, running on the system "cbd57614c0b4", has NOT identified this incoming email as spam. The original message has been attached to this so you can view it or label similar future email. If you have any questions, see @@CONTACT_ADDRESS@@ for details. Content preview: ** Desktop Laser Engraving, No Artistic Skill Necessary ** You can engrave an personalize almost anything you own, just upload an image and poof your laser engraver takes care of the rest. Works on Glass, wood, leather, plastic, metal and more. Just think of [...] Content analysis details: (3.4 points, 5.0 required) pts rule name description ---- ---------------------- -------------------------------------------------- 0.0 URIBL_BLOCKED ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE: The query to URIBL was blocked. See http://wiki.apache.org/spamassassin/DnsBlocklists#dnsbl-block for more information. [URIs: rocksolidautoss4.xyz] -0.0 SPF_PASS SPF: sender matches SPF record 0.0 SPF_HELO_NONE SPF: HELO does not publish an SPF Record 2.0 PDS_OTHER_BAD_TLD Untrustworthy TLDs [URI: rocksolidautoss4.xyz (xyz)] 0.7 MPART_ALT_DIFF BODY: HTML and text parts are different 0.0 HTML_FONT_LOW_CONTRAST BODY: HTML font color similar or identical to background 0.0 HTML_MESSAGE BODY: HTML included in message 0.0 MIME_QP_LONG_LINE RAW: Quoted-printable line longer than 76 chars -0.1 DKIM_VALID_EF Message has a valid DKIM or DK signature from envelope-from domain -0.1 DKIM_VALID Message has at least one valid DKIM or DK signature 0.1 DKIM_SIGNED Message has a DKIM or DK signature, not necessarily valid -0.1 DKIM_VALID_AU Message has a valid DKIM or DK signature from author's domain 0.4 FROM_SUSPICIOUS_NTLD_FP From abused NTLD 0.5 FROM_SUSPICIOUS_NTLD From abused NTLD 0.0 T_REMOTE_IMAGE Message contains an external image ------=_Part_337_306351104.1644858454113 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable ** Desktop Laser Engraving, No Artistic Skill Necessary ** ------------------------------------------------------------ You can engrave an personalize almost anything you own, just upload an imag= e and poof your laser engraver takes care of the rest. Works on Glass, woo= d, leather, plastic, metal and more. Just think of the possibilities since= these artistic desktop units are so cheap now.=20 ** Some neat ideas we seen include: ------------------------------------------------------------ * Engraving wine glasses * Personalized keychains * Wallets and purses * Phone cases View more about laser engravers (Take 75% off using applied code) =E2=86=92= http://www.rocksolidautoss4.xyz/inaccuracies-advanced/bac4K2395S8ZQ610Y92d5Ld91x18MhscFDrfhscFDrEsvZ7JQk9QmQ6QUj10L5QlsvA Victor Anderson Network Solutions 600 Valence Street - New Orleans - LA 70115 Want to make a settings update? Press this http://www.rocksolidautoss4.xyz/pounded-loader/1024f2395z86km11k92dK6Bd91V18zhscFDrfhscFDrEsvZ7VQk9QmQ5NB10h6z@lsv0=20 ------=_Part_337_306351104.1644858454113 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20
3D"alt_text"
3D"alt_text"
=20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20

ALL NE= W D.I.Y LASER IS THIS YEARS HOTTEST ITEM!

100% Zero CREATIVITY Skills ARE NEEDED.

Sitting at home= during quarantine? This DIY Laser Engraver is the ideal leisure activity f= or sticking around the house. Etch and customize nearly anything you own, s= imply transfer a picture and poof your laser etcher deals with the rest. De= als with glass, wood, cowhide, plastic, meta and that's just the beginning.=

=20
    =20
  • E= ngrave glass mugs and wine glasses.
    • =20
  • Put your initials on your w= allet or purse.
    • =20
  • Custo= mize your phone case.
    • =20
=20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20
Take Additional 75% OFF The Pricetag Today
=20
=20 =20
=20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20

"I was simply exhauste= d, being stuck at home throughout the day. I genuinely didn't have the fogg= iest idea the amount I would cherish my new diversion. I'm no craftsman, ye= t you don't should be to mess around with this magnificent gadget"

=
=20
=20
=20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20
Can you download an image from the = internet?Then you are already an expert at creating beautiful artwork using= this amazing Laser Engraver! No shipping cost= !
=20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20
=20

=20
Victor Anderson Network Solutions
6823 Farnsworth Dr/Par= ma/OH/44129-4514

Alter all communication.
=20 =20

 

=20

 

=20

 

=20

 

=20

 

=20

 

=20

 

=20

 

=20

It's what you tell yourself. To let go= of the dream of a family. It's what everyone tells you..but me..my brain. = I can't seem to give up on that hope. Perhaps something is supposed to brea= k inside you when you're tossed from home to home. Perhaps your spirit is m= eant to be crushed when your parents abandon you. Perhaps that's why so man= y of us end up criminals. Not me though. 

=20

?Melvin.? I glance up, broken from the= thoughts that haunt me. Though not really, the dialogue is always there in= the back of my mind, even if it's sometimes quiet enough to pay attention = to other things. Page is sat across the desk from me. Hair tied up in a rid= iculously neat ponytail that stretches the skin on her forehead. It looks u= ncomfortable. She has a light dusting of makeup to hide the little imperfec= tions on her face. She wears a dark blue dress that goes down to her knees = and covers up her neck. And though I can't see her legs I'm aware that they= hang off the right side of her chair tucked together neatly, like she's ri= ding sidesaddle on a horse. Her dark brown eyes urge me to behave. 

=20

?Did you hear me?? I have to fight not= to roll my eyes as I smile politely at her, a much more aggressive convers= ation taking place in our glances. 

=20

?Apologies miss vega, i zoned out. Wha= t were you saying?? The foster carer wouldn't see it, but she tenses slight= ly, her jaw pushing forward a millimeter as her teeth grind in frustration.= To the lady on her right she looks composed as ever. 

=20

?I was introducing you to your new fos= ter mother. This is ainsley.? i can anticipate her next play before it happ= ens. 10 years of working with the same worker will do that. She's going to = turn in a minute. First she'll look down contemplatively. Then she'll seem = to have a thought and she'll smile slightly and turn her head politely to t= he latest candidate. Her shoulders following her head to appear welcoming. = Then she'll rattle off some apology on my behalf. The words might change bu= t the general tone is always the same. I've been through a hard time but wh= en I warm up I'm lovely. There she goes, the glance down. The thought. Her = head turns more than her shoulders. 

=20

?Melvin's had a rough couple of weeks,= his last foster mother had to stop caring for him after her youngest got s= ick. But I promise he's an absolute delight when you get to know him.? = ;

=20

I glance at the lady, feigning shock. = I already know she's trying to figure an excuse not to take me. I don't eve= n bother taking in what she looks like. She puts a hand to her chest as tho= ugh sorry. ?Oh..that's awful, the poor thing.? it still frustrates me, it s= houldn't anymore but the way they talk of me like i'm not here. I know it w= ill get me in trouble. I also know it will blow over and this lady needs a = way out. 

=20

?I'm not a dog you know.? a somewhat c= ondescending glance from the lady, and a look of warning from page. ?Sorry = dear?? God, even her voice is annoying. I clear my throat. 

= =20

?I said, '' I'm not a dog. Nor am I an= idiot. I'm well able to perceive what you two are saying and yet you talk = about me like I'm some sort of pet you're considering renting.? i don't nee= d to look at Page to know she's glaring at me..i'm deep in anyways may as w= ell go the distance. I lean forwards to get the ladies' attention further. = ?It's always women like you who come rushing in here looking to do a stray = a favor. But its always the same in the end, you take us in for credit amon= gst your boujwa fake friends than when you can't be fucked with us anymore = you dump us back here and leave page to come up with an excuse for why we w= ere rejected. I'd rather die of dehydration in hell than spend one more day= with a pretentious bigot the likes of you.? as expected, she feigns being = horrified, looks me up and down like im a rat. 

=20

?Well i?never have I met such an ungra= teful, rude, child. You should be thankful I'd consider taking such a rat i= n. in all my years never have I been so disrespected!? I roll my eyes and t= une her out, already know where THAT rant is going. The ceiling in this roo= m is odd, the office itself seems neat and fancy but when you look up you s= ee high above your head old wooden planks dusted in cobwebs. It's out of pl= ace. There's a small spider, perhaps the size of the thing on a cola can th= at you use to pop it open. The hiss of it always tells you whether bubbles = will spill over the edge. You can tell within a few seconds. A hiss when it= doesn't spill is short, an initial burst of sound that quickly dissipates,= replaced by the sound of bubbles inside the can fizzing. The one that tell= s you it will spill is when you open it and instead of that hiss dissipatin= g, after the initial sound you hear a gurgle, like an unknown creature drow= ning as their voice is slowly consumed. You hear that and then brownish bub= bles spill over the edge of the can. Sometimes you save it, other times you= get wet. The door slams shut and i look up, the lady has left. Page is loo= king at me disapprovingly. Though I can see the hint of amusement in her ey= es. She shakes her head.

=20

?What am I gonna do with you?? I shrug= and she continues to glare at me. Then after a moment she gives up and sta= nds. ?Alright, back to the room with you mister. Only one more month of thi= s before you're finally free.? she says it dryly, the word free really mean= s alone. When you're 18 they kick you. I wish it could stay in a balance. I= could continue to stay here and eat and sleep here but without bouncing ar= ound white folks homes. I stand, not caring as the wooden chair scoots from= behind me and onto the floor, I just walk to the door ahead of page and do= wn the hall, towards the door to the back where we live. They never show th= e fosters where we live, just the neatened up offices at the front. I push = the door open and skip through it, the shared bedroom. Fawn is sitting on o= ne of the beds playing uno with echo. Alaric sitting on his bed reading a b= ook, he drops it when he hears the door and grins, jumping up. =

=20

?Mel! How'd the ol' cheerio go?? that'= s what we call it, ?cheerio.' not sure why but it just stuck some how. Ever= y time we have a meeting. I roll my eyes at him and glance at the book.&nbs= p;

=20

?Surprised page didn't drag you into t= he meeting room with all the books you read.? he huffs and slings an arm ar= ound me playfully. 

=20

?Please, they want someone they can fi= x up, not someone smart.? he reaches up and scuffs my brown hair. ?Your tat= ty yet cute look is perfect for them.? I can't help but smirk and I elbow h= im in the ribs causing him to scooch back a bit and clutch his side. ?You c= alling me cute, silver??

=20

?Ow.? he says it dryly. ?Just stating = facts man.? fawn and echo have glanced up to witness the interaction. Echo'= s been here less than a day but she's fitting right in. She's younger than = us, 15 I think. But she's been through the mill her fair share of times. Sh= e has long black hair and a big nose but it suits her face. She's very pale= She glances between me and Alaric, blinking a few times. ?Silver?? she sa= ys. ?I thought his name was alaric.? I roll my eyes again remembering how t= he nickname came about. 

=20

?It's a long story doe eyes, but basic= ally his name in German means ?noble.' for some reason we ended up thinking= about silver crowns for German princes and the name silver just stuck.? sh= e frowns for a second then shrugs and turns back to her game. I find myself= staring at fawn again. She's considering her cards. Fawn is beautiful. Not= that I'd ever tell her that. She has curly short brown hair. Always a litt= le greasy. Her face is light caramel, heart shaped and round. Freckles spri= nkle her button nose and her dark brown lashes cover almond shaped eyes of = clover green. Impact from my right knocks me onto the bed and I look up to = see alaric sniggering. 

=20

?Aw you dick.? I toss a pillow at him = and he holds his hands up defensively. ?Hey! Maybe if you weren't gawking y= ou woulda seen it coming.?

=20

?I was not gawking.? ge raises an eyeb= row at me to say ?as if.' yeah, he can see straight through me. We've been = together since we were 7. He was sent here a couple weeks after me and he's= been through just as many houses, we've even shared a couple. But unlike a= ll the other kids we always end up coming back. He's the closest thing I ha= ve to a brother. His birthday is a day before mine so we'll even be getting= out at the same time. It scares me, I should be relieved but really I'm te= rrified I'll end up a criminal like all the boys like me. Fawn is 17 in a w= eek so she still has another year. A glance at the clock tells me its aroun= d 8pm. No windows in this room. I jump up, its curfew in an hour but like i= care. 

=20

?Roof..come on grab your stache.? he s= hoots a look but then shrugs. 

=20

?If we get caught again you're taking = the fall.? 

=20

?Why not.? 

=20

It's a little climb. There's a door to= the kitchen and dining area. A hallway and at the end a little window. You= have to open it and squeeze through, the ladder for a fire escape leads pa= st it so you have to sort of pivot yourself to grab it. The night air is co= ol, the shock of freezing metal always gets me. Its a little climb up the l= adder to the top of the fire escape. a little platform there but it doesn't= get you all the way to the roof. First time we ever went up we had to take= a long route through the neighbouring building and jump over. But we have = a rope set up now, tied to the chimney thick and supported. I grab it and b= egin hauling myself the few metres left. Its pretty easy, we do this often.= I roll onto the flat roof gasping for breath all the same. The concrete. I= t was made a while ago, I'm sure it used to have roof access which is why t= he roof is flat and concreted but whatever door used to lead up here is lon= g since closed. Alaric rolls onto the roof a few moments after me, also pan= ting. It would be a clear night if it weren't for the lights of the city. N= o moon tonight either. It's like a black blanket. I sit up, staring at the = sky still. The chilly air touches my cheeks and makes me happy. It doesn't = smell fresh, it smells stale and dusty. Traces of grass growing in the crac= ks adds a hint of sweetness creating an altogether unique smell but it's so= familiar to us. Alaric is staring at the sky, having gotten comfortable.&n= bsp;

=20

?Ever think that stars are really just= holes poked in the box for us to breathe.? Sometimes he says the oddest th= ings. 

=20

?Well what's daytime then? If we're in= a box?? he mulls this over for a moment, cogs spinning as his brain concoc= ts a theory. He comes to a conclusion. 

=20

?There's a hole in the box, a bigger o= ne that lets in more light than the stars. And it moves slowly around to gi= ve different sections of those inside the box more light. That's what sunri= se is. The hole.? I'm silent, thinking. It's a cool theory. If a bit sad.&n= bsp;

=20

?That's kind of depressing dude.? = ;

=20

?It's not like it would make humans an= y less significant than they already are.? The city shines in the little di= stance. 

=20

?What are you gonna do..when you get o= ut?? it places a weight on my chest to think of. I have no idea. I'd rather= put off thinking about it forever. But I can't. 

=20

?Maybe I can get a job somewhere, and = an apartment..work something out.? 

=20

?You don't even have a bank account.?<= /span>

=20

?Well it's a bit difficult to get one = when your file is all messed up..no bank wants to take a kid with my histor= y.? he sighs..and suddenly i realise he wants to tell me something. 

=20

?What is it?? 

=20

Silence..the concrete is surprisingly = comfortable. After a long pause he speaks. 

=20

?I got an apartment set up. Paid the f= irst rent yesterday.? i turn to face him, surprise and anger and jealousy a= nd pride and a million other emotions. 

=20

?Serious?? he's always had his shit to= gether, i'm not sure how. He's had a job at a bookstore since he was 14. Wo= rks there Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 2pm to 9pm. $15 an hour. He's= saved up loads. Got a savings account and a spending account. He shrugs. S= its up to look me in the eyes, it's clear he's nervous. 

=20

?It's pretty cheap, the apartment..$50= 0 a month. If I can get more shifts at the book shop I should be fine.?&nbs= p;

=20

He's still not saying what it is he wa= nts..i can tell from his disposition. He's fiddling with his nails and sigh= ing. He shrugs. ?You should uh..move in with me. I can help you get a job a= nd stuff.? 

=20

My jaw drops and before I know what I'= m doing I jump on top of him and hug him knocking us both over onto the con= crete. ?I..you are literally the best.? he chuckles and pushes me off a gri= n on his face. He shrugs. 

=20

?We've lived together our whole lives,= this won't be any different.? I notice that suddenly I'm excited to leave.= No more sharing a room with other kids or hiding my snacks so they aren't = confiscated. We can just goof around. 

=20

?I'll get a job..i promise.? he nods..= he believes me. For some reason something clicks in my brain right then. Wh= at I've always pined after? A family? A home? I have it..right here.=

=20

 

=20

Erika Steel rounded the final turn of = the quarter-mile race track, her short blonde hair whipping wildly in the w= ind. Standing six-foot-tall, her long, slender legs kicked her sprint into = overdrive as she smoked her competitors by a full twenty yards!

= =20

 

=20

Erika's glistening arms raised high in= victory - like her namesake's Norse Valkyrie ruler of old. She searched th= e stands and smiled at Aunt Charlie, her flamboyant legal guardian, jumping= and waving her own pink poms-poms.

=20

 

=20

The announcer sounded equally thrilled= "Ladies and gentlemen! Senior athlete, Erika Steel, has just obliter= ated the previous record for the Girl's 800 Meter Run by nine seconds! That= 's four national high school records set today by Erika here at the 2014 Ca= lifornia State Finals!"

=20

 

=20

As Erika turned to thank her fellow ru= nners, her smile faltered. They had already walked off the track together. = Some turned to look back at Erika, talking amongst themselves and shaking t= heir heads in disgust.

=20

 

=20

***

=20

 

=20

Alone on the roof of Aunt Charlie's pe= nthouse, Erika swam laps in the private swimming pool. She was remembering = two years ago, her last days as a 16-year-old with her parents in Texas. Ri= ght before supper, where she would share her secrets with them. She thought= she had had it meticulously planned out.

=20

 

=20

All three of us together. Around the d= inner table. As a family unit. Home and hearth.

=20

 

=20

"Mother, Father. I have something= very, very important to tell you."

=20

 

=20

God, I was so freaken' naive.=20

 

=20

"Erik," Father said, putting= down the newspaper, "what's wrong? Is it school? Are you in trouble?&= quot;

=20

 

=20

I stood there stoically. My body shook= in a flash of terror, knowing my life and those I loved would change forev= er in the next few moments.

=20

 

=20

My parents glanced at one another, the= n looked solemnly at me. Father folded his arms around his chest. "Oka= y, Son. You have our full attention."

=20

 

=20

"I-I'm attracted to boys!" I= blurted before I lost my nerve.

=20

 

=20

Their eyes widened comically like a pa= ir of cartoon characters. Whatever announcement they were expecting, this w= asn't it.

=20

 

=20

The silence was awkwardly deafening.

=20

 

=20

I softly whispered, "Please tell = me how you feel about this."

=20

 

=20

They stumbled and stuttered simultaneo= usly, until Father eventually took the lead.

=20

 

=20

"Sorry, Son, it's just the sudden= ness of the news that took us by surprise." His hands were wringing to= gether. "But, are you absolutely sure about this? I mean, we'll love y= ou just the same... er, right, dear?"

=20

 

=20

"Yes, yes, Erik!" Mother sha= kily grasped her wine glass, pointing it at me for emphasis. "If you'r= e gay, then that's fine by us. A lot of people are born gay. It's not your = fault. But we want you to know that we support you!"

=20

 

=20

"Umm, okay. Thanks." I close= d my eyes tight and took a few deep breaths as I willed myself to continue.= I'd practiced the second-half of my speech for weeks, to get it just right= I imagined this would be the hardest thing I'd ever have to tell them.

=20

 

=20

"The other part of my secret is t= hat I feel 100% positive that I'm a woman trapped inside a man's body. So, = from now on, I want my name to be changed to 'Erika.' And after I graduate = high school, I'm going to take the medical steps necessary to become a real= woman."

=20

 

=20

Another silence met this disclosure. M= y eyes remained shut, as I prayed for them to understand.

=20

 

=20

This time, the unexpected crash of sha= ttered glass broke the silence. I literally jumped, my eyelids flew open to= reveal the broken wine glass at Mother's feet.

=20

 

=20

"No?just, no." Mother shook = her head, her index finger pointing at me accusingly. "You want to be = gay? Okay. You want to have boyfriends? That's fine. But now you want to pl= ay God and change into a girl with the snap of your fingers? Oh, hell no!&q= uot;

=20

 

=20

Father's face was beat red. From anger= or shame, I don't know. Probably both.

=20

 

=20

"Erik, you're our son! We raised = you as our SON! Not a daughter, so you can kiss that 'Erika' crap goodbye. = We love you, Erik, but you're so young and impressionable.

=20

 

=20

"I hope my brother, Charlie - Unc= le or Aunt Charlie? Whatever he calls himself these days - didn't fill your= head with this nonsense," suddenly, he slammed his hand on the dining= table, "because I can't just stand by and have you throw your life aw= ay like this!"

=20

 

=20

I'd never seen Father cry before, but = tears now poured down his cheeks like a sieve. He stood before me, his hand= s on my shoulders, squeezing like desperate talons. 

=20

 

=20

"Please, just do what your mother= and I ask, Erik. I'm begging you. Be gay if you want, we're totally cool w= ith that! But don't- don't cross a line that we can't follow. What do = you say, Son?"

=20

 

=20

***

=20

 

=20

After finishing her swim, Erika rested= at the edge of the pool, her feet dangling lazily in the cool wetness. She= watched, mesmerized, as the red Spring sunset danced and shimmied upon the= water.

=20

 

=20

Aunt Charlie approached. She sat next = to Erika, smoking a cigar and pulling on her long, salt-and-pepper beard.

=20

 

=20

"Auntie, I appreciate all you've = done for me, but I'm having second thoughts about my up-coming surgery. Aft= er months of Estrogen Therapy, I only have boobies the size of a 12-year-ol= d! Guys don't even give me a second glance. All the girls glare at me.= Even though I won last week's State Finals for their dumb school, no one d= eigns to sit next to me during lunch. It's like what happened at my last sc= hool..."

=20

 

=20

"Hush, child," said Charlie.= "That was in another place. In another time. You're now free here to = be who you are--who you were born to be. It's YOUR life. Don't let a bunch = of silly, teenage moppets make that decision for you."

=20

 

=20

Erika wiped a tear from her cheek. &qu= ot;I know, Auntie, but I'm not sure..."

=20

 

=20

"Well, I'M sure. Now then, are yo= u really going to argue with one of the highest-paid lawyers in San Francis= co?"

=20

 

=20

Erika chuckled and put an arm around C= harlie. "I wouldn't dream of it."

=20

 

=20

Charlie took a puff from her cigar and= blew a plume of smoke high into the air.

=20

"Smart girl."

=20

 

=20

***

=20

 

=20

The next morning, a knock came at thei= r front door.

=20

 

=20

In the kitchen making breakfast, Erika= called upstairs, "I'll get it!" then wondered who could be visit= ing at 7 a.m.?

=20

 

=20

A bald man with a handlebar mustache s= tood in the hallway. "Are you Erika Steel?"

=20

 

=20

Startled, Erika said, "Yes, I'm s= he. Who are you?"

=20

 

=20

He handed her a manila folder. "Y= ou've been served." Without another word, he turned-about and marched = back to the elevator.

=20

 

=20

Charlie descended the staircase in her= torn jeans and blue turtle-neck sweater. "Who the hell was that, so e= arly?"

=20

 

=20

Erika shrugged and handed Charlie the = envelope. "He said I've been served?" Together, they sat at the k= itchen table and examined the manila folder's contents.

=20

 

=20

Erika was soon in tears. "The Cal= ifornia School Athletic Committee wants to strip me of my trophies and forf= eit all of my victories from the High School State Finals! What the hell? I= trained my butt off for those races! They can't just do that?right, Auntie= ?"

=20

 

=20

Charlie had just finished reading the = arguments of the lawsuit. She closed her eyes and wearily leaned back in he= r chair, muttering under her breath, "Aw, crap."

=20

 

=20

"Auntie?" A nervous tremble = had come into Erika's voice. "CAN they do that?"

=20

 

=20

Charlie turned to Erika, who was shaki= ng like a leaf. Through no fault of her own, the full weight and force of t= he California state government would soon crush Erika into dust.

= =20

 

=20

"I'll be goddamned if I'm going t= o let that happen! We're going to fight."

=20

 

=20

She placed both hands on Erika's shoul= ders. "But first, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to grow up a= little bit faster than expected. These people will attack you 24/7. Starti= ng now, everyone outside our home is a potential enemy, wanting to do you h= arm. That means no more secrets. Understood? I need you to be strong, Erika= "

=20

 

=20

A shiver ran down Erika's spine. Her alternative lifestyle a= nd basic needs for privacy would be stripped away by the media circus. Ever= yone would know everything about Erika. EVERYTHING. Already, she felt compl= etely naked to the world. But she wasn't about to surrender her dreams, jus= t yet.

=20

 

=20

Erika met Charlie's steady gaze and nodded. "When you t= ook me in, you quoted your favorite author when you told me, 'This, above a= ll: to thine own self be true.' "

=20

 

=20 =20

Charlie gave her a knowing smile. &quo= t;They've taken the fight from the track field... and moved it st= raight to the courthouse, where I'll be waiting for them. Heh! That's MY ho= me-field advantage. I promise you, Erika, no matter what happens, we'll giv= e them a fight they'll never forget." She wrapped her arms tightly aro= und the young girl, as if to shield her from the coming storm. "We'll = make it one for the history books!"

=20

 

=20

***

=20

 

=20

"Erik. Erika. A one-letter difference in somebody's name-change. A small, almost insignificant thing at first glance. In retrospect, the diff= erence will be decided by the United States Supreme Court and, ultimately, = change how people in America will come to view one another. And themselves.= "

=20

 

=20

-Excerpt from Defense Attorney Charles= Payne (Aunt Charlie)= in closing arguments= for ?Erika Steel vs. The California Interscholastic Federation? (Sacrament= o, 2015)

=20

 

=20

 

=20 3D""/ ------=_Part_337_306351104.1644858454113--