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  [colpse]The Visit, Part 5: Departure2028 April 11TuesdayIt’s been a long morning. While there would no sting consequences, Violet had to endure a solid hour of both Rose and her Sister Christine impressing upon her the importance of proper opsec. Don’t draw attention from outsiders without prior approval of the program. Especially don’t stare at them until they start wondering what your deal is. And if you must talk to one, don’t reveal details about the Hall or others’ lives without being certain you’re giving the official story.

  There’s a reason the second years aren’t allowed out much. Well, several, really. At least she’s not Lauren, though. Violet heard that Lauren got an official reprimand from Christine for leaving her charges unsupervised next to the previously undisclosed Lily and Nora.

  Along with the lecture, though, came an invitation to join Rose and her friends for lunch. And that means a chance to talk to Lily some more and without having to keep any secrets.

  Violet skips to the table where her family and potential new friends await while Rose much more calmly follows close behind. They both put their pte of leftover food down and take a seat at a table currently occupied by Steph, Beth, Aoife, Cire, and, of course, Lily and Nora.

  “So, still in second year, or does Rose need to escort you to the basement after this?” Beth asks.

  “You can put us back in the basement?” Violet says with fear in her voice.

  Rose rolls her eyes and answers, “Technically yes, but I’ve never heard of it happening in all but the most extreme cases, and only for having continued difficulty accepting the program, and never this te into the year. I don’t even know what the protocol is. You’re fine, Vi. Beth is just messing with you.”

  “OK, OK, I went too far. Sorry,” Beth says.

  A few bites into their respective dishes, Lily turns toward Violet to talk. “So Violet, Beth said you’re in your second year, right? What’s that like?”

  “Really hectic at first,” Violet answers. “We have a lot of work to do to keep this pce running, since they can’t hire outside help too easily. And when you’re not used to cooking or cleaning properly and so on, it gets overwhelming.

  “Easier though, once you get used to the routine,” she continues. “Make breakfast, maybe make lunch depending on how many leftovers there are, clean, make dinner. Random group activities sprinkled in there depending on who’s the sponsor in charge that day and what their current special interests are.”

  “Sounds like a lot of responsibility,” Nora says.

  “It’s not all bad, and there’s more free time than you might think since there’s no csses or outside work to worry about. I’m even going on a date this evening with Sandra.”

  “Lauren’s girl?” Steph asks. “I was wondering if you two were ever going to get together.”

  Violet giggles.

  “And how exactly does a date work if you can’t leave the Hall?” Lily asks.

  “Well, we were pnning to have a picnic in the conservatory and then make out for while.”

  Nora interjects, “You’re not allowed to actually, uh…”

  “Have sex?” Violet says. “Of course we are. Just not in the middle of an accessible room covered in windows.”

  “OK, good point,” Nora admits.

  “By the way, Violet,” Lily says, “I like your name. I take it Rose helped you pick it?”

  “No, that was all me.”

  “Huh,” Lily responds.

  The group continues to eat for a while, occasionally making small talk about the workings of the program or life after its completion. Then, Rose stands up and starts heading toward the kitchen.

  “Don’t mind me,” Rose says to the group. “I just promised Mia in the security room that I’d bring her some lunch. I’ll be back soon.”

  A few minutes ter, Rose walks by carrying a pte holding some weird casserole of Sandra’s design (it’s tasty, but Violet has been afraid to ask what’s in it.) Once Rose has entered the door to the basement and disappeared from sight, Lily leans in a bit closer to Violet.

  “OK,” Lily says. “From what I understand, Beth is the only sponsor still here, and she doesn’t seem like the type to care if you speak freely.”

  “Actually, Lily,” Beth says, “I’m compiling extensive notes based on today’s conversation and pn to have them notarized and delivered to both my sponsor Maria—a wonderful role model, by the way; she made me the woman I am today—and Dorley Hall’s custodian Aunt Bea all as soon as we’re done with our tea and coffee… Speaking of which, can I get everyone some tea and coffee?”

  Beth takes everyone’s orders and heads off with Steph to prepare them in the kitchen and out of earshot.

  “Aoife and I aren’t sponsors, but we can make up an excuse to leave also, if you’d like.”

  Lily ughs and says, “No, that’s alright. But yeah. Violet. Truthfully. Are you OK being here? Are you OK with what they did to you?”

  “OK?” Violet says. “Of course I’m OK. I’m ecstatic! They freed me from a shitty situation back home and helped me get started transitioning for real.”

  “Oh, you were closeted when you got here?” Nora asks.

  “Um, yes?” Violet answers. “Isn’t that what I said? For better or worse—seems like worse in hindsight—I never told any actual lies Sunday night. Every thing I said was the truth. I just… omitted a few minor details.

  “As for the others in my intake, we all had wicked huge problems when we were boys—well, pretending to be one in my case. None of us regret going through the program. Hell, Sandra would probably be singing the Hall’s praises louder than I am if she were here right now.”

  Violet pauses for a moment, and then prepares to talk in a more serious tone.

  “But really, when I say I was telling the truth, that includes how Rose looks up to you, Lily. When she told me the story of when she went through the program, she started crying while talking about you. And not for what she’d done exactly —I think you know you’re not the only person she’s hit—but that you, specifically, had to suffer for it.

  “If you’ll forgive the cliche, she thinks you’re incredibly brave for starting transition when you did, and unlike Cire and I, you did it out therewhere it’s actively discouraged. Rose told me she’d think about you and how you were able to keep going whenever she found certain aspects of the program too difficult for her to bear.

  “I dunno, I probably shouldn’t be telling you all this, but I don’t think she was ever going to do so on her own.”

  Lily gives a few short chuckles. “Turns out I’m not really as brave as she thought. Feel free to ask her about it sometime. But thank you for letting me know, Violet.”

  “If you say so,” Violet says.

  Nora asks, “Violet, the other day you said you like the idea of ‘paying it forward’. Does that mean you’re pnning to sponsor, also?”

  “Eww, no,” Violet replies. “I tried acting as a ‘tough guy’ the whole time I was closeted, and I am over it. I wouldn’t be able to handle any pushback from my boy. Besides, I’d probably get overexcited at some point early on and spoil the big pn before we’ve had time to build up trust.”

  Violet starts in on her st few bites lunch as Cire chimes in. “Oh, while I’m thinking about it Lily, you should ask Rose sometime about how the three of us got together. I think you’ll be amused.”

  “Ask me about what?” Rose says, having just emerged from the basement entrance.

  “Lily just had a question about polyamory is all,” Cire answers.

  Rose says, “I may not be the best person to ask, Lily. The three of us just kind of fell into each others’ ps, so to speak. I’m not sure if I should even consider myself poly.”

  “Oh my God, Rose,” Aoife excims. “Did your old college purposely try to room together two of the same kind of idiot?”

  Beth and Steph return shortly after with a small serving cart holding eight of the Hall’s less objectionable mugs, each filled with steaming hot beverage.

  “I took the liberty of preparing your usual, Rose.”

  “Thanks, Beth.”

  They each take a mug, and then Nora turns to face Rose.

  “So, you’ve said before that you have no pns to move back to the States, Rose, but do you think you and your partners might want to come visit sometime? It’s not Texas, but Lily and I would love to host you at our pce in New York.”

  “For sure,” Lily adds. “Just remind me to talk down my dad first. He still has it out for you.”

  “Fair enough,” Rose says. “And I’d love to visit. Maybe some time next year when Violet’s been afforded some more independence. Aoife, Cire, are you two interested?”

  “Sure / Of course!” Aoife and Cire answer in unison.

  The group continues chatting while enjoying their drinks. Lily spends part of this time carefully inspecting her mug. On the side in flowing script is written Girls go to college to get more knowledge and below that in a blockier, more utilitarian font Boys do also, but there’s a few more steps involved. Nora inspects her mug as well. It’s more simply decorated with rge wavy letters spelling out IN MY CASTRATION ERA.

  When the tea and coffee is gone and the conversation has died down, Lily stands up, stretches, and talks to the others.

  “Thanks everyone for a nice lunch after an… interesting… couple days. I wish we could stay longer, but Nora and I have pns to leave for London this afternoon. It’s been a pleasure meeting all of you. And Rose, I’m really gd we finally got to know each other better. I promise to do a better job keeping in touch from now on.”

  Rose responds in kind. “Same, Lily. I’m so gd you came to visit and that I could talk to the real you in person for the first time.”

  Nora says to Lily, “I’ll be right out, but I had one more thing I’d like to say to the others. Do you mind checking that all our bags are ready in the kitchen while I do so?”

  “Sure.”

  Lily kisses Nora and heads into the kitchen.

  “I agree with what Lily said. It’s been nice meeting some of you and getting to know the rest better. I’m honestly shocked you and Lily managed to click like you did, Rose, after everything that happened, but I’m so gd for it.”

  “I’m as shocked as you are,” Rose says.

  Nora leans in closer to Rose to talk more quietly.

  “This pce seems to have been really good for you, Rose. I don’t know what it would be, but please let me know if there’s anything you need Lily or I do to keep you and your Sisters safe.” And then, with a wink, she adds, “Or if you need any help finding new recruits.”

  Rose says, “Right, of course… You know, I should put you in touch with my friend Ames. I bet you two would get along famously.”

  “Uh, Nora?” It’s Lily calling from the kitchen.

  “Right, coming! Nice talking with you all!”

  Nora stands and heads to the kitchen to join Lily. Violet watches them exit the kitchen to the main entranceway of the Hall. Then, Violet stands up as well and addresses the others.

  “I should get going too. This pce isn’t going to clean itself. Rose, am I still scheduled for inspection this afternoon?”

  “Yes, sorry for the dey, but I was a bit held up yesterday.”

  Violet giggles. “No worries. It gave me more time to clean up my own space. But Rose, I have a favor to ask. Would you mind holding back more on answering Aunt Bea’s questions even if it sounds like I’m floundering? I appreciate the help, but st time she reminded me I should be showing more independence than I am by now.”

  “Of course, and sorry for not backing off earlier,” Rose answers. “I’ll see you ter, Violet. I know you’re going to do fine.”

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