A series of unfortunate events led me to this moment. Firstly, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The office I worked at was next to a pharmaceutical company specialising in gender-swap drugs. Because the building manager was off sick for a week, nobody spotted the leak in the pipes until I got a sudden and intense dosage while using the bathroom.
To their credit, the company conducted a number of tests and did all they could to put things right. But I had absorbed so much of their gender swap drug that there was nothing more they could do. My life was changed forever. Getting my name legally changed to match my new gender and identity was surprisingly easy thanks to new government legislation. But in applying for a new identity, the government also appointed me a series of support sessions and counselling to further help me.
I had sat down with doctors, makeup artists, fashion experts, therapists. Almost three months had gone by and I was still struggling to fully adapt to my new life. My therapist suggested that I take steps to embrace my new physical form and referred me to a massage specialist. And it was only when I answered the door that I discovered my masseur would be an old friend from school.
"Jack?" I said. "You're my masseur?"
He came in with his table and bag and spoke to me while he set up. "I know this is a little strange for you, Alison, but I'm a professional. I started specialising in gender change therapy a couple years ago when they first passed the legislation."
He used my new name, though I'm sure that was just a professional courtesy. He'd known me as Alexander for almost fifteen years. I had just started to get used to the name Allison, but hearing him use it made it feel all too real. I had barely spoken to any friends or family during my adjustment.
"So how does this work exactly? You get to feel me up and I have to pay you for it?" I laughed.
He chuckled. "More or less... It's important that you fully accept what has happened to you. Most of my clients have gone through the change willingly and they still need help getting accustomed to their new bodies. But I understand that you didn't choose this, so it'll be harder for you. Just let me know if you need me to stop at all. It's your body, afterall."