I was scrambling. A hurrie was on its way to my pce, and I had only just been able to grab my bug-out bag I always kept. Sure, I could’ve tried to ride it out in my attic, but my pce is old and due to being uo find work as of te, I haven’t been able to make the repairs o keep it safe. My whole gamiup, just gohousands of dolrs just because someone wouldn’t hire me.

  As much as I liked the area I was living in, it just wasn’t a great pce for an out trans woman to find work. Every time I tried, as soon as it got to an in-person interview, I’d get disgusted looks. Just about the only thing I could do, at this point, was remote work. My skills, unfortunately, weren’t really geared towards such. So now I was going to lose everything. Hopefully the insurance covers enough for me to move out of here.

  I drove for hours to get out of the possible predicted paths, though the news said I retty much guarao be ih of the sea wall, at the least. As such, I was starting to look for pces to hunker down when I came across a pretty well-off house that still had lights on inside, shining through the tape put over the gss. That’s iing. Which rich asshole decided to ride this storm out here? Well, at least they’re home, so I should be able to knod get inside. I pulled into the driveway and grabbed my bag as I elted with rain that was starting to hurt.

  I ran up to the door and was about to pound my fist into it when it opened in front of me. I was shocked for a moment before I realized that all rich people have proximity sensors these days, so it makes sehat this woman would have seen me ing. “Hi,” I got out. “I”m Bir and I was just looking for a pce to hunker down since I couldn’t make it out sooner. Mind if I ride this storm out with you?”

  The smile on her face was breathtaking, like a ray of hope in this hellish area. “Certainly Bir, we ride this storm out together, if that’s what you want.” She stepped back to fully open the door and I could finally see that she only had on an eborately-detailed, flower bathrobe. “Well? Don’t just stand there. Yetting all wet and cold. e inside and I’ll help you warm up.”

  Entering her home, I was floored at how different her life was than mine. Everywhere I looked, there was something that I used just more expehe coat rack was clearly intricately carved and well-loved. Her furniture looked like it came out of some designer workshop than any of the pre-made junk that big box “build-it-yourself” stores used. Her floors looked like they were made of marble, rather than tile or fake hardwood.

  Eventually, I had to pull myself back from staring in awe and turo put my coat up on her coat rack, only to be stopped by her gently pg her hand on mine. “Oh, no, dear. This is soaked all the way through. Bring it to the undry room and we’ll get all your clothes . I’ll get you something fortable to wear in the meantime.” She began guidihrough her home, up the stairs just ond over to a full undry room with multiple washers and dryers and even somewhere to sit. How does anyone have so many clothes that they o run two washers at once? Or is there someone else living here?“Sorry to ask,” I called after her as she was going to get me more clothes, “but do you happen to live with anyone else? There’s two washers and dryers here.” I was nervous that whoever it was might not take well to me, but she just ughed without turning around.

  “I have been living alone for a long time. My st lover died off a few years ago now, and I’ve only just regained a sense of wanting to explore retionships. Don’t worry, it’s just us here.” Her voice was den with all of the emotions she felt, but it was also clearly muted, as if she had been able to deal with her loss. Damn, way to go Bir, opening up y mouth. Hopefully she’s still this il the hurrie goes away.

  I peeled my wet clothes off of me and suddenly felt how cold I actually was as the air made tact with my skin. Each piece I yanked off only increased my shivering until I was uo stop my teeth from chattering. Finally, mercifully, she returned with a set of clothes as I was seated on the small bench, using my arms to cover myself. She gave a small smile as she handed me the clothes. “I’ll be right outside when you’re done ging. Let’s get you warmed up by the fire.” I held up the clothes and realized she had given me another bathrobe, some underwear, and a little slip. Putting them on, I realized that she had given me clothes that were rather revealing. Well, at least she ’t pin, not that I mind.

  The slip was low cut and showed off just a hint of my small cleavage. HRT hadn’t been kind to me, but I was so far off of getting surgery that I had decided to just live with the dysphoria unless something major happehe panties held firm, thankfully, so she must have realized that I was trans. Not that I’m not clocky as hell. The robe was rather short on me, only barely going down just past my hips. I’d almost suspeeone wearing this would be in some kind of porn, at least a “cssy” one.

  I stepped out and saw her smile at me when I finally realized I was a dumbass. “Sorry for not asking sooner, but what’s your name?” I asked sheepishly. I’d never waited this long to ask someone else’s name, especially one whose house I was currently in. I’d gone red from embarrassment.

  She giggled, “Oh Bir, don’t you worry. My name is Phoebe, and wele to my home.” Her gentle smile evaporated my embarrassment immediately, and I stood up straighter as a result. She offered me her hand and I eagerly took it and followed her back dowairs into her den. On the way, I noticed she had repced the towels in front of the door while I was ging. Good, we’re fine. I sighed, relieved.

  Entering her den, everything in here was just as expensive as the rest of her home. Her couches had intricate flower patterns sown into the silk upholstery, the bs draped over them looked simirly silk and had designs that indicated they had been bought in different parts of the world. At that, I started looking around more and noticed that eadividual piece of furniture in the room had e from a different pce. “How long did it take to gather all these pieces? You must’ve been to near every try to get all this.” I wondered aloud in amazement.

  Looking back to her, I realized she had a siear threatening to leave her eye. “Hey, it’s okay. Do you want to talk it out?” I asked, ed. Phoebe was clearly still somewhat hurt by rememberie partner.

  Phoebe gave me a sad smile and shook her head gently before wiping away the tear. “No, I’m fine.” She replied. “I just saw in you what I saw in her all those years ago. That sense of wonder and amazement in the world. The drive to want to see it all. You just remind me of her in that way, a, clearly so different in others.” She moved to one of the couches and pat the spaext to her. “e, sit, there’s no reason we should stand and be unfortable while we wait.”

  I blihen sat dowo her. In this room full of seats, she wanted me to sit right o her. Well, at least she’s good pany. I won’t mind riding out this storm with her.