“Momma doesn’t feel well, Char,” I said. “And I’ve got a bad feeling that Holly’s in trouble.”

“You’re my wife! You can’t just walk out on me again! I thought we’d reached an understanding.”

“You understand what you’d like me to accept, but you don’t understand that I just can’t bite into this thing like a Krispy Kreme donut. I love you, Char, I always will. But, and I can’t believe I’m going to say this, this whole lifestyle is too crazy for me. I wish you well, you know I do. I have to take care of my family now. Someone has to take care of them.”

“So that’s it? Good-bye? After all we’ve been to each other?”

“It’s good-bye for now. You know Momma had a bad report from the doctor. If she’s not feeling right, she should go and see them. She has not complained once since she got her diagnosis. If she’s complaining now it’s for a reason.”

“Yes, but I have my opening this week. I need you here for good luck!”

“I want to, but my mother needs me, and I can’t believe you’d say something so selfish.”

“Okay, you’re right. That was beneath me. So, if it turns out that the QB is all right, will you come back?”

“I can’t promise that now,” I said. “You know that.”

“Leslie, we have a problem,” she said.

“Oh? Is there news?” I said.

“Look, Leslie, I can feel it. You’re not attracted to me, physically, when I’m Char.”

“Yes, that’s true. But I do love you.”

“Well, since this is a time for truth telling, I guess you should know I’ve always been happier as a woman.”

“In my heart, I’ve known that for a long time,” I said, knowing this was finally the end of us. “But it’s important for both of us to be happy. Don’t you agree?”

We hugged then and we both choked back tears.

“It’s okay, Charlie. It’s okay.”

“I know I’ve disappointed you,” she said, “and I’m sorry. So damn sorry.”

“Char? It’s okay, baby. Just go be the biggest Char you can be! And I’ll—well, I guess I’ll always be your biggest fan.”

We hugged again until we were both okay and then Char, not Charlie, was out the door. My heart was a little heavy, not too terribly crushed to bits, because being with her during this time had shown me what I already knew on instinct.