Ms. Fraye has a confession.

"What I told you, about myself and men... is untrue," she admitted, chewing on her lip, "and I feel that, it would be better you hear it from me first, rather than from whispered gossip."

I frowned at her, quite vexed at her lying to me, but chose not to linger upon it. Sitting back down, I refilled my Cup, and waited.

Unable to look me in the eye, Ms. Fraye shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Ms. Loome looked from her to the table, and silently took her hand in hers, and squeezed. Swallowing loudly, Ms. Fraye let out a sigh. "Mr. McKay, do you know what 'Hermaphroditism' is?

Taking a breath, I pondered upon her question. "I believe so... that is when characteristics of both Sexes occur within the same Organism, if I'm not mistaken."

"Yes... That is, that is correct," she said, with an uneasy quivering in her voice. Letting out a breath, she looked at me. "I uh, I am one such Organism, Mr. McKay."

Had I not been **** on my tea, I would have spat it out all over them. "Pardon?" I sputtered weakly, "I thought I misheard you. Did, did you just say that you are a... a half-man?"

There was a great pain on her face. "That would not be... inaccurate, I suppose."

Putting down my Cup, I took my chin in my hands. Noises escaped from my lips, as I struggled to find the words. Finally, I settled upon, "How? And in what way?"

She shrugged. "As to 'How?", I was born as one. And 'in what way?"," she gestured towards her lap. "Where I would have had the female, I have instead the male counterparts."

"I...Will you excuse me for moment? I need a moment to myself," I said, coming to my feet. The ladies nodded their acknowledgement, and I walked over to their Window, to gaze upon the Street.

There was no mention of Ms. (or is it Mr.?) Fraye's Sex in Mr. Gottlieb's Notes. All that was said was that they were a pair of homosexual lovers. That alone was reason enough for a visit. But then again, I had gone through several such notes last night. It is entirely possible, that among the rest of the revelations, I had either missed it or could not bear read another line.

And yet... at that moment. I...