The grass made it difficult to push on his own. His hands began to ache as he pushed harder and suddenly the wheelchair began to glide much easier. He looked down and the ground was still the same but pushing came much easier for him.
“Allow me, sir.” A young man’s voice came from above and behind him. Richard took his hands off the wheels and looked up at a young man who couldn’t be more than twenty-years-old.Richard thought to stop him but decided to enjoy the free push towards the music.
“Can you push me over to the shadows under that large fir tree?” Richard asked, pointing to the left of the stage.
“Sure thing, sir.” The young man did as he was asked and turned the wheelchair to ensure Richard had a good view of the stage. Conveniently, it was next to a bench, and the young man sat next to him on it.
“You know this band?” he asked Richard, who responded by simply shaking his head.
“I don’t pay much attention to band names; just listen and see if the music resonates with me.” Richard said, trying to focus on the music, hoping the young man would take the hint and leave.
“My name’s Doug.” He reached his left hand out to Richard, offering it as an invitation to more conversation.
“Richard,” he said curtly. Doug dropped his hand, deflated at the rejection.
“I joined the Army today. I leave in three weeks for basic training,” Doug offered, mostly to himself. “I didn’t want to join, but my father called me weak and immature to hide from my duty.” He sniffed, clearly trying to hide the deep sadness that was welling up to the surface. Richard sat quietly.
What adventures this young man is about to have! He felt a twinge of jealousy as he sat in his broken body.Going to war could be interesting. Face death head on, and if needed, I can switch in a blink. Just as I had when I was injured as Ellen.
He remembered the homeless woman he had switched with before, many years ago, and how that had worked out well. Maybe he could save this young man from the pains of war by offering him what years he had left to enjoy in peace and solitude—and wealth.
Richard peered over at the young man. He pondered whether he could work out a way to convince him that he could be lavishly wealthy and, at the same time, not be able to dole out financial favors to people he knew in his former life.
The risk is great, but is the reward greater? A chance to see the world and fight against those who oppress the weak.
“My girl, Darla, broke up with me too when I told her I was leaving. I just can’t catch a break. There just isn’t any pleasing everyone, I guess.” Doug continued his monologue. Richard listened quietly, pondering whether he would be a good candidate for his next switch.
“I am looking forward to traveling the world though with the Army. I suspect I will be sent out to the war if needed. ‘Course, I hit a bird one time accidentally with my car and felt so much guilt that I was up all night, sick to my stomach. Didn’t sleep a wink. S’pose I won’t sleep much in the Army either.”
Richard couldn’t take much more of listening to this sad excuse of a man. He had been born as a woman but felt that taking over a man’s life was much easier than if a man had been forced to assume a woman’s body.
The live music carried on. There was a makeshift dance floor that hosted various couples trying out the latest dance moves, all moving along perfectly in beat with the music. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He knew he needed a plan soon; his physical body didn’t have much time, and he had already set in motion the way in which he would gain access to the fortune he’d gained over the years.
“Darla?” Doug stood up from the bench as a beautiful blonde woman, who was in her early twenties, walked towards them. She wore a simple yellow polka-dot dress and had her hair neatly pulled back into a chignon bun.
She carried a large wicker basket that seemed comically big against her small frame. Her expression was a mixture of surprise and sadness. Richard watched as they tenderly greeted each other.
“Hello, Doug. Are you well?” Darla turned politely to Richard. “Who’s your friend?”
“This is Richard. We just met today. Don’t know much about him.”
Richard huffed. “I have learned a lot about Doug, though.”
Darla smiled at him in a way that made him melt. He had long forgotten the kind of power women could hold over men with their pretty faces and their mere presence.
“Yes, I am very fond of how well Doug can communicate and tell stories. It is something that I will miss greatly when he leaves.” Darla placed her gloved hand on Doug’s arm and quickly removed it. Society looked down on women who showed affection to unattached men.
“I actually packed a picnic to enjoy while listening to the music. I may have packed too much. Would you gentlemen like to join me?” Doug looked at Richard, pleading on his face, as though he desperately needed his approval to join Darla.
“Fine.” Richard agreed. A plan was formulating, though, one that would allow him to take Darla’s place. He just needed a little more time to finalize the seamless transition.
“Doug, can you please go let my driver know that I need my own blanket for this picnic?” He carefully wheeled near where Darla had set up the picnic.
“Yes, sir,” Doug responded.
Darla watched for a few seconds as Doug retreated toward Richard’s waiting car.
