26
The next day, we had appointments at two clinics that specialized in freezing and preserving sperm.
The first clinic went OK. Now, I am not going to tell you how you do this.
If you do not know, there are actually several methods, one of which, well, if you are male, I am sure that most likely you have practiced.
The second one requires a long, massive needle, and they stick it somewhere you do not want to think about and poke around until they find what they want, then withdraw what they are looking for.
“I didn't do something like one of those, OK? And that, dear reader, is none of your bloody business.”
I didn't do something like one of those, OK? And that, dear reader, is none of your bloody business.
Just remember, I had Carmine with me.
Yes, I am a tease.
After a restorative lunch with Mom and Ellen, filling Ellen in on the facts of Shannon and her tragic life, in the afternoon, Carmine and I went to the second clinic, also on the Isle of Manhattan.
And this one. The folks at the front desk had our appointment.
Shannon O’Connor. And the individual they assumed was coming did not resemble the individual who showed up.
I was told that this is a joke, a put-on, and that there was no way in bloody hell I could father a child, and “who set you up to do this to us.”
After thirty minutes, Carmine decided that we lost this fight, and if we had to lose any fight, this one was definitely the fight to lose, and that we would just deal with one sample.
Mom laughed her ass off that her son was too girly girl to give a sperm sample. She thought that this was the absolutely most hilarious day ever. Ellen got a kick out of it also and threatened that if I did not take the assignments she wanted...
Dad’s staff made a few calls and found a place in Erie, about an hour’s drive from the farm, and since it was a Friday, it was scheduled for Monday morning, which was a good thing, because I was flying out to LA for three to four days of shooting and a specialty runway for the Oscar crowd.
This is multiple designers, invitation only, and a chance to see the dresses designed for the next Oscars, whenever that is, with enough time to have your dress both designed and made.
What can I say? It is the off-season, and it pays really, really well.
And Lowri and I got to travel to LA and Santa Monica.
Dad’s staff told the folks in Erie what had happened in New York, so when Lowri and I showed up, Carmine was back in the studio.
They were prepared for the male model Shannon and were not shocked, but as all of these businesses do, my visiting is not discussed or revealed. Privacy does exist if you pay enough.
It takes a few days to determine the viability of the sample, and no, I do not know how that is done, and I do not want to know.
By the end of the week, I was told that both samples were good, and I started on the testosterone blockers formally.
As Dr. Anna had given me the shot on Friday, I was off and running and taking my three pills every morning for the rest of my life.
But seriously, I did not know. I had no clue. However, now so much makes so much sense.
Intersexuality is generally believed to be caused by an abnormality during gestation, in the first few months, actually, somewhere around six to seven weeks.
Something went partially wrong. No one was at fault.
Nothing could have been done differently.
It just happens and has happened since humanity existed.
At one time, intersexed children, if they even survived, like all types of congenital disabilities, died or were done away with.
Society could not afford to raise a non-productive member.
One like myself? We would just have died young, and how common was that? But we have always existed.
Understand that I am intersexed, but on the edge of what defines intersex.
I am not one of the unfortunate people who are truthfully screwed.
I could have had children. I would most likely, given my size, build, and strength, not have found a wife, but technically, I could have passed on my genes.
I am one of the marginal ones, I suppose.
But it still explains so fucking much.
And then, Lowri and I were off to LA. Good Lord, every woman should have a Lowri. She is there whenever I need her, and what is even better, she knows what is right, and that is not in the setting where I am clueless.
I am not familiar with A-list parties, but when I am in LA, I am expected to be at them.
Lowri is my plus-one and my informer, telling me who is who and where I rank in the hierarchy of the Hollywood queues.
Very high up, but not the top. I have to be a supermodel to be top tier out here, apparently.
So three nights of trying not to drink as I have a 7 a.m. call somewhere for some on-location shoot for someone, and ending up with the specialty runway show with some friends.
Evonne was able to join us, and that was great because that is two of my three bridesmaids for the wedding.
And we were able to have an afternoon of fun on the Santa Monica Pier, and we were both recognized, and the paparazzi did their thing.
I just had Lowri hand them a card that says, “You will pay, and to pay us first is cheaper,” on the front, and The Ellen Modeling Agency in New York’s info on the back.
The vast majority do not want that lawsuit, and neither Evonne nor I is worth the money that Ellen charges for a sexual tabloid photo.
About a half million, I believe, is the normal amount for me now.
I have had two pay the fee. But seriously, you are going to lose your ass, so why try?
Remember, Kelley and Sarah are working the crowd with their cameras also.
And Kelley and Sarah are really good at what they do.
And on Saturday, we flew home. I have five days, and I ride.
When I returned, there was a set of packages. Well, there always is a bunch of packages, but these were from a Western wear and rodeo outfitter that Ellen found. My pick: I got to keep it all, of course, but I also got to pick what I was wearing for the rides.
I needed two outfits. This is timed heats. Thirty-two and sixteen ride the first day, so it is you against a seeded rider. On Sunday, you rode in the sixteen. That is eight races, the eight, or four races, the four, or two races, and then the final.
If you were always the fastest. If you are the slower rider in your heat, then you are done for the rodeo. Single elimination.
I was not seeded, as I had no times recorded as girl Shannon, and this was a women’s race previously I had ridden as a male.
Now, the organizers damn well knew who I was and were making a big thing about a special celebrity rider who was competing in the women’s race.
And I should add that this race was local and the format was local.
Different events run this way. The Worthington Rodeo wanted to take up as much time as possible before the evening events.
Rodeos like Worthington are permanent small-town events.
There are a few in the county where I live.
And these are locally very popular events that allow the 4-H crowd to strut their stuff and a few ringers to come in and clean house.
It is fun for everyone, and the stock used is not full-blown broncs and bulls, but animals that are not as dangerous.
However, rodeo riding is a dangerous game, and I am well aware of the risks.
Ellen came in from New York, and Bryon and Alex flew over from London. I think that was also to check up on Lowri, who is Alex’s sister, remember? The oops baby in her family.
And Alex is really protective of her. Lowri does not need to be protected. But you explain that to the eldest brother. I will watch. That will be interesting.
And as such, I got to choose what I wore.
I had a pair of riding boots I wanted to wear, western style, and from before, actually.
They are broken in, and a pair of cowboy boots and honest riding cowgirl boots are not all that different.
I was comfortable with the heel, which indexes my body to the horse, and the exact fit of the racing tack, which is designed to grip the right pair of boots tightly.
And of course I had my old saddle, although I can now think about what I really wanted, custom-made, which would fit my body and my horse a lot tighter, also.
So tight jeans, a western shirt, a scarf around the neck, some turquoise jingle stuff all over, and I was ready, and it was Saturday morning.
I did say I was wearing a cream Stetson, didn’t I?
I had about six still photographers on me, and I know of four videos.
It appeared that I was the star for this event, even if I had never been introduced or announced.
I had the entourage and the celebrity RV all to myself.
The RV was Kelley’s demand. I had to have a place to retreat to that could be driven from the site without my exiting the vehicle. She went out and bought the bloody thing brand new. They are not cheap, but I was told, “Shut up, you can afford it, and Carmine would kill me if you died.”
And she is right. Carmine would kill her if anything happened. Carmine was shooting on location on Saturday, but would fly in Saturday night and be at Worthington if I won my heats on Saturday. After Key West, I now understand unanticipated risk one hell of a lot better.
In the morning, the gates open early, and some folks can not get enough rodeo, so the two practice runs we had were with observers.
Angel was in London, but Claire was home and had done this for both myself and Mom, so she handled Lightning, and Lowri handled me. Dad said that Claire got the easy job.
And at nine, I was up. First run of the barrels in this arena in what?
Five years or was it four years? And every surface in every ring is different, which is why we get to practice a few rides.
I took it moderate. Lightning hit her turns perfectly, and her pacing was spot on.
She is good at that. But it was an easy run.
I wanted to prove footing, not speed. I got a few boos.
They don’t do names for the practice rounds, just numbers.
And my number was left blank or was said to be special guest, so everyone knew I was someone, but not who.