The woman said nothing. Alex, without preamble, then began to speak about himself.
"As far back as I can remember, I've had special feelings about girls and women. Not just like other guys, but an affinity. I wanted to be like them; felt I was, really. When I was little, I used to dress in my mother's clothes. I'd pretend I was a girl. It always made me feel funny inside. My aunt - I used to live near her - taught this ballet class and I'd like come in sometimes to turn pages on her sheet music. It was real funny, because if you skipped a page by mistake, she'd just keep playing like the sheet music had been written like that.
"I'd see all these pretty girls dressed in leotards, tutus, and ballet shoes, and I'd wish I could be like them. Well I went on like that until I was about twelve or so. I had dreams, too. Dreams about being a girl. It made me feel ashamed."