"Like I said, no wrong choices."
Jon looked at the young man on the sidewalk, a bit confused. What did he just say? He thought he looked familiar but couldn't quite place his face.
"I'm sorry, have we met?" Jon asked.
"Oh, no I guess not," Leonard said through a smirk. "But maybe you've seen me around. My name's Leonard, Leonard Drullers. I live down the street. Are you new in the neighbohood?"
Jon felt puzzled for a moment. Was he? Part of him felt like he'd lived here his whole life. But when he thought about it he knew that wasn't true. Maybe that was just because everyone in the neighborhood had been so friendly so far, it felt like home.
"Yes," Jon said, suddenly remembering everything. "My husband Marcus and I just moved in last week. I'm Jon... I mean Keisha Davidson," Jon said, wondering for a moment if he'd gotten his own name right.
"Oh yeah," Leonard said with an even bigger smile. He had heard of the Davidsons, the young professional African-American couple who lived just a few houses down the street. His mother told him that Marcus worked in construction and Keisha did something in finance. And now Jon's pasty white body was standing on her front porch, wearing her clothes - specifically a pair of skin tight silver leggings and matching sports bra. He even had her hairdo: long box braids that hung to the middle of his back. To Leonard it looked completely ridiculous. He was trying really hard not to burst out laughing.
"I think you've met my mom, Nancy. You guys are newlyweds, right?"
"That's right," Jon said with a blush. Wait, he was married? For how long? "We got married about a year ago," he said, feeling some doubt creep in. Something didn't feel right. And was this kid staring at him?
"Sorry," Jon said stepping off the porch. "I'm just about to start my morning run. My brain is a bit foggy until I get a couple miles in."
"Of course," Leonard said, barely able to contain his excitement, "I was just passing by and wanted to say hi." Jon nodded and Leonard watched him take off down the sidewalk in a steady jog. "Seems Jon's into fitness now," he said to himself with a chuckle. "I wonder what else he's into." Thanks to his reality altering machine he could go anywhere for any reason, so he decided to wait in the Davidsons' house until Jon finished his run. He wondered if he should let Jon in on what was going on, even just a little bit.
Meanwhile Jon felt the fresh air rushing in and out of his lungs and his braids bouncing against his back with each step. Finally, he could think clearly. Why had he been so confused? And about his own husband no less! A few more deep breaths, and the swish of the spandex around his thighs as he moved. Yes, this felt just right. He was Keisha Davidson, a strong, proud, confident and beautiful black woman!
