John woke up later than usual the following morning. It was a monday, and he had evidently stayed up a little too late the night before. Peeling his face from the wet spot on his pillow, he caught a glimpse of his alarm clock.
Fuck, he thought. There was only a half hour to get ready before his bus arrived. He shot out of bed and began dressing for his day.
His mom took notice as he made his way down to the kitchen.
Finally decided to go back to school again huh? She remarked. I'm proud of you. I know it hasn't been easy recovering from your accident.
Accident? John had no memory of such a thing. What's for breakfast? he asked.
Or at least, he attempted. As he tried to speak, all that came out was the sound of rushing air. A panic set in as he attempted to repeat himself to no avail. Instead of his mouth, he could feel his breath as it rushed through a hole in his neck.
Aww honey, you know I can't understand you without your TTS. Please don't push yourself too hard. I know adapting to the changes has been difficult, but it really is a miracle that the surgeons were able to build you a new mouth
A new mouth? Thought John. The words hung heavy in the air as his mind raced to figure out what she was talking about.
Before his mom could set his breakfast down in front of him, John pushed out his chair and rushed to the bathroom. Stepping into the dark room, he shut the door behind him and flicked on the lights. A flash of fluorescent light forced him to squint.
As his eyes adjusted to the brightness, he saw it for the first time.
There, in the middle of his face where his mouth ought to be, was a vagina.
If he had still had vocal chords he would have screamed. Tears beaded at the corners of his eyes as they darted back and forth, studying the new details of his face. Where his mouth had once been was the unmistakable shape of a human vulva, its vertical lips peeking out from what would have been his cheeks. It extended up from his lower jaw, now fixed in place, up to a point just below his eyes. Where the bridge of his nose once sat was now the pink nub of a clitoris, not quite large enough to peek out from its labia minora.
Frantically, he pried the lips apart with his index fingers and leaned in for a better look. The entrance of his new mouth gaped rythmically as he attempted to control his new muscles. From the right angle, he could see a little deeper down his "throat".
Below his chin, he discovered the source of his breath. Where his adam's apple once was there was now a hole, covered with a plastic valve. It whistled faintly as he breathed in and out. His trachea and oesophagus were now functioned completely seperately.
John? called his mom. His lips returned gently to their natural position as he ceased his inspection. John? Are you in there? I went and got your stuff together. You're gonna miss the bus!
John hurried out of the washroom and back into the kitchen where his mom was standing with his backpack.
Your TTS is here. I want you to practice using it as much as you can today. I wouldn't want you to lose your gift of gab.
She threw a backpack into John's arms and gave him a pat on the back as she pushed him out the door. His bus was already waiting outside.
Don't forget to read your aftercare procedures! The sheet is in there too.
John, more out of habit than any will of his own, hurried down the driveway and stepped onto his bus.
