Harmony watched as Lyric embraced Lacey. It was so gentle and something that Harmony imagined most people would love to be able to do with their past selves. If only an older version of Harmony could visit her and hug her to let her know everything would be alright.
“So, how did hacking my chip open up your own memories? Am I…did I…?” Harmony was afraid to know but there was a nagging suspicion at the back of her mind that maybe Lyric was implying she had been a man in her past life.
“I saw that you were in the witness protection program. Your past self had been hidden from you after the government relocated you. This was for your safety. When I saw that you had forgotten your old self, I started wondering if I had also forgotten my past.”
Silence fell between them.
“I thought I was in love with you but it turns out I was in love with your normal life.” Lyric admitted. “But you have darkness in your past, too.”
“What do you mean?”
Lyric said, “Why would you voluntarily forget your past if it wasn’t filled with trauma?” Lyric said matter-of-factly. “I don’t know any details, but I do know your past name.”
Harmony thought for a moment about if she wanted to know. She doubted a name would truly give her anything to go off of, but it could give her a small link to the past. She wanted to know what she had been running from. “Okay, tell me.”
Lyric still looked hesitant, but when he finally had the courage enough to tell her, she almost wished she hadn’t found out.
“Heidi Gomez-Brown.”
“No, that’s not right.” Harmony shook her head. “You’re lying to me.”
This statement made Lacey cower again in fear.
“I am not lying. What reason would I have to lie?”
“You’re trying to destroy my life.”
“I’m not.” Lyric said earnestly. “I used my appearance and authority to take advantage of many people. I’m not proud of that but I’m a new person now.”
“You don’t look different.” Harmony snapped back.
“I’ve been born again, Harmony.”
“Is that a fancy way of saying you’re transitioning again?” Harmony knew she was being ungracious, but her whole life had been smashed to pieces in front of her.
Lyric smiled slightly. “No, but I will be embracing my biological body as much as I can. Surgeries and hormones have done irreversible damage, but with God, I will embrace who He has made me to be as a woman.”
“So you found religion?” Harmony asked.
“In a manner of speaking.” Lyric looked up to the ceiling for a moment then explained. “After you had disappeared, I was having a mental health crisis. The shame and guilt I felt was heavy. In the next few days, I began having chest pains and tingling running up and down my arms. It really scared me and I ended up going to the ER.” Lyric sighed. “As I waited to be seen, I ended up speaking with an older lady in the waiting room to pass the time.”
Harmony and Lacey didn’t stir as Lyric continued to talk. Rufus had even stopped lapping up water and crunching dog food to rest on the floor and snooze.
“She shared the Gospel with me. I thought it was ridiculous at the time, but it stuck with me. I couldn’t stop thinking about it and ended up going to church with this woman. God pulled my heart out of darkness on that day.” Lyric began to sob. “I wasn’t born in the wrong body. I’m fearfully and wonderfully made by a divine creator. He doesn’t demand I have surgery to be accepted or become a slave to every passion and desire I have. He just asks me to believe in him. To come before him with all my brokenness.”
Harmony didn’t know what to do. She had never seen her boss cry before. She also did not have a personal understanding of Christianity. She had always assumed there was some sort of higher power but didn’t think one religion was better than the other. Christianity had made a strong impact on Lyric and Harmony wouldn’t deny the experience.
“Harmony, he loves me as I am. My violated body and all. I’m not worthless. I’m not damaged goods. He has taken all my sin and suffering on himself so that I could live abundantly and live eternally.” Lyric wiped away the tears and patted a hand over his heart. “He offers this to everybody.”
“I’m happy for you.” Harmony said sincerely. “I’m glad you found something so meaningful to you. So, what pronouns should I use when speaking with you?”
Lyric looked at her like an amused grandfather. “I am a woman. I can’t deny that. My name is Lacey. You can call me by who I am.”
As soon as Lyric, now Lacey said this, the Lacey on the floor in the corner screamed out. “I’m disappearing! My feet!”
Harmony whipped around and saw that everything below Lacey’s knees was no longer there. Her boss rushed over and began trying to feel for the missing feet, but her hands passed right through.
“I’m not ready to go!” Past Lacey sobbed as more of her form began dissolving.
“Darling, look at me.” Lacey (formally Lyric) commanded. Her past self obeyed and stared into the eyes of present Lacey. “I will heal for both of us. I won’t forget you again. I will always remember where I came from and be grateful for where the Lord has brought me. You will always be a part of me, but you no longer have to suffer in this form.”
Harmony didn’t know if what the present Lacey said was true, but it seemed to comfort her past self.
“Thank you.” The form of past Lacey whispered as her torso evaporated and her thin neck began slowly dissolving into oblivion. In only a few more moments, the frightened young woman was gone from this world.
As the present Lacey stood, Harmony could see a change in her eyes. “I remember everything.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Lacey said. “This is the beginning of healing. I hope you encounter God’s grace as well.”
“Where are you going?” Harmony demanded.
“To find others like me. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. I want to start having honest conversations with others who suffered like I did. There is a better way.” Lacey said, her voice thick with emotion. “I think your road to healing starts with you talking to Wendy.” Lacey said.
“Why?”
“She’s worried about you.” Lacey said. “My car is in the driveway. Don’t worry, I’ll drive you.”
