---

Image: Free Wallpaper from http://www.scenicreflections.com/ ~Sephrena.

Author's Note: Thank you Hope for your encouragement and help in editing. Thanks go to Sephrena for making the story postings look professional. Thanks to all who have commented or left Kudos. ~Barbara.

---

 
 
Chapter 24 On the Stand
 
“The Defense calls Jesse Hartman.”

The young shaman stood up from the table and walked to the witness chair. Mr. Johnson was out of his chair in a flash. “I OBJECT!”

“I ALWAYS KNEW HE WAS A QUEER FAG!” shouted Roy Hartman.

The Judge banged his gavel, “Mr. Johnson control your client, or I will hold him in contempt. Mr. Robertson, what is the meaning of this? Are you trying to make a mockery of my court?” he asked angrily. “I'll have you and this young lady locked up for thirty days.”

“Your Honor, I assure you the testimony of this young lady will be true. It may be difficult to believe at times. I had trouble myself. You can call you own experts, but in the end, we will prove with a preponderance of evidence that this is Jesse Hartman, Granddaughter of the late William Hartman.”

“Mr. Robertson, I am going to allow you to proceed, but I caution you, if you so much as blink wrong, I will put you in jail for contempt of this court and that will be for a LONG time. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

The Bailiff walked over to the young woman, “Raise your right hand. Do you affirm that the testimony you are about to give is the truth and nothing but the truth.”

“I do.”

Mr. Robertson walked over to the young lady and asked, “Please state your full name for the record.”

“Just a moment, Mr. Robertson,” said the judge. “Young lady, I want you to be very clear on this. If you lie in my courtroom, I will put you in jail. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“Very well. Mr. Robertson you may proceed.”

Mr. Robertson addressed the young shaman again, “Please state your full name for the court.”

“My name is Jesse Michael Hartman.”

“And who is was your mother?”

“She was Lydia Michele Emerson Hartman, the late wife of Roy Hartman my father.”

“Your Honor, the Defense would like to enter this birth certificate as Defense Exhibit C. Miss Hartman whose names, besides your own are on this certificate?”

“My mother’s, Lydia and father’s, Roy.”

“What is the name and sex of the child on the certificate?”

“The name is Jesse Michael Hartman. The sex is male.”

“So you are not trying to hide that you were at one time a male?”

“That is correct.”

“Were you happy as a male?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“If you were happy as a male, why did you have surgery to make you a female?”

“Sir, I didn't have any surgery.”

“Does that mean you still have male genitalia?”

“No, Sir. I am a fully functioning female.”

“Dr. Spencer will testify that you have not had surgery and are a fully functioning female?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Before we explore how you became a female, I have a letter I want you to examine. Tell the court what this letter is about.”

“This is the last letter that my grandfather wrote to me before he died.”

“Where did you get this letter?”

“The attorney handling his estate told me that my grandfather had left a letter for me in the wall safe at the ranch and gave me the combination.”

“What was in the letter?”

“The letter started with the fact he was dead and then some business notes he wanted to make.”

“After the business section of the letter, what did your grandfather write?”

“He spoke about my grandmother dressing me in my aunt's clothes. And how the boy on the neighboring ranch was still pining for me.”

“Do you know why your grandmother would dress you up in your aunt's clothes?”

“Objection,” Stated Mr. Johnson. “This is speculation on the part of the witness.”

“Your honor. We don't have Miss Hartman's grandmother to question, and this goes to the state of mind of the late Mr. Hartman.”

“I will allow the question.”

“Now, Jesse why did your grandmother dress you in your aunts clothes.”

“My aunt died before I was born, and my grandmother never seemed to fully recover from the loss. One's child should never die before you. I was sent out to stay with my grandparents one summer when my luggage was lost on the way out. I didn't have any clothes so the next day my grandmother had me put on a pair of shorts and a top from my aunt. It seemed to lift her spirit, so I didn't complain. My grandfather said that was the happiest he had seen her since the death of my aunt. My discomfort was a small price to pay to make her happy”

“Your grandfather knew you were a boy?”

“Oh yes, He had many laughs at my predicament. I would help him in the barn on an old tractor or engine. When I came into the house greasy, my grandmother would scold me saying girls aren't to get dirty like that. She would tell me that if I wanted to be a tomboy that was fine, but I was not to get greasy or ruin my clothes.”

“What did your grandfather say about this?”

“He would tell my grandmother to go easy on the boy, but she seemed to refuse to hear that I was a boy. She would always gush about how pretty I looked and how I was growing into a polite young woman. She would put me in a dress or skirt and take me shopping with her. I guess I looked shy and demure because I couldn't look anyone in the eye. I was so scared someone would recognize me as a boy in a dress.”

“Two more questions about this part of your life. What was the most embarrassing moment you had when your grandmother was alive.”

“When my grandmother found out the boy on the next ranch wanted to take me to a dance, she insisted I get a new dress and shoes to wear to the dance. I looked to my grandfather for help, and he just gave me the your on your own look. I went on the date at the insistence of my grandmother. The young man was a total gentleman to the point that he bought a corsage and opened the door to his truck for me. He had to help me in as it was a bit high. The date wasn't that bad, but when he brought me home he walked me to the door. He is much taller than me, so I was looking up at him saying goodnight. He leaned over and kissed me. I was so stunned with embarrassment. I just stood there. He thought it was because I wanted another kiss, so he gathered me in his arms and gave me a more passionate kiss then ran back to his truck whooping like he won the big game.

“As I came back in the house, my grandmother was gushing about how grown up her little girl was. I was red as a beet. My grandfather was laughing so hard, I thought he would have a coronary.”

“You say your grandfather was laughing at your predicaments. He knew you were a boy, but didn't interfere with your grandmother dressing you up. Was your grandmother trying to make you become a girl?”

“I don't think so. She may have actually thought I was a girl in her mind. She was not dangerous and in all the other areas of her life she seemed to do well.”

“If your grandfather knew you were a boy, do you have an idea why your grandfather would have placed the phrase in the will grandson/granddaughter?”

“Unless it was one last dig at me letting my grandmother dress me as a girl, I have no idea.”

“What was the last item in the letter from your grandfather?”

“My grandfather was into Native American religions. He was most interested in the southwest tribes and their beliefs in the formation of the world and their deities.”

“Did he encourage you to seek this religion?”

“No, but sometimes it made more sense than the other religions of the world.”

“Why do you say that?”

“These days the Islamics are trying to take over the world and enforce their religion on it. Before that the Christians tried the same thing. There are so many factions within the church condemning each-other to hell, no one knows what is right anymore. The Native Americans respect the earth and the creatures in it. Some tribes tried to force their will on others, but not to the extent of the Christians and Muslims.

“I guess you may say that I respected his thoughts and in his letter he asked that I take a spirit quest to find Coyote and my spirit animal.”

“Did you take this trip?”

“Yes, that is why it was difficult to get here for this hearing.”

“You were on your spirit quest when you were notified of this hearing?”

“Yes.”

“And it was on your spirit quest when you became a girl?”

“Yes.”

“Describe the spirit quest for the court.”

“Objection, Your Honor this has nothing to do with this case.”

“Your Honor this has everything to do with the case. If the late Mr. Hartman knew something like this may happen when someone meets the deity known as Coyote, then his competence can not be called into question.”

“Your Honor, this is highly irregular. Anyone can claim they have had an encounter with a deity, but to prove such an encounter is near impossible.”

“Your Honor, we agree, but before we agreed to continue with this case, Miss Hartman had to prove to me that she is really Jesse Michael Hartman. Doctor Henley confirmed that the blood sample that was taken for DNA came from this person. I sent her to doctors I trusted and I am convinced that she really is Jesse Hartman.”

“Mr. Robertson, you may proceed, but remember if I believe you are trying to make a mockery of my court you will end up in jail.”

“Understood, Your Honor.” The attorney turned back to Jesse, “Now Miss Hartman, please tell us about your spirit quest.

“The spirit quest of a young Native American is usually to be taken alone, where he fasts and prays to the Great Spirit for guidance. The Great Spirit will send a spirit in the form of an animal to guide the young man in the ways of his forefathers, to protect him in battle, and to help make his life prosperous.

“My spirit quest was different.”

“In what way?”

“As I said the spirit quest is to be taken alone. I am not familiar with all the ways of the People as I was not raised in the ways of the People. Listening to the old stories my grandfather would tell me, I learned a few of their traditions and ways. The spirit quest can be dangerous as the young man is alone, but the Great Spirit sent me guides to help me along the path and to protect me.

“How so”?

“First the Great Spirit sent wolves to protect me from a mountain lion. I had been hearing them off and on after I arrived at the ranch, but for the last month before my quest, I was hearing them nightly.”

“Weren't you scared to start your quest with wolves nearby?”

“I was, but the howls of the wolves seemed to say come run with us. I knew I was going to meet them, but didn't know the outcome of such a meeting.”

“You said guides. Were there other guides?”

“Yes, one other, the Great Spirit sent an old shaman to guide me in the payers and fasting.

“I had built a sweat lodge and began my fasting before the shaman, Two Bears, came into my campsite. He joined me in the fasting and taught me the prayers of the People. During the second night of fasting, I had my encounter with Coyote. Coyote is the deity that many tribes believe was tricked into letting death into the world. Others believe that He is trickster himself. It was during this encounter that Coyote transformed me from male to female.”

“Miss Hartman, you said you were sent guides. Was guiding you the only reason that Mr. Two Bears was sent?”

“Mr. Two Bears was sent to become my teacher.”

“Why does Mr. Two Bears need to teach you?”

“Mr. Two Bears told me he was sent to train his replacement. When I questioned him further, he said that I will take over his tasks.”

“So you are to become a shaman. What are the tasks of a shaman?”

“Different shamans have different tasks. Some will specialize in healing; some will specialize in the history of the People; and some will specialize in spiritual matters. It appears, at this time, I may have a special gift to heal people in mind and body. And sometimes I am able to help them on their spiritual side.”

“I Object!” said Mr. Johnson. “These two are making a mockery of these proceedings.”

“Your Honor,” said Jesse. “I know what I am saying and what you see before you is hard to believe. If it had not happened to me, I would not believe it.”

“Young lady,” said Judge Stokes, “Contrary to the opinion of Mr. Johnson, it is my job to determine what to believe and what is false. As this is a civil case, the preponderance of evidence will decide the outcome of this case. It is the person who has provided the most compelling evidence that will come out on top. Mr. Robertson, you may proceed.”

“Miss Hartman, why did Coyote change you?”

“My initial transformation was to a she-wolf. Coyote changed me into this form to test me before He brought me before the Great Spirit. The Great Spirit turned my fur white and spoke to me about helping others. He told me because my spirit was meek and gentle as a female He would allow Coyote's trick on me to stand.”

“How long did you stay in the form of a wolf?”

“I stayed in the form of a wolf for a week to learn the ways of the wolf from the pack.”

“You were accepted into a pack?”

“All Hartman's, if they listen to the spirits, can become members of a very special pack that lives in the wild portion of the ranch. If I had not followed the advice of my grandfather, the Hartman's may have lost the ability to hear the spirit of the wolves.”

“Could your grandfather have known that you would have been turn into a female?”

“I don't know. My grandmother was always asking God for a granddaughter, and he knew Coyote is a trickster, but I don't know if he had a premonition that I would be changed.”

“Your Honor, I have no more questions for Miss Hartman.”

“Mr. Johnson, your witness.”

Mr. Johnson stood with a smirk on his face. He was going to prove this witness to be a fraud. In his mind, all he had to do was just push this person claiming to be Jesse Hartman, and the web of lies and deceit will come tumbling down.

---

 
 
To Be Continued...