In the decade since, the family had endured many emotional challenges, but each had adjusted to their new reality as best they could. Dan, now 28 in mind but 48 in body, had gradually become more comfortable living as Sarah. He had grown into her body and embraced his new identity. He even enjoyed the attention he sometimes received. Though the trauma of seeing his mother’s naked body in the mirror every day had never entirely left him, he had stopped thinking of it as hers. It was his now.
He had decided not to let the body swap stop him from living. Knowing he was aging faster than expected, he brought forward his dream of traveling the world. Now, he was in Portugal, following the map on his phone as he searched for his Airbnb.
As he walked, he thought about how different this trip was from the one he’d envisioned as a teenager. He had imagined a wild world tour—drinking, clubbing, and soaking up the nightlife. But now, some of those plans didn’t quite fit. Still, he occasionally enjoyed a night out when the mood struck.
Finally arriving at his accommodation, Dan dropped onto the sofa, kicked off his heels, and let himself relax. After a short rest, he began unpacking. He took out his clothes—including a few bikinis, as he loved swimming now.
Just as he was finishing, his phone rang. It was his dad—still Vincent in Abbie’s body—calling from home to check that he’d arrived safely. Though Vincent looked like his daughter, he was still a parent at heart. Dan smiled, answered the call, and chatted with him, all the while wondering what he should do for dinner that night.
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