Andrea and Dana are two of our closest friends, and a very interesting couple. Andrea is six feet tall and built like a professional basketball player (which she almost was). Dana is ballerina-sized and barely 100 pounds. She is dainty and feminine and cover-girl beautiful while also being, well . . . technically male. She has not taken any hormonal drug treatments -- this is simply how God or Nature made her.

Unfortunately, she grew up in a conservative, isolated area and was raised as a boy.

Dana says back then she didn't know WHAT she was. She liked looking like a girl, but she also LIKED girls. And although she had almost no testosterone in her little body, she started getting erections, which she also liked.

As soon as she turned 18, Dana fled her hometown. College was not an option, but she was very smart and a self-taught software developer so she got a decent job in the big city.

That's how we met -- she got hired at a little tech company where I did graphic design work. It was a small company of about 50 people in a drafty old downtown warehouse with lots of exposed brick and industrial chic. On Dana's first day of work she had short hair and wore a suit and tie she'd probably got in the boy's department.

When Mary, the CEO, was taking Dana around to the clusters of desks and introducing her, we all noticed that Mary used the male pronoun, like six times, in reference to Dana. So naturally, we were all wondering what did that mean exactly? The only logical answer was that Dana was biologically a totally hot chick who identified as male. The idea that Dana might actually be biologically male did not even seem like a credible option.

Naturally, I immediately befriended the new employee and took her to lunch, where I learned enough of her story to break my heart. (And yes, dear reader, I am using female pronouns in telling this story even though at that point in time we were all painstakingly referring to Dana with male pronouns because that's what "he" then preferred).

Andrea worked at the company also, as their main IT technician. She and I actually dated for a little while -- and yes, we had sex if you must know (I knew you were wondering), but it was over with by the time Dana came along.

As it happened, Andrea was off work on Dana's first day so she did not get the pronoun briefing. When she came in the next morning she saw there was a hot new girl in the office. AND because the hot new girl had short hair, wore guy-type clothing and no makeup, she guessed the new girl might be lesbian. Being head of IT, Andrea assigned herself the task of making sure that pretty girl's laptop and network credentials had been set up properly. This work had, of course, already been done by someone else on her team, but Andrea showed up at Dana's desk and spent an hour chatting her up while checking and redoing little setup tasks that didn't need to be done.

I noticed this from across the room, and I could tell from Dana's radiant smile that she assumed Andrea already knew about her and was interested in her anyway. Mary was in her office but wasn't watching, so I went over to Andrea and announced that Mary needed her right away. She told Dana she'd be right back and followed me into Mary's office where I shut the door.

Our news was a dealbreaker for Andrea in terms of romantic interest -- as I expected it would be. At least I was somewhere on the bisexuality spectrum and might have considered such a relationship. But Andrea was solidly lesbian and the only penises she had experience with were made of plastic and ran on batteries.

After tending to Mary's imaginary computer problem, Andrea went back to Dana's desk and was all business as she finished what she was doing and fled. From my own desk, I could see Dana's smile fade as she put the pieces together.

If Dana thought she was going to blend into the background in this job, she was wrong about that. We were a very social workplace of mostly women, and everyone was welcoming to the new person and dutifully used the preferred pronouns. Now and then, one of us slipped up and said "she" followed by profuse apologies. Dana always waved it off without taking offense. In fact, she usually smiled.

She and I had lunch together every day that week, often joined by others. One time when it was just the two of us, I probed a little and she told me she actually liked it when that happened because it felt like a compliment. She liked looking like a girl, she felt like a girl, and she wished she could act more like a girl -- even dress like one -- but she was not a girl and did not want to "fool" people into thinking she was.

"Are you . . . sure you're not a girl?" I gently asked her.

This seemed to exasperate her. "I have a penis, Libby -- do want to see it? And before you ask, no, I don't want to have surgery to get rid of it. And I definitely don't want to take testosterone to look more male. I like looking the way I do, and I do love it when someone tells me I'm so pretty they can't believe I'm not a girl. But I'm just not a girl."

I wanted to say more, but she didn't seem to want me to, and our lunch hour was almost over so I dropped it and we walked together back to the building. Before we parted, I whispered in her ear, "yes, I do want to see it," and that made her laugh.

As I have written elsewhere about this period in my life, my apartment was a few blocks from where we worked, and Mary let us all leave at 4:00 on Fridays, so a bunch of girls from the office would party at my place on Friday nights. So on Thursday of Dana's first week, I told her about our Friday party tradition and invited her to come. And as I always do when inviting someone new, I warned her I would be naked at the party. She laughed like it was a joke, so I said "don't say I didn't warn you."

So that Friday after work we all went to my place and everyone started drinking and getting high while I slipped into the bathroom for a quick shower and came out naked. I could see by Dana's expression that she had not until this moment quite believed I would actually do that. It was adorable and I went right up to her and made her share her drink with me.

It had barely been a week since Dana left behind the isolated, conservative Christian community that had been her only lived experience. She had only recently realized that half the girls in the office were lesbians, and now she was at a party where marijuana smoke drifted in the air around us, and I was naked. It was probably a lot to take in.

Andrea was watching with amusement, so I waved her over and got a conversation going among the three of us before draining Dana's drink and excusing myself away to go get more.

I kept an eye on them all evening, and Andrea and Dana seemed to be hitting it off in a friendly if not flirty way. Whenever Andrea got drawn away to other conversations, I made sure Dana was never standing awkwardly alone. I would pop up next to her like a genie and get her pulled into in another group.

This was shortly before I met Mona, and I wasn't seeing anyone so I instigated little outings for the three of us, and because I was there the other two could relax and not think of it as a date. But I did. They quickly became friends and were good at making each other laugh.

One time at my place, the conversation somehow came back to pronouns and Andrea pointed her finger at Dana and told her in no uncertain terms that she was in fact a girl, and had always been a girl and it didn't fucking matter what was between her legs.

I was expecting Dana to get mad, but instead she collapsed into sobs and cried and cried in Andrea's arms. The next day at work, Andrea and I spread the word and no one called Dana "he" ever again.

Sometimes it was just me and Dana hanging out at my place. Naturally, I was always naked, and one sunny day, after a couple of stiff vodka tonics, I got her to strip down too so we could sunbathe out on the deck.

I was wearing dark sunglasses so she couldn't see my eyes as I eagerly checked her out. She had a skinny little ballerina body, her ribs showing. I only got a quick glimpse of her penis dangling amid her bush, but then it hid shyly between her thighs as she reclined on the deck. Although she was flat-chested, her nipples were quite womanly and puckered into points despite the heat.

Dana had her eyes closed, her flawless face turned up to the sun as I watched her from behind my shades. "See," I said, "isn't it better being naked?"

"Well this definitely is," she said, "but I'm still amazed that you're so comfortable going naked in front of so many people."

"Heck, I'd do a lot more than that if it was legal and safe," I said, and then I told her my fantasy about a parallel universe where I was naked all the time -- at work and at the grocery store and everywhere.

Dana surprised me by saying, "maybe I'd be better off in that universe."

"What? Really?"

"Well, I mean, at least in that situation everyone would know what my body looks like, and I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. Not that I would actually go naked in public."

"Hmm, but maybe you already are -- or a version of you anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"If there are an infinite number of alternative universes, then any universe we imagine therefore exists. Some people even say that the act of imagining it is what creates that universe. So congratulations, you just created a universe where you go naked all the time."

I actually made up that last part, but I wanted her to go with the fantasy. When she didn't reply I wondered if I'd offended her or if she'd dozed off. But then I noticed movement between her legs. Her penis had lengthened and began standing up. I held my breath, hoping she wouldn't realize because I SO wanted to watch this happen. I only got about a six-second show, but in that short time she got a full erection that was pointing up her body like a cannon. Then suddenly both her hands were covering it and she looked over to see if I was watching. By then I was looking at the sky and said, "aren't clouds interesting?"

Dana and I spent a lot of time hanging out together, and I confess I corrupted her with alcohol and weed. We had great talks, though, and she told me all about growing up. In high school, she had mostly been bullied and shunned as a freak, but was treated well by the people at her church -- who basically also considered her a freak (without using that word), but said God must have made her that way for a reason. One girl at church kissed her a few times when no one else was around, but those had been quick and superficial -- and constituted the entirety of Dana's dating experience.

Because I am such a magnanimous person who does her best to help others when they are in need, I offered to give her kissing lessons so, you know, she'd be prepared when a real opportunity came along. To my surprise, she accepted.

So, we sat on my couch and did us some kissing. Since she was a beginner, I covered basic topics like not getting slobbery and where to put your arms. Next, we practiced intermediate skills such as gently sucking on your partner's lower lip, and then moved on to tongue placement options during French kissing.

I did my best to maintain the persona of a driving instructor but Dana is quite hot so that was challenging, especially when I looked down and saw the familiar bulge of a boner in her pants. Fortunately, we also laughed a lot so that kept things from getting too steamy. We only had the one formal session, but it became our little joke afterwards to occasionally exchange a big kiss -- for practice, we said.

Once or twice a week, Dana, Andrea and I would go out for drinks or dinner after work. As a group we always had a fun time and the two of them seemed to enjoy each other's company, but there was no hint of romance.

About this time is when Mona swooped into my life and got me all preoccupied with her freckles and her white armpits and looking up at her blue eyes through her little red jungle, and I confess I neglected my chaperone duties with Andrea and Dana.

For a little while, they stopped going out together because I wasn't available to be instigator and third wheel. I still saw them at work and on Friday nights, but the rest of the time I was with Mona.

Dana, I knew, had accepted that Andrea wanted to be no more than a friend, and she was willing to just have that. It was Andrea who pulled back. When I asked her about it in the restroom at work, she told me it would be unfair to Dana for them to spend time together except within a group.

Not being one to let things be, I sent a group email to Andrea and Dana apologizing for neglecting them lately and inviting them to my place to have dinner and drinks with me and Mona. So we four got together and it was a blast because of course Mona and Andrea had been pals since college and it is always fun to see them together and hear them tell embarrassing stories about each other.

Mona is similar to Andrea in that she knew she was gay at a young age and had told me she understood why Andrea would not be interested in dating someone like Dana. Yet she also found Dana very attractive and flirted with her that evening.

After they left, Mona said, "she's falling in love."

"I know," I said, "but I'm afraid she's going to get hurt."

"Why would she get hurt? You said Dana was really into her."

"Right, and I don't want her to get hurt."

"I was talking about Andrea."

"Wait -- what?"

"I meant Andrea is falling in love with Dana."

"She is? How do you know? Did she say something to you?"

"No, but I can tell."

"God, I hope you're right."

"Also, she's terrified."

A few days later after work, Dana was on her way to her car when Andrea came up alongside her and casually suggested they grab a drink. So they did, and before you know it they were doing exactly the same things the three of us used to do. They were just socializing as friends, but at least they were doing that. Sometimes Mona and I met up with them somewhere, and other times it was just the two of them.

Naturally, Dana and I talked about it at work. She admitted she wished it could be more, but that she was content with the way things were. I didn't believe her and was tempted to tell her what Mona had said, but I wasn't sure Mona was reading things right and didn't want to get Dana's hopes up if that was wrong.

Then one night, Andrea and Dana went out for a few drinks and were walking along a strip of bars when they heard music they both liked. There was a band playing outdoors and people were dancing. They had another drink and then Andrea suggested they dance, and they did.

When I first met Dana, she had never once danced in her life because back home it was a sin. But she got some practice in my apartment when it was just the two of us. I could tell she had natural rhythm so I had her boogying in no time.

So that night, she and Andrea had a great time dancing, and stayed until the band stopped playing. Dana told me later they were both sweaty and out of breath as they walked to their cars, but there was a nice breeze and a light rain. When they got to their cars, Dana gave a little wave goodbye, as she always did, but Andrea pushed her against the side of her car and kissed her. Then they both drove away.

The next morning, she would later tell me in exquisite detail, Dana lay in her bed thinking about what happened and having a lovely morning boner, when her phone rang. It was Andrea.

"I hope I didn't wake you," she said.

"No, no, I was awake," Dana said, holding her breath because she half-expected Andrea to say she'd just been drunk and the kiss had been a mistake.

"I was just out riding my bike," Andrea said instead, "and I realized I'm pretty close to your building. Want me to bring you some coffee and a donut?"

Naturally, Dana did her best to answer in the affirmative without sounding too overjoyed. She figured she had at least 15 minutes, so she flung herself into the shower and tried on 12 different outfits before settling on gray athletic shorts and a feminine top with string straps that showed more of her skin than Andrea had yet seen.

When the doorbell rang, Dana had a massive heart attack, but quickly recovered and answered the door. Both acted as casually as they could as Andrea put the coffees and the bag of donuts on the nearest flat surface and kissed Dana again. Then they made out on her couch while their coffee got cold.

No, they didn't have sex. Don't get ahead of me. That's as physical as they got for a while. They went on dates and kissed and made out, but they kept their clothes on and Dana would not let Andrea steal any bases. Naturally, she sometimes got erections, but did her best to hide them. Sometimes Andrea would pull her close until she could feel it against her body, but Dana would hurriedly reposition herself to avoid the contact.

"Dana, I DO know what you have down there," Andrea told her. "Why don't you let me touch it?"

"I know that you know, and I'm so glad that you seem to be interested in me anyway, but I'm just not ready for that."

Andrea knew Dana was a virgin who had barely even been kissed before (and mostly by me, though Andrea didn't know that yet), so she accepted that answer for the time being.

This went on for a while. Since Mona was Andrea's best friend and I was Dana's, we would each collect intel to share. We both have lots of friends and have learned to give support but not advice, though I do not exactly excel at that part. Mostly, we tried to just listen.

In their ongoing make-out sessions, Andrea stopped trying to touch Dana between the legs and focused her efforts above the waist where Dana was less defensive. After all, lots of girls are flat-chested and Dana did have great nipples that often poked out behind her clothing. (Even at work everyone noticed Dana's nipples. There weren't many bras worn in that office so plenty of nipples made their precise locations known whenever the air conditioning kicked on, but Dana's were precocious even on warm days.)

Andrea and Dana had already caressed each other's nipples through their shirts, but now their hands were under each other's shirt. Then the shirts came off. Then their lips got involved.

Mona and I heard all about these advances from both parties, and it made us both so horny we had to give each other orgasms after each new report. Fortunately, in addition to talking about it to us, Andrea and Dana also talked about it with each other. Andrea knew Dana's fear and tried to assuage it.

"I have a pretty good imagination," Andrea told her, "so I think I can picture what you look like naked. If I tell you I want to have sex with you based on that mental image, it only makes sense that I would still want to do that when I see the real thing."

"But why would you want that when you're a lesbian. What would you even do with a penis?"

"I hear it's fun to put them in your vagina."

"But you don't like penises. That's why you're a lesbian."

"No, I'm a lesbian because I don't like men," Andrea corrected. "Penises are fine -- I have two or three of them in a bedroom drawer. The only reason I've avoided human penises is because they always seem to be attached to dudes, which seriously undermines their appeal. So imagine my delight to have discovered that sometimes a penis can be attached to a pretty girl."

That's a paraphrase, but I've heard the story several times and Andrea's speech seems to get better-written with each retelling. The original may have been less eloquent, but it convinced Dana to take another step. Andrea suggested they just spend time naked together without even trying to make love.

So finally Dana's body was completely exposed and Andrea told her she was beautiful. The next few evenings, they took off their clothes whenever they were alone together in one of their apartments. They did not try to have sex, but continued all the things they had done before -- making dinner, watching TV, etc. -- but doing all of those things naked. And of course that included making out.

Andrea still did not try to touch Dana between her legs, but sometimes would pull their bodies close together so she could feel Dana's erection pressed against her stomach. Dana no longer resisted this move, and allowed her body to writhe a little within Andrea's grip.

If you are thinking this is only about two inches away from actual intercourse, you are correct logistically, but it took several more encounters for them to get there. When that finally happened, Mona and I each got detailed reports afterwards, which we celebrated together in our own bed -- our only regret being that we had not been invited to watch.

I did get a voyeuristic opportunity two years later (which was a couple months ago as I write this) when Andrea and Dana were staying with us during construction of their house. I was out running errands, and when I came home and started going upstairs to undress, I heard it. There are certain sounds people make when they are either having sex or eating a really good dessert, and it was coming from their bedroom.

I knew that I should just keep my distance and give them their privacy, but alas I do not always do the right thing. I tiptoed up the stairs and navigated past the squeaky parts of the hallway. Their door was ajar and I peeked in to see tiny, white Dana on top of tall, suntanned Andrea -- and they were really going at it. I tried to back away, really I did, but my feet were rooted to the floor and I was captivated by Dana's little round butt going up and down. Then Andrea opened her eyes and caught me. She grinned at me as I quietly pulled their door closed.

That was, by the way, just a few weeks before they got married here on our property. Mona sold them a chunk of land down by the road, about a half-mile from the old farmhouse that Jayne and Margot have been restoring. And, of course, Jack is now living up the hill in his cabin and Molly often visits on weekend, so we have a nice little community happening here on The Estate.

Nowadays, Dana wears dresses and Andrea buys her tiny, sexy, flimsy ones. Plus, she cajoles Dana into wearing only the dress and no undies. That's how I dress in public, of course, but if I get horny the worst thing that will happen is I may leave a damp spot on the upholstery. When we are all out to a club or party, everyone in our group knows Dana is going commando and we watch giggling as Andrea says and does things that she has learned might get a certain reaction from Dana. So if you ever see Dana at a party sitting down with her purse in her lap and blushing furiously, you will know that Andrea succeeded.

Dana has also become comfortable when our core group of six goes naked in the pool or hot tub. And one time (so far) she was naked with me when everyone else was fully clothed. Granted, she was drunk, but it was still a big step.

Dana is remarkably open in talking about her sexuality, and so I am revealing no secret when I mention that because of her low testosterone levels she does not get erections as frequently or as easily as certain other penis-equipped humanoids (though the way some of my straight girlfriends talk, I'm not so sure that is true). But the point is that Dana and Andrea seem to have a robust and healthy sex life that does not depend on erections happening. But since they sometimes DO happen, it is just a fun special moment and not something that either of them feel any pressure or anxiety over.

Although Dana and Andrea are, of course, a couple of unique individuals, I find myself wondering how the world would be different if they were not so unique. What if this was just how males and females were? What if the physically stronger and more dominant gender was the one with the vagina and the physically smaller and weaker one had the penis?

For one thing, there would be no such thing as rape (at least not the kind involving penises penetrating vaginas) because the stronger person could not force herself on the weaker person. Sexual intercourse (and impregnation) could only happen when actual seduction -- and consent -- take place. Imagine not ever having to fear sexual assault because it was basically non-existent.

I realize that most heterosexual women probably like their manly men just fine the way they are (more or less), and as a lesbian I reckon I don't have a dog in this hunt. But it's very intriguing to think about.