A Fantasy: Part One free porn video

A Fantasy By Caitlin Rose "A Fantasy" and all its parts are a work of fiction. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. It is a copyrighted work of Caitlin Rose. It may be archived at any web site that does not charge a fee for access, as long as author credit is given and the work is not abridged or changed. There is no sex in this story, but there is some crossdressing. If that offends you, read something else. Caitlin Rose ************** When I was a youngster of about 8, my mom decided that I should start being neater about my hair. She carefully brushed it before I left for school, using some sticky stuff she bought at the drug store. She warned me that if I came home with my hair messy, she would punish me. Well, I couldn't keep my hands away from my hair. When the stuff she had applied to it dried, it was, stiff and crisp. It was kind of compelling to play with the crisp strands. By the time I got home from school, my hair was a mess. My mom was angry. She told me that she would find an appropriate way to punish me. She made me shower and shampoo my hair. Then she combed and brushed my hair again, this time using even more sticky stuff. She showed me the bottle. It said "Hair Trainer For Unruly Hair." Just before my bedtime, my mom came into my room with a pink hairnet. I had never seen a hairnet before, and asked her what it was. She told me that it was a net to wear while I slept, so I wouldn't mess up my hair in my sleep. I knew it looked like a girl's thing. It was pink and had tiny bows around the edge. I told her I wouldn't wear it. She told me it was part of my punishment for messing up my hair earlier in the day. She told me that the punishment would be worse if I refused to wear the hairnet. Finally, I let her put the net on my head and tie it in the back. I looked in the mirror. It looked very girly. Mom said "don't take it off or you'll be in real trouble." I must have pulled the net off in my sleep, because in the morning I found it on my pillow. My hair had gotten pushed up on one side and dried that way. I tried to brush it down but the Hair Trainer had done its job. My hair would only stand up. I went down to breakfast. "Robert, is this your idea of a joke? How dare you come down here with hair like that? You went to sleep with it perfectly groomed, with a net covering it to keep it that way, and now you look like a clown." "But mom, I don't know...I didn't touch it...It was like this when I woke up" "Well I know spite-work when I see it, now you'll have a punishment you'll remember." She let me finish breakfast, then took me to the kitchen sink. She wet my hair with the sprayer and wrapped a towel around it. Then she took me to her bedroom and got a jar of something that looked like pink jelly. She put a big gob of it on my hair and rubbed it in. It smelled sweet. She combed my hair. I saw her get some shiny metal clips out of a drawer and felt her put them into my hair. She had my back to the mirror, so I couldn't see what she was doing. When she finished with the comb and the clips, she put the hairnet back on my head. Then she took her hairdryer and put that on my head too. She turned on the dryer and made me sit there for a long time. The dryer got very hot and the sweet smell from my head got stronger. Finally she turned off the dryer and took it off. She took off the net too. "Now, feel your hair" My hair was warm and very stiff. It felt like plastic. I could feel the metal clips attached to my hair. She took out the clips and began to brush my hair. It hurt as she pulled the brush through the stiff hair. Finally she said she was finished brushing. She let me look in the mirror. My hair looked different. It had waves on top, and she had brushed the front down into bangs on my forehead. When I touched it, it felt soft. My mom said my punishment wasn't finished. "Your hair looks lovely now, and I'm going to make sure you keep it like this all day long." She told me to close my eyes and sit very still. I heard a hissing sound and smelled a strong, sweet smell, as she sprayed my hair over and over. "Now you smell like a sweet little girl." Then she used just the hose of her dryer to dry the spray. She put another net on my head. This one was much thinner than the pink one. It was brown, and you almost couldn't see it. She told me it was a girl's hairnet and that I had to wear it all day, even to school. I got to school late that day. My mom gave me a note to give to the teacher. The note was in a sealed envelope. The teacher read the note and smiled. She whispered "Don't worry, you look very nice, now sit down." That day at school, I got teased about my hair. I felt humiliated when one of the girls in my class touched my hair and giggled "Ooo, you're wearing hairspray and a hairnet. You must love having such pretty hair. Are you going to get your ears pierced too?" But I learned my lesson. I never touched my hair that day, and came back home with it looking just like it did when my mother sent me to school. My mother gave me a big hug when I got home and said "I love my big boy, and my little girl, all rolled into one" My mom seemed really pleased that my hair was still just about how she had left it that morning. I felt kind of strange being called her "big boy and her little girl," but what the heck? It seemed like it had been years since the last time she was pleased with anything about me. Mom set out milk and cookies as she often did when I got home from school, but she did something unusual this time. She set out some for herself and joined me. "I'm very proud of you. Your punishment is over and you won't be punished over your hair again, as long as you keep it well groomed." "Thanks mom, It was embarrassing to wear the net to school, but I saw my reflection a couple of times, and I thought my hair looked nice." "Rob, would you do something for me? I know I said your punishment was over, but would you leave the net on for a while? We'll be going out to eat later, with aunt May and your cousin Jen, and I'd like for your hair to look nice for that. You can take the net off just before we leave." "Sure mom." So I left the hairnet on for the rest of the afternoon. I didn't feel much like dealing with my friends while wearing it, so I planned to take a short, easy bike ride, alone, then to do my homework. While riding up a hill, I began to perspire heavily. As I did, I could smell the sweet odor of the hairspray from my head. I had forgotten about that aroma after the spray had dried. Now it was back again. I began to think about my mother's remark about my smelling like a "sweet little girl." I got angry. "I'm not a girl, sweet or otherwise" I thought. I thought about that most of the way home. I guess thinking about that remark made me feel angry. I rode pretty hard on the way home. I was hot and tired when I put my bike in the shed, and went inside to start my homework. Mom greeted me at the stairs. "Where have you been? You look like you've been in a wrestling match." Her eyes turned angry as she spoke. "I told you we were going out to eat tonight. Couldn't you stay neat for just a few hours? Look in the mirror!" With that, she almost dragged me to the hallway mirror, the full length one. "You're all perspired, there is mud splashed on your shoes and your hair is a sticky mess. You'll need a serious cleanup before we go out to dinner this evening." "But mom, I have to start my homework." "That will have to wait a little while. You'll have plenty of time to do it while your hair is drying. Now get into the shower" I undressed in my room and headed for the bathroom in my underwear. About two seconds after I closed the door, my mother knocked. "Open the door a crack, I have something for you." I opened the door about 3 inches, while standing behind it. Mom handed me a bar of soap and a bottle of hair conditioner. "First shampoo your hair, then put on the conditioner. Leave the conditioner on your hair while you soap up with this soap. Then rinse everything off. I expect you dressed in clean clothes in 10 minutes. Call me when you're ready" "Ready for what?" I thought, but decided not to ask. I showered as mom had asked. I used the regular shampoo in the bathroom and then the conditioner my mother had given to me. The label said to leave it on for a full two minutes. The label also had a lot text on it about "extra body" and " waves and curls that last." I felt a little silly using it, but it did smell nice. The soap felt about the same as my usual bar, but it had a strong, perfume like smell. I finished showering, dried off and dashed to my room wrapped in a towel, as usual. I dressed quickly, combed my hair a bit and began my homework. Then I remembered that mom had asked me to call her. "Mom, I'm finished in the shower and all dressed." "OK Robbie, I'll be right up there" "Robbie?" I thought. "What's that all about?" It was always "Rob" or, if she really wanted to get my attention, "Robert." Mom came up the stairs and asked me if my homework included any reading assignments. I told her it was almost all reading tonight. She asked me to bring a book or two, and to come with her. We went into her bedroom. She asked me to sit in the same chair as this morning. "This isn't meant to be a punishment, though you do deserve one. I realize that young people need lots of exercise, and that exercise can get you sweaty, but I did ask you to stay neat and clean." "Sorry, mom" "Well, just cooperate with me now and everything will be fine." "OK" "Just hand me one of these each time I ask for one." With that she put a plastic bowl in my hand. It was filled with hair curlers! Now, this was weird! "Mom, these are for girls and I'm NOT a girl." "I know what you are, and if you don't want to be punished, you'll cooperate with me." With that I felt her put something cool on my hair and rub in. I remembered the smell from this morning. "What is that stuff?" "Its called setting gel. It helps your hair keep its shape after it's been set." "Isn't hair setting for girls?" "Boy, girl...What's the difference? In this case, hair setting is for you." She took a comb with a long thin tail and began to comb my hair. She soon asked for a curler, which I gave her. I looked at it briefly before I handed it over. It was made of pale blue plastic. It was as big around as a soda bottle cap, and about half as long as a new pencil. There were two metal pins stored on it. I almost recognized these as "bobby pins," but these pins were longer. Mom took the curler and started to do something with it, then she stopped. "Turn the chair so you can watch in the mirror. I want you to watch this closely" I turned my chair and sat back down. "Also, when I ask for a roller, take the pins off it, and hand me just the roller. Hold the pins. I'll ask for them next. Watch how I do this." I watched how mom combed one section of my hair at a time. She combed it out, straight out from my head. Then she rolled it around the curler, or "roller" as she called it. She rolled it down until the plastic touched my head. Then she seemed to give it an extra little turn that made it very tight. She slipped in the two pins, one at each end and very close to my scalp. It felt uncomfortably tight. Then she asked for another roller. I gave her just the roller. I held onto the pins. She rolled the roller down tight, just touching the first one. She asked for the pins, and I gave them to her, one at a time. I watched her slip them into the ends of the roller, close to my scalp. I could feel the pull against my scalp. She combed another section of my hair up. "Now you try it." I felt really silly as I tried to get the hair to stay on the roller while winding it. This was harder than it looked. Everything seemed to work backward. My hair was somehow slippery and sticky at the same time. It stuck to my fingers and slipped off the roller. I finally got the roller rolled down to my scalp and pinned in place. It looked anything but neat. "Mom, see. I'm no good at this girl stuff. Besides why do I need my hair set? I thought you just wanted me to keep it neat." "You told me you liked how nice it looked at school today. I just want you to be proud of how you look, that's all. All you need is practice." With that, she took over again, adding more rollers until the top of my head was covered with them. She tried to put a few on the sides, but my hair was too short there. Mom combed the front hair down on my forehead again in bangs, but this time she put some pink tape across from just in front of one ear, to just in front of the other. "The tape will keep your bangs nice and flat while they dry. They were a little fly-away this morning" Mom put the same pink hairnet on my head that I had worn this morning. She told me to get out one of my reading assignment books. Then she brought out her dryer. She put the soft plastic hood on my head and attached the hose. She told me to start my reading. Then she turned on the dryer. She left the room. I sat there reading for about half an hour while the warm air and noise surrounded my head. The sweet, damp smell from my hair was very relaxing. The dryer wasn't as hot as it had been this morning, or I was getting used to it. Once or twice, I thought about what would happen to me, if any of my friends saw me in this condition. My life would be Hell forever! The warmth, the droning noise, and the boring history textbook finally got to me. I dozed off. When mom returned, I was napping with my head resting on the tabletop, supported by my hands and by the air-filled dryer hood. "Wake up sleeping beauty, time for your comb-out" "What's a comb-out?" "That's the finishing part of your new hairdo" "Mom, I don't want a hairdo, hairdos are for girls. I want my hair to look nice, but I don't want to look like a girl." My mother seemed to change in an instant. "Listen Robbie, I'm losing my patience with you. I want you to look nice; you want to look nice. Stop fussing about what boys do and what girls do. You are my Robbie, and we both agree that you want nice looking hair." "Why are you calling me 'Robbie?' You always used to say 'Rob'." "Rob is a verb for stealing. From now on it will be Robbie, or Robert when you get me angry. Now go take off that Tee shirt and put on a button-up shirt. I don't want you to mess up your hair tonight, when you get undressed." I went to my room to change my shirt. This was getting weird. I liked the name "Rob." Mom had been acting a bit strange lately. She would get really upset every time a "crime" or "violence" story came on the TV news. And why worry about how my hair would look when I took off my shirt? I took off my Tee. It was tricky getting it over the rollers. I was careful not to mess them up. No telling what Mom would say in this mood. I went to my closet to get a button-up shirt. I usually lived in Tee shirts and jeans. I hardly ever wore anything else. I took out the first button-up shirt I found. It was a plaid, winter shirt and too warm for this time of year. I looked further and found a light-weight, dark blue shirt. I put it on. The sleeves only came to the middle of my arms, and I couldn't button it at all. Like I said, I didn't wear them often. I took it off. I was about to settle for the plaid when my mother came in. "What's taking so long? We don't have all night." "Looks like I've outgrown this shirt, and this one is for winter" "I thought that might be the problem. I was shopping yesterday and saw some really cute things on sale. I couldn't resist getting you two new shirts. You can pick the one you want to wear tonight." She handed me a bag from K-Mart. Inside were two short sleeve button shirts. One was deep pink and the other was bright purple. They were made of some kind of light, smooth fabric. They felt cool and almost slippery. I really didn't like the colors. "Well, which one?' "Mom, Why these colors, didn't they have blue or gray, or even brown?" "Don't be so old fashioned. These are the new summer colors. Com'on you'll look like a movie star." Mom was smiling again, and that was a rare event. I picked the purple and tried it on. It felt cool and smooth. It was very comfortable. I had a bit of trouble buttoning it up. Like I say, I hadn't worn a button shirt in months, and I was never too good with my left hand. Just out of the curiosity, I looked at the neck of the pink one. The size label said "kids large." The brand label had been cut out. I asked Mom about that. "Must be because they're on sale. Some companies don't want people to know, that they sometimes sell very fine clothes at sale prices." "That shirt goes with your coloring. Let's finish your hair" Back at the chair, in front of Mom's mirror, she unclipped one roller and unrolled it. The curl of hair sprung right back into shape, like the roller was still there! "Robbie, you do this. It's easy" I took out the rest of the rollers, and took the tape off my forehead. My hair felt crisp and stiff. It looked shiny and had the shape of the rollers. I shook my head and watched the curls bounce around and settle back into even coils. "Mom, you've made my hair into springs." We both laughed. Mom took over then. She worked on each curl with a hairbrush and got the stiffness out. She brushed the bangs carefully, until I had a smooth, even fringe on my forehead. She worked on my hair with the brush and her fingers for several minutes. I had never seen my hair like this before. There was no part on the side. There was a kind of part that separated the fringe on my forehead from a bunch of even curls on top. She had split the curl from each roller into several smaller curls. They seemed to go in different directions, but they were all the same size. Finally she got out a can of hairspray. "Mom, I don't want to smell like a girl again." "Don't be silly, the smell disappears when the spray is dry. Here, you spray it. You don't have use as much as I did this morning. If you can leave your hair alone during the evening, and not play with it, you only need a moderate amount of spray." I took the spray and shot a short burst at my hair. The smell was strong and sweet, like it was this morning. Somehow though, it was pleasant. I finished spraying all around my head. "Don't forget the back and the bangs" I reached around and sprayed the back. Mom told me to close my eyes when I did my bangs. I did. "Now, go sit in your room and read for at least 15 minutes. Don't touch your hair at all. That way you can be sure your hair will look just fine when the spray is dry and firm" "Mom, didn't you dry the spray with the dryer hose this morning? Can we do that now?" "This morning we were in a hurry to get to school. Now we have time. You have reading to do anyway. Also, I want you to be aware, that if you want nice hair, you have to be willing to spend time on it." Fifteen minutes passed quickly. I had switched from reading my history text to reading a book about inventions. It was fun, even though I was reading it for a book report. Mom came back into my room and announced that it was time to leave. She had changed her clothes from the jeans and sweater she had on earlier. I guess I don't usually notice much about what my mother is wearing, but this time how could I miss it? She was wearing a tan skirt, and a blouse that looked just like my shirt! "Mom, you tricked me!" I shouted. "This is a girls color, see it's the same as you're wearing." "First, Robert do not raise your voice to me. Second, you are being very silly. When I wear blue jeans, does that make blue a girls color?" "I guess not. Sorry I yelled" " OK I forgive you. Now I see you're wearing blue jeans, and they really aren't right for dinner with relatives. Put on your black chinos and let's go." I changed my pants quickly and headed downstairs. As I passed the hall mirror, I got a look at myself. I knew I had a "hairdo" and that I had a purple shirt on, but somehow the whole picture just stopped me. I stood there for a few seconds. Mom came up from behind me. She put her arms around me. "You look so nice. I'm so proud of you. I can't wait to meet aunt May and cousin Jen at Red Lobster. We walked to the car together. Mom seemed genuinely happy to be taking me with her. She drove to the mall and parked near the Red Lobster. She skipped the usual "reading the riot act" about behaving myself and not embarrassing her in public. All she said was "I know you will be as charming as you look" Just before we got out of the car she said "Wait a second." She patted my hair gently and did something with her fingers. I squirmed away. "Don't do that. I was only adjusting one of your curls. It was sticking up a bit" She patted my hair again. "There, that's fine. I can't wait until aunt May and your cousin see you." Aunt May and her daughter Jen were already in the restaurant. They were waiting in the lobby. As soon as we arrived, a young woman walked the four of us to a table. I sat next to Mom, facing Jen. Aunt may sat facing Mom. The young woman handed us menus. "Enjoy your dinner, ladies" "Hey, wait, I'm a..." Mom shot me a look, and poked me in the ribs at the same time. "But Mom, she said 'ladies' and I'm boy" "Well, what did you expect her to say? It is three to one." I really didn't have an answer at the time, and I don't think Mom wanted one. We decided on what we were going to order. At least Mom let me order fried shrimp. Mom and her sister May began to talk about adult stuff. Jobs, furniture, basically boring. I looked at Jen. Other than "Hello," we hadn't said much to each other. Jen is two years older than I am, and was about a head taller then. She thought she was very grown up. Mom and May are twins. Mom said that when she and May were kids, no one except their parents could tell them apart. People used to say that both Jen and I "took after" our mothers. I guess that means we looked like them. So I guess, when you figure it all out, Jen and I looked a lot like each other. We both have brown eyes and light brown hair. Of course, Jen's hair was a lot longer than mine was. She usually had it in a ponytail that hung straight as a stick, almost to her belt. I could tell that Jen was looking hard at something about me. "Since when do you have curly hair?" I could feel myself turning red. I looked down at the table. "Com'on, 'fess up, curly hair doesn't run in our family" I wished I would drop into a hole in the floor. "Jen, how's your new bike working" "Don' try to change the subject, I asked you about you hair, about your curly hair to be specific" I looked to Mom. She was talking to May about floor lamps. "I think you curled your hair. In fact, I think you got a perm" "I did not" I didn't know what a perm was, but I didn't think I had one. " Well what is it then? Rollers? Curling iron? I could just see you doing your hair with a curling iron. Were you careful not to burn your hair? It could all fall out, you know." Jen was almost laughing. I was about to cry. "Mom, Jen's teasing me. Make her stop" "I'm not teasing him. I'm just asking about how he got his beautiful curls. I know they're not natural." " Jen, I helped him set his hair on rollers. Robbie has decided that it is worth some effort to have nice looking hair. I think it's great. Most boys are such slobs. I'm helping him learn to take care of his hair." Jen looked a bit puzzled. I saw aunt May whisper something to Mom. She moved her mouth, but almost no sound came out. I think she said "He looks adorable." I don't think I was supposed to hear that. "Jen, you could use a little shape in your hair too you know." "Mother, I'm not cutting my hair and that's that. I think it looks great long and straight, especially when I play my guitar." "I didn't say you have to cut it, just put a little curl in it now and then, so it doesn't look so severe." Jen looked right into my eyes. "See what you got me into now, curler boy? Just because you want to look like a sissy, I'm going to have to spend an afternoon under a dryer. By the way, is that a shirt or a blouse you're wearing? I see it matches your mother's" Aunt May turned. "Jennifer Sue Ross, What has gotten into you? Mind your manners. I think Robbie looks great today. You could use to take a lesson from him. It was all I could do to get you to wear something other than cutoffs and dirty sneakers this evening." Aunt May turned back to my mother. "Since we're planning to be together for the weekend anyway, while my apartment is being painted, perhaps you can help me civilize Jen a bit" The waitress came and took our orders. Mom and May chatted on, while Jen and I mostly just glared at each other. Anger had replaced the embarrassment I felt earlier. Actually, I wanted to ring Jen's neck. Hey, maybe I was dressed a bit funny, but Mom seemed to really love me this way. That meant a lot. The food arrived and Jen and I ate without talking to each other. I knew how Mom wanted me to act, so I didn't crown Queen Jennifer with a scoop of mashed potatoes. On the way home, I asked Mom "Do I really look like a sissy?" "Robbie you look fine. Jen just doesn't know how to talk to a boy who cares about his appearance." It was almost 10 o'clock when we got home. I headed for my room to get ready for bed. Mom knocked, then popped her head in the door. "Do you want to wear a hairnet to sleep tonight?" "Why?" "Well, we worked so hard to get your hair nice today, I thought you might want to keep your curls for school tomorrow." I hadn't thought of that. I did like the way my curls looked. Then I thought about how that girl had treated me yesterday, and how Jen had acted last night. "Mom, I'm not sure I'm ready to go to school with curls, again, so soon." "OK, It's your choice" I saw her face fall. I wanted Mom to be happy with me, but the teasing almost had me crying, both in school and with Jen. As I put my head on the pillow, I could feel my hair getting pressed flat. I knew my curls wouldn't look very good in the morning. I got up, and turned on the light. On my bureau was the thin, brown hairnet I had worn to school, and on the bike ride. I smoothed it out and put it on. I turned out the light and got back into bed. I folded my pillow over, so that it held up my cheek, with the top of my head not touching anything. This way I would still have my curls in the morning. Then I could decide. Curls to school? Or wash them out. I woke up Friday morning and immediately thought about my hair. The net was still in place and my hair looked about the same as the night before. The bangs were messed up a bit. They weren't the neat, even fringe they had been. I brushed my teeth and got ready to take a shower. Decision time. Was I "man enough" to go to school with a pretty hairdo? Now that sounded funny! I decided to keep the curls. At least I wouldn't be wearing a hairnet. I knew that Mom wore a plastic shower cap when she wanted to keep her hair dry in the shower. I called down to her to ask her if I could borrow it. "Of course you can, dear. Just shake the water off it and hang it back up when you finish. I'm so happy you decided to keep your curls" I covered my hair with the cap and showered. I got dressed, pulling the Tee shirt neck over my head as carefully as I could. It barely touched my hair. I looked in the mirror. I definitely looked like a boy, with dark blue Tee shirt and blue jeans. But I had a hairstyle that looked like it belonged on a girl. And the weirdest part was, that I liked the way it looked. Mom checked me over when I got downstairs. "Robbie, you look lovely" "Mom, do you have to say that? I think I'd rather look handsome" "Well you do. With those curls, you look like a storybook prince" The next thing was hard to ask. "Mom, could help me with my bangs? They look messy to me" "Oh, how fast you're learning! Here, I'll show you a trick. Your bangs are slightly damp now from the mist in the shower. They still have hairspray and gel on them from yesterday. If you brush them carefully, and put some setting tape across them, you can get them to look just about perfect." Mom got out the brush and the tape, and I worked on my bangs in front of the hall mirror. I put the tape on. It looked sort of silly. Pink tape with zig-zag edges on my forehead. I didn't take the tape off until the school bus was at the stop on the next block. Mom showed me how to give my bangs a quick brushing and how to give my whole head a quick shot of spray. Then I left for school. I hadn't figured on the hairspray still being wet and "fragrant" when I got into the bus. I sat in the last available seat. That turned out to be next to Betty Thomas. Betty is in my class. She has reddish hair and freckles. She has two kittens that she seems talk about all the time. As girls go, she's not so bad. She sniffed the air as I sat down. "Is that you? I think I smell Aquanett" I looked down at the floor. She sniffed again, this time closer to my head. "It is you. You're wearing hairspray. I think that's so sweet. Most boys don't care about their hair at all. I like how your hair looks too." I could feel my face and ears turning red. I slunk down in my seat. "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you. I really meant it as a compliment." "I guess I'm a little sensitive about my hair. Anyway, lots of boys keep their hair neat." "Yes, but almost all of them who comb it at all, go around with it looking wet, parted on the side, and with that silly wave pushed up in front. They look like Howdy Doody." "I saw you riding your bike past my house yesterday. I tried to call out to you, but you went by too fast. Next time, could you stop by? I'd love to show you my two cute kittens." Was I ever glad I didn't hear her! I wouldn't have wanted to stop, not with the hairnet on. "I was in hurry, Mom wanted me back in an hour and I was already late." "Maybe you could come over today. Here's my address." She pulled a small notebook out of her book bag and wrote something in it. She tore out the page and handed it to me. It said "Betty Thomas 144 Nicole St. Try to make it by 4:00" Betty and I chatted for most of the ride to school. The morning went by quickly. Betty Thomas found me in the lunchroom. "I hope your hair looks just as nice this afternoon as it does now. My mother used to be a hairstylist, and she says that good looking hair is always a big plus, for boys as well as girls." "I'm looking forward to seeing those kittens of yours." I was looking at Betty, when I heard a voice from behind. "Oh how sweet, Betty the redhead and Robert with the pretty hair. Robert, I see you went from waves yesterday to curls today. Are you planning to go red like Betty for tomorrow?" We both turned toward the voice. Before I could say a word, Betty answered "Be nice, if you know how, Teresa Tubby" So that was her name...at least the Teresa part... "Are you going to set each other's hair?" "Go find your own boy to talk to, Fatso" That second reference to Teresa's weight got my attention. I guess I was staring at her. She looked down, turned red, and hurried away. "Don't let that fat little pest bother you." The bell rang, ending lunch period "See you at 4:00. Don't forget.' "I'll be there. So long, Betty." The afternoon seemed to drag on forever. We had 3 1/2 hours of school before lunch and 2 hours after, but the afternoon sometimes seemed twice as long. Especially on Friday. Teresa was in my class, of course, but she avoided me that afternoon. I got home and went for my bike. "Mom, I'm going for a ride to Betty Thomas' house. She invited me for this afternoon" "Ok, just come here a minute before you leave." I walked over to Mom. She put her hands on my shoulders and stood looking at me. "I just want to make sure you look all right." She tugged at the bottom of my Tee shirt. "This shirt is getting a bit short on you. I'll bring you one to change into." I waited while mom came back with a fresh shirt. It was the kind of shirt that has 3 buttons in the front, but pulls on like a Tee shirt. I noticed the collar was more rounded than pointed. It was a kind of pale orange color. "I saw this while shopping today. I think it will look just darling on you." Mom helped me take off my Tee shirt carefully without messing up my hair. She opened the buttons on the new shirt and helped me put it on. With the buttons open, it barely touched my head as I pulled it on. "Here, let me help you fix your hair." With a few touches of a brush, and a long shot of hairspray, she said I was ready to go. I looked at myself as I passed the mirror on my way out. I saw my head with a bunch of curls above straight, smooth bangs, sticking out from a shirt that was the color of orange sherbet. I had never seen myself in this color before, but somehow I liked it. I got my bike from the garage and started toward Betty's house. It wasn't a long ride, well under a mile. Betty and her mother were in the front yard, pulling weeds from a flower bed, as I arrived. Betty's mother looked a lot like Betty. She had the same color red hair as Betty, except that hers was in a style that I didn't really know the name of. It wasn't until some time later that I found out it was called a "French Twist Updo" Whatever it was called, I thought it was very pretty. In fact, I thought Betty's mother was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. "Hi Rob" "Hi Betty" "Hello, Rob." "Nice to meet you Mrs. Thomas" "Come on in, I'll bet both of you would like a snack" We went into the kitchen and sat at the table. The cookies were already there, and Mrs Thomas got the milk from the fridge. I was on my second cookie when Mrs. Thomas spoke to me. "When I first saw you coming down the street, I wasn't sure if you were the boy Betty had told me about. You look so different from most of the boys in her school." "What do you mean" "Oh you know. You look more...refined...better groomed..." "Well, my Mom has been kind of helping me with my appearance lately." "I can see you've been giving some attention to your hair. I know those curls aren't natural, but they look so nice. They are from rollers, aren't they?" I did an instant imitation of a stoplight. "Mother, please don't embarrass Rob like that. He looks very nice, but I don't think he likes to talk about it." "Sorry Betty, I guess once a hairstylist, always a hairstylist. By the way, you know we have Aunt Sue's wedding shower tomorrow. I'd like to set your hair this afternoon, to save some time in the morning. I could do it now. Then you and Rob can play with the kittens. Your hair will take only about 15 minutes." "Rob, would you mind?" "Betty, is it ok if I watch" "Ok with me, Mother sets my hair all the time. No big deal." I watched as Mrs. Thomas moved a stool over to the sink and had Betty sit on it while she shampooed her hair. I could see her working the lather in with her fingers. She tested the water on her wrist before using the sprayer to rinse Betty's hair. She put some other liquid on Betty's hair. I thought I recognized the bottle. "Mrs. Thomas, is that conditioner?" "Yes, it is. It leaves hair easier to set, and it helps the set last longer." Mrs. Thomas finished rinsing Betty's hair and wrapped a towel around her head. Betty got off the stool. "I could do your hair, while I'm at it. I know several great styles for hair that's medium short, like yours. Would you like that?" "I think I better check with my mom first. She seems very concerned about my hair the last few days." "You can call her, if you want" I really didn't feel comfortable with all this attention about my hair, but Mrs. Thomas was so beautiful, and seemed so kind, that the thought of her hands working on my head gave me an excited feeling that was hard to describe. I called and spoke with Mom. As it turned out, Mom knew Mrs. Thomas. In fact, Mom said that Mrs. Thomas used to use the name "Miss Ruth" when she worked in a salon, and that Mom was one of her customers. Mom said that she couldn't wait to see what style Miss Ruth would do with my hair. Mom asked that I give the phone to Mrs. Thomas. They talked for a few minutes. When Mrs. Thomas hung up, she said "Robbie, hop up on the stool. Your mom says I can make you as beautiful as I want" The words sounded a bit scary...after all, girls get "made beautiful," not boys. But Mrs. Thomas' smile was so warm, and she spoke like she really liked me. I got on the stool without a moment's hesitation. "OK Robbie, bend forward over the sink." She had just called me Robbie twice. I guess my mother asked her to call me that. Mrs. Thomas wet my hair with warm water. She ran her fingers through it and added some shampoo. She worked the shampoo around every bit of my scalp. I didn't think something could feel so relaxing and exciting at the same time. I could feel her rinsing my hair with water that was so pleasantly warm. "I'm going to lather your hair again, I want to make sure I get all the hairspray out." During the second lathering, I told Mrs. Thomas how wonderful it felt. "Well, I haven't lost my touch. By the way, you can call me Miss Ruth, if you like" "I think I'll stick to Mrs. Thomas" After the second shampooing, and the conditioning, Mrs. Thomas wrapped a towel around my head. I joined Betty at the kitchen table. "I'll set Betty first, she has been waiting" Mrs. Thomas worked smoothly and quickly. She used a comb like Mom's, with a long tail. She would use the tail to separate a section of Betty's hair, then comb it smooth. She would then dip her finger into a jar of a yellow jelly and apply it to the section of hair. Then she rolled the section on a roller and used little chrome clips to hold the roller in place. She put lots of rollers in Betty's hair. "I'm rolling Betty's hair with the rollers vertical. Tomorrow, she will have adorable ringlets. Do you know what ringlets are?" I said I didn't know. Mrs. Thomas described them. I realized I had seen them on girls before, usually on very pretty, dressed-up girls. In my mind, I had always called them "tube curls." Finally, she was finished. I don't think it really took her more than 10 minutes to put about 40 rollers on Betty's head. She put a light brown hairnet over the rollers. "OK Robbie, you're next." I was already sitting at the kitchen table. Mrs. Thomas walked to the side of my chair and unwrapped the towel from around my head. I could instantly smell the fragrance from my damp hair. She began combing my hair. As she did, I felt a strange kind of excitement. It was a mix of feelings. The movement of the comb against my scalp was soothing, while all the thoughts about what was being done to me made my heart pound. Mrs. Thomas said that it was ok with my mom, if she made me "as beautiful as she wanted" Betty was watching her mother work on my head, as she sat there looking very grown up in her rollers and net. "You know Rob, you really have very nice hair. I hope you consider letting it grow longer this summer. I know boys often get those awful "summer crewcuts" thinking they will feel cooler, but I doubt it helps at all." "I think you're right, Betty. I had a crewcut last summer, and actually got a sunburn on top of my head. Then I had to wear a baseball cap all the time. I think I'd rather just have some hair." "Rob, I think you would look nice with longer hair. Besides, with long hair, you can try so many different styles. I like trying new hairstyles." "Robbie, would you like me to try a different style on you now?" "What do you mean, Mrs. Thomas?" "Well, I was thinking, we could try something a little more special looking." "I'm not sure what you mean, Mrs. Thomas." "Let me try a different style. If you don't like it, we can just wash it out, and comb your hair into your old 'regular boy style'" "I'm not sure how my mom would feel about that." All the time, while talking, she was combing my hair. Now, she reached across the table and picked up a roller from the same bowl of rollers she had used for Betty's hair. "I think if we do something else with your bangs, it will change your whole look." I could feel her rolling the hair right at the front of my head. When the roller touched my scalp, she fastened it with two of those little clips, same as she had done on Betty. I could tell that this roller was almost right above my eye. I tried to look up as much as I could, and see if I could see the roller. "Oh, I'm sorry, I guess you want to watch, this is all still pretty new to you." With that, she went to a drawer and took out a mirror on a stand. She handed it to me. "Set this up so you can see me work." I set up the mirror and watched, fascinated as the rollers were applied to my head. There was a firm, tight feeling to each one. Mrs. Thomas was rolling my hair in a different way than my mom had. When Mom did it, the bangs were combed forward, and all the rollers seemed to be rolled toward the back. Mrs. Thomas had the rollers in a set of 4, two rolled from the middle to the right, and two toward the left. The rollers behind these were about like my mom had done, rolled toward the back. "Does your mom set your hair often?" "No, Mrs. Thomas, just for the last two days" "And is that a new shirt you're wearing?" I had almost forgotten about the pale orange shirt I had on. "Yes, My mom just got it for me today" "May I look at the label?" "Sure" Mrs. Thomas gently lifted my shirt collar in the back. "No label. It must be one of those expensive samples that sometimes find their way to discount stores. Your mother has a great eye for fashion." Mrs. Thomas had finished working with the rollers. She had put about 8 or 10 of them in my hair. I thought they were smaller than the ones my mother had used, but I wasn't sure. She covered my hair with a blue net and tied it in the back. "Why don't the two of you go out in yard and play with the kittens. With the sun and the breeze, Robbie's short hair will be dry in about two hours. Betty, our dryer is still broken, you'll have to sleep in your rollers." We headed for the backyard. It wasn't until I was almost out the door, that it hit me that someone from school might see me. 'Dead' wouldn't begin to describe my fate! Rollers, hairnet, playing with a girl! I might as well be wearing a pink dress and have a Barbie Doll in my hands. I stood still. "Come on" Betty was standing next to me with a kitten under each arm. I followed, feeling like the world was about to crash down at any second. Actually, nothing terrible happened. We played with the kittens. We sat on the grass and threw crumpled paper to them, and they pounced on it. Betty tied an extra hair roller to a string and dangled it in front of the adorable calico kitten. The little cat batted at the roller like it was the best toy in the world. Meanwhile, the shiny black kitten with the pretty white paws had walked around behind me, and started to play with the long tails hanging from my hairnet. "Rob, I think they want to grow up to be salon cats." We both giggled. We played with the kittens, played catch with a beach ball, and pulled a few weeds from around Mrs. Thomas' flowers. Betty's mom came to the back door. "Robbie" (That name again!) "You're going have to be heading back home for dinner soon. Let's see if your hair is dry enough to comb out." We walked back into the house. Mrs. Thomas carefully untied the hairnet from around my head and took it off. She took the clips out of one roller and unwound it. "OK, nice and dry. That sunshine and spring air did the trick. Let's get you finished." I was seated back at the kitchen table. Mrs. Thomas had the rollers out of my hair in seconds. I watched in the mirror as she brushed the front of my hair into two curls that went left and right from the center. and ended on my forehead. She separated the even rolls of hair at the top of my head, and held each small section between two fingers as she sprayed it. She held it for a few seconds longer, then moved to another curl. I could see the curls arranged with the end of one resting on the middle of the one behind it. "These are called 'Petal Curls' because they look something like a flower bud. Do you like them?" I really didn't know what to say. These curls were very different from what my mom had done. If anything, they were smoother, and except for the curls on my forehead, they all curled toward the back. "This hairstyle always gets lots of spray to keep the petals firm and slightly elevated. It doesn't look too nice if it gets flattened. Here goes" I never thought you could put that much spray on one guy's head! I thought it might start to drip off. But none got in my eyes, and I didn't die from lack of air. Just then, the phone rang. Mrs. Thomas picked it up. "It's your mother" I took the phone. "Robbie, I hope you're having a nice time and behaving yourself' "Everything is great, and I think you'll be surprised when you see me." "I bet you look wonderful. Miss Ruth is very talented. Start for home soon. Dinner will be ready in an hour." "Mother, can you comb my hair out now?" "No Betty, your hair is much longer. It isn't even half dry yet." "I wish I didn't have to sleep in rollers tonight. Sometimes I wake up with a stiff neck from them and tomorrow is Aunt Sue's shower. I don't want to be out of sorts for that." "With the dryer plug burned out, I don't see any other choice" "Maybe I can help. My dad taught me how to put plugs on lamps and how to make extension cords" "Well, I'll show you the dryer" The dryer was not at all like my mom's. It stood on the floor in Mrs. Thomas' bedroom, and had a big chrome hood. I had seen a row of dryers like this the beauty salon where my mother went. They reminded me of space helmets, like on TV. The plug was really OK. The burned spot was about 2 inches up the wire. I think the rubber had worn out and the wires had touched. "I think I can fix it for you." Betty said "Could you try, please" I used the screwdriver and wire cutter that Mrs. Thomas dug out of a drawer, and went to work on the plug. I shortened the wire back beyond the bad spot, and began to put the plug on. I could see myself in the mirror, with a new perfect hairdo, working on the plug. It was almost like my head was out of place with my hands. It looked strange in a way, but in a way it was exciting. When I finished, I plugged it in and Mrs. Thomas turned it on. It worked. Soon Betty was sitting under the dryer. She looked so grown up! Just like the ladies at the salon. Mrs. Thomas hugged me before I left. "Thank you. Beauty, and brains too. Please come back soon." "Thank you for this nice hairdo" Betty carefully got out from under the dryer and gave me a hug too. I hugged her back. I could feel her warm rollers against my cheek. "Please come visit again" "I'd like that, Monday OK' "See you then" I got on my bike and started home. I was eager to show my new hairdo to Mom. I rode my bike home slowly. I remembered the sweaty ride home and my mom's reaction. Besides, I really wanted to keep this new hairdo just as it was when Mrs. Thomas finished it. She and Betty had been so nice to me. I had to stop once to wait at a corner for traffic to clear. As I waited, a little boy, younger than I am, walked around the corner. "Hey girly, why are you riding a boy's bike?" "Because I'm a boy, stupid" "Well, you look like..." He never finished. Maybe he realized that I was way bigger than he was, and he should just shut up. I reached home and put my bike in the garage. I came in the back door. Mom was at the sink. "Hi Mom, surprise!" "Hi, Robbie." Mom turned and looked at me "You hair is adorable. I love those delicate curls on your forehead. And the even curls on top look so...so sophisticated. Miss Ruth is quite an artist. I hope you thanked her for her work. May I touch it?" "Sure Mom" Mom patted my hair lightly with one hand. It felt like she was patting my whole head at the same time. I mean, all my hair seemed to be one piece. I guess the spray had made it pretty stiff. "She really lacquered it for you. If you're careful, this hairdo will last a week." "Mom I like this hairdo, and Mrs. Thomas was so nice, but...do you think I look like a girl?" "Will you ever stop worrying about that? You look like a very fine, very well groomed, boy.' "This kid, on the way home...He thought I was a girl!" "Who is important to you? Your mother or some stupid kid on the street?" Mom was getting angry again. "You're most important, Mom" "Well I say, I like the way you look. There are a lot of things about grooming and behavior that boys would do well to learn from girls" I really didn't want to get Mom angry. These last 2 or3 days, she had been happier, friendlier than I could remember. That was worth a little teasing from a stupid kid. Mom was still looking at my hair. She was smiling. "That is a fairly formal hairdo. I think I'll have to do something about mine, so I don't look like a boy" I looked at Mom's hair. It was the same color as mine, a kind of medium brown. It was mostly straight and reached her shoulders. The ends curved in toward her neck. Mom had bangs in the front, but usually brushed them to the side. Sometimes, when she was going someplace fancy with Dad, she would go to the salon and get her hair done. "Robbie, would you help me do my hair? You've watched me, and you've watched Miss Ruth, do yours, and I can always use some help with the back. I want to do mine tonight, because Aunt May and cousin Jen are coming for the weekend, while the painters are working on their apartment." "Ok I'll try to help" "Great, lets have dinner first" We ate broiled chicken and salad. Mom likes salads. I wish she would make more baked potatoes, they're my favorite. After dinner, mom took a shower and washed her hair. She came to the kitchen in a robe. "Roller time, Mr. Robbie" "What?" "Just a joke...it seems that every hairstylist in America is Miss or Mr...plus a first name." "I'm not a hairstylist. That's a girls job." "Don't start that boy's-girl's business again. Hairstyling is a useful, gentle, peaceful job for anyone." "I want to be a correction officer, like Uncle Todd" "Wouldn't you rather spend your time making people beautiful and proud, than spend it keeping them in cages?" "But Uncle Todd is strong and tough" "Uncle Todd is a bully. He chose a job where he can push people around and abuse them. I really don't want you to grow up like that." "I never thought of it that way." Mom had put a bunch of hair setting stuff on the table in front of her. She had rollers, clips, a hair net, her comb with the long tail, and the jar of pink setting gel. She began comb her hair and to apply the gel. "Please hand me a roller as I need it" I handed Mom the rollers. She didn't have to ask me for rollers, I could see when she was ready for one. Same with the clips. After she had the front of her head covered with rollers, she asked me if I could roll up the back for her. I said I would try. The first roller seemed to take almost forever. It kept slipping and twisting. The hair kept rolling off the end. "Take your time dear, you'll get the knack" I'd never seen Mom so patient before. I finally got that one roller wound down to Mom's scalp. Mom had a clip ready for me. Mom's clips weren't chrome like Mrs. Thomas'. Mom's were like a bobbi pin, only much bigger. I tried to open the pin before using it. Mom saw me struggling with it. "You don't have to open the pin at all. Just hold it with the bent-up end on the outside of the roller, where the hair is, and slide it onto the roller. Be sure to put it very close to my scalp, so the roller doesn't unwind" I did what Mom asked, while trying to be careful not to pull her hair. By the 5th or 6th roller, it was getting easier. It sure was much easier than when Mom tried to get me to put a roller in my own hair. Mom made sure I used enough setting gel. The gel seemed to help keep the hair on the roller. "Wind the rollers a little tighter, if you can. I want the curls to be well defined, like yours" "I don't want to pull too hard, and hurt you" "Don't worry, a little pulling is expected. Its just part of getting your hair done." I did some of the rollers, then Mom took over again and did the some hair at the back of neck with just bobby pins. She called these "pin curls" I don't think Mom really needed my help at all. I think she just wanted me to try hair rolling again. When all her hair was rolled up, Mom took the small mirror from the table and carried it to the hall mirror. She used the two mirrors together to see all parts of her head. "Robbie, you did a fine job. You kept the four rows of rollers even, all the way down. You seem to have a talent for this." "Thanks Mom, but I'm not sure I really like doing hair" "You may get to like it. Can you help me with something else?" "Sure Mom." "I'm going to sit under the dryer here in the kitchen. I can fold some laundry while I'm sitting. Would you please empty the clothes dryer into the basket, take your things to your room, hang them up, and bring the rest to me." "Sure Mom." I went to the basement and pulled the clothes out of the dryer. There wasn't much of mine, just two pairs of underpants, some socks, my new purple shirt and my black chinos. I filled the basket, put my stuff on top, and went upstairs. I put the basket on the table in front of Mom. "Thanks Robbie." I took few items and headed for my room. As I began to hang my shirt in the closet, I noticed that it looked bigger than my other shirts. "This must be Mom's, both shirts are the same color" I thought. I checked for a size label. The first thing I spotted was a label that said "Suzie Q Blouses, Your Mother and Daughter Collection." The size label was a separate tag that said Ladies Medium. I looked at the first label again. It was made of black material with the words sewed on. I brought the purple shirt back into the kitchen. "I think this one is yours" Mom took it from me and looked at the label. "Yes, I believe it is. This one must be yours" She handed me the other purple shirt from the basket. I looked for the label. Sure enough it had one label that said "Kids Large." I looked hard and saw where another label had been cut away. Only a little edge was left, but sure enough, it was black. I was really afraid to ask Mom about the shirts. I guess I knew that they were a matching set, a "Mother and Daughter" set. I went to my room, hung up the shirt, and began to cry. I wanted Mom to love me, but I was a boy, not a girl. I think I stayed there a long time. Finally, I heard Mom's voice. "Robbie, come here. I'm ready to take out the rollers." I helped her take out the rollers and the pins from the pin curls. Her hair was so shiny! Each curl was like a perfect roll of hair. "Shall I wear my hair up for a change?" "I'm not sure I know what you mean." "You know, pinned up with lots of curls in back, the way I have it done at the salon." "Oh, I always called that 'Mom's Movie Star hairstyle'" "That's so sweet. Will you help me do it?" "It really looks hard to do" "Well, we probably won't get it as perfect as the salon does, but we can try" We must have put 30 bobbi pins and most of a can of spray on Mom's hair. When we were finished, Mom seemed very happy with her style. I had learned how to roll a curl around my finger, spray it, and wait until it dried a bit, before pinning it in place. "It will be a great waste of talent if you don't consider hairstyling as a possible job some day" Mom was standing next to me. We were both facing the big mirror. Both of us with fancy hairdos. And I liked how we looked. Was I turning into a girl? It was just too confusing. "Mom, can I ask you something?" "What sweetheart?" "Well, when I accidentally took your purple shirt into my room, I saw the label. That's how I knew for sure it was yours. It says it is a 'mother and daughter blouse.' Is my purple shirt really the 'daughter' blouse?" Mom's smile disappeared. She looked down at me, right into my eyes. "Would it really bother you if it was a blouse? I want you to wear things that are a bit more gentle and refined looking, sometimes. I am so proud of the way you are learning to take care of your hair, that I want everyone who sees us to know that you are my beautiful child. And I think its just plain fun to wear matching clothes. My twin sister and I did it all the time." "Is the shirt I'm wearing now, really a girls shirt too? It has no label either." "I'm not really sure. It may be. Boy's things don't usually come in such nice colors and soft fabrics. Isn't it comfortable?" "It is very comfortable, but I keep thinking about that kid who thought I was a girl. Also, I like my hair this way, and it was fun learning to help you with yours, but I know kids would make fun of me if they knew" That did it. Mom changed in an instant. She took hold of both my upper arms and squeezed her fingers into them. "You little brat! I have had to deal with nasty, ungrateful men and boys all my life. You are my child. You will do as I say, groom yourself to my standards, and wear the clothes I give you. Otherwise, you will be punished." Mom was shouting now. I was about to cry "If you don't like it, you can take it up with your father, when and if he ever gets back from this assignment in Australia. Do you understand?" I was whimpering. "Yes" "Yes, What?" "Yes, Mom" I tried, not knowing what she wanted me to say. "Try 'Yes, Mother' I'd like to hear how it sounds from you." "Yes, Mother" Mom softened her voice. "Please let me delight in my beautiful child." I looked up. There were tears in her eyes too. Her grasp loosened, then turned into a hug. I hugged her back. "Robbie, how about some milk and cookies before bed?" I had milk. Mom had tea. We both had cookies. I went up to my room and got ready for bed. After unbuttoning my shirt, it was easy to get it over my head without disturbing a single curl. I realized that unless I did something, my hair would probably get messed up while I slept. I looked around my room for the hairnet I had used the night before. I couldn't find it, even though I was fairly sure I had left it on the bureau. Maybe Mom had an extra. I put on my robe and went downstairs "Mom, I'm ready to go to sleep, but I don't want to ruin Mrs. Thomas' work so soon." "Yes, and Aunt May is coming over with Jen in the morning. I guess we both want to look nice." "Do you have an extra hairnet. I can't seem to find the one I wore last night." "Those light 'invisible' nets are so easy to lose track of. Here, I bought you something just for sleeping." Mom got a bag from the table near the door, and handed me a cellophane package. Inside was something pale blue, and silky looking. There was a piece of paper in with it. It said in big, sweeping pink letters "Sweet Dreams Slumber Cap Keeps your coif perfect all night" There was a picture of a pretty lady putting some kind of a big hat over a very large, curly hairstyle. "Open it, try it on" I did. It was made of the shiniest, smoothest cloth I had ever touched. "Mom, What's a 'coif'?" "Its short for a French word, 'coiffure' It means a hairstyle, usually a fancy style. This cap will keep your style even better than a net. But don't wear it over wet hair, your hair won't dry through it." "Thanks, Mom. Do you have one too?" "I have been wearing these since I first saw one in the store. I have three, in different colors, but this one is yours." I went back up to my room. I looked in the mirror. I definitely did not look like the lady on the Slumber Cap package. I was happy about that. Well, I wore the Sweet Dreams Slumber Cap to bed that night. I couldn't remember ever sleeping with any kind of hat on before. But somehow the thought that I was wearing this special "pretty hair" cap was very exciting. I had trouble getting to sleep. I kept thinking about Jen coming over in the morning and seeing my new, even fancier curls. I kept trying to get comfortable by moving my pillow around. Every time my fingers got near my face, I could smell the hairspray that had gotten on them when I was helping Mom do her hair. I think I fell asleep sniffing the sweet smell of my own fingers. I woke up early on Saturday to Mom's knock on my door. "Aunt May and cousin Jen are coming for breakfast. Better get dressed. No tee shirts, remember your hair." I didn't like the last part. I like to wear tee shirts. I have lots of them, and they feel comfortable. "Aw Mom, can't I wear a tee shirt? I'll be careful about getting it over my head" "You can pick any button up shirt you want." "But I want to wear a tee shirt." "That's it Robbie. Too much back talk. I'll pick a shirt for you." Mom came up the stairs quickly and walked into my room. She opened my closet and got out the pink shirt she had bought for me. She handed it to me. "You wouldn't choose something acceptable, now I'll choose for you. Wear this." I saw that her blouse and my shirt were identical in color. I thought about Jen's teasing. "I won't wear another 'mother and daughter blouse.'" "You'll wear just what I say you'll wear" She tried to hand the shirt to me. I turned my back. Mom took my shoulders and turned me around. "YOU PUT THIS ON NOW!" Mom fingers were digging into my shoulder. I knew how angry she could get. "Ok...Ok, I'll wear the stupid shirt." "Finish getting dressed and get downstairs. They'll be here any minute. You better not embarrass me any more today. I still have to decide how to punish you for this scene." Mom left. I started to put on the shirt. It was different from the purple one. Back then I didn't know words like "pleats" or "ruffles," but I could see that this blouse was fancier than the other one. I put it on and buttoned it up. I was clumsy with the buttons. I guess I didn't know that girl's clothes buttoned from a different side than boy's stuff either. I remembered that Mom had been wearing fresh blue jeans. I figured maybe, she would like it if we matched, and not punish me about the shirt. I found one pair of jeans without worn-out knees and put them on. Then I remembered I still had the Slumber Cap on. I carefully took it off in front of the mirror and discovered that it had worked. I thought my hair still looked about how it looked last night. I hurried down stairs. "Well, that's not too bad, but your hair got quite flattened. Stand in front of the hall mirror." Mom got hairspray and her comb. She lifted my hair with the pointy tail of the comb while she sprayed it. She made me stay there while she did the same thing to about 8 spots on my head. At last she seemed finished. "Now, go sit down and don't move until the spray is dry. And don't touch your hair." I sat while Mom set the breakfast table. Her hair was "up" like she had left it last night. As I sat there, Mom handed me the napkins and silverware for the table. "You can help with this, you know" Aunt May and Jen arrived just as we finished setting the table. Jen sat down across from me. Mom wasn't sitting down yet. She was busy at the stove with coffee and eggs. Aunt May was at the counter, pouring coffee. "Oh how cute. Mother and daughter prairie blouses. Did you pick them out together?" Jen was whispering, so only I could hear. "And I see you have another new hairdo. Did you have to sleep in rollers too? Because I did. My moth