His Mother's Hair, Part I
By Melissa Anne Curling
"Oh Madge, it's so good to see you!" Arlene beamed as she saw her sister
for the first time in eight months.
"It's great to see you, too, Sis. You look terrific!" Madge countered as
she hugged her sister. "When did you cut your hair? A little short isn't
it?"
"Don't start in on me five seconds after we've said 'hello'! Not everyone
likes to fuss with their hair the way you do, you know."
"But, it's a buzz cut. Mom is going to have a cow when she sees it,"
Madge replied.
"I already warned her so it won't be a complete surprise," Arlene
explained. "Don't worry, I can handle Mom," she added.
"I'll tell her you said that," Madge kidded. "Oh, just come in! There's
no sense in us standing out here on the porch," Madge urged.
"Where is that darling nephew of mine?" Arlene asked. "I've been saving
up a big hug for him."
"He's over at a friend's house playing video games," Madge explained.
"Arlene, I swear, that's all he ever does besides a little school work. I
just don't know what to do with that son of mine," an exasperated Madge
went on to explain to her sister as they sat in the living room to visit.
"He just doesn't seem to be interested in anything. The only other thing
that he does besides play video games on TV is sit and watch TV. I have
such a hard time getting him to do anything and getting him to help
around the house is impossible."
"I know, I know. It must be very difficult for him since his father
passed away. He was always such a shy child. Now, I'll bet even more so.
It's too bad he doesn't have any interest in sports. My Jimmy lives his
life around that soccer team he's on," Arlene replied trying to help.
"That kid of mine is all boy just like his jock of a father," she added.
"Sports are just not in Wendell's realm. He has good hand-eye
coordination but his brain doesn't communicate with his feet very well.
He's so uncoordinated he can hardly run down the sidewalk without
tripping over his own two feet. And, I'm so afraid he's going to take
after his father's side of the family. You know, he's thirteen now but
has always been a little small for his age," Madge continued with
concern.
"How's his school work?" Arlene asked.
"He does O.K. in that department. He's not going to be a brain surgeon;
that's for sure," Madge offered.
"What about a hobby of some sort?" Arlene inquired.
"I don't know, it's so difficult trying to come up with something in that
regard. I have tried to suggest stamp collecting, bird watching, even the
boy scouts - he's not interested at all in even trying any of those
things. His sole focus seems to be playing those silly video games of
his. He'll play any game he can get his hands on. I actually saw him
playing 'Pong" the other day."
"I didn't know that old, Stone Age game was still available."
"He was playing it on some old equipment of his fathers," Wendell's
mother explained. "But, you know, there was one activity that he did seem
to show some interest in..." she started to say but couldn't as she
blushed and started to giggle.
"What is it Sis? What's so funny? Come on, tell me," Arlene urged with a
puzzled look.
After Madge calmed down she went on to explain, "Remember a couple of
months ago during the beginning of summer when Wendell went to stay with
Mom? He was there for, oh, about three weeks.'
"Yeah, Mom told me he had come for a visit. So what's so funny about
that?" Arlene asked.
"Well, when I went to pick him up after my cruse to Mexico, I drove up
and found Mom gardening in the front yard. We chatted for a few moments
in that beautiful front yard of hers- God, her flowers are so pretty.
Then, we went in the house to find my little Wendell. What I found
shocked me to my heels. He was sitting in his Grandmother's favorite
chair knitting!" Madge exclaimed.
"Get out, Sis! What in heaven's name would he be doing that for?" Arlene
prodded.
"When Wendell saw me, I evidently surprised him and he must have been a
little embarrassed so he immediately tucked his knitting down in the side
of the chair and leaned over to hide his project. You know Mom - with all
of the tact of a raging bull. She went over and pulled him out of the
chair, grabbed the needles, yarn and the little bundle of pink that he
stuffed down there." Madge went on to say, "Mom brought it over and
showed me this adorable little pink baby bootie that he was just
finishing."
"You've got to be kidding," Arlene said. "Why would little Wendell be
knitting a pink baby bootie for god's sake?"
"Well, Wendell tried to get up and sneak out but Mom stopped him cold.
She walked him across the room over to me, stood behind him, and with her
hands on his shoulders and without apology she proudly explained that
during his visit, she had taught him how to knit. He just stood there
looking down at my high heels as if he were ashamed or something. Mom
went on to explain how they were watching TV one night side by side on
the couch. She was working on a little knit outfit for her neighbor's new
granddaughter and Wendell showed an interest in her knitting."
"Well, that isn't exactly normal for a thirteen year old, is it?"
"No, of course not. But Mom thought nothing of it so he showed him a few
simple stitches and he got the hang of it right away," Madge furthered.
"The next day, she bought him his own knitting needles, yarn, and a
little instruction book with ideas for some simple beginner knitting
projects."
"This is too interesting," the boy's aunt added shaking her head. She
tried to picture her own son exhibiting sissy behavior and shook her head
at the ridiculous thought.
"You haven't even heard the most of it, Sis. Have you ever seen Mom
knit?" Madge asked. "What does she always wear when she performs that
feminine task?"
"She wears one of those silly pinafore apron things she makes with the
huge pockets," Arlene answered. "You don't mean...!" exclaimed Arlene.
"Honest to God. Mom made him a pinafore apron that matched hers exactly
so while he was knitting, he could be 'just like Grandma'. He knitted
several pairs of booties for the neighbor's baby granddaughter and then
Mom started him working on a baby blanket. He even picked out the colors
himself. I haven't seen it but I understand it's little girl pink with a
dusty rose border."
"And he actually wore a pinafore apron...?" Arlene asked.
"Mom told me he wore it most of the time he was staying with her. During
his visit, he would get up in the morning, shower and get dressed. Then,
without her even asking him, he'd put on his apron. I understand he can
tie a near perfect bow behind his back. They baked cookies, did some
flower arranging, and even did some house work together. Mom told me that
one evening he even helped her put some rollers in the back of her hair.
You know, her arthritis is getting to be a concern."
"Did Mom say anything else?" Arlene asked
"Not really. She told me not to worry and that Wendell was a gentle boy
who enjoyed doing more inside domestic activities as opposed to
traditional outdoor 'boy' things. She had to go to her doctor's
appointment so we had to end the conversation right there. When we said
our 'goodbyes', I told her that I would invite her for a weekend visit
sometime soon. That was it." Madge explained.
"Was he wearing the pinafore apron when you picked him up?" Not waiting
to answer Arlene continued, "Madge, it sounds as if that boy of yours has
a little bit of a sissy streak in him. Have there been any other signs of
effeminate behavior?" Arlene asked.
"To tell you the truth, there was one other thing..."
"Come on Madge. It can't be that bad. You know you can tell me anything,"
Arlene demanded.
"I asked him how he was going to earn a some money this summer. You know
he always likes to earn a little money of his own. He can mow lawns, do
yard care while people are on vacation, walk dogs, ? whatever. When I
pressed him for an answer, he asked me if he could come and work with me
at my beauty college."
"It sounds like you may have a bit of a challenge on your hands. What did
he offer to do at the shop?"
"You know, sweep up, clean the wash basins, dust the shelves- just
generally keep everything neat and tidy. He also thought he could bring
the customers magazines to read while they are getting there hair done,"
Madge replied. "He also offered to serve them coffee, soft drinks,
whatever."
"Kind of like being the shampoo girl without doing the shampoos," the
boy's aunt countered.
"Well, not exactly..."
"Don't tell me he also offered to do the ladies' shampoos? My heavens,
what are you going to do?"
"I told him I'd think about it. What else could I say?" Madge asked.
"You could have told him 'no'," Arlene answered.
"I basically did," Madge said.
"And?" Arlene prodded.
"He said 'O.K.', and, as usual, he went into the living room and started
playing one of his video games. He's very passive when I tell him
something," Madge said.
"Tell me, what's his favorite game?" Arlene asked
"He seems to like his X-Men game the best," Madge replied.
"Have you ever looked closely at exactly what he's playing? Let's go take
a look," Arlene suggested. Arlene was hopeful that Wendell's X-Men game
was the same as the one that she had bought for her Jimmy on his last
birthday- and, it was.
Now in the living room and having examined Wendell's favorite X-Men game
and the characters he chose to portray when playing the game, Madge was
sitting quietly with her head in her hands.
"Arlene, I had no idea. These games are; of course, on the violent side-
I knew that. But, why on earth would he choose to play the X-Men
characters of 'Storm' and 'Phoenix'? Two women for Pete's sake?"
"Madge, it seems to me that it just all fits. My guess is that your boy
is probably a little more of a 'Wendy' than a 'Wendell' at heart," Arlene
replied.
"Don't tell me you think he wants to be a girl? I don't believe it! How
on earth can I go about figuring that out? I wouldn't even know where to
start. I'm a hairdresser, not a psychologist," Madge said.
"Madge, just calm down. Isn't Mom joining us this weekend? She's the
proverbial 'bull in the china shop', that's for sure. But, she has a real
insight into people. I've seen it a hundred times. She can really peg a
person right down to their toes. You can talk to her about all of this.
If you think about it, maybe she's already been delving into Wendell's
feminine frame of mind? After all, she did get him started knitting and
wearing an apron- not to mention having him help set her hair."
"Maybe you're right," Madge said with a calm tone in her voice.
"Look Sis, I'm only trying to help. One more question- did Mom ask to
come and visit or did you invite her out of the blue?" Arlene inquired.
"She asked to come. Why does it matter?" Madge replied.
"It wouldn't surprise me a bit if she was coming to let you in on some of
her insights regarding Wendell. I don't have anything particular planned
this weekend. Why don't we all have a girls' weekend with Mom."
"That would be wonderful. I'll see if Wendell can stay over at one of his
friends' house."
"Oh, don't do that, Madge. God, sometimes you can be so dense."
"Arlene, you don't mean..."
"Let's just see what happens with Wendell when Mom is here for her visit.
She's already had him involved in some girlish behavior. It could be very
interesting."
"I don't even want to think about it," Madge interjected. "All of this
talk has given me such a headache."
"Come on, let me brush your hair for you, Sis. That always relaxes you,"
Arlene offered.
"That would be wonderful, I'll get my brush," Madge replied.
Moments later, Arlene was sitting on the couch with her sister perched on
a footstool in front of her and between her legs. Madge unpinned her mid-
back length, naturally auburn, thick, wavy locks. As she ran her fingers
through her hair to loosen it a bit, Madge remembered back to her younger
days when her Mother, and often her older sister, would brush her hair.
How girlish she used to feel as they slowly passed the brush through her
tresses giving her hair a lustrous shine. She loved listening to the
compliments and envy regarding her hair as they brushed and brushed her
gorgeous mane.
"God, Arlene, that feels so good. You still have the touch. I have to
ask, why did you cut your hair so short?" Madge asked.
"I'm the one with the brush in her hands, Sis. If you want me to
continue, you better be good and don't bug me about my hair!" Arlene
warned as she grabbed a handful of Madge's hair and gave it a little tug.
"Ouch! That hurt. I'm sorry, just please don't stop brushing my hair."
Madge begged sounding a lot like a child.
"Look, I told you at the door, I don't like fussing with my hair the way
you do," Arlene explained.
"It's just that you have such pretty hair. I hate to see it wasted on the
salon floor," Madge countered.
"More like the barber shop floor, if you want to know the truth," Arlene
countered.
"A barber shop? Are you out of your mind? Why on earth would you go to a
barbershop to get your hair cut?" Madge asked.
"If you must know, there's a certain barber there that I've started a
relationship with- as in personal relationship," Arlene replied.
"You've met someone! I'm so happy. What's his name?" Madge eagerly asked.
"She, is actually a barberette. If you want to know any more, I'd be
happy to tell you the whole story," Arlene said as she smiled.
"Sis, if you don't mind, could we save this topic of our 'catching up'
for later. I always expected that you might swing both ways. Right now,
I've got enough gender issues on my mind worrying about Wendell," Madge
pleaded.
"O.K. with me Sis. Relax my girl; just relax. Let your sister brush your
hair," Arlene said almost hypnotically. "You know I don't have my glasses
on. Who is the young girl in the picture on the mantle?" Arlene inquired.
"You do need to put your glasses on. That's your loving nephew, Wendell,"
Madge answered.
"Must be the distance and the shadow. Looks from here like he has long
hair," Arlene commented.
"He does have long hair. Just refuses to get it cut. His last hair cut
was about nine months ago and then it was only trimmed to just past his
ears," Madge explained. "Now it's just a little past his shoulders. Lot's
of boys his age have long hair these days," she added.
"His coloring is a carbon copy of yours. With that long, auburn hair,
slight build, delicate features, long eye lashes and those pouty lips,
I'll bet he's a real doll," Arlene commented.
"Arlene, please, I know what you're getting at and..." Madge said not
completing her sentence as the front door slammed.
"Wendell! Come and give your Auntie Arlene a big hug. So good to see you
honey!" Arlene beamed as she stopped brushing her sister's hair long
enough to embrace her nephew. As she imparted her hug, she ran her
fingers through the boy's shoulder length hair. "How's my favorite
nephew? Hey, nice hair, baby doll! Almost as long as your Mother's," she
added although that was far from the truth.
"Thanks, Aunt Arlene. Lot's of guys in my class are wearing their hair
like this. Pretty cool, huh?"
"Yeah, cool, very cool," his aunt assured thinking that he looked ever so
girlish.
"Sweetie, why don't you sit and visit with your old Auntie while I brush
your Mother's hair," Arlene coaxed. "Your Mom's got a headache and this
always used to relax her. You could say that I'm trying to brush her
headache away."
As Wendell sat next to his aunt, they visited covering topics like
school, his friends, and, eventually, his visit to his Grandmother's last
summer.
"So, I hear you enjoyed your stay at your Grandma's house. What did you
do to keep busy?" Arlene asked.
Not wanting to let his aunt in on his activities at his Grandmother's
house, Wendell responded by telling his aunt about the yard work he did
and how he 'just helped' around the house.
"How's the headache, Sis?" Arlene asked.
"Still there, I'm afraid," Madge replied.
"Wendell, honey, will you do me a favor? I've been trying to chase your
Mother's headache away for a half an hour and my wrists are getting sore.
Would you take over for me and brush your Mother's hair for a while?"
Arlene pleaded.
Wendell loved his Mother's hair. He used to hold it in his hand when he
was a baby and fell asleep in his Mother's arms. He was captivated by it,
especially when she washed it and put it up in rollers. "Sorry Auntie, I
don't know how," Wendell said with regret.
Arlene thought it odd that he called her 'Auntie' but passed it off
knowing he had been under his mother's influence for so long that he must
have picked up that word from her.
"Come on, sweetie. This isn't rocket science. Just trade places with me,"
Arlene countered as she stood up and handed Wendell the brush.
Wendell complied not knowing what else to do.
"Now, hold the brush in your right hand and gently put your left hand on
your Mother's head. That's right, good, just like that. Isn't her hair
beautiful and doesn't it feel good? Now, start towards the top of the
back of her head in the center and run the brush ? that's very good. Now,
move your brush a little to the left of the center ? now a little to the
right, oh perfect," Arlene instructed as Wendell brushed his Mother's
hair. "Now take another pass only a little farther to the left ? then a
little farther to the right. Overlap the brush strokes a little. Perfect!
Oh, honey, you are doing such a good job. You've done this before,
haven't you?" Arlene complimented.
Wendell was mesmerized by the feel, smell and texture of his Mother's
hair. He couldn't get over how silky it was and how, with each stroke, it
seemed to bounce and shine more and more. He was so caught up in his task
that it was as if he was in his own little dream world. He continued to
brush his Mother's beautiful hair in the most graceful manner. Yes,
Arlene thought, 'graceful' is the only word for it.
"How's he doing, Madge?" Arlene asked.
"Oh, yes, that feels so good. His touch is so gentle. God, that feels so
nice. Honey, do you like brushing your Mommie's hair?" the boy's mother
asked.
Wendell was so caught up in what he was doing that he could hardly speak.
He continued running the brush through his Mother's hair over and over
again. He was amazed at how soft its texture was but, what he enjoyed
most, was her hair's almost intoxicating perfumed scent. Enthralled with
his Mother's hair, he was soon distracted by a gentle but steady stirring
in his little manhood. He had only felt this tingling once before when he
was helping his Grandmother set her hair.
"Can I stop now?" Wendell ventured because of the stirring in his undies.
"Just a little longer, sweetie. Headache's almost gone ? hmmm," Madge
murmured as she felt her own little stirrings. Her hair was always such a
focal point of her femininity.
Madge actually started to drift into a state of semi-consciousness and
didn't notice that Wendell was no longer sitting on the couch. He was now
kneeling beside her. She was almost being lulled to sleep by the
methodical way her little boy was brushing her hair. First one side, then
the other, crawling on his knees as he slowly worked his way back and
forth around his Mother's head. As she started to nod off, she woke with
a bit of a jolt and sat upright.
"Honey, that was just wonderful! Thank you so much for getting rid of my
headache. I almost feel like I had a little nap- I feel so good, now,"
Madge praised. Then she added, "Mommie's going to have to get you to do
this again for her real soon. Oh, wow, I better get supper going. It's
almost four o'clock."
"Madge, what are you going to do with your hair? It's just had a good
brushing and it's certainly full and pretty but you can't run around the
kitchen preparing food with all of that loose hair flying about," Arlene
commented.
"No, probably not. But I hate to put it up or in a ponytail after that
incredible brushing. How about a quick loose braid," Madge suggested.
"Sounds good. Sit down and we'll fix it for you. Here Wendell, you sit
next to me and watch me braid your Mother's hair. I'm guessing that
wasn't the last time you will brush your Mother's hair and you should
know how to do this too," the boy's aunt directed.
"Wendell, you sit here and watch closely. You see, you gather the hair
with your fingers and divide the hair into three equal sections ? just
like this ? now you take this section and cross it over this section
like this. Then you take this section and cross it over the one in the
middle ? see the braid is starting to take shape. Now, repeat, yes, see,
isn't this easy?" Arlene explained.
Arlene slowly finished her sister's braid, instructing Wendell as she
went. When she got to the end, she glanced around for a band of some type
and found nothing. Quickly, she started to undo Madge's braid.
"Arlene, what are you doing? I told you I have to make dinner," Madge
said with an edge to her voice.
"Just a few more minutes, sweetie. I want to see if Wendell can braid
your hair for you since he did so well brushing it out. Just be patient
for a minute," Arlene said.
Wendell's aunt stood behind him guiding his hands and fingers until they
had Madge's hair smooth and separated once again into three sections. A
fast learner, he was soon rhythmically braiding his Mother's hair. He
finished the braid holding it tightly at the end.
"Now what do I do, Auntie Arlene?" he asked.
"We need something to tie off the end," Arlene reminded. Directing her
question to Madge, Arlene asked, "Still have that drawer of hair stuff in
the bathroom?" Then, to her nephew, "Wendell, you sit there 'holding down
the fort' or I should say 'holding down the braid' and I'll be back in a
second," Arlene joked as she left the room.
"I really appreciate you brushing my hair for me, Wendell. It's nice to
be pampered a little bit," Wendell's Mother said, just wanting to make
conversation. "By the way, your Auntie will be here for a few days and I
want you on your best behavior. And, don't be sensitive if she gets a
little bossy. Your Auntie can be that way sometimes."
As Madge sat waiting for Arlene, she thought that her sister might still
be married if she had found a husband that she could boss around. She was
such a dominant personality that she and her ex-husband never did get
along. As Arlene came back into the room, she noted the touching sight of
little Wendell sitting ever so still behind his Mother delicately holding
the end of her braid. She noticed a daintiness about him that was quite
striking.
Arlene scooted Wendell over as she took the end of the braid from her
nephew. "Here, let me show you how to do this. We use these covered
elastic bands to protect the hair. If you use just a plain rubber band,
your Mother could get split ends."
"What's that?" Wendell asked genuinely concerned.
"I'll show you sometime when we are out and about. Your Mother's hair is
so healthy you won't find any split ends in this house. But, basically,
the end of the hair shaft gets dry and brittle then splits apart like a
little miniature brush. It looks awful. Pay attention, now. You'll get
the hang of this but you loop the hair through, cross the band like this,
loop, cross, loop and done. Easy, isn't it honey?" Madge asked her
nephew. Then she added, "There Madge, now your beautiful hair is in such
a pretty braid. Let's finish it off with this..." Arlene said as she tied
a white ribbon in a perfect bow over the elastic that held the end of the
braid that Wendell had created. She thought that Madge's hair did look
sweet in that braid even if it was a little juvenile with the white bow
at the end. It looked just as it did when she was a schoolgirl.
"All finished. Mister Wendell's first hair do!" Arlene proclaimed.
"Why did you say 'mister' Auntie Arlene?" Wendell asked.
"Male hairdressers often use 'mister' with their first names. "'Mister
Ray' for instance, is one of the most famous hairdressers of all time,"
Arlene explained.
As his Mother and Auntie headed for the kitchen, Wendell got his favorite
video game warmed up. He thought back to the beginning of summer when he
finished helping his Grandmother put a few curlers in the back of her
hair and she said, "Thank you, Mister Wendell." He didn't think anything
about it at the time, but now his Mother and Auntie were using the same
phrase. How did his Mother, Aunt and Grandmother all know about this
'mister' business, he wondered?
In the kitchen...
"See, I told you so," Arlene commented.
"Told me what?" Madge asked.
"Wendell's a little more of a Wendy than a Wendell," Arlene answered.
"Nonsense. Just because he brushed and braided my hair? That's
ridiculous," Madge defended.
"It's not just that. You couldn't see everything from where you were
sitting. First of all, he brushed and braided your hair like an expert
the very first time. He was especially good at the braiding part of it,"
Andrea continued.
"I told you he was good with his hands," Wendell's Mother explained.
"As he was brushing your hair, he was looking at it like it was the most
beautiful thing he had ever seen. I'm telling you he has a natural
affinity for hair. When I came back with the elastic band, he was sitting
there holding your braid as proud as he could be. He was sitting up so
straight and smiling with the braid between his thumb and forefinger with
his little pinkie straight out to the side," Arlene demonstrated. Then
she put her left hand on her hip, moved her hip a little, and made an
exaggerated limp wristed movement with her right hand and added, "So
'sissy'!"
"I swear to God Arlene, I haven't hit you since we were kids but you're
getting close," Madge warned.
"Hey, don't kill the messenger. Maybe he's just got your hairdresser
gene," Arlene said trying to get her sister from being so defensive.
"When Mom comes tomorrow, we'll talk to her about it."
"My headache is on the way back," Madge pleaded.
"O.K., O.K., why don't we get dinner going," Arlene offered.
After dinner, Wendell, his Mother and Aunt settled into the living room
for some television.
"Anything good on tonight?" Arlene asked.
"Not much, same old violence and stupid sit-coms," her sister answered.
"Wendell, why don't you and I play one of your video games? You get to
choose," Arlene offered.
"How about X-Men!" Wendell suggested.
"Fine by me," the boy's aunt replied. "I get to be 'Storm'," she insisted
knowing that she was Wendell's favorite character.
"Well, all right," Wendell agreed.
As they each got their game controllers and started the game, Arlene went
to the screen showing the all of the game characters and their past
scores.
"Aren't you the only one that plays this game?" Arlene asked her nephew.
"What do you mean? Everybody plays this game," Wendell answered.
"No, I mean this game, your game?" Arlene asked.
"Just me and my friend Shelly?" Wendell replied.
"Shelly?" Arlene asked.
"Next door neighbor," Madge answered. "Nice enough girl. A year older
than Wendell and just as cute as they come but, other than her blonde
ringlets, she's got a mean streak and is a little bit of a tomboy. She
goes at it with her little brother unmercifully. We hear some screaming
going on over there from time to time, then, all of the sudden it just
goes quiet."
"A tomboy with blonde ringlets? That doesn't fit," Arlene stated.
"It's Shelly's concession to her Mother for being allowed to wear boyish
clothes," Madge explained. "You should see her! If Shelly and her Mom are
going somewhere special, Shelly usually gets her hair curled. It's
hilarious to see her playing ball with the kids in the street with her
hair up in vertically placed pink foam curlers and a sheer turban scarf
around her head. Talk about a scene that doesn't fit- that's it! She
plays soccer and softball in the street better than most of the boys,"
Madge added thinking about how Wendell usually watched the soccer games
from the front porch.
As the conversation went on, Wendell thought about how the neighbor
children were disciplined. Their Mother, Nancy, was also a single parent
and used an age old punishment, 'petticoat punishment', to quiet her
children. Wendell was unaware of the term 'petticoat punishment' but he
had witnessed it several times. Considering Shelly's tomboyish ways, to
be put in a frilly dress was a punishment for both of Nancy's children.
Wendell decided long ago that he would never discuss that situation with
his Mother. He surely didn't want to give her any ideas... or, did he?
"Wendell, I have a question. Why are the only two characters in the game
with any history points 'Storm' and 'Phoenix'? Aren't they both female
super heroes? You must play the game pretending you are one of them,"
Arlene asked.
As Wendell started to squirm wondering what he was going to tell his
Aunt, his Mother was distracted by her own thoughts. Madge stated, "You
know, I'd like to wash and set my hair before Mom comes tomorrow. She is
such a stickler for neat hair. If it's not 'just so', she cackles that
"Looks like a haystack on your head!" comment that I've been hearing
since I was a kid. I'm just so tired I can't bear the thought of washing
it and putting it up in rollers."
"Why don't you do it in the morning?" Arlene asked.
"My dryer is broken and even if I wear rollers all day, it'll never dry
in time," Madge replied. " Then it really will look like a haystack.
Besides, I'm used to wearing curlers to bed and it's better than walking
around all morning with my hair up in rollers. It's no longer the
fifties, you know."
Wendell didn't understand the "It's not the fifties you know" part of his
Mother's comment. But he had, on many occasions, seen his Mother spend a
Saturday cleaning the house while wearing her apron and a brightly
colored scarf over her rollers. As he was pondering the thought of his
Mother's hair up in rollers, his aunt spoke.
"It's been a long time since I started out with you at beauty school,
Sis, but I'll help you put your hair up for the night. Never could figure
out how you sleep on those things," Arlene offered then added, "And, I'm
sure Wendell would like to help."
"What can Wendell do?" Madge asked.
"Don't worry about it. Just go get your stuff and Wendell and I will meet
you in the kitchen," Arlene directed.
Arlene started warming the water in the sink and asked Wendell to get his
step stool from the pantry. After all, Wendell wasn't very tall and
sometimes needed help reaching the cupboards.
Fully intending to teach her little nephew to help his Mother with her
hair, she positioned the step stool just to the left side of the sink.
"This is great! Sprayer attachment, warm water just right, all we need is
your Mother," Wendell's Aunt said. "And, here she is!" Arlene exclaimed
as Madge walked into the kitchen with her shampoo, conditioner, setting
lotion, two pink towels and her curler basket.
"Got enough stuff there, Sis?" Arlene kidded.
"Everything I need for a gorgeous head of hair," Madge explained.
"O.K. Mister Wendell, up on your step stool," Arlene said pointing to the
stool by the sink.
Wendell thought, "There's that 'Mister' stuff again." He quickly stood on
the stool and smiled thinking about the circus and how his aunt pointed
to the stool and he obeyed as if he was a trained animal under the 'Big
Top'.
Arlene draped a towel around her sister's shoulders and tucked it into
the collar of her blouse. Arlene, clearly directing the scene, said,
"Madge, let your son take out your braid. Wendell, take the bow off your
Mother's braid and gently remove the elastic band."
Madge moved over to Wendell and turned her back. Wendell, still perched
on his step stool, did as he was told. "Very good. Now, starting at the
bottom, slowly undo your Mommie's braid." Wendell wasn't sure he was
happy about this part of this intimate kitchen scene and looked directly
into his aunt's eyes. "Don't worry, honey, I know you love your Mommie's
braid and, I know it's your first hairdo creation, but I'm sure in a
couple of days or so you'll be brushing and braiding your Mother's again.
Go on, sweetie, do as you are told."
Wendell gently started to unwind his Mother's thick braid. Darn! There
was that tingling sensation 'down there' again.
"Now, we'll run this extra wide tooth comb through your Mother's hair to
help keep the tangles out during her shampoo. Here Wendell, start at the
bottom. Gently, gently, that's right. We don't want to pull Mommie's
hair, now do we?" Arlene coached as Wendell held the comb in his hand and
Arlene held Wendell's hand in hers. "Isn't this nice, Wendell? Don't you
just love helping with your Mother's hair?"
When Madge's thick tresses were loose from her braid and the wide tooth
comb had done it's work making her hair free of tangles, she moved to the
sink and bent over allowing her hair to fall into the basin. Arlene went
to the right side of the sink as Wendell stood on his stool to the left.
"God, you've got a lot of hair, Madge," Arlene exclaimed as she started
to wet her sister's hair with the spray nozzle.
"Yes, and it's such a bother. I think about whacking it once in a while
but I don't have the courage. It's so thick and I've had it long since I
was a little girl, it's just part of who I am," Madge replied.
"Well, if you ever want to get rid of it, I've got a barberette at home
that would love to get her clippers into this hair," Arlene prodded.
"No," the word came out of Wendell's mouth almost inaudibly but firmly
before he could stop it.
"Oh, don't worry, sweetie, your Mommie's not going to cut her precious
hair," Arlene comforted her nephew in an unusually effeminate voice.
Once Madge's hair was soaking wet, Arlene poured a large dollop of
shampoo into her palm and started to work it into her sister's hair. As
she worked up a rich lather, Arlene explained, "See, Wendell, see how a
little shampoo goes a long way. When you shampoo your Mother's hair, you
use different parts of your hands to clean her scalp and hair. You
massage the scalp with your fingertips, like this. Come on, honey, get
your fingers in here."
Wendell was reluctant to put his fingers into his Mother's hair, now full
of rich lather from her fragrant shampoo.
"Your Mother's hair is not going to bite your Wendell!" Arlene
impatiently scolded. She pulled her hands out of Madge's hair, shook her
hands into the sink, and walked around to the left side of the sink.
Abruptly, she grabbed Wendell's wrists and stuck his hands into his
Mother's hair.
"There, now doesn't that feel good. Oh, I see, you're worried about your
clothes getting wet. Sis, do you have an apron handy?" Arlene asked.
With her head still in the sink, Madge answered, "Sure, there's one in
the pantry. But, it's not very..."
"Perfect!" Arlene exclaimed pulling the full skirted, lace trimmed floral
apron out of the cupboard. "Sis, I'll bet Mom made this for you," Arlene
commented.
"Pull your hands out of your Mother's shampoo for a second, Wendell,"
Arlene directed.
"I'm not wearing that Auntie Arlene," Wendell firmly stated.
"Don't be silly, it's just to protect your clothes. No one will see and,
besides, don't argue with your Auntie. Now, turn around," Arlene ordered.
Wendell, feeling vulnerable standing on the step stool with shampoo
lather covering his hands, did as he was told. Arlene slipped the bib
apron over Wendell's head and arms and tied the lace ties in a bow
securely behind his back.
"There now, don't you look cute. Let's get back to your Mother's
shampoo," Arlene said turning Wendell around by the shoulders.
"Just one more thing as long as my hands are dry. Nephew, let's get that
hair out of your eyes," the boy's aunt said with a somewhat wicked look.
Without saying another word, Arlene picked up two Bobbie pins from
Madge's curler box and pulled Wendell's hair from his left temple and
pinned it back above his left ear. "There, now the other side," Arlene
said as she similarly pinned Wendell's hair back on the right side. "Now
you can see what you're doing," she said.
Wendell reached up and touched his hair getting it wet with shampoo.
"What are you doing, Wendell? You've just made a mess in your hair!"
Arlene scolded. "Now we'll have to wash yours too!"
"What are these things in my hair, Auntie Arlene!" Wendell asked.
"They're just two Bobbie pins to keep your hair from falling in your
eyes. Now, get your fingers back into your Mother's shampoo, young man,"
Arlene said.
"Start massaging Mommie's head with the tips of your fingers. That's
right, use firm little circular motions. See, Wendell, how easy this is.
No, smaller circles, we don't want to tangle your Mommie's hair, now do
we? Here, watch me," Arlene said as she took over the shampooing of
Madge's hair after she moved to her former position to Madge's right.
"See how I'm washing your Mother's hair without getting it all tangled,"
Arlene said as she gently worked her sister's hair through her hands.
"Mmmm..." was all Madge had to say.
"Here, you finish your Mother's shampoo," Wendell.
Wendell was again completely enthralled at the sight and feel of his
Mother's hair only now he was washing it. It was soaking wet and full of
rich lather so the sensation was very different than when he was brushing
and braiding it. Besides what he was feeling and seeing, he also loved
the feminine smell of his Mother's shampoo. He now realized why his
Mother's hair smelled the way it did.
"Ouch!" Madge cried.
"What's the matter, Mommie?" Wendell asked not even thinking that he
hadn't used that word to refer to his Mother in years.
"You pulled my hair a little bit, honey. It's no big deal, it just
startled me is all," Madge.
"Take your hands out of your Mother's hair for a second, Wendell. Let's
get this soap off your fingers and check something," Arlene said as she
turned on the faucet and rinsed the tips of his fingers. "Just as I
thought, your fingernails are a mess. We'll do a manicure for you right
after we finish your Mother's shampoo. We can do it while her hair is
conditioning. A hair stylist needs to keep her ? I mean ? his hands and
nails in perfect shape."
"I think that's enough," Madge said from her awkward position. "My back
is starting to ache."
"O.K., let's rinse out the shampoo and then we'll put on the
conditioner," Arlene said.
As Arlene began to rinse the shampoo from his Mother's hair, Wendell
looked on intently. "Is this what he would have to do if his Mother ever
let him help with shampoos at the beauty college?" he thought to himself.
With her head still in the sink, Madge explained, "Arlene, it has been a
long time since you've done my hair. I use a new spray on conditioner and
just leave it in. Now that I'm a little older I need a little extra
conditioner and there's also a light conditioner in my setting lotion and
both products work together perfectly for my type of hair."
Wendell paid close attention to how his aunt gently rinsed the shampoo
out of his Mother's hair. He watched in awe how she used the spray
attachment on the faucet and sprayed from the scalp to the end of her
hair ridding it quickly of the frothy bubbles. When she was finally
finished, Arlene squeezed the excess water from her sister's long hair as
if she was wringing out a towel. She then took the towel that was draped
over Madge's shoulders protecting her blouse and started to gently dry
Madge's hair with it. In a flash, Madge stood up and quickly wrapped the
towel around her head turban style.
"Oh, my aching back!" Madge exclaimed. "But, that was worth it. There's
nothing that feels as good as having someone wash your hair. Oh, Wendell,
you look so ? so ? sweet!" Madge half shouted as she saw him for the
first time in his pinafore apron.
"Mom, please! Take this thing off of me!" Wendell begged.
"What have you got in your hair?" Madge asked ignoring his demand and
examining her son's pinned back hair.
"Just some shampoo and water. He was worried about the Bobbie pins I used
to hold his hair out of his face and stuck his shampoo filled hand up
there," Arlene answered. "Why don't we wash his hair as long as we have
all of your supplies here?" Arlene asked smiling at her sister.
"Good idea. Wendell, we need to protect your clothes while I wash your
hair so you can keep the apron on. Move your stool to the center of the
sink and step up there," Madge said as she motioned him to the sink with
a wave of her hand.
"Mom, I always wash my hair in the shower! Please don't make me do this,"
Wendell begged.
"Your hair hasn't had a proper washing in a long time so it's up to the
sink with you. Now, move it along and do as I say! I told you I was
getting tired so don't argue!" Madge sharply commanded. Then she added,
"Arlene, why don't you wash his hair. Then, I can get my hair sorted out
and ready for setting?" Madge said directing her statement toward Arlene.
"I'd be happy to. We really do need to move this along. It's been years
since I've had a roller in my hand so I'm sure I'm not as good with
rolling hair as I used to be," Arlene said patting the right side of her
own shorn stubble. "I'm happy to do it but setting your hair may take me
a while," Arlene added.
Madge sat down at the kitchen table, while his Aunt led Wendell to his
step stool. Arlene felt a little twinge of her own sexual excitement
leading the passive young boy to his shampoo. Secretly, she loved the way
he looked in his Mother's apron. "just the way a boy his age should be
dressed," she thought to herself.
While Madge looked for her styling tools, Wendell was enjoying his Aunt
Arlene shampooing his hair. It was not as long as his Mother's hair but
it was the same color so he wondered if it looked the same as his
Mother's did when her head was in the sink.
Madge undid the pink towel around her head and proceeded to use her wide
toothed comb on her wet hair. After spraying on the conditioner, she
carefully combed through the wetness until her hair was hanging straight
all around. Then, as she had done countless times before and this time
did without the aid a mirror; she expertly sectioned her hair with two
parts from her forehead to her crown. This left a strip of hair in the
middle of her head from front to back wide enough for a row of her hair
rollers. She couldn't keep a smile off of her face as she watched
Wendell; standing on his stool, wrapped from shoulder to knee in her most
feminine apron, getting his hair washed by his Aunt. The apron was too
large for him and its style made him look more like he was wearing an old
fashioned dress. Her womanhood also began to tingle as she took in the
sight of her feminine boy.
She had to admit that her little boy must have a bit of a sissy side to
go along with the events of the last few hours. "After all, he brushed
and braided my hair, was put into a frilly apron with little protest, and
helped with my shampoo. And now, he's having his hair washed in the sink
like a girl. Oh, he's just as cute as can be in that apron," she thought
to herself. As Arlene finished Wendell's shampoo and started rinsing
Wendell's hair, Madge also gave thought to what must have been some
interesting scenes while Wendell was visiting his Grandmother and that
made her smile even more.
"Here, Wendell, let's wrap this towel around your hair so you don't drip
everywhere," Arlene said as she stood Wendell up from his position bent
over the sink. Arlene blotted some excess water from Wendell's hair and
then wrapped his head in the pink towel. "There, sweetie, just like
Mommie!" Arlene proclaimed.
"I'll just go dry my hair with my hair dryer, Auntie," Wendell countered.
"No, that's going to take too long. Your Mother is waiting patiently for
her hair stylist and it wouldn't be polite to keep her waiting any
longer. Come here and I'll show you how we're going to set your Mother's
hair," Arlene said as she led the effeminate looking boy to his Mother.
"I've never done this before, Auntie. I don't know how!" Wendell
complained.
"I know you don't know how, Wendell. I'm going to show you. You know
Wendell, maybe it's that cute little apron you're wearing, but you
sounded just like a whinny little girl when you said that," Arlene
kidded.
"Arlene!" Madge scolded with the tone in her voice.
"Maybe we should start calling you Wendy!" Arlene said ignoring her
sister.
"That's enough! Do I have to do this myself!" Madge said impatiently
pointing to her head of wet hair.
Wendell's feelings were hurt but his thoughts quickly went back to how
wonderful it was to brush and then braid his Mother's hair. Helping with
her shampoo was also a treat for him even though he was at a loss in
trying to understand why he enjoyed that so much. Was it the feel of the
lather in his Mother's wet hair? Maybe it was the scent of her shampoo?
It didn't matter. Could helping put the rollers in his Mother's hair be
another unexpected treat?
"See, your Mother has already sectioned her hair for the setting pattern
she wants to you to use. You use a different setting pattern depending on
the style you want to achieve. You will have to learn how to use
different setting patterns if you want to be her hair stylist," Arlene
instructed.
"Hair stylist?" Wendell thought. "When did I say I wanted to be her hair
stylist?" Although that thought had some appeal to him, he kept those
thoughts to himself. But, he did have to admit that he enjoyed every
minute of his previous experiences tending to his Mother's beautiful
hair.
Madge handed Arlene the pink rat tail comb from her styling supplies.
Arlene then ran the pointed tip of the comb through the front of the
strip of hair on the top of Madge's head. "See, Wendell, we're sectioning
just enough hair to wrap around the first roller. How much hair you
section depends on the size of the roller we're going to use. Your Mother
has chosen her inch and a half brush rollers for her set. So, watch how
this works," Arlene instructed.
First she sprayed the lock of hair with setting lotion and combed it
through so it was distributed evenly. She explained this to Wendell as
she then wrapped the end of Madge's hair onto the roller, pulled the
roller slightly so the hair was even, and then wound it down to her
sister's scalp.
"It's just that easy. Now, hand me one of those pink plastic picks from
the table," Arlene pointed and said.
"Which things, Auntie? Wendell asked.
"Which things do you think? Those nail looking things on the table! Give
me one," Arlene sharply said.
Wendell quickly handed his aunt one of the plastic picks. "See, the pick
goes through the hair and through the roller, and the end of the pick
bends a little as it rests against your Mother's head," Arlene explained.
"Doesn't that hurt," Wendell asked with concern.
"Not really. I'm sure your Mother has had these picks for years so they
are a little flexible. Would you like to see what it feels like?" Arlene
offered.
Not thinking clearly and completely caught up in the moment, Wendell
said, "Well..."
Arlene pounced at the thought of putting a roller in her nephew's hair
and whipped the towel off of his head.
"No, that's O.K., Auntie. Please,..." Wendell begged.
"Nonsense, Wendell. Stand still! You can't properly do this for your
Mother unless you know what it feels like. This is no big deal," Arlene
said as she quickly separated a section Wendell's hair at his forehead.
Madge smiled as she handed her sister one of her smaller rollers. Arlene
took the roller and in seconds it was tightly wound down to Wendell's
scalp and secured with one of the picks.
"See, that's not so bad, is it," Arlene asked. As Wendell stood there
feeling the taught pull of the brush roller and plastic pick securing it.
The boy's aunt combed through the rest of Wendell's hair with the wide
toothed comb until it was tangle free. "Let's put some of this
conditioner on your hair, Wendy," Arlene suggested. Arlene sprayed
Wendell's hair with the conditioner, combing it evenly through.
Wendell was so much so in the spell of his Aunt putting a curler in his
hair that it didn't appear that he heard his Aunt call him Wendy. Or, if
he did, he chose to just ignore it.
"Madge, do you have a banana clip in your box of tricks?" Arlene asked.
"There's one in there somewhere," Madge answered.
Arlene found a tortoise shell banana clip in Madge's curler box and
headed for her nephew.
"What are you doing, Arlene?" Madge asked.
"I don't want Wendy's hair to dry until we're ready. If I pull it back
and put it up in this clip, it should stay damp," Arlene explained.
Wendell stood complacently while his aunt combed his hair back to the
crown of his head. There, she twisted it and tucked the ends in to what
looked like a sort of French twist and secured the mass of hair with the
large clip. This all went on behind the chair that Madge was sitting in.
"Show your Mother what I did to your hair, sweetie," Arlene ordered
Wendell was embarrassed as walked over to give his Mother a view of his
hair.
"That's nice, honey. You should thank your Aunt Arlene for taking such
good care of your hair," Madge said smiling at the feminine sight of her
son. He did look a bit ridiculous with a single roller at his forehead
and the rest of his hair pulled back in the banana clip.
"Thank you, Auntie," Wendell said in a girlish tone.
"Now, can we get back to your Mother's hair?" Arlene asked.
Mesmerized by the events of the last few moments, Wendell went back to
his position next to his Mother's chair.
"Now, we take the next section for the next roller," Arlene said as she
demonstrated. After Arlene had taken the next section of Madge's hair and
combed through it with the rat tail comb, she placed the end of the damp
lock around the second roller and would it down to her sister's head.
"Pick," She said to Wendell. Wendell complied and Arlene seated the
second roller securely in place.
"Now, I want you to try to put the next roller in, Wendell," Aunt Arlene
said.
"I'm nervous, Auntie. I don't think I can do it!" Wendell cried.
"Of course you can sweetie. Here, let me help you with the first one,"
the boy's aunt said.
Arlene stepped behind Wendell, handing him the rat tail comb. She could
tell he was shaking a little as she wrapped her hands around his. She
guided the tip of the comb in Wendell's hand through Madge's hair
sectioning it for the next roller.
"O.K., now hold the hair in your hand and put the comb in the pocket of
your apron. Use this wide toothed comb to smooth out the hair. That's
right, just comb it straight up. Good, now spray the lock of hair with
the setting lotion and comb it through. Good. Now take the roller from
your Mother and wrap the end around, that's right. Pull the roller a
little so the hair is tight and even ? Good boy, Wendell! You're a
natural," Arlene cheered as he wound the roller down to his Mother's
scalp. "You're so good at this Wendell, you should think about growing up
to be a hairdresser like your Mother!" the boy's aunt added.
"Do the next one all by yourself, honey," Arlene insisted. Wendell
fumbled a little but with a little coaxing accomplished his task.
With the next roller now in place, Madge had four brush rollers neatly
arranged on the top of her head.
"Just continue down the back to Mommie's hairline, sweetie," Arlene said.
"But I ran out of the part in Mommie's hair, Auntie. What do I do now?"
he asked.
"Here, I'll show you. No, keep the comb; you do just what I tell you. Use
the rat tail comb and use right the edge of the last roller as a guide to
gather the next section. That's good," Arlene said again guiding his
hand. "Now, you took a little too much hair on the left side so use your
fingers to separate the extra hair on the left end so it's just as wide
as the hair on the roller above it. Very good! You really are good at
this. Use the other comb to comb the hair straight out nice and smooth.
Don't forget the setting lotion, and now, put in the next roller."
"Madge, this boy of yours is simply amazing. He's doing so well maybe he
will grow up to be a hairdresser- just like his Mommie," Arlene
sarcastically said.
"Maybe, Sis, you never know. I could sure use some help from time to time
at work. But, he is only thirteen, you know," Madge answered.
"I'm telling you, he's got a natural ability to do hair. He's better at
doing your hair than any girl his age would be," Arlene affirmed.
In a short while Wendell had one more roller to place at the bottom of
his Mother's hairline.
"Here, honey, use this curler at the bottom. It's much smaller than the
other ones and it will give my hair a tighter curl down there. That will
give my finished hairdo a little extra lift," the boy's Mother explained.
"It's also a little more comfortable when I sleep," she added.
Wendell put the last curler in at his Mother's hairline and asked, "What
do I do next Auntie?"
"I'll show you, honey. You are such a good boy to set your Mother's
hair," Arlene complimented as she grabbed the large banana clip on the
back of Wendell's head and tugged it a little.
Arlene sectioned Madge's hair in the back right upper corner of her head
and placed the next roller there.
"Oh, I see, Auntie, you just go straight down to the bottom," the boy
excitedly said.
"That's right, baby doll. It might get a little tight because you
Mommie's hairline starts to narrow behind her ear. You may have to angle
to the rollers just a little so they fit," Arlene advised holding a
roller at and angle to demonstrate.
"I understand, Auntie. I can do it," Wendell said and continued to set
his Mother's hair until all that was left were two large sections of hair
at her temples.
"Wendell, now put two rollers on each side and I'll tell you what I want
done next," Arlene said with a firm tone in her voice.
Wendell completed the task efficiently. "Now, what Auntie?
"Let's put these last smaller rollers in at the bottom but leave a little
section here and here," she said pointing to Madge's temples.
"What for Auntie?" Wendell asked.
"The smaller rollers at the bottom will give your Mother's hair some
extra curl around her face. Now, just be a good boy and do as you're
told, Wendy," she said emphasizing the name 'Wendy' just to antagonize
the situation.
"Arlene, please!" Madge said feeling protective of the boy.
"We're going to put one small roller in here and on the other side,"
Arlene demonstrated as she held a small plastic roller vertically at
Madge's right temple. "That way, your Mommie will have some cute little
tendrils to accentuate her hairdo tomorrow, " she explained.
Wendell didn't know what tendrils were but did as he was told. He needed
help with the last two vertical rollers that would create the tendrils
and his Aunt Arlene was happy to do so.
"There Madge, you're all 'set'," Arlene said using the double entendre.
"Where's your hair net?"
It's in there somewhere. I have to use the brown one for this set. The
pink one isn't big enough." Madge explained.
Madge took the brown hair net and started to cover her set when Arlene
stopped her. "No, Madge, let's go into the bathroom with your hand
mirror. I want you to see how good a job your little Wendell did setting
your hair," Arlene said.
The boy's mother and aunt went off to the bathroom so Madge could examine
her set.
"I put in this one and this one," Arlene said pointing to the two rollers
at the top front. I also put in this one," tapping the roller at the
upper rear right top corner. "And, I did the tendrils, of course." Arlene
said as Madge examined the perfection of her set. "But, Madge, your
little fairy-boy did the rest," Arlene said as she jabbed with her words.
"He did such a good job. Pretty amazing, I'd say," Madge said ignoring
the 'fairy-boy' comment and patting her roller set. She felt that she
wanted to compliment Wendell even though he was still in the kitchen.
The two women returned to the kitchen and Madge put on her hair net
stretching it tight over her set. She then went to her son, pulled him
into her breast, hugged him and said, "Thank you so much for doing
Mommie's hair, Wendell. It's just perfect!" She hugged him again putting
her fingers into the back of his hair tightly held by the banana clip.
"Arlene, we forgot about Wendell's hair. I hope it's not too late..."
Madge said with concern taking the banana clip out of Wendell's twisted
up hair.
"I was afraid of that. Some of his hair is almost dry," Madge said as she
unwound Wendell's hair from the twist at the crown of his head. "He'll
never get the ridges out from that clip unless he washes it again."
"Oh, please, Mommie, don't wash my hair again," Wendell pleaded.
"There is another alternative," Madge suggested. "Sit in one of the
counter top stools and let me sort your hair out," the boy's mother said
pointing to one of the two white stools in the kitchen where Wendell
often ate his breakfast. She thought it would be easier to work on
Wendell's hair if he were a little higher than if he sat in the chair at
the dinette table she used while having her hair set.
"Mom, what are you going to do?" Wendell asked as he sat down and his
mother sprayed his hair liberally with plain water.
"We need to straighten these kinks from the clip that was in your hair,
Wendell." Madge went on to explain, "I know this will be a little
different for you but you've really had quite a 'hair day' today and
seemed to enjoy it. I thought you might like to experience having your
own hair set in rollers. What do you think?" she asked.
"Mom, I don't think..." Wendell started to say but lost the rest of his
words.
"Come on, honey, don't forget that you've had a roller in your hair for
almost two hours. Why don't you let your hairdresser Mom set the rest to
finish the job? I think you'll enjoy the experience," Arlene assured
knowing that she would just love to see if her nephew was enough of a
sissy to sit and have his hair completely set in curlers.
"Come on, sweetie, let me continue with your set. If at any time you want
me to stop, I'll stop. You just say the word," the boy's mother said
tenderly. "Deal?" she asked.
"O.K. Mom, deal. I guess it will be all right," Wendell said cautiously.
"Promise that no one will laugh at me," Wendell added.
"Oh, we won't. I promise," Madge said to her son as she glanced at the
boy's Aunt Arlene and made eye contact with her. "Promise? I want to hear
you say it, Sis," Madge urged looking at her sister.
"I swear I won't make fun of you, Wendy," Arlene said. "Sorry, Wendell. I
won't say a word," Arlene added.
Madge started by taking the roller pin out of the roller that Wendell had
in his hair and unwound it. This lock of hair was completely dry and
sprang into a perfectly formed curl when she released it. It was almost
as if the lock of hair had been on the roller for a day instead of just
the last two hours.
Madge thought to herself while she smiled broadly, "This is going to be
so much fun! His hair looks like it will hold a set really well. And, I'm
sure his hair would hold a set even better if he let me give him a
permanent!" Madge sprayed the lock of curled hair with her setting
lotion, ran her comb through it, put it back on the curler and rolled it
back down tight.
"Mommie, what are you doing!?" Wendell complained.
"Honey, I want to make sure all of the rollers are set the same. So, I
re-rolled the roller you've had in your hair. Now, I'm going to do only
what we just agreed I would do. Do you want me to stop?" Madge asked.
Wendell replied with silence. "Putting your hair up in rollers will just
give your hair some nice body and straighten out these kinks in your
hair. It'll turn out great, you'll see," Madge comforted knowing that
Wendell's hair was being set in a pattern that would allow it to be style
it in a cute little bouffant flip.
Madge sectioned a rectangular lock of hair behind the roller that she had
just re-set in Wendell's hair just above his forehead. She picked up a
one inch diameter brush roller to match the one he already had in his
hair and, after liberally spraying it with setting lotion, quickly wound
the lock of hair down to the boy's scalp and secured it with a large
roller pin.
Ever since Wendell started growing his hair long, his Mother had secretly
wanted to try a feminine hairstyle on him but had resisted the thought.
After all, she was a hairdresser and he now had this beautiful head of
long, naturally wavy auburn hair. His father always insisted that Wendell
keep his hair boyishly short. Now, with Wendell's father out of the
picture, the first thing he did was let his hair grow out. Why shouldn't
she let him be free to experience whatever feminine tendencies he might
have?
When he was little, too little to remember she hoped, she had set
Wendell's hair a few times. When one of her instructors quit, she needed
to practice using perm rods, which she never used on herself. So, Wendell
became her hair model. Once, for fun, she even set his hair in pin curls
and had him sleep with his hair up in the criss-crossed Bobbie pins. She
had to wash out the luscious waves from the pin curl set before his
father returned from the overnight business trip he was on although it
pained her to do so. Shortly thereafter and much to her dismay, Wendell's
father had his hair cut short.
Now, things were certainly different. Wendell was resigned that his
Mother would have her way with his hair and he sat quietly with his hands
in the lap of his apron as his Mother continued to put his hair up in her
rollers. Arlene was anything but passive as she moved about the kitchen
watching her nephew being treated to such a girlish experience. If the
truth were known, her juices were flowing so much the crotch of her pants
had a little wet spot as her panties couldn't contain all of the wetness.
She decided to sit down at the counter next to her nephew to avoid
embarrassment.
"Auntie Arlene, you promised," Wendell pleaded.
"You've got me all wrong, sweetie," Arlene quickly said to put the boy at
ease. Then continued, "Wendell, everyone in this world is a little
different. I'm a full fledged woman and women usually like their hair
long or at least feminine and pretty. I decided that I want my hair
short. When I left beauty school to go to college to study business law,
I knew I was entering a field dominated by men. Men look at feminine
women as an object, so I thought I would have my hair buzzed. It's so
easy to take care of and it levels the playing field in the world of
business," the boy's aunt explained. "Do you think that having short hair
makes me weird or something?" she asked.
"No, I think you're nice," Wendell said to his aunt as his Mother
finished rolling the back of his hair. He now had a 'Mohawk' row of
rollers from his forehead to the nape of his neck.
"So, if you wanted your hair really short, there would be nothing wrong
with that." Arlene felt Wendell was tensing up so quickly added, "And I
don't see anything wrong with you having long hair if that's what you
want. If my nephew wants to enjoy what God gave him growing right out of
his own head, then he should be able to. Right?"
"I guess so," Wendell said hoping his aunt would continue with her
encouragement.
"Your Mom's got beautiful hair and you were blessed with the same hair.
Your Mom keeps her hair long and always has. She loves to curl it, style
it, brush it and generally play with it. And, she likes to fuss with
anybody else's hair that will sit still for her. When your Mother was in
beauty school learning to be a hairdresser, she set my hair more times
than I can count. I hated it. Having my hair set was a real pain but I
loved the sisterly time your Mother and I spent. I would say that the
reason we are so close today is because we spent so much time together
while she was rolling my hair. We even entered beauty school together.
Then, I decided to drop out and because it was just a little too prissy
for me."
"Wendell, I'm going to swivel your stool so I can do the right side of
your hair," Madge explained