MEETING EVERYONE'S EXPECTATIONS-or- I KNEW WHO I WAS THIS MORNING, BUT
IVE CHANGED A FEW TIMES SINCE THEN
"We're with Don Ferry's party," Ed told the Maitre'd at the posh
country club. Ed was looking dashing in his dark blue suit, crisp white
shirt and red tie. Behind him, in pretty, flowered dresses, Rose and
John looked lovely.
"Ah, yes, this way, sir, ladies." The thin, dapper, middle aged man
said as he led them into the elaborately decorated dinning room. Dark
wood, coffered ceilings and photos of presidents and celebrities who'd
golfed or eaten there decorating the walls. Don felt that this was the
perfect place for a 'Decompression Brunch;' the opportunity to sit and
talk and reflect after a week of travel and promotion - a chance to
relax and prepare for a new round of filming.
Don was sitting with a stunningly pretty woman at a table in an alcove
which overlooked the deep green golf course - which, considering this
area of the world had been in a horrible drought for more than a
decade, seemed awfully indulgent against the dull brown hills beyond. A
man was talking to Don and shaking his hand, while Don smiled his best
'I'm your buddy' smile, when they arrived at the table.
"Ah! Excuse me, Larry, but the kids are here!" Don stood and patted
Larry on the shoulder. "Kids, this is my good friend, Larry Rosen. He
is, among other things, President of this club. He also runs everything
else in LA, Beverly Hills, Palm Springs and anywhere else that matters
in California." Don winked at Larry, who smiled and chuckled. "You ever
need anything, you call Larry. If he can't help you, he knows who can."
Larry shook Ed's hand, "A pleasure to meet you," he grinned. He kissed
the hands of both Rose and John. "I was just telling Don that I saw
your show last night and I enjoyed it tremendously. Congratulations. As
a matter of fact, your brunch, today, is on me."
"Now, That is a true miracle!" Don teased.
He patted Larry's shoulders once more and the man departed, but on his
way by, he stopped and took one of John's hands and cupped it in both
of his. "You, young lady," he kissed John's cheek, "are a revelation.
Congratulations."
John smiled. "Thank you, sir."
"I'm not a 'sir,'" he smiled. "I'm just 'Larry.' Enjoy your breakfast."
He left.
Don clapped his hands, "Ok, kids, take a seat. This is my lovely wife,
Vivian. Viv, this is Ed, Rose and, of course, Bebe."
Each said hello to her and took their seats.
"So, have you read any of the overnight reviews?" Don asked.
"Nope," Ed poured three glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice into
the glasses that were waiting in front of the place-settings where
John, Rose and he had taken seats. "We didn't watch the show at all,
either. We went to bed early and came straight here, this morning."
"We have gotten texts and emails from family and friends, though," Rose
said. "They all seemed to love it!"
Don snickered. "Of course they did. They love you. What you really need
to hear is the brutal truth from an unbiased view. That's why I invited
you to breakfast and why Viv is here. Viv is not just my wife, she's my
worst critic."
"But she is your wife, Don, and, no offense, Vivian, but as his wife,
you're hardly an unbiased viewer." Ed smiled at the older woman.
"You're right, Ed," she smiled back. "I'm much worse than an unbiased
viewer. I hate to see Don in anything in which he gives less than his
all. I'm really the reason he took a hiatus from film and TV."
"Are you guys ready? She's pretty brutal." Don winked at them.
"Sure," Ed finished his juice and crossed his arms. "Have at us, Mrs
Ferry."
Vivian smiled and considered her words. "Ok, well, first, I think that
the scripts and storylines are all pretty great for a TV show. They're
not predictable and the dialog, that dialog which is actually written,
I mean, is strong and doesn't pander to the audience. It's definitely
too early to make true comparisons, but the way that I immediately
locked in to the characters really reminded me of The Sopranos or
Boardwalk Empire."
"Wow," Rose raised her eyebrows. "That's pretty auspicious company to
be in."
"Now, as for each of you," Vivian continued. "Ed, I love the way that
you and Don interact. You guys have a really nice chemistry and you
don't just nod at everything Don says. You have a real range of
emotions and Don has to work a bit harder than he usually does to get
you on board. I like that. I also like how you melt when you see Rose.
That's really sweet."
Ed smiled at Rose. "It's easy. Just look at her."
Vivian did, "Rose, your scenes with Ed are tremendous, but you kind of
disappear in scenes with Marion, Don or Bebe. I think you need to be a
little less accepting of every word that comes out of the mouth of your
father or grandmother. With Bebe, though, there's something almost
motherly about how you treat her. I really like that, but you need to
do more of it. You guys need to touch each other more. Hug. Kiss each
other's cheeks. Little touches will make a big difference. Just be more
sisterly while your being motherly. Know what I mean?"
"I do," Rose smiled. "Thanks."
Then, Vivian looked at John, crossed her arms and shook her head.
"Bebe... what can I say?"
John looked at her, then glanced at the rest of the party. No one said
anything. "Well?" He finally asked. "Did I do anything right?"
Vivian leaned back and thought for a moment. "It's Bianca, right?"
"Well, yes, but I prefer Bebe."
"Honestly, Bebe, I think that you need to go with Bianca. See... I have
been an acting and dialect coach for nearly thirty years and when I
first met Don, I couldn't believe he was throwing away his talent on
foolish action films. He was one of the most naturally talented guys I
ever met and I convinced him to give up film and TV to become a real
actor. Over the last decade, he has become one of the most respected
stage actors in America and I was not in favor of him coming back to
TV."
Don laughed. "That's an understatement! We nearly divorced over this."
Now, Vivian laughed. "Well, that's not true, but I wasn't happy."
She continued, "My biggest concern with Don and TV was that no one
would stand up to him and challenge him, emotionally. I was afraid he'd
look too broad, emotionally, and come off as staid or overbearing, but,
you, young lady... I see a depth in your character that is
overwhelming. When he's on screen with you, he has to fight to gain the
attention of the audience - even me, Bianca. I couldn't keep my eyes
off of you. And the scenes that two of you improvised... dear God,
Bianca, your dialog was better than the writers'! That scene when you
said you hated your mother for dying... I've watched that scene at
least a dozen times since last night and I can't see a hint of anything
but sincerity on your face or in your body language, Bianca. Honestly,
you are the first leading lady who has ever offered Don an emotional
challenge. Whatever you're doing, you're doing it right, dear. Please,
honey, never, never stop doing it."
There was silence around the table, till Ed put his arm around John and
kissed his cheek. "What do you say to Vivian, Beebs?"
John breathed for the first time in what seemed like an hour. "Wow, Mrs
Ferry..."
"Viv, honey."
"... Viv... I'm speechless, I think. Thank you. That's the nicest thing
anyone has ever said to me."
"She's right, Bebe," Don leaned back and took in the group he referred
to as 'The Massachusetts Mafia.' "The three of you are amazing
individually, and as a group, the four of us can be a sensation. And
Bebe, no matter what happens, you're destined to do huge things. Just
stay clear of drugs, sex and scandals and remain true to your art and I
promise you, you will own this town in less than a decade."
Although he enjoyed the compliments, these predictions scared the heck
out of John. There was a lot to consider and he didn't really have the
means to process all of this. "Thanks, Don." John huffed a little air,
then shook his head. "I really don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything, angel," Don reached over and took John's hand in
his, "just let us ride your coattails for awhile, ok?"
John shrugged. "Ok, I guess."
"Alright," Don clapped his hands and pulled an iPad out. "We've heard
from the harshest critic, now let's see what the press has to say about
out little show."
For the most part, all of the reviews were positive and in every case,
the newcomers were given warm welcomes. Don got hit hard by a few
reviewers who felt that he was just an action-star that was trying to
become a legit-actor. None of that seemed to phase him, though. In
fact, he seemed amused by them.
The brunch stretched to over three hours of relaxed conversation and
discussions about where the show should be headed, until, finally, as
1:30 rolled around, Ed said, "Well, Don, Vivian, I'm afraid that we
need to get going. Bebe has a dance lesson at the studio in a half-
hour."
Don stood and shook Ed's hand, "Ed, congratulations on your first big
hit. You have a big future in this business, buddy. Are you happy you
decided to give it a shot?"
"More than I can say," he laughed and gave Vivian, who had also stood
to say goodbye, a kiss on the cheek. "It was nice to finally meet you,
Viv."
"Rosie, Rosie, Rosie," Don said as he gave her a hug, "my grownup girl.
Congratulations to you, too. Oh, you're going to be such a big star! So
pretty! So talented."
"Thanks, Don. Thanks for everything, including brunch! Thank you, too,
Viv. I really appreciate the constructive criticism." They embraced as
well.
"And Bebe." He squeezed John in a crushing hug. "I swear, you are an
answer to my prayers, sweetheart! You elevated this show more than you
can understand."
John's New England humbleness was making him feel a bit embarrassed by
the amount of compliments he'd been receiving, lately, but Don seemed
very sincere. "Thanks, Don. I can't tell you how much I'm learning from
you."
"Oh, pfft," Don scoffed. "I'm just an old hack, baby. You're the
future. Stay focused, angel, and you'll be the next Meryl. I can feel
it."
John laughed at that as he turned to Vivian. "Thank you for lunch, Mrs
Ferry."
Viv laughed. "I guess I'm not going to get you to call me by my first
name, am I?"
John smiled and shrugged.
"Think about what I said, Bebe," Vivian examined John's face and moved
some stray hairs in a very maternal manner. "Bebe is almost too-cute
for an actress of your abilities. Bianca is a good, strong name.
Consider using it."
John giggled a bit, "I hate that name. It seems so... old lady-ish."
"Really?" Vivian laughed. "See, I think it's exotic and sexy. Makes me
think of Bianca Jagger."
Don laughed. "Honey, Bianca Jagger IS an old lady, now! Besides, I
doubt that Bebe has any idea who Mick Jagger is, let alone Bianca.
They've been divorced for, what, forty years!? I think 'Bebe' suits her
just fine."
Vivian completed her examination of John's face. "I suppose it does,"
she smiled. "You're almost too cute to be as talented as you are. Cute
girls usually just rely on being cute. You're something very
different."
"You've said a mouthful," Don joked as he put a hand on John's shoulder
and guided him towards Ed. They said their final goodbyes.
"No, no, no!" Chloe stopped dance routine. "I swear to God, Bianca, I
am going to cut those hands off of your arms if you can't make them
move more delicately!"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" John took deep breaths. Chloe had
been running him ragged for over three hours and she had not smiled
once. John felt miserable. He hated failing and that's what he was
doing now.
He was surprised when he looked up and saw his instructor with a
bemused smile on her face. "Alright, honey, let's call it a day. You've
actually done quite well, today. I can tell you've been practicing the
exercises I gave you, which is a good thing, and your foot work is very
good, considering this is only your third lesson, but, honey, PLEASE go
onto YouTube and look at some of the dancers I listed for you. Look at
their arms and hands, and try to emulate their actions."
"Yes, ma'm," John nodded and reached for a towel to wipe his face.
"By the way, Bebe," Chloe said as she moved to her desk, "I watched
your show."
John pulled on the little dance skirt. "Oh? Thank you for watching it,
Miss. I hope you enjoyed it."
The teacher smiled and indicated that John should sit. "Bebe, I enjoyed
every second of it. It was wonderful! Don Ferry was wonderful and you,
young lady, were absolutely wonderful! Bebe, I am so impressed with
you! You were just... well, wonderful."
John smiled humbly and blushed. "Thank you, Miss. That's very nice of
you to say."
"And it is true, dear," the teacher smiled, but, suddenly, a cloud came
over her face. "Bebe... I probably shouldn't say this to you, but...
well... I was in your position once and I... well, to be honest, I
threw it all away because I was stupid and, well... maybe if I tell you
this, you can avoid the same problems."
John sat silently and waited.
"Bianca... Bebe... I came out here from Arkansas when I was eighteen.
Besides being a very good dancer, I could sing and act, a little -
certainly not as well as you, but as well as most people. Anyway, I got
a few walk-ons and some commercials and, after about a year, I got onto
an established sitcom. I was a weekly-recurring character and I thought
that I'd made it. From here on out, I was living on Easy Street. You
see where I'm headed with this?"
John nodded. "Yes, Miss. I think I do. You're saying that, even though
I lucked into this show, that can go away and maintaining a career is
hard."
Chloe shook her head and smiled. "No, honey, although you are correct,
my career ended because I'm an idiot. I was in my early twenties,
making, if you'll excuse the expression, a shit-ton of money playing a
hardworking college student in a top rated show, but I also started
spending more than I made, drinking and taking drugs... lots of drugs.
I got pregnant and got thrown off the show. I went from making more
every week than my father made in a year, to selling everything I had
just to stay alive."
John gasped. "Miss... I'm so sorry."
She scoffed, "Don't be, Bebe. I did it to myself, and I've reconciled
to that. I'm clean and sober, now, but it's a struggle and we don't all
have a redemptive second act, like Robert Downey Jr did. Some of us
just disappear and that's hard."
There was silence.
"Bebe, about two, two and a half years ago, I fell off the wagon and I
fell hard. Really hard. I lost my son, who has developmental problems,
for a while and I nearly lost my job here. If they'd found out, they
definitely would have fired me - they'd probably fire me, still. It was
a really bad time for me. There were police and courts involved, Bebe.
It was a real nightmare and I hope it's all behind me."
Oh, Miss... I don't know what to say... I'm... well, if I can help in
any way..."
"Bebe, Bebe," the teacher laughed sadly at the misunderstanding, "I am
not asking for help. I'm offering some. See, when you have a secret,
someone is, eventually, going to find out what it is and that's what
happened to me. Your Theater teacher at Notre Dame, in fact, knows that
I had a relapse and this has given her some power over me, but it's
time to put an end to all that. Later today, I'm going to my supervisor
and I'm going to tell her everything and I'll see what happens from
there. Maybe they'll understand... probably, they won't, but, at least,
it'll all be over."
She looked sad and nervous as she finished. "I'm sorry, Bianca, I
shouldn't have told you all of this. Please, forgive me, but I just
hope that you may be able to learn how to protect yourself. It's a
tough, tough business, Bianca, and you need to always have a defense
plan."
"Miss Chloe," John said, "I don't know exactly what to say, but...
well... does you decision to talk to your supervisor have anything to
do with me and Miss Stephanie."
Chloe breathed a heavy sigh, "Well, yes and no. What I mean is,
Stephanie seems to have it in for you, dear. I don't know why, but
she's out to get you and, yes, she tried to enlist me in dredging up
information she could use against you, and, to be perfectly honest, I
considered it. I know how that sounds, Bianca, but I have a son with
special needs to consider..." tears gathered in Chloe's eyes and
emotion choked her voice. "Oh, Bebe, I have made a mess of my life and
my son's, but I can't help her to destroy yours, too, so... I've made
up my mind - This all ends, today." She stood, but the fit, strong
dancer looked broken and frail.
John came around the desk, slowly, and, tentatively embraced his dance
teacher. "No, Miss, please. Let me talk to Don. He's been in the
business for decades. He'll know what to do."
Chloe hugged him tightly. "I don't think so, Bebe. Why would Don Ferry
help me. I've never even met him, and he's known to be squeaky-clean.
I'm just a junky who can't keep her life together."
"No, that's not true. Don's a sympathetic guy and you're a person who's
lived a tough life and, I don't know, stumbled, I guess, along the way.
Don will help you if I ask him. I know he will. Let me call him."
An hour and a half later, Don, Ed, Rose and a woman named Kim had
joined John and Chloe in the studio. Kim, who was Chloe's immediate
supervisor in the Talent Development Department, said, "So, let me get
this straight... this woman," she checked her notes, "Stephanie, from
the tutorial service, has threatened to tell us that you had a relapse,
what, three years ago?"
"Nearly, yes," Chloe said.
"And in return for her silence she wanted you to do what?"
"Well, pass on any information I could find out about Bebe, or her
uncle or cousin, and she even suggested that I offer her pain killers
if she complained about any soreness from dancing."
Kim wrote a few notes, then she looked at John. "And why, exactly,
would this woman want to get information about you, Bianca?"
"I don't know," John said. "I don't know why, but she has never liked
me."
"I think I may have an answer for you," a voice came from the other
side of the room. The man who'd spoken the words was a fifty-ish man in
a smart, dark blue suit.
"This is Hank Miller," Don stood and shook the man's hand. "Thanks for
coming, Hank. Hank is probably the best private investigator in LA. I
asked him to take a look at Miss Stephanie's life to see if he could
fine out anything."
"And you've found something this quickly?" Rose asked.
"Well, to be honest, your 'Miss Stephanie' is not a very skilled
criminal - she has been prolific, but she's pretty sloppy." Hank
explained. "Evidently, she's been making a nice extra-income
blackmailing a number of people, most of whom are second and third tier
actors working regularly in television. Judging by the buzz around
Bianca, here, if she could have gotten her hooks into her, this early
in her career, then she could have had a very long and profitable
payday. Here's a list of the people we currently know of who are paying
her hush money." He handed the list to Kim.
"Good God!" She said as she read the list, "at least a third of these
people are under contract to this studio! Why is this the first I've
heard of this!?"
"Blackmail's a very personal crime," Hank shrugged. "Most people would
rather pay than explain that they have something to hide."
"Well, Chloe, you did the right thing, letting me know," Kim took out
her cell phone and called the studio's attorney.
After she spoke for a good five minutes of more, she turned to Hank and
said, "Our legal department is going to look into all of this. What do
you suggest we do, now?"
Hank shrugged. "I'd suggest that we get LAPD involved and then, we
wait."
"Wait for what?" Ed asked.
"For them to move forward or for Miss Stephanie to make a mistake. One
way or another, though, I expect that she will be taking to a policeman
pretty damned soon."
"Try this one. Blue looks nice on you," MK handed yet another dress
into the fitting room. This one had an Asian design. Very tight with a
notched collar and high slits on the side.
"I can't wear this," John handed the dress back out, "I don't have the
boobs, butt or hips for this style."
"I have a dress like this and I look fine in it," MK pushed it back
towards him.
"She's right," Ella took the dress away. "She'd look like a little boy
in that. You've got, like, the third biggest boobs in our grade.
Besides, that's way too formal to wear to a lacrosse game."
"I'd wear it to a game," MK considered the dress on the hanger.
"You'd wear a prom dress to burger joint. The rest of us dress
appropriately." Ella laughed at her friend.
"I like the second one I tried on. I'm going to try that one, again."
John called out. "Besides, the debit card my mom gave me will only let
me spend three hundred dollars a day. Most of these dresses are really
pricey and I still need to get shoes and a bag. The second one I tried
on is only eighty-five dollars."
"No," MK protested from outside the fitting room, "you look like a
child in that. You need to look sexy. You're going steady, now! You
don't want him to lose interest!"
"I'm meeting his mother for the first time, MK! I don't want her to
think I'm trying to seduce her son!"
"But you are, Bebe, and he needs to know it! You're not even planning
on wearing a sexy costume to the St Matthew's Halloween party!"
"She's got a point there, Bebe," Ella contributed. "I've never heard of
the boy's mother picking out the costumes before. She might have you
dressed like a nun."
"Argh!" John growled from the fitting room. "You guys aren't helping!"
"Come on, girl," MK persisted, "at least try this one on. The slits are
nice and high. He'll love it."
"Are you having any problems, girls?" Rose asked as she approached with
a small bag in her hand.
"Kinda," Ella shook her head. "MK wants Bebe to dress like a Rodeo
Drive hooker and Bebe wants to dress like Holly Hobbie. That's all."
"Besides," MK said, looking at the dress John had just rejected, "she
needs to be sexy at the lacrosse game. She has no idea what costumes
his mother picked out for the Halloween Dance, but she know HIS MOTHER
picked them out, so... there's that to consider."
Rose laughed. "I'm sure that she's picked out lovely costumes. She
wouldn't want Blaine to be embarrassed." Then, knocking on the door,
she said, "Honey, I'm coming in, ok?"
As she opened the door, John called back, "Ok."
He was standing in his purple bra and panty set, fussing with the
second dress he'd tried on. It was an off white, Rose called it 'tea
stained,' cotton sheath that had little, beige polka dots on it and a
small, braided, leather belt sat at its high waist.
"Ok, honey," Rose said, "I got you something to wear underneath." She
held out a new bra, with less padding than what he'd normally worn.
"What's this for?" John asked.
The bra had soft, molded cups, but no extra padding. "I noticed last
night, that your breasts are coming in nicely. I think you're up to at
least an 'A' cup now. Let's try it on and see. It's going to be more
comfortable and natural looking than the padded one."
It had been months since John had felt anything erotic about wearing
women's clothing. At this point, they weren't 'women's clothes' at all;
they were just 'clothes,' but something about this particular change in
bra style was giving him butterflies in his tummy.
Rose must have seen it and said, "Here. Let me help you."
She undid the hook and eyes at the back of the bra he was wearing and
slid it down his arms, then turned him towards the mirror. "A girl's
first grown up bra is a big day for her, honey. Look, you're becoming a
real young woman."
John looked at himself in the mirror. He'd become very used to the
budding growths on his chest, but had not paid an awful lot of
attention to them, lately. Now, there was no denying that he had
breasts. Actual, unavoidably noticeable breasts that sat pert and
pretty on his chest.
Rose held the new bra open for him and he slid his arms in and she
pulled it up and into place. She fastened it in the rear, then reached
into the cups to settle them in correctly. The bra held him firmly and
shaped him perfectly. His breasts were still smaller than the
prosthetics he'd worn as Bianca, but this was different - very
different. These were his. He could feel the softness and lovely,
hugging support of the garment and it created a very modest, but very
real cleavage that he found extraordinary. Obviously, he knew that this
would eventually happen, but it was quite a surprise that it'd happened
so quickly.
Then something odd happened. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a
reflection in a mirror on the side wall of the fitting room. It was
just the soft curve of the underside of his breast as it curved back
towards his chest. The bra held it so perfectly and the breast filled
the bra so femininely. It was a sight he'd glimpsed through gapped
shirts a million times before, but this was different. Incredibly
different.
"Bebe," Rose whispered worriedly, waking him from his trance, "You're
not wearing your gaff."
"Huh? What? No. It's not always comfortable, so I don't wear it when I
don't have too."
"Well, I've got news for you, little girl... you have to!"
John followed her gaze to see his purple panties with the pretty lace
on them being stretched in a very unfeminine manner.
"Oh, shit!" He whispered.
"Well, push it down, or something! Quickly!"
"Hey guys," Ella I knocked on the door.
John's hand slapped over his mouth, "Oh, shit! Oh, shit! Oh, shit!" He
whispered in a total panic.
Rose held up her hands indicating that he should relax.
"What is it, Ella?" Rose called out.
"Are you going with the Holly Hobbie dress, 'cause if you are, MK and I
will go look for a nice bag to go with it."
"Um, yes," Rose sounded relieved. "She's taking the tea-stained one.
See if you can find a bag that is brown and has some braiding on it,
like the belt on the dress, ok?"
"Ok. We're going to Crawford's. It's a few doors down, on the left.
We'll meet you there."
"Perfect. Thanks, hon!"
She returned her gaze to John, who's erection had, if anything, gotten
even more noticeable. Now, there was a gap at the waistband and his
penis could be see in the silky panties.
"Can't you, you know, soften it, again?"
John shook his head. "I'm sorry, but... no."
"Oh, geez," Rose shook her head like a disgusted mother, then reached
into her pocketbook and pulled out a small poach of tissues. "I never
thought I'd need theses for this... especially in a fitting room. Thank
God these are full sized doors, but you're going to need to be quiet,
do you understand me?"
John nodded.
"Then, take off your panties. I don't want you to mess those up."
He stepped out of the panties, a blossoming woman on top, a grown man
on the bottom. "I swear to God, Bebe, if you ever leave the house
without a gaff on again, I'll pull you over my knee and spank you till
you can't sit for a month."
That just made matters worse.
Rose began to run her hand up and down his shaft, but the noises from
the store were startling and frightening John. The fear of getting
caught was very exciting, but it was a very real and palpable fear that
interrupted his concentration.
"Come on, sweetheart," Rose whispered, "we need to do this quickly."
"I know," he closed his eyes and tried to concentrate, "but the noise
is distracting me."
Rose moved closer and kissed his cheek while she continued to stroke
him. "Just listen to my voice," she cooed into his ear. "Just be a good
girl and cum for Rosie."
It was no use, though. He was excited and wanted to explode, but each
time he came close, he was distracted by a cough, or laugh, or a loud
voice, just outside the door to the fitting room.
"I can't," John whispered through his heavy breathing.
Rose moved even closer, enveloping him in her presence. "Yes, you can,
my little one. Don't listen to anything, but me. There's no sound, but
my voice. Concentrate on how big and strong my hand feels on your
dinky." She gave his shaft a quick, slightly more aggressive, pull to
get his attention. "Doesn't my big, strong, soft hand feel nice on
you?"
He panted and nodded.
"You've gotten so small, Bebe. So, so small. Do I feel bigger to you?"
"Yes," his voice barely audible.
"Yeah?" She felt him stiffen a bit. "You like being a pretty, little
thing, though, don't you? You like being Blaine's little girlfriend."
He stiffened more and she thought she felt a twitch as well.
"That's right. Think about Blaine. Imagine my hand is his hand. Imaging
how much bigger his tool would be than your dinky. Being such a pretty,
little girl, you'd love to be with a big, handsome boy like Blaine,
wouldn't you?"
John's breaths became deeper and more strained.
"Have him hold you and play with your nipples and dinky."
His round, new breasts heaved in his pretty, lacy, new bra.
"Then you'd kneel in front of him; get down on your knees and lick your
lips and you'd see his big, young, powerful tool, staring at you."
He pumped his hips to increase the friction from her hand.
"Then you'd be a really good girl, wouldn't you, and good girls make
their men happy, don't they?"
John's skin was hot, damp and reddening.
"What do good girls do to make their men happy? Huh? What do they do?"
He could not have spoken a coherent word if he'd wanted to.
"They open their mouths and accept the gift the man offers. Open your
mouth, little girl. Open wide."
Eyes closed and hips bucking, John let his mouth fall open, allowing
Rose access. She leaned down and used her tongue to penetrate past
John's lips, filling his mouth with herself.
Suddenly, John's hips slammed against Roses hand one last time and he
came with so much force that he nearly passed out. Had his mouth not
been filled with Rose's tongue, he would have shrieked like a woman in
a thrill of sexual rapture.
Slowly, Rose withdrew from him and, as she loosened her grip and John
sank onto the bench, she straightened herself and looked down at the
spent child in front of her. Bebe's eyes were closed and she was
struggling to gain control of her breathing.
And SHE was definitely Bebe.
Despite the very masculine discharge, John was gone - forever. Rose
knew that the fame that had already been showered on them because of
their work on a show, which had already gained a following, a real
relationship with John was going to be difficult, but now she knew that
John was gone. At one time, she could bring John nearly to orgasm with
a smile. Now, she had to indulge his girlish fantasies about his
boyfriend to get him off.
The whole event hadn't been a girlfriend giving her boyfriend a
handjob. It had been an older cousin helping her younger, female,
cousin with an embarrassing, female-problem.
She was sad that John was gone, but happy that she had the relationship
she had with her little cousin and that made her smile. She stilled
loved this little girl. Just differently.
The door bell rang at EXACTLY 11:00 on Saturday morning. Ed checked the
video monitor and saw Blaine's image Looking back at him.
"Morning, Blaine. Come on up."
"Is she almost ready?" He asked Rose.
Rose shrugged and laughed, "I think so. Honestly, I've never seen her
so nervous. I mean, she's been through auditions, opening, going to
school, homecoming dances, but meeting his mom seems to have her ready
to cry."
Ed laughed in sympathy. "Do you suppose that's partially the hormones?"
"I'm sure, but she needs to tone it down or she'll make herself sick.
Believe me, I know. I've been there. I've met several boyfriend-mothers
and each has been a horror show."
There was a knock on the door.
"Blaine," Ed smiled as he opened the door, "Good to see you! You must
be Joanne." He extended his hand as the woman entered the room.
"Oh, yes, hi, I'm Blaine's mom, Joanne, and I know who you are! Hi, Mr.
McNeal. I just loved your show the other night. Oh, you were so good."
"Oh, well, thank you... and this is Bebe's cousin, Rose."
"Hi, Joanne, nice to meet you," Rose extended her hand as well, but
Joanne hugged her instead.
"Oh, my, you are even more beautiful in real life."
"Well..." both the hug and the compliment threw Rose a bit off balance.
"Thank you."
"Sorry, guys," Blaine grinned, "but my mom is a little star-struck. I
recorded your show and she's watched it, like, a dozen times. She
really loved it."
"Oh, I did, I did." Joanne laughed and smiled.
"Well, that's very nice of you," Ed chuckled. This really was the first
time anyone had ever been star-struck to see them. "Won't you have a
seat? I'll go see how our girl is doing."
"Yes, please relax, but, Ed, why don't you get them a drink and I'll
check on Beebs." She looked at Joanne, "She's a little stressed about
meeting you. You know how it is - meeting the boyfriend's mom. I'll be
right back."
Oh, please," Joanne laughed. "She's a star, for crying out loud. I'm
nervous about meeting her!" She laughed louder.
"All set, Beebs?" Rose asked as she looked into the bedroom, but John
was not ready. His dress was laid neatly on his bed and his shoes
sitting below it. "Beebs?" She called as she closed the door behind
her.
"In here," John called from the bathroom.
Rose looked in to see him sitting on the toilet seat cover. "Honey,
Blaine and his mom are here. What are you doing?"
"My hair looks awful and the girls were right, my dress makes me look
like Holly Hobbie." His eyes were red-rimmed. He'd obviously been
crying.
Rose leaned against the sink and waited for John to say more, but he
just looked at the floor.
"Honey," Rose said as soothingly as possible, "what's wrong?"
"I don't know. I guess I'm just feeling... off. And to make matters
worse, I have a pimple."
Rose chocked back the giggle she felt. "Well, as for feeling 'off,' the
doctor said that you might have days like that because of your hormone
treatments. Believe me, baby, I feel 'off' for a bunch of days every
month. She says that the best thing to do on those days is to look your
best and carry on. She says you'll feel better later in the day. And as
for the pimple, where is it."
"Right here. It's huge." John pointed to his hair line on the right
side of his face.
Rose inspected and found a moderately small, white-head. "This is
nothing. I'll pop it for you."
"No, you'll make it all red and... OUCH!!!"
"Oh, hush, you big baby. It's all gone, now. Come on, let's get you
ready."
Rose took his hand and led him back into the bedroom, then held the
tea-stained, polka-dot dress open so John could insert his arms and
head. Then she buttoned the small buttons up his back. "I think this is
an adorable dress, and you look very pretty in in. Don't let the girls
get into your head."
"Rose?" John sounded concerned.
"Yes, baby?"
"What if the costume is, like, too 'womanly' for me?"
"'Womanly?' What do you mean by that?"
"You know... too... busty or revealing... too... womanly."
This time she couldn't hold back the giggle. "Honey, Blaine's mom
didn't pick out a 'sexy nurse' costume for you. She picked out
something that you and Blaine will look nice in, together. And as for
being 'womanly,' honey, you have the same curves as any other girl your
age."
John looked at her and rolled his eyes.
"You know what I mean. The same curves as any other fourteen year old.
You are wearing a gaff, though, right?"
John nodded.
Rose ran his hair through a beige head band and grabbed a brush and
began brushing his wavy, black hair down his neck and back. "Good. Now,
look in the mirror. You know what I see? I see a very pretty girl,
who's smart and talented and ready to go out and meet her boyfriend's
mom." She finished brushing and kissed his cheek. "Ready?"
"I guess," he huffed.
"Joanne," Rose said as she entered the living room with John in tow,
"this is my cousin, Bebe."
"Hi," John waved and smiled, a bit embarrassed.
"Oh, my dear," Blaine's mother stood and crossed to John, "You're even
more beautiful in real life than you are on TV!" She hugged John
tightly. "Oh, I've heard so much about you from Blaine! No wonder he's
so taken with you!"
"Mom! Come on!" Blaine protested.
"Oh, stop it, Blaine." She waved him off and took a step back to take
in John completely, but she held each of his hands in each of hers and
spread his arms so she could complete her inspection. "All I've heard
since homecoming is 'Bebe this,' and 'Bebe that...' I'm telling you,
dear, that boy is in love with you!"
"Mom!" Blaine put on elbow on the arm of the chair he was sitting in
and dropped his forehead down in the classic, teenager body language
for, 'I can't believe my mother is saying these things.'
Ed patted his shoulder, "Tough it out, big guy. Moms are moms. Mine was
the same way."
Blaine sighed and, on Ed's cue, stood and followed him to where his
mother was praising John.
"She's just perfect, Blaine," Joanne said, never taking her eyes off of
John. "Treat her well. This one's a keeper."
Finally she released John's hands. Blaine, immediately, took John's
left hand in his right and whispered, "Sorry."
John just shrugged and smiled. He'd met Blaine's mom and she seemed to
like him, so - phase one was complete.
The ride to Blaine's game was a bit awkward. Joanne, and she insisted
that John call her Joanne, asked John a million questions about home
and school and the TV show and Ed and Rose, while Blaine, strong,
confident Blaine sat in the back seat with John and just smiled and
shook his head at his mom's exuberance.
"Not Boston, ma'm, Worcester. It's about 35 miles west of Boston. Right
in the middle of the state."
"I'm a freshman."
"I've been acting my whole life. There's lots of theater troupes in
Massachusetts."
"Ed's a family friend, not my real uncle."
"Don's very nice. I don't know if I could arrange for you to meet him,
though. I'll see what I can do."
"We all got really lucky. We were all in the same production and Don
saw it."
Blaine just rolled his eyes.
Finally, when there was a break in the questioning, Blaine said, "Look,
Bebe, when we get to the field, I gotta grab my stuff and get into the
locker room. You're going to be ok with my mom, though, right?"
"Of course she'll be ok with me, Blaine." His mother answered for John.
"Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to your precious girl." She
'tsk-ed' at him and shook her head.
Again, he just rolled his eyes.
"I'll be fine," John smiled. "Your mom's very nice."
"Thank you, Bebe!" Joanne laughed.
"Yeah? Wait till you get to know her, better," Blaine said, very
loudly.
"Oh, you!"
John had never seen a lacrosse game before. It was really just for prep
school guys back in Massachusetts. Well, of course, Blaine was a prep
school boy, but John wasn't really a part of the preppie life back
home. It didn't take long to figure out the rules, though, and it was
very clear that Blaine played very well - better than most, in fact.
John soon found himself engrossed with the game and impressed with
Blaine's abilities.
During a break in the action, John and Joanne walked down to the
concession stand and got bottles of water and hot dogs.
"Oh, this hotdog is SO GOOD!" John said, a bit too enthusiastically.
Joanne laughed. "It's ok, I guess."
"Oh, but I haven't had a hotdog in months."
"On a diet for the show?"
"On a diet for life, I think."
"But you're so small, dear. Are they really that strict?"
"Not them as much as me. I was bigger. I feel better when I'm smaller."
Joanne had no response, so they walked along.
"Blaine's really good at lacrosse," John made small talk.
"He is, but he's showing off a little for you, today, too," Joanne
confided. "I'm not kidding, Bebe, I think that Blaine is head-over-
heels in love with you. You've stolen that boy's heart. Have you had a
lot of boyfriends?"
"No," he said, honestly, "Blaine is the first boy I ever dated."
"Oh, my. That does surprise me."
"Really? Why?"
"Well, because you're so pretty, I guess. I assumed you'd had
boyfriends back home, too."
John blushed. "You're very nice, but I'm not nearly as pretty as Rose
or my sister, Nancy. As a matter of fact, until last summer, I don't
think anyone ever called be pretty. I was just a plain tomboy. Things
changed fast, though."
"Well, they musty have," Joanne guided John back to his seat, "because
you are gorgeous, Bebe. I mean it. Now, later, when I show you my
costume choices for you, I hope that you'll let me fuss over you a
little. I never had a girl to help get ready."
John smiled. He remembered how his mother had enjoyed being able to
fawn all over him when he'd first become Bianca. Must be a mother-
thing. "I'll be very grateful for any help you can give me, Mrs... I
mean, Joanne. Thank you."
Joanne noticed the little round ball hanging from the chain around
John's neck and she smiled. "Do you like the necklace that Blaine gave
you?"
"Oh," John held the chain, allowing the ball to be displayed, "I love
it! I haven't had it off since he gave it to me. There's even a scene
in the first episode where you can see it."
Joanne took a nibble of her hotdog. "I tried to talk him into something
bigger, but the moment he saw that, he said, "No. This is what Bebe
likes.' I guess he's right."
"Yeah," John shrugged. "I guess he is."
St Marks won by several points. Honestly, John had lost track, but he'd
enjoyed watching Blaine play and seeing his muscular legs in the
uniform shorts had been exciting, too. More than once, he'd found
himself concentrating on Blaine's legs and rear end, rather than the
game.
When the game ended, Joanne and John waited by the locker room entrance
until Blaine came out. Then, they both applauded for their favorite
player, but Blaine surprised John when, without any warning, he picked
him up, swung him around and planted a long, passionate kiss on his
lips."
"Blaine! You mom!" John chastised the boy even as he giggled at
Blaine's impetuousness.
"Don't worry, I'll kiss her, too," Blaine smiled that big, handsome
smile. "Did you like the game?"
"I did," John laughed, his boyfriend's arms still wrapped tightly
around his upper legs, supporting him in the air.
"And did you watch me play?"
"Yes, of course I did, Blaine. Please put me down."
"Nope. Not until I get another kiss."
"Blaine..."
"Nope. No kiss, no walking. I'll carry you everywhere." He started
running around the area, recklessly.
"Alright, Alright!" John leaned down and kissed Blaine, full on the
lips. It was a nice kiss. It made him shiver.
"Nice game, dude!" Another player called, as Blaine was lowering John
to the ground.
"Thanks, Deke!" Blaine waved. "Hey, this is her. The girl I told you
about."
"She's hot, dude. See ya at the dance!"
"Cool!" Blaine waved to his friend.
"I'm hot?" John asked as he straightened his dress
"You are," Blaine beamed with pride. "I hope that didn't embarrass
you."
"I guess not," John shrugged.
"Good, cause I have to kiss my mom, now."
Blaine turned to his mother and planted a kiss on her cheek.
"You played very well, Blaine, but don't tease Bebe. It's rude." Joanne
scolded.
"Oh, she likes it," he smiled. He had one of those smiles that God gave
to some people to keep them from ever getting into trouble, and Blaine
obviously used it on his mother every day. She knew it, but what could
she do. He was a good boy and had a good heart.
They drove to the home that Blaine and his mother shared with Joanne's
husband. It was a very opulent home. As nice as Ella's House, possibly
nicer, certainly more tasteful.
"I'm going to take a quick swim before I shower," Blaine smiled as he
led John into the house, "wanna join me?"
"Oh," John stuttered over his words for a moment, "Umm... I wish you'd
told me. I would have brought a swim suit, but..."
"There's plenty of bathing suits, come on," Blaine grabbed John's hand
and started jogging towards the pool, with John in tow.
The pool enclosure was as opulent as the house. It was, essentially, a
large oval comprised of sliding doors and a steeply pitched roof.
Inside, there was a huge pool with at least fifteen feet of patio area
surrounding it on all sides. At one end, there was a restroom with
changing rooms on each side and a huge bar with a well stocked, locked
liquor cabinet mounted on the wall.
"Wow!" John gasped as he entered. He knew that Blaine was rich, but...
wow!
"Here," Blaine showed John the chest of drawers in one of the dressing
rooms. "Just pick one that fits. I'll get changed in the next room and
I'll meet you in the pool!" He kissed John's cheek and bounced out of
the room, closing the door behind him.
"Wait!" John pulled the door open and called after him. "I need your
help."
Blaine came back, "Sure. What can I do?"
John turned, then pulled his long, wavy, dark hair to the side. "I...
um... could you... would you mind unbuttoning the buttons? I can't
really do it myself. Well... I could, but it'd take forever..."
"Oh..." Blaine muttered. "Sure, I guess."
He was as gentle as he could be with the delicate, little buttons, but
he was slower than Rose would have been. John could feel the boy's
hands begin to shake as he worked the buttons through the holes and
more of John's pale, perfumed skin appeared.
When he'd reached the seventh or eighth button, John said, "Thanks. I
can manage from there."
He turned and looked at Blaine, who stood still with his face flushed
and a little bit sweaty. "Oh... ok... Are you sure?"
John smiled and looked more coquettish than he could have ever imagined
that he could, as he said, "I'm sure. I'm a big girl. I can undress
myself. I just couldn't work the buttons that high. They're very
small."
"Yeah... and flowers."
"What?" John asked.
"Oh, Umm... they're shaped like flowers. The buttons, I mean.
They're... very... pretty."
"Oh," john waited for a moment, but Blaine didn't budge. "I think,
maybe, you should go, now, so that I can get changed."
"Oh... sure... yeah, ok." Blaine laughed as he moved clumsily to the
door, not quite sure what to do or say. He'd just touched Bebe in a
more intimate way than he'd ever touched her before and his stomach was
suddenly filled with butterflies. More than anything, he wanted to
touch her more. To unbutton more of those cute little buttons. To
completely undress her and worship her beautiful little body. "Ok..."
he muttered again. "I'll be be taking my clothes off... Oh!... I mean
getting changed in... umm... in that room over there, if you need
any... Well, you won't need... umm... yeah... I'll just go now." And he
turned and walked to the other changing room in the most awkward manner
imaginable.
John smiled as he watched Blaine close the door to the other room. He'd
never had this kind of impact on another person, before, and he found
it... appealing. He liked that Blaine found him attractive. It made him
feel... pretty.
John had gone swimming with Annie and Cassie back on the Cape, but that
suit had a gaff sewn into it. He figured he'd have to wear his gaff
under the suit, but that didn't work. When he tried on a nice, pink and
blue one piece suit, he could see the outline of the undergarment
through the thin material of the suit. No good.
When he tried the suit without the gaff, it looked like he had a
massive camel-toe happening. No good, either.
In desperation, he returned to the drawer and pulled out another one
piece suit he'd not seen before. This one was pink and white, but it
also had a little swim-skirt sewn onto it. Nothing overly noticeable,
but enough to cover his groin. Perfect!
He pulled it on and checked himself in the mirror. The suit was more
revealing around the bust than John would have preferred, but, upon
inspection, he liked the way that he looked, there. Son of a gun, he
actually had pretty breasts!
When Blaine saw him walking out into the pool area, he stopped and
looked at him. God, Bebe was a pretty girl. Her thighs were thin and
shapely, her rear end was small, but tight and nicely curved, but her
breasts, small and perfect, made his heart leap!
"You look... amazing," Blaine said.
"So do you," John smiled. Blaine's fit body looked very striking in his
board shorts.
Blaine took John's hand and led him to the large, beautiful pool, but,
just before they reached the steps, Blaine bent, quickly and pulled
John up in the classic carrying-a-bride-across-the-threshold manner,
causing John to let out a giggled squeal and to throw his arms around
Blaine's neck to keep from falling.
"Holy cow, Blaine!" John giggled. "You were so quiet earlier. What's
gotten into you?"
He smiled. "I know, sorry. I'm always wound up tight before a game, but
I really get a buzz from winning! It makes me feel... powerful." He
started down the stairs into the warm water of the pool.
Once John's bottom half was covered in water, he expected to be let go,
but Blaine held him tight and continued to move him through the water.
It was nice. John enjoyed it.
"Do you mind getting your hair wet?" Blaine asked.
"Do you have a hair dryer?"
"Of course."
"Then I don't mind."
Then, without warning, Blaine plunged the two of them under water. When
they resurfaced, both were gasping and laughing.
"I like carrying you," Blaine smiled. "You're very light."
"I like being carried," and he did. It was nice to surrender to
Blaine's strength. To be, in a way, taken.
They looked into each other's eyes for a long moment, until Blaine
leaned forward and planted a very warm, gentle kiss on John's lips.
Again, he felt a shiver run down his spine.
"I love you, you know," Blaine said, very quietly.
It made John smile. "I know." The soft, passionate statement of
Blaine's affection made John feel warm and loved, but there was an
undercurrent of guilt mixed in, too. John liked this boy - REALLY liked
this boy - and that meant that, at some point, he needed to tell him
some things.
Everything, in fact.
He felt a churning in his stomach. Now was as good a time as any.
"Blaine..."
"Yes?"
"There's somethings that... well... I think we should probably talk
about..."
"I know, Bebe. You're only fourteen and maybe I'm rushing things on
you, but it's true - I really do love you."
John searched for the right words. "I know, and I really feel strongly
about you, too. I've never really dated a boy before and I've certainly
never felt this way about a boy before and, well, it's all, just a lot
for someone like me."
"I know, Bebe. I'm sorry. I'll back off - give you some space. I don't
expect you to say it just because I do. I'm sorry. I'll be patient."
"Oh, Blaine," John sighed. "You're great, you know that, right? A girl
couldn't ask for a nicer or more handsome guy. This is all just a lot
for me to take in and process, though, because..."
John was interrupted by another soft kiss. This time it lingered and he
felt himself melting in Blaine's arms.
"Alright, you two," Joanne's voice echoed in the pool enclosure. "Come
on out and have some lunch. It's getting late. You won't have dinner
till after eight. Come on." She placed a platter of cold meat, whole
grain breads and salad fixings on a patio table near the pool, then
took a seat herself, as John and Blaine climbed out of the pool.
"This looks great, mom. Thanks." Blaine grabbed some bread and meat,
created a turkey sandwich in seconds and took a big, healthy bit of it.
"Thank you, Joanne. It looks delicious." John placed some romaine
lettuce, spinach and some tomatoes on his plate and took small bites.
"Oh, that's a cute suit on you, Bebe," Joanne complimented. "I'm
surprised you picked one with a skirt. Usually girls choose the skirt
to cover up a little belly fat, but you certainly don't have to worry
about that!"
John smiled and blushed a little. He glanced at Blaine who was shining
a big smile back at him.
"I'm very excited to get to see you two in your costumes, later. I hope
you like them. I have a friend who works in a costume supply house and
she helped me pick out a couples-costume that I think is just perfect
for you two."
"So when do we get to see what you've picked out?" Blaine asked through
a bite of turkey sandwich.
"After lunch, you two dry off and then you can get into them. I'm so
excited!" Joanne clapped her hands.
After lunch, John returned to the changing room where there was a
shower. He rinsed off, then changed back into his gaff, panties and
bra and began brushing hair, using a blow dryer and a barrel-brush to
dry his hair.
"Excuse me, Bebe," John jumped when he heard Joanne's voice as she
peaked in through the doorway.
"Oh! You scared me!" He laughed. He was so used to being in front of
Rose or members of the costume department while he was just wearing his
under things, that he didn't even feel the need to be shy.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I brought you a robe." She handed him a
short, white, nylon robe. "No need to get dressed, dear. You don't have
to get your hair perfect, either. I have a wig for you."
He pulled on the robe and tied the belt. "Ok. I guess I'm ready, then."
"Wonderful," Joanne smiled. "Come with me." She took John's hand and
led him through the house, stopping at photos of Blaine, or at trophies
to explain the significance of each. She was very proud of her son and
she enjoyed showing off his accomplishments.
When Joanne reached her bed room, she guided John to the chair in front
of the vanity. "Just sit, dear. I'll tell you what, why don't you do
your eyes? Your dress is blue, so keep that in mind."
While John did his eye makeup, Joanne twisted his hair and pinned it to
his head as tightly as she could. She slipped a white wig-cap onto his
head and smoothed it out.
Then, Joanne worked on his face for a while. "I'm not a pro, like
you're used to," she said as she worked, "but I can do something
simple, like this."
The end result was a nearly un-made-up Look with a good deal of
girlish, pink blush on his cheeks. With his hair up under the wig-cap,
he looked very young.
"Now, let's get this wig onto you," she said as she brought out a wig-
head bearing a human-hair wig with a similar cut to the style that John
wore, but the wig was a honey-blonde. Joanne bobby-pinned the wig into
place and said, "isn't that pretty? Now, you know how you'd look as a
blonde."
John smiled. "I look like I could be Rose's sister instead of her
cousin." He examined himself in the mirror. He definitely looked
different, probably a little more of a classic-beauty, but he still
preferred his dark hair. It made him more distinctive.
"Mom!" Blaine said as he walked into the open door of the bedroom. He
was wearing a Victorian style maroon suit with a large, matching top
hat. "I'm not sure I get what your concept is..."
He spotted John as a blonde and stopped dead. "Oh, Wow..." he mumbled.
"Isn't she pretty this way? Maybe you should consider changing to
blonde hair, Bebe."
Just as John started to say, "No, the studio wouldn't allow it," he
heard Blaine say, "No, she's much pretty with dark hair."
John smiled broadly. What a sweet thing to have said.
"You think so?" Joanne asked.
"Yes," Blaine answered, "but I see what your concept is, now. Good
choice. I'll go finish getting ready."
As he left, Joanne looked at John again and said, "I don't know. I
think you make a cure blonde. Stand up, angel."
Joanne held a pair of white tights open and guided them on to John's
feet, then assisted as they worked them up John's body to sit just
below his breasts. "Step over here, sweetheart."
John followed her instructions and she laid a full, but fairly short
petticoat slip on the bed. "Here, honey, step into this so it doesn't
ruin your hair."
Again, he followed directions and Joanne helped him into the garment,
which sat with narrow, lacy straps on his shoulders and ended just at
his knees. "Oh, that's perfect," Joanne smiled as she adjusted the slip
on his body.
Next came a pair of ankle high, high heeled, white, Victorian boots.
The two inch heel was very manageable and they were surprisingly
comfortable. "Thank goodness those fit. They were my only concern."
Joanne said.
"They fit fine. They're very comfortable."
"Excellent."
Next came a baby blue, cotton dress with a white satin, Peter-Pan-
collar. Joanne lowered it carefully over John and smoothed it over the
petticoat slip. It sat just below his knees, about two inches lower
than the petticoats. "Oh, perfect!" The puffy sleeves were trimmed in a
very feminine, white lace and came just above his elbows. She buttoned
the row of tiny buttons up his back.
"One last item," Joanne moved around to John's front and raised a very
beautiful, pinafore style apron up his arms, then returned to behind
him and tied a big, floppy knot in the back.
"There," Joanne pronounced him done. "Now, let's look in the mirror."
She walked him to the mirrored door of her closet and let him take it
all in. The classic costume of a blue dress with a spreading skirt, the
puffy, childish sleeves, the pristine white pinafore apron and little
boots. He was perfect, but no matter where he put his hands, they were
engulfed in skirts, so he folded them daintily in front of him.
He felt oddly little and little-girlish, too - but not in a bad way. In
a very, very pleasant way.
"What do you think?" Joanne asked as she fussed with every detail.
"Oh, Joanne, it's just beautiful."
"Oh, I'm so happy that you like it. Alice has always been one of my
favorite characters. I've always wanted to have a daughter that I could
dress up like this and I cannot imagine a more beautiful Alice than you
are, my dear."
John stared at himself. He really was Alice. Just a pretty, silly,
little girl.
"Come on, Alice," Joanne put her arm around John's tiny shoulders,
"let's go see if your Mad Hatter is ready."