FREDDIE'S CHICKEN NECK SOUP
Stepping onto the campus Freddie was a little intimidated. The large old
establishment had seen better times but still held a certain majesty all
the same. While low-income housing had crept up to its grounds it was
still a fine school that graduates could be proud to have come from.
Freddie wasn't there to attend; he was seeking an inexpensive place to
stay and more importantly a place of employment. The severe drought in
the surrounding St Louis area had landed his family in hard times.
Coming from a farming family his childhood was filled with joy. Taking
care of animals and improving the land were rewards that validated the
hard efforts continuously put forth. Unlike many professions, the
results were physical and could be reaped within a season. It was very
rewarding to have tangible evidence right in front of you. All your hard
work will be harvested and stored or sold paying the banks dividends
easily. If things had held, the family home could be paid off in the
next five years or so.
The three pastures that had allowed for the family to branch out into
cattle, were already paid for. Their neighbor had become ill and
couldn't work his farm any longer. They paid a fair price for his
pastures and he tried to lease his fields to make up the difference.
Desperately wanting to stay in his family home, he had figured a way to
make things work. Unfortunately, he had rented his land to unscrupulous
business people, by the time all of the neighbors discovered his plight
there was nothing left to do. We all missed them when they moved away.
Now faced with three years of a drought, the groundwater was giving way
and water was the lifeblood of the farm. His family now felt the sting
of selling off parcels of land hoping for better times. Freddie realized
that he was now a drag on the family budget and hoped to find work and
maybe send some money to help save the family farm. His parents were
resourceful but were getting up in age and everyone has their limits. No
water no money.
The water pump they installed seemed to be a good investment at first
but eventually became a very expensive paperweight. The corn that they
had planted didn't even mature before the water ran out. Drying on the
stalk, they could have used it for fodder but the cattle were already
sold off. The only hope was to sell this reduced crop to someone over in
the next county that still needed feed.
Freddie was a good son. It hurt to watch him catch the bus as it came
rambling up the dirt road. Due to the drought, there was an excessive
dust cloud that trailed behind the bulky vehicle. This felt like an
ominous sign. His parents had worked their whole lives to build
something that they could hand down, now they watched their only son
climbing aboard an old bus with virtually no help. They had such high
hopes and things looked so good. The rug had been pulled out from
everyone. Now their hopes hinged on Freddie being able to help them
instead of setting up their child. Fred senior and Mildred walked slowly
back to their home having watched the bus disappear over the next knoll.
The only sight remaining was the dust the bus continued to lift into the
dry air.
Freddie, standing in front of one of the many bulletin boards, stood a
little back as there were students in front of him looking to do the
same their selves but for a much more relaxed reason. When the way
cleared, he saw a promising price on a room for rent directly across
from the south side of campus. It seems a widower rents rooms to young
people each year as a way to get some income from her large seven-
bedroom house. Normally she prefers female renters but she recognized
that her neighborhood had deteriorated such that the girls did not feel
safe. This is also why she reduced her asking price.
To offset her expenses, she would no longer offer the board of the room
& board. In some ways, she thought this might be a nice break. She was
getting on in years and "Old Sally," as she was fond of referring to
herself in the third person, didn't have the same energy to cook for six
young people anymore.
The price was right, not having a phone Freddie took off at a run as to
not miss this opportunity. The address was pretty straight forward and
after his full out run, he found himself knocking too aggressively at
Sally's front door.
When an already perturbed Sally opened her door, with the chain lock
still engaged, she saw a ragamuffin boy too skinny and panting to beat
the band. He was not intimidating in the least and Sally closed the
door hard, unlocked her safety chain, and charged at the boy holding a
broom to shoo the little thing away.
Freddie having been surprised by her aggressive stance, backed up past
the front porch and halfway down the stone one-piece steps. He held his
hands up while he caught his breath.
"Sorry, mam I just ran from the other side of campus, hoping to arrange
for a room. I don't have a phone and I didn't want to miss out."
"Well, you needn't have bothered."
"Oh, sorry mam." Freddie started down the path away from what he felt
would have been a very good arrangement considering his situation.
"Where are you going boy?"
Freddie didn't understand. The look on his, now that she could take this
youth in, the kind face was confusion.
"You didn't need to run all the way here as you are the first. I just
put those notices up."
Freddie's smile was infectious. Something about this child she felt an
immediate kinship towards. When someone had taken her dog, she had
posted a reward for max's safe return. A non-English speaking neighbor
believed he had her animal and wanted to claim the reward. Two hundred
dollars was a lot of money. He led her to his backyard where this small
rottweiler mix was tied up. This was not her beloved dog, but she
immediately liked this animal upon site. Offering a sawbuck for the
animal this turned out to be one of her favorite pets. Freddie invoked a
similar feeling she had towards this stray all those years ago.
Sally looked at the boy sideways trying to see any hidden problems.
Nothing revealed itself so she told him, "come here boy leave your
rucksack in the doorway so no one makes off with it and I'll show you
the accommodations."
The questions from Sally were forthcoming and Freddie soon laid himself
bare to what seemed to be a kind old soul. Many questions bordered on
none of her business and way too personal, but Freddie took a liking to
the old gal and answered truthfully to all of her questions. The only
snag was when Sally got around to how he was going to pay his rent.
Freddie admitted that he currently didn't have gainful employment but
possessed three months' rent. He truly hoped she wouldn't ask for that
amount. It would have taken all of his money. As it was finally agreed,
two months' rent, would seal the deal. She was willing to take a chance
on this young thing even though the beginning was interminably rocky.
Now, Freddie started feeling up as to his prospects. Back to campus, he
started, hoping for similar luck with employment. Traveling much slower
now he was able to take in his surroundings. This neighborhood was
indeed a little rough. Several seedy bars and two strip clubs were on
the adjacent street. One of the strip clubs proclaimed something for
everyone. Freddie laughed when he saw a cross-dressed restaurant. He
didn't know what that was but thought it might make an interesting
letter home. Freddie, despite his strange surroundings, was emboldened
by the kindness shown to him by Sally.
Back on campus, he started studying the bulletin board once again. All
the advertising proclaiming help wanted he sought and tore off a little
tab with their phone number. Back home he walked, feeling a positive
vibe for the first time as things were not so up in the air any longer.
He now had a direction and was making some progress. Before leaving
campus, he noticed the "Campus News," a free paper. Grabbing one he
checked and yes, they had a classified section in the back. This day was
looking up. Not the greatest accomplishments for mankind but things had
been going wrong for so long his little victory felt good.
When he returned to Sally's house he knocked politely. When she answered
there were two young men in her company. Sally had a key for Freddie at
the waiting and apologized for not handing it over sooner but in her
words, he bolted before she had the chance. Under her arm, she had the
St. Louis Post, which she offered to the young up starter. A highlighter
and a portable phone were the next objects she handed to the likable
youth.
CHAPTER TWO
Freddie noticed that the campus bulletin board did not offer much above
minimum wage. The college newspaper didn't fare much better unless you
wanted to be an escort. Phone solicitors were paid way lower than
minimum wage but had a bonus structure. Freddie wasn't going to fall for
that one. The St Louis Post had several positions for construction.
Carpenters it seemed were in high demand. Freddie wasn't a carpenter but
he did help build several outbuildings. He thought that he might have a
chance and could learn on the job as it were.
As it turns out many of the construction companies kept ads in the paper
so that when they needed help, they could call through the list of
candidates that had responded. Currently, they were pretty much all
filled up. Freddie ended up taking a job as a dishwasher at a BBQ
joint. The only benefit was that food would be half off. At these
prices, however, lunch was still a luxury that couldn't be splurged on.
Nine dollars an hour was not what he envisioned; however, this would
give him time to get something better. Not happy with his lot in life at
the moment, Freddie persevered. An agreement is an agreement and he
would do his job, if not to the best of his ability, at least to a high
standard. It was just washing dishes after all.
Freddie was well-liked, although not much time was spent outside of his
work area. Where other employees had time to socialize, Freddie was kept
busy by an endless supply of dishes. He did wonder why this BBQ joint
didn't serve on disposables, like most places with this fare. A little
red basket with parchment paper or just parchment paper is what he
remembers from most of these places. But he kept his mouth shut as that
particular advice could land him unemployed.
The way the kitchen was positioned the delivery was right in his path.
He needed to vacate his working area for the BBQ place to receive their
delivery. Instead of what most youths would do nowadays, he helped the
delivery driver to stock the refrigerator. This was greatly appreciated
and made this driver's day go much easier. Glen was impressed with what
he considered qualities gone in the wind with today's young people. The
delivery driver was so impressed with Freddie's attitude, without even
really conversing with him, that he brought him up to his superiors. A
hard-working individual doing dishes is a waste.
The owner of the BBQ joint would have disagreed but Freddie was about to
be offered a job at the slaughterhouse. He was too young to drive a
truck with a CDL but after inquiring about the youth Glen understood
that he was raised on a farm. Freddie soon found himself a quarter-mile
from his original employment dispatching chickens.
No, this was not a job that anyone would choose, but at twenty-two fifty
an hour, Freddie would be able to help save the family farm. This was
very welcome news and he couldn't wait to call home. He would have to
wait until he got back to Sally's boarding house. To have made good in
such a short timeframe, made his less than joyful employment bearable.
He could not wait to inform his parents of their good fortune. He was
offered other jobs at the slaughterhouse, that were easier to stomach,
but the pay was not good. The supervisor that was interviewing him,
discovering his background, asked about his experience with hunting and
dressing animals.
Freddie had hunted for deer and they processed their own. The meat was
wonderful as mostly they all fed off of the corn in the surrounding
counties. It was also common to dispatch a chicken for dinner every
other day or so. "It's all part of nature, our livestock has a good life
right up until their meat needs to be harvested. That's just how things
are." City folks seem to think animal products just martialize in the
grocery stores.
Upon hearing Freddie's response there are always openings for a
slaughter master. Not many people want this duty. They even gave it a
high title name trying to make it something it's not. The nature of this
job demanded a higher pay structure to keep it filled. Upon hearing the
sum, they were willing to pay, Freddie could justify this work to save
the farm and he knew he could dispatch chickens without causing them
pain.
Back on the farm, he would regularly handle the chickens after feeding,
petting the contented birds. When the time came, he would hold them as
they had become accustomed and bring them out of sight of the other
chickens. It was a belief that a frightened animal would inject
adrenaline into their meat tainting the finished product. Besides, it is
so much nicer for the chickens. They lived their lives and never had a
scared moment to contend with, right up until the end. These are animals
that never would have had a life at all if not for the intended goal.
What they had on Freddie's family farm was an enjoyable existence for
the time they had.
This job was not that. There was something very different about these
birds. Their eyes were blank. It reminded Freddie of some of the bad tv-
series with walking dead or something like Elvira showing old movies
while she made fun of them while showing off a crazy beautiful body to a
very young audience. Which reminded him of Loni Anderson; "Mary Ann or
Ginger?" still a timeless question. Julie Newmar or that sexy scantily
dressed Mexican woman on the Spanish station children's show, Freddie's
mind was wandering again. To get through this day he had to become
disconnected. An endless supply of white-feathered chickens being pushed
into his hands, "The hands of death," he mused to himself. A chicken
with no soul it seemed, next on the shoot, sent to the waiting slaughter
master, was picked up proficiently and turned upside down into an
automatic slaughter machine. The carcass unceremoniously dropped onto a
conveyor belt.
Freddie's daydreaming led to a hardon that as he thought about it made
him laugh. "My god if my coworkers see what is tenting my pants, they
might believe I'm a serial killer in the making." Now as he is killing
chickens with a hardon and laughing the reality of his statement made
for a quick de-escalation of his male equipment.
Shaking his head, he couldn't help but remember the gossip about old man
Johnson. The rumor was he would have sexual relations with his chosen
chicken, and just as he was about to get his rocks off behead his
dinner. This always raised the question if it tickled and if that was
where the expression of "choking your chicken," came from. Whoever
started that rumor must have had a really large grudge against old man
Johnson. Freddie wasn't even sure it was physically possible. But most
of the surrounding three counties took that rumor as biblical. Farmer
Johnson didn't have many friends. Certainly, no one would eat a chicken
dinner at his house.
When lunch rolled around, he was glad he didn't want to spend his small
reserve on lunch. He headed outside for his break. Fresh air was what he
was after. Outside but still on the grounds, he met some of his fellow
workers. Josh offered him a cigarette. Not being a smoker, he thought of
turning it down but for some reason, it seemed like a really good thing
at this particular moment. His shaking hand reached out to the proffered
item and said "Thank You." Thinking it ironic that while he was seeking
fresh air, now stood next to smokers and inhaling his own little "cancer
stick," as he was fond of calling them.
Josh and Andy were old hands at killing chickens. They preferred this
task as chickens seemed to be mean nasty creatures whereas cows and pigs
were highly intelligent and reminded them of puppy dogs. The mindset
probably would have been reversed if their jobs were to dispatch the
other animals. The human mind is a coping mechanism.
Andy asked, "first day huh?" While Freddie nodded, Andy and Josh started
discussing, sort of Freddie or the situation, that these three found
themselves in almost as if Freddie wasn't there. They compared
themselves to others that had washed out at lunch and some that didn't
make it that far. At the same time, Andy and Josh had come to the same
conclusion. "You come from a farm?" This they asked in unison.
They concluded that Freddie would make it. He was made of stiffer
material. Freddie didn't answer their stated opinion. There was no
choice. You cannot walk away from a solution to your family's burden no
matter how distasteful. These chickens were going to be on somebody's
plate, he might as well be the one getting paid. He could not fathom how
he could earn more than he was receiving now. Although it was explained
to him that overtime wasn't paid, he could work as many hours over the
required forty per week.
The whistle indicating lunch was over sounded off, seemingly very early.
Freddie snuffed out the last cigarette that he had consumed and headed
back into the fray. He had seen people chain smoke before and was a
little bewildered that as a non-smoker, he had just reenacted that very
thing. Realizing that his nerves were calmed from the, he didn't know,
cigarettes. He pondered whether it was the chemicals; the nicotine or
just the ceremony of the actions that had the calming effect. Coming out
of deep thought again he realized he was performing the job he was hired
to do once again.
The whistle sounded off once again and Freddie wondered how someone
would work more hours as the line was suddenly shut down. The chickens
made a slow retreat back outside as time allowed. The conveyor moved the
last of someone's future meal towards, well Freddie didn't know as
everyone seemed to be leaving the building.
He marveled at the fact he seemed to be almost clean. A whole day of
dispatching birds and his clothes were still immaculate. A little sweat
and cigarette smoke were the only evidence that he had tried to commit
genocide against the poultry population. By the end of the first day,
there already were the beginnings of self-loathing. He and his family
needed this revenue. He would be coming back tomorrow.
Walking home from his new place of employment brought him past the worst
of the residences and the seediest places of business. Although he was
small in stature, the lack of expression on his tired face made all that
came in contact with him assume he was part of this neighborhood. No one
hassled him or tried their whiles to gain an advantage over someone that
belonged. Freddie did not understand the politics of these rougher
neighborhoods and the residences of these seedy neighborhoods didn't
understand the strength of a wiry farm boy that has worked hard all of
his life. The ignorance of his simple walk home saved a lot of pain on
both sides of this equation.
Walking past the cross-dressed restaurant and later the strip club
pronouncing "something for everyone," he could not help but to try and
glean a look-see as he passed. It was only three in the afternoon as he
passed the regular strip club and he noticed a couple of very
attractive, if not hard looking, women standing out front before their
shift started.
Reaching the protection of his newly rented home, one block over where
things seemed normal, Freddie went to call his parents. "This number is
no longer in service," is the recording he heard. His father was the
ever-practical individual. Any expense not absolutely needed was cut
loose. Freddie had good news and desperately wanted to convey it. He
needed the adulations to be able to continue in this new profession. He
called their neighbor's home.
"Hello Mrs. Johnson, can you get my parents to call me back at this
number?" Yes, it was that Mrs. Johnson. It was only a rumor after all.
Still, we had shied away from them.
Three hours later Freddie called the Johnsons back. His parents were
there waiting for the return call, Mrs. Johnson had written the number
down wrong. She was such a ditz, no wonder her husband had taken to
screwing chickens. This is how rumors get validated.
Fred senior received the good news. He relayed to his only child that
with what the Carvers were willing to shell over for the feed corn we
would make it for now. He wanted to know when his son would be paid.
Freddie was a little taken back, his father didn't seem concerned for
his situation, just making the bills. A quick thought adjustment and
Freddie capitulated that his parents were under a lot of pressure.
Pleasantries were exchanged and a promise to write had been mandated.
CHAPTER THREE
Now that everything was headed in a good direction, Freddie started to
realize that in the first six weeks, he had not even met his fellow
boarders that "Old Sally," had rented to. The mundane task of washing
dishes was physically draining. This surprised Freddie as he was used to
doing much more work than standing in one spot and scrubbing until your
hands turned into prunes. Killing chickens was physically less taxing,
but mentally you needed to go to some other place to complete the day.
This was exceedingly tiresome. Either way, this was exhausting and
whatever work was accomplished the tangible evidence was nowhere to be
seen.
He entered the living room where all except Lenard were present. They
had put an old movie in Sally's vcr. DUNE, a scientific geek drawing
movie of a time gone past. All of Sally's renters were pretty much from
poor families and probably slightly undernourished due to their poor
upbringings. Everyone was pretty much engulfed in the movie and produced
an unenthusiastic "hey," as Freddie came into their presence. Freddie
just joined them too mentally exhausted to do anything else.
While this group digested DUNE to its fullest capacity, Freddie noticed
facial blemishes on everyone present. He also noticed that due to his
bad diet of late, he also had fascial skin that would not be envied.
When the movie ended, Freddie brought up the food situation. Back on the
farm, he had fresh prepared wholesome food that didn't cause such
ailments. "We need to figure out how to purchase and prepare acceptable
nourishment." Most of those present lamented their lack of access to
their mother's cooking. Freddie offered up that they should be able to
pool their resources and have nourishing food that wouldn't cause skin
problems that would drive every female away.
Put in that light, everyone present was all ears. The twins piped up,
"You mean like a hobo stew?" "Well good food, nourishing to our bodies
without all of the other crap," was Freddie's response. We should be
able to purchase groceries and prepare food and come out ahead
financially. A win-win situation if we play our cards right.
Sebastian offered up that he knew how to cook. This turned out to be
true, but everyone's stomach was upset after his first go at cooking.
Everyone was sure that his cooking would be very welcome wherever it was
he had come from, but here everyone's stomach needed saving. This so far
was a failed experiment.
At work, Freddie found out that he could take as many chicken necks home
as he desired. These items were not used. When you buy a chicken there
never is a neck. What happens to the chicken necks? The automatic
chicken killer severed the head at the top of the neck. The carcass and
the neck, go down the line. It turns out that the chicken pluckers use
the neck to hold on to the birds as their feathers are ripped from their
skin. A big black rubber wheel with separations in its surface serves as
a giant epilady. Once the bird is divested of all feathers, the neck is
cut off. These are considered waste products.
Freddie could go home with unlimited amounts of protein, free of charge.
So, he did. In his lunchbox, Freddie packed five pounds of chicken
necks. Back at the boarding house, he started browning the chicken necks
in one pan and six large onions in another. Once browned he dumped the
chicken necks into a roasting pan filled with celery, carrots, and more
onions. This went into the oven at three hundred and seventy-five
degrees. Forty-five minutes later he was adding all of the ingredients
to a large stockpot. If he had the money for additional spices this
would have been an exceptional soup. As it was this was still going to
be very good.
Upon the return of the renters of this establishment, the smell was
captivating. Sebastian offered to concoct grilled cheese to accompany
this delicious soup. His rendition included tomatoes inside the
sandwiches. Still, it was very tasty and complemented the soup. The
aroma of the soup didn't lie. It was now a standing order to replicate
this delicious soup.
Sally had entered the kitchen having smelled the delicious food prepared
under her roof. She was so impressed that she asked to join supper.
"Gladly Sally," was Freddie's response. The soup was as the smell
advertised. It was delicious. Freddie was determined to get this recipe
as near to perfect as possible. After all, if he could bring free
protein to the equation then the others would have to produce all of the
spices and onions etc. for the dish. He wondered if egg noodles would be
a good additive to the equation.
Now that the recipe was nailed down to three or four versions, chicken
neck soup was at least served four times a week. The new regimen of food
started to have an effect in short order. Sally was the first to
notice, she had more energy than usual and simply had a feeling of well-
being. Her own body has given up the ghost of feeling energized years
ago seemed to have a new lift in energy and health. That was some soup.
The calcium or collagen from the neck bones was revitalizing. Not only
was the soup very nutritious it was a favorite among this group because
it was hands-down delicious. The plethora of small bones was overlooked
as a small annoyance, they imparted so much flavor to the soup that
their existence was welcome.
Each boarder had their favorite version of this soup. But everyone
seemed to be drawn to any version of it instead of other dishes. Even
when the twins produced BBQ ribs one night. It was delicious, but half
of the boarders seemed to rather have partaken of the now-famous soup.
Sebastian's need to improve his grilled cheese sandwiches ended with
pepper jack cheese with fresh spinach and bacon. He did have a winner.
It started to be very noticeable that everyone's face did indeed start
to clear up. The lack of processed food with whatever was in the soup
was working miracles. The closer to nature the healthier, everyone will
be. This is something Freddie's mother was fond of reminding all in her
presence. Freddie did miss the farm.
During one very nice dinner at the boarding house eating a version of
chicken neck soup, Mike asked the rest of the group if they noticed that
their skin is different. This soup had the egg noodles and was more of a
translucent broth, as opposed to Sally's favorite that was a potato base
that was more like a chowder. He also claimed that his hair seemed
softer and more manageable.
This netted Mike a lot of ribbing. But when Jason piped up that he
thought his eyesight might be improving, a large percentage of these
dinners claimed the exact opposite. In all seriousness, though
everyone's skin did seem to have a higher quality, including Sally's.
Sally had a hypothesis for this improvement. She did believe that the
calcium and collagen from Freddie's soup were having a very helpful
effect. This was easily agreed upon as if something tastes that good and
is so satisfying why not take any opinion that means the continued
consumption of such a desired confection. And Sebastian's addition was
also very welcome even if it got no credit for the health benefits.
CHAPTER FOUR
Talking with his parents, Freddie found out that although he was helping
immeasurably, without the additional sale of the fodder his family
wasn't quite making it. They turned off the electric and gas. Water was
generated with the pumphouse run by a makeshift windmill that his father
threw together. His father went to talk with the bank and negotiated a
temporary lower payment but that would end in six months. They needed
the weather to turn around. Freddie's help would do it for the short
term but things needed to change. Until then the fireplace would provide
enough heat and they could cook on it also.
Walking home after one shift at the slaughterhouse, Freddie was deep in
thought. He didn't notice the "waitresses" hanging out in front of the
cross-dressed restaurant. While he was thinking about his family's
dilemma, one of the employees hailed him down. "She" was insistent, as
he was in his own world. "Hey there sexy," she said again finally
getting his attention. She had witnessed him walking this way and
increasingly thought he would fit in their establishment very well.
At first, it was just a feeling, but, as the weeks wore on, he seemed
ever so much more qualified to work with them. She didn't registrar a
change in his appearance, just seemed to be more assured that he would
make a very good-looking waitress.
Freddie had stopped being brought out of his stupor. Not realizing where
he stood exactly, he had an expectorant look upon his face. "How would
you like to make one hundred and fifty dollars every night?" This good-
looking male dressed as a waitress was enquiring.
"What?"
"Whatever job you have right now seems to end a few hours before our job
begins, and I believe you could look very good and make a sizable tip
base once you learn how to work the angles."
"What?" Freddie kept walking this was not for him.
"Your loss honey, with your beautiful skin and that luscious hair you
could make a fortune."
Freddie continued home, but couldn't get that "waitress's" comments out
of his head. He didn't sleep that night. His family needed more money.
What else could he do? On the way home from his job he stopped in at the
restaurant.
The manager hired him immediately. Normally employees needed some
experience and had to dress to confirm acceptability, but Freddie was
good looking enough without dressing. He was hired on the spot. He would
start at the beginning of next week. A gut feeling had the manager
asking if he needed some instructions. Once confirmed he wrote up some
directions on the spot for preparing himself for work.
Reading the requirements Freddie began to get nervous. Logically, he had
no choice. The extra money would save the farm. Piercing his ears would
bring down the wrath of his conservative father. Shaving his body, well
that was just weird but it would grow back. Admittingly, woman's clothes
and undergarments were always a source of curiosity. Now, he would find
out firsthand how ladies things would feel. He truly did believe every
boy at one point in his life wanted to know what these forbidden clothes
felt like. Probably only because boys were not supposed to and it was
forbidden. He wondered if Sally could help him.
Sally thought it was great fun when Freddie told her about his new
opportunity. The twins wanted in on the action hearing what the pay was.
Freddie promised to recommend them as soon as he had cinched his
position as he needed this job. Sally brought the necessary items to
pierce Freddie's ears.
Looking at the redheaded twins he realized that they too could look good
performing as waitresses. Their hair and skin had also taken on very
nice qualities. When he first met them, their hair was like tiny wires
sticking out in all directions. And the skin was abominable, greasy, and
pimple prone with uneven tones and freckles adding to the mix. Now they
had let their hair grow out a little due to its new quality and
manageability. The skin on their faces now had an almost porcelain
quality to it and now the freckles just added to their "beauty?"
Freddie wanted to know what the potato was for. Sally explained that
when she pierced someone's ear she would jab through and didn't want the
needle to go into someone's neck. This made Freddie extremely nervous.
The whole house was gathered together to watch this little impromptu
show. As things escalated and interest and questions were asked, she
demonstrated on Freddie repeatedly. The stunned young man somehow ended
up with three earrings in each ear. Three different stoned sleepers now
adorned each ear.
"Do you need help shaving or can you handle that yourself?" Freddie
thought Sally might be enjoying this a little too much. She further
offered that many of the former tenants had left behind many useful
garments, for what Freddie now was undertaking. "Are you supplied a
uniform or are you supposed to bring your outfit?" Freddie didn't know.
He called the manager.
Great, he needed money and now he was supposed to outfit himself in
female outfits. Nothing was ever easy. He just got his ears pierced,
THREE TIMES, and now this was probably a non-starter. No additional
money and a father that was certainly going to be irate over his ears
pierced. Sally came to the rescue. She brought the troubled youth to the
basement. There in boxes were probably several wardrobes full of cast-
off outfits from previous tenants.
"Go shave your body and I'll assemble a few outfits for you. It'll be
ok, I promise." Sally was getting into this and enjoying herself
immensely. She could not wait until she had her little charge all
dressed up. This was so fun for her. She had missed the comradery of her
female tenants of the immediate past. This was a close substitute. She
seemed to sense that Freddie would look like a cute girl.
Freddie stood in the shower with his ears throbbing. He was a little
upset that Sally had put three holes in his ears. He was also grateful
that she had supplied the earrings to fit his holes. She also seemed to
have what was necessary to go the distance and very little money needed
to be wasted on this strange endeavor. Not only did she save clothes
that her charges cast off she had a plethora of nail polish and makeup
that was left behind.
The water started to warm up and as Freddie soaped up his skin, he
noticed for the first time it did indeed look softer and maybe a little
shinny. Why, he could not fathom. Shaving his body was not going to help
this image. As his skin became hair-free, Freddie started to enjoy the
sensation a little too much. His little friend became not so little as
he witnessed his legs becoming much more feminine. His arms and chest
were next and the view created such a sight that Freddie went over the
edge. He pictured himself as a woman and had ejaculated just by the
sight of his hairless body. Things were a little different before he had
shaved his body but after was a whole new ball game.
Stepping out he was pretty sure he did a good job of it. Sally was
knocking at the bathroom door. "put a towel around yourself and I'll
come to help you." This made sense and Freddie complied. He soon found
his toenails covered in pastel pink with shiny bits contained in the
polish. Sally handed him white satin panties and relayed how to tuck his
equipment and pull them into place. Next, she produced a new pair of
pantyhose from of all places an egg, it was plastic, and having
separated it pantyhose came from the inside. She showed Freddie how to
roll this item up and stretch it into place without ruining them.
What she didn't inform Freddie is that this was going to be an
experience new to him. His freshly shaved legs, toes lacquered and
lotion smelling of a beautiful female shining his skin to the max were
now going to be covered in a material that women complain about but are
very exotic when first put on. Freddie had rolled his sheer toe
pantyhose into donut shapes and was beginning to pull them over his
painted toenails. It was a good thing his penis was pulled back and
somewhat immobilized. The site and feel conspired together to restart
his hardon. As this foreign garment, by his own hands, was drawn up his
legs, the feeling overtook his existence. Between the smell and the
smoothness of his legs and body, this new material excited something
within Freddie like nothing he ever experienced before.
Now standing in front of Sally with earrings and painted toes with
pantyhose covered legs, he didn't have a clue what was next. He couldn't
express what he was feeling. Sally already knew he was enjoying this on
some level. She wrapped a soft lacy bra around him. Adjusting the fit,
she took breast enhancers that one of her former tenants left behind
when she had a growth spurt. When she adjusted his breasts to sit on top
of the enhancers, she was surprised by the amount of flesh available to
complete the illusion.
The dress she had come up with was a little black dress. This was a
beautiful dress but the owner had gained thirty-two pounds and that
zipper was not made to handle that kind of stress. She had left that
behind. Shoes were a different matter. Sally's shoes would be the only
ones that would fit. Luckily the shoes made in the time gone by were of
very high quality. Sally never wore high heels anymore. Freddie was a
shoo-in for the job he had excepted.
The girl, now in front of Sally was quite striking. Just a little makeup
and Freddie's image would be complete. Sally had him bend over and
started her blow dryer. Doing his hair this way produced the most
volume. His slightly longer hair did look much nicer now that he had
made the chicken neck soup. If Sally wasn't mistaken, his hair did look
not only softer but fuller also.
Now she started adding makeup. Freddie was a knockout. Sally led Freddie
over to the mirror and announced, "the extra money is in the bag." She
did like this young man. A hard-working young person willing to do what
it takes to succeed was a very rare thing. "Let's go and show everyone."
Leading Freddie to the main area of the house. She understood that
Freddie was doing this to serve a purpose, while the twins would do this
for the money.
"Wow she looks like that and can cook; we think we are in love." This
was said in unison and must have been practiced. But the look on the
participants' faces was mixed with a little shock. Freddie did indeed
look to be a sexy young woman. Now Freddie was becoming uncomfortable,
due to the concentrated looks he was receiving especially from Ziek, so
he tried to divert the strange energy in the room to a light-hearted
adventure. "How about if this sexy woman makes all you big strong men a
mess of chicken neck soup?", He said tongue and cheek. Half of those
gathered laughed immediately and the rest followed suit.
Regardless of the inspiration, that soup was always welcome. It seemed
to be almost addictive. Everyone was keen to see it cooked, that way it
could be reproduced by any of the group. Unfortunately, Freddie's state
of dress proved to be very distracting. No one learned how to make his
famous soup that night. They all did retire to their rooms armed with
fresh memories for relief that night. Some of them used it, some didn't,
but Freddie certainly made an attractive female. And "she" could cook
also.
Taking on the task of cooking the meal Freddie forgot how he was
dressed. It was only later, sitting at the table being served by anxious
geeks trying for some reason to get "her" approval, that he not only
enjoyed the attention but the soup and the very different feeling of how
he was dressed and made up. He fixed his lipstick after eating and then
noticed everyone was watching with great interest.
"It just seemed natural to fix it." He said almost apologetically. He
had gotten into character, practicing for his job next week, but didn't
want things to get weird.
The whole group chorused, "No problem at all," they had enjoyed the
display. Sally, having enjoyed another meal not prepared by her hands,
sat amused enjoying the strange fallout. The time spent in drag was
bolstered by the positive attitude of everyone at the house. The
negatives were said in jest and just helped all present to cope with the
slightly odd way in which Freddie had discovered he would be able to
save the family farm.
The extra money would put him over the top. It was just breakeven but if
he could keep this new job the farm would be breaking even just on his
income. Everyone wanted to see him succeed. It is inspirational to see
hard work pay off especially with such a hard-luck story behind it.
He would still be killing chickens but this new job was the yang to his
yin. Negative mind-numbing work in the morning and fun tongue in cheek
work in the afternoon. Life sure was different when you left the farm.
Ziek was especially trying to be helpful. He wanted Freddie to succeed.
He volunteered the idea the Freddie should "stay in character" for a
couple of days to get comfortable with the new clothes. Sally and the
rest of the household agreed.
Freddie volunteered Ziek to wash the dishes. Again, the household
agreed. Ziek didn't mind as he smiled and garnered another long look at
Freddie's sexy legs.
CHAPTER FIVE
The first day at Hamburger Joe's was a disaster. Freddie had got
numerous orders wrong. He didn't drop any food but the delivery of the
plates to the table was awkward enough that some customers felt almost
assaulted. His presentation was not up to snuff as his hair didn't get
fixed appropriately to the presentation required. The makeup was "half-
ass," as one customer pointed out. His girlfriend ended up fixing
Freddie's makeup right at their table.
Freddie knew that this was not going to work out. This seemed confirmed
as he looked over to the restaurant's manager that had the come over
here look on his face. Freddie never felt more ashamed in his life.
Dressed in drag and completely failing at a simple job didn't sit well
with a youth that had never failed at anything before. Thank the heavens
he didn't inform his family that he had more income coming. This was so
embarrassing. He was about to be berated, dressed in drag in the middle
of a full restaurant.
Knowing that he has made a complete ass of himself, he lowered his empty
tray to a vertical position and tried to walk, as instructed, to his
doom. Approaching the manager with his eyes cast down and ready to take
his tongue lashing for all his shortcomings, he stopped and assumed the
waitresses' pose.
The manager held out a business card to Freddie. The confused look on
Freddie's face prompted the manager to inform him, "you are doing a good
job, but the presentation is off. That appointment will be with Jane at
the local beauty parlor." He wanted Freddie to go to a beauty parlor not
fire him. "I'll be late for work tomorrow if I go." The manager
shrugged his shoulders and walked away.
A dumbfounded Freddie went back to the table that had been his worst
presentation of the evening. They were gone but had left a large tip and
a note. The note read: "Thank you for your exaggerated clumsiness, it
was refreshing. We don't know how you can pretend to be so inept. PS you
do make a very attractive girl."
Happiness, confusion, and elation converged on a cross-dressed chicken
killer. "I don't have a clue about what I'm doing, but something must be
right." Freddie, in his abject failure, had been a success. Walking home
in his new persona, he was too tired to get changed, nothing could get
him down tonight.
Three locals had some plans for the sexy little waitress that "needed to
learn a lesson." They watched their intended victim come from the
restaurant. They knew people paid these little "fags" high tips and
wanted what he had earned. Upon seeing him they had additional plans.
This little waitress was a hot piece of ass. She would certainly learn
her lesson tonight.
In short order, three locals were spewed out like yesterday's leftovers.
The bantering and baiting were annoying, but when one of them decided to
act on their threats the farm boy showed his strength and resolve.
Having made bulls do as he bid three overstuffed "gangsters" were no
match for someone that worked hard all of their lives. It was quickly
spread around that no one should mess with Freddie the waitress. This
was the stuff of urban legends. Freddie could now walk the streets at
night safer in drag than in his male attire.
Arriving home, Freddie didn't think much about the physical challenge he
had just put to rest. What his thoughts were on was the trip to a beauty
parlor. This was very intimidating to him. In retrospect, this evening
was quite wild. He would need to file this away in the back of his mind.
Someday this would probably be a good story. Life certainly can send
some strange curveballs to you from time to time. Looking in the mirror
he could appreciate what that customer's girlfriend did to his makeup.
Somehow a few small strokes of this or that changed everything.
The appointment was too close to his quitting time at the "Meat
Producers." (This still doesn't sound better than slaughterhouse). How
was he going to get changed in time to make his appointment? Inspiration
hit, he could wear most of the undergarments to his first job and change
in route. Walking along he noticed a Burger King and ducked in to make
the change. Emerging from the bathroom three minutes later he was proud
to have solved another dilemma.
No makeup or hair, but he was going to a beauty appointment after all.
He believed that was what they were being paid for. Arriving Freddie
went to the front counter. A soft-looking boy in woman's clothes had
appeared at their establishment. Jane came to the front immediately. She
enjoyed these forays into an alternative reality. This was so much more
fun than the neighborhood crones that demanded beauty treatments that
were a little more than adding spackle to a hole in the wall. This group
of customers was a real challenge.
Freddie was scheduled for extensions and a dye job. Soon he would be
sporting long auburn hair. Jane was a little concerned noticing how high
a quality this young man's hair had. She called her supplier to bring
the higher-end product. Two-hours later Freddie's hair fell down his
back, the richest auburn with highlights and a fullness only young
people with enhancements could display.
No longer resembling a boy in a dress, makeup lessons were next on the
agenda. Jane couldn't help but ask how his skin was so soft and supple.
Freddie had no answer other than he and the whole household ate very
healthy. She demonstrated makeup application while explaining all of the
steps involved. Freddie was a quick study. He probably couldn't
immediately duplicate what Jane was able to achieve, but with a small
amount of practice, he believed he could.
Off to work, after discovering that this session was paid for including
Jane's tip by the restaurant, a very sexy "Freddie the waitress," ambled
the rest of the way to work. He was already late so he enjoyed the walk
to work. Normally he was always in a hurry. Always not wanting to do
anything that might jeopardize whatever situation he was in.
Now he walked taking in his environment. The appreciative stares he
received, boosted his confidence. What he was doing is not something
that anyone can pull off, yet he was being very successful at it. He did
need to remember that a balance of bad performance and sexy looks seemed
to net him the highest tips. Noticing several hoods take notice of him.
The shock and change of plans showing on their faces, when they
recognized who they were starting to target, really did energize
Freddie. The urban legend is a great thing. The reputation of this small
stature individual dressed in drag and presenting extremely sexy as the
opposite sex was not to be messed with. Freddie had taught a sound
lesson to three weak individuals that thought they were badasses. Now
"his" reputation was that of a possible killer if he felt the urge.
Work went a whole lot smoother this evening. Freddie was a hit. The
auburn hair and flawless makeup sent a message that there was a new girl
in town. And she was sexy even if she was "bad" at her job. The new
sarcastic attitude by the sexy cross-dressed employee was a raving
success. The tips were such that other "waitresses" started to emulate
the new girl.
The only problem was that with his success, Freddie was trapping himself
into a feminized version of himself, that he knew his father would never
approve of. This was a major quandary. He couldn't save the farm without
incurring his father's disapproval. However, he could maybe even start
to pay off the debt by crossdressing and making peoples' day better.
Whatever the consequences, paying off the farm had to be logically the
better path.
When he arrived home a chair was pulled out for him as if he was an
honored guest. The whole house was gathered together to see his opinion
of Raphael's version of his chicken neck soup. They set a warm bowl in
front of what looked to be a sexy woman now seated at their table. The
expectation as he tasted this prepared version was highly charged.
"It is good but you didn't roast the necks with the vegetables." There
was an audible groan or agreement as to what went wrong. Freddie was
halfway through the good soup when he asked for the accompanying grilled
cheese that was customary. This soup was not on par with what he had
prepared but it still was very good.
"Next time," Raphael claimed he would produce the soup correctly.
Freddie looked up to see Ziek studying him. He also noticed that Ziek
was not the only one. As Freddie became more uncomfortable, several
members of the household piped up, "you are exceedingly beautiful,
Freddie." Freddie did not know how to respond. So, he intoned, "thank
you, everyone."
There were two major positives to Freddie's latest developments. One was
that his other job took a back seat in his mind. It was so disturbing
that the repetitive nature of his job netted dreams that continued his
daytime activity into his unconscious. The second was that by himself he
was able to carry the farm's debt and a little more.
Seeking an audience with the manager, Freddie inquired if the restaurant
needed more "waitresses." The manager jumped at the chance. It would
seem easy to get qualified help, but in this particular endeavor, it was
not. Recommending the twins for a position, Freddie kept his word and
earned a bonus for finding new cross-dressed waitresses. This was
doubled because if they worked out twins could be a higher draw.
Between Sally and Jane, the twins turned out to be such sweet freckled
counterfeit females, that their success was natural. Freddie was able to
tutor them in what they needed to know. And when they walked home, they
did that in the company of "Freddie the waitress." Things were looking
up for the whole household. All of these tenants ended up at Sally's due
to their lack of funds.
Sally had started feeling more energized with this small group and the
food that they prepared that she started to cook sometimes herself. She
even tried her hand at the chicken neck soup. It wasn't Freddie's
chicken neck soup but it was just as good, only different. Everyone
except Ziek was addicted to Freddie's chicken neck soup. He only ate it
when it was the chowder version. Potatoes and bacon added to the flavor
in such a way it was irresistible.
As the months wore on Freddie seemed to look more the part of a
waitress, so did the twins. Two more of Sally's household were
recommended to Burger Joe's. Both were hired and bonuses were paid to
Freddie. For some unexplained reason, tenants of that household made
convincing crossdressers.
CHAPTER SIX
Freddie's coworkers at the slaughterhouse started to notice changes in
Freddie. He was softer and rounder. He also smelled of some perfume that
they recognized. The hair held in a ponytail was the first major change
that they noticed. Now they perceived breast growth and an expansion of
his male ass into a realm that only female's owned. "What's up Freddie?"
Freddie confessed his new job and the clothes hidden under his "work
clothes" and the hair extensions. He informed them of the reason for the
additional job and to his surprise, they seemed supportive. Josh even
admitted that if he was smaller, he would take a go at Burger Joe's.
They suggested that he could save a lot of time by just coming dressed
to his current job. It was only them and neither ever remembered a
single manager coming in to check on them. This offer seemed genuine.
Freddie had a lot to think about.
The hardest part was the makeup as he walked between jobs. It was true,
he could produce his quota of meat and stay relatively clean. Freddie
decided to try it out. He came completely dressed the next day. The only
concession was gym shoes instead of high heels. His makeup complete and
clothes that matched. His hair brought back into a high ponytail;
Freddie was almost a complete female.
Josh and Andy were impressed by the facade that Freddy could create.
Josh, kidding around said that Freddie gave him a soft on. Andy was very
quiet. Lunch rolled around. And the three found themselves in the usual
place. A cigarette handed to Freddie and the proffered light as a
gentleman would gesture to a pretty lady. The chain-smoking had not
stopped in all the time Freddie was allowed to get acclimated to this
terrible job.
Before the third cigarette was handed to Freddie a toll was demanded of
sorts. Andy wanted a kiss. While Freddie was thinking through this
request, Andy moved forward and took what he had asked for. This set off
feelings that Freddie never thought of before. His chest vibrated in
reaction to Andy's probing tongue. Dressed as he was the sexual advance
was received as he had presented himself. The advantage of dressing for
his later job was somewhat diminished by the expectations of his
coworkers. Confusion entered this equation. Freddie hadn't expected to
enjoy what had happened to him but part of him did.
Josh and Andy suggested that his nails could be done which would save
him a lot of time. Truly it would. That was the worst part. The fake
nails did hurt by the end of the evening. Stopping at the beauty parlor
Freddie was informed that he could have it done and still make it to
work in time. Acrylic nails made his existence scream female. His skinny
frame coupled with, for some reason softer better-toned skin and hair
that was uncut and becoming beautiful was complimented by the hair
extensions, and what seemed to be breast growth? What was going on?
With the hair extensions and now fingernails that matched his new
facade, Freddie was very close to presenting full time as a female. The
constrictive undergarments and bra must have added to his seemingly
unexplainable breast growth. When someone spends so much time-limited by
constrictive clothing something must be affected. Freddie had no other
explanation for his state.
It was so much easier at the slaughterhouse being dressed and presented
as a sexy girl. Freddie capitulated to his coworkers' suggestions. The
only problem was that they started treating him as a real girl. The
smoking ritual was the same, but each took turns making out with Freddie
and copping a feal. They also needed some escape from their, chosen
profession. Freddie was used in an unwholesome manner. Being kissed as
if he was a real girl and offered cigarettes as if that made everything
better. The kissing wasn't so bad but the ass grabbing and rubbing his
newly formed tits was disconcerting. When Josh grabbed his ass and
commented on how nice it had filled out Freddie was concerned. "What did
he mean, filled out?"
Feeling like a real girl, Freddie wanted off this merry-go-round. He
looked in the mirror and noticed that indeed he looked to have many
similarities to actual girls. His breasts had grown to at least a "B"
size and his ass was indeed larger than he remembered. The site of this
would have normally turned him on but now seemed a strange convergence
of events. How was this possible?
CHAPTER SIX
Just as everything was coming together, Freddie was called to the
manager's office. "I'm sorry that I have to let you go, but we want
crossdressers not transexuals at Burger Joe's. "What?" Freddie asked.
The manager eluded to the fact that; Freddie was transitioning. "This is
a family establishment and only crossdressers are hired. Freddie fell
into a different category according to the manager. Freddie tried to put
forth a logical exception but failed. His breast and ass shape-changing
meant, that he was on strong hormones.
Steven now having broken the bad news did let Freddie know that there
was a silver lining. He couldn't work here but he could get a job at the
adjacent strip club. They did after all offer something for everyone.
Freddie would be something different. A very handsome transexual.
Freddie didn't have a choice and Steven knew it. Freddie's life had
taken a new turn.
Looking at himself, he could not understand how things had changed so
very much. Things had progressed so far without trying. Now without
taking the new job he had no idea how he might be able to pay the
family's debt. In almost a trance Freddie shuffled next door to the
proprietor of the strip club.
Danny was very excited to get his hands on this young transexual. He had
seen him blossom right before his eyes and had many a nights' reliefs
concentrating on what had befallen this young individual. When Freddie
had no idea, what had caused his transformation, Danny was that much
more turned on. "If only it was true that this young individual was
transfigured without his knowledge." By the end of his interview, in
which he was hired to dance for customers, Danny did believe that
something had turned this young man into a sexy princess. No one had any
idea what that something was, however.
Sally, might have a clue, but she wasn't sure. She took a sample to a
local lab and had it tested. As it turned out, the chicken necks had a
very large amount of estrogen in them. Freddie had been feeding her
whole house large amounts of estrogen. Freddie was the most advanced
because he was the first to eat his soup.
When Freddie had developed a very good version of his soup, he shared it
with the remainder of the house. From then on, everyone wanted Freddie's
soup. The others in her house were fast approaching the point of no
return just as Freddie had. Ziek was the only person that seemed to
remain "normal" from the group. He only ate the soup when it was chowder
like.
This explained why all of her charges were likely to get hired at the
cross-dressed restaurant. She decided to make sure everyone would be ok.
The soup from now on would be chowder like. Ziek would soon be converted
into a classy female also.
Freddie became a headliner at Poles are us. Sally couldn't be prouder.
She had learned Freddie's recipe months ago. Now she replicated it at
every chance she had. The twins were due to make that change any day
now. She would help them make that adjustment also. Sally now had a new
purpose in life. The hormones disguised in the soup gave her a lot more
energy than she used to have. And Freddie's recipe was delicious.