I looked at Vincent and the white pinafore apron Mother insisted he wore whilst easting, and was glad I wasn’t wearing an apron too. Although there’s no such thing as a boyish dress, I could see what Mother meant when she described the sailor dress as boyish as it lacked lace & bows as well as girlie colours & floral prints. It was just a plain blue frock with white trim and a big square collar. Even while wearing a dress, I still feel like I’m getting off lightly compared to Vincent.
“Why don’t you help Sonia with the dishes?” Mother suggested once we’d finished eating. I didn’t have the heart to decline and somehow knew that she wouldn’t take no for an answer. Vincent told me what to do and to be honest I felt more like a hindrance than anything. He had a routine and I was in the way, but he said he appreciated having me helping. “Why did Mother make you wear a dress?” he asked.
“Dunno really… she said it’d be a nice surprise for you.” I replied.
“Did you get in trouble for something?”
“No.” I stated. “Why would you think that?”
“Because a lot of the boys at school ended up being petticoated after getting into trouble.” he told me. “Mostly it’s a punishment.”
“I don’t think I’m in trouble.” I replied as I looked down at myself. “It’d be a pretty bad punishment though.”
“You look OK.” Vincent told me. “At least she didn’t put you in something like this.” he said, drawing my attention to the prissy party frock beneath his piny and his thin white tights covered in little love hearts.
“Yeah… that’s far too girlie.” I replied.
“Try telling Mother that.” Vincent said with a frown. “According to her, nothing’s too girlie!”
After we’d done the dishes, Vincent and I sat and watched TV for a bit until Mother announced that it was his bath time. I took the opportunity to ask if I could go and change. “You may as well keep it on until bedtime Andrew.” Mother said as she looked me up and down. “And you did say it wasn’t so bad.” she smiled.
“But… doesn’t Sonia want her tights back?” I said. I know it’s not a good line of reasoning but it’s all I could think of.
I wasn’t surprised when Mother said “I think she can wait a few hours.” She smiled and looked me up and down from boyish head to the tip of my stockinged toe. “Anyway, that dress looks much nicer with tights that it would without.” she said. “Although knee socks might be nice too.” she added as if her mind was wondering.
I gulped and tried to visualise just how ridiculous I must look from someone else’s point of view. I did expect to feel far more ridiculous than I do, but as far as dresses are concerned this isn’t a bad one, I figured… before cursing myself and trying to chase such thoughts from my skull. “Haven’t you got any homework Andrew?” Mother asked.
“Er… a bit yeah.” I replied.
“Well why don’t you get on with that instead of staring at your knees.” she suggested.
I hadn’t even realised I’d been doing it until she said, but seeing pure white knees sticking out from under a blue skirt is weird yet intriguing. Even as I tried to concentrate on my homework I continued to glance at my white woolly knees.
