I ran upstairs and got the baby book and the photo albums, then I had an idea, and climbed the stairs for the attic and went through a couple of boxes of Kevin’s things until I found what I was looking for. I slipped everything into a big old dufflebag that was in the attic and went back to Kevin in the living room.
“Okay,” I said, “first I want to get some details about some stuff I saw in the photo albums and then we’re going to play dress up.”
“Oh, come on! I don’t want to play dress up. That’s girly and you promised you wouldn’t ever make me do something embarrassing!” he whined in response.
“First off, you said I get to pick. And I want to play dress up.” I said. I knew I’d get this response. But I thought if he imagined I’d make him wear a dress and makeup, it would be easier to get him to do what I really wanted. Then I added, “And secondly, I always keep my promises. I only want to see you in some of your old clothes. Okay?”
“Well, I guess.”
I sat down on the couch and pulled Kevin up next to me. He cuddled in next to me and I opened the baby book first. “So, tell me who these people are.” After we went through the highlights of that book. I went from there to the photo albums.
“So, Santa?” I asked when I got to the first picture.
“What about him?”
I went through all of the pictures of him on St. Nick’s lap and then got to last years. “Well, what about him?”
Kevin looked a little sheepish and shrugged. “I know about him. Jeez, I’m not a baby. I just always liked the whole Santa and the elves thing and Mom seemed to get a kick out of it…”
“Are you going to do it again this year?”
He blushed a bit and shrugged.
“You are! That is so cute.”
Kevin rolled his eyes and I gave him a little kiss on the top of his head and a little squeeze on his shoulder. “I think that is adorable!” I added.
Then I flipped to the step dancing pictures. “I didn’t know that you did this.”
“Well, I stopped last year when my teacher retired. I’m probably going to start up again once we get settled.”
I smiled at him. He looked a little embarrassed. “It’s great exercise,” he said trying to justify it.
“You don’t have to justify yourself. I think it’s great. All my brothers and sisters and I did step dancing. My grandma insisted. It’s part of your heritage she used to say. I’ll show you some time.”
“Yeah, and it’s a great way to meet girls!” he responded.
I laughed. “Speaking of which, who’s your little friend?” I asked as I flipped to the picture of his dancing partner.
“That’s Moira McDonald. She was my partner when we were little. I think I’m 10 in that picture and she’s about 8. She was really sweet, but we stopped dancing together.”
“How come?” I asked.
“She got bigger than me and it looked funny. Even though I’m two years older than her, it was like she was dancing with her baby brother. She said she wanted me to stay as her partner, but I know she was just being nice…I kind of miss her though.”
“Where is she?” I asked.
“Her mom’s job transferred her up to Toronto when I was in seventh grade. We get Christmas cards from her and her family but that’s about it. Last year’s is probably in here. It’s one of those family picture ones and Mom always keeps those.” He said as he flipped to the back. “Here it is.”
He showed me the picture, it was one of the most beautiful families I’d ever seen. Four girls and a baby boy, each with flaming red hair, wearing Irish knit sweaters and perfect smiles. The oldest girl was about my age. Kevin was pointing to Moira, the youngest girl, she had grown up a lot. She would be gorgeous when she was an adult. He sighed and looked at her wistfully.
“First love.” I thought. Then I said, “maybe we could get in touch with her this summer.”
“Really?!?”
“Sure. Toronto isn’t that far. Do you have a passport?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, we’ll talk to your mom about it after Cape Cod. Okay?”
Kevin looked excited and nervous about it and said, “Ah, yeah. O.K.”
“Now,” I said, “time for Dress Up! Right?”
“No makeup?”
I smiled, “Spoil sport…No, no makeup.”
“Okay then.”
“Cool!…First outfit, Kevin the Step dancer!” I said as I pulled his kilt and dancing shoes out of the dufflebag.
He actually smiled at this one.
“Let’s get you out of those clothes first.” I said as I reached over and pulled of his shirt. I tickled him a bit as I did it and he started giggling.
I helped him into the white dress shirt which he buttoned up and I gave him the tie. “A clip on? Really” I asked.
He laughed a bit at that. “Mom said I need to learn how to tie a real one before I start school. Do you know how?”
“Me? No, I’ve never worn one. I’m a girl, remember. One of my brothers or my dad can teach you when we’re on the Cape. I forgot to mention you need a tie in the dining room.”
“I don’t own one yet.”
“That’s okay, we’re going shopping tomorrow to get you some clothes for the trip and to get you that hair cut. We’ll pick up a tie.”
“Oh. Great.”
“Now, let’s get you into your skirt.” I said.
“It’s not a skirt. It’s a kilt!”
“I know, I’m just teasing.” I wrapped the kilt around his waist and fastened its belt. Then I pulled on his socks.
“All set!” I said. “You know, you would have made a very pretty girl.”
“Stop that.” he laughed. “It’s a kilt and kilts are manly. I am not a cross dresser.”
“Right, if you say so. You know. It would be easier for the diaper changes if you wore one of these all the time though.”
“Not happening.”
“Please?” I asked as I started tickling him again.
“No!” he laughed. “Quit it!”
“Fine. You’re no fun. By the way, how is your diaper?” I said as I slipped two fingers into the leg hole.
“It’s fine, but could you take me to the bathroom? I think I need to go.”