I remained silent whilst she did the first hand. Just like having my make-up applied, I quite enjoyed the process of being pampered. Mother commented on the colour. “Is it the same colour as my lipstick?” I asked.
“It is.” Mother replied.
“How long does it last for?” I asked.
“Well…” Mother shrugged. “…until you remove it.” she replied before telling me that I could keep it on for a few days if I wanted. I reminded her that I have school tomorrow.
“You could borrow my old uniform.” my sister grinned. I knew she was joking so responded with nothing but a smile and a polite refusal.
I kept my palms pressed flat against the tabletop whilst Mother panted my toenails. She asked my sister what she’d be wearing today and Judy replied with a handful of options including shorts & leggings, a skirt & top and this or that dress. “I think you should definitely wear a dress… seeing as your brother will be.” Mother replied, grinning and winking at me. Once finished, Mother told me not to move so my toenails could dry for a few minutes. “Do you want some scrambled egg or a bacon butty?” she asked. I told her I’d had some Chekkies but Mother said I needed more than that. “You won’t get chance to eat anything else until lunchtime.” she stated.
The scent of eggs and bacon must have woken Father up. He appeared as Judy and I were chomping down a bacon and egg sandwich. I’d more or less forgotten that I was wearing make-up but his presence reminded me. I half expected him to tease me but he didn’t. He just smiled and yawned and made small talk as usual. “What time do you need to be at the Village Hall?” he asked.
“Nine.” Mother replied. “So the sooner we get this one dressed the better.” she added as she smiled down on me.
By eight-forty I had my dress on. Mother and Judy kept telling me how nice I looked and I kept saying how silly I felt. Mother led me downstairs. I held my skirt to avoid tripping as I shyly followed. The delicate, almost weightless garment felt like it floated around me. I know I feel like a dork but… my dress does feel special, much more so today than at the rehearsal when I wore it over my leotard and tights. Maybe Mother’s right about the ‘special’ underwear? I glanced at myself as I passed the hallway mirror, but I didn’t see my reflection. Instead I caught a fleeting glimpse of a girl with short hair. I might have got way with it if the whole town didn’t know that this year’s May Queen is going to be a boy. I followed my mother to the kitchen. “Doesn’t he look pretty?” she announced as I stepped through the doorway.
“You look fine son.” Father replied. “We’re all very proud of you.”
“Thanks Father.” I coyly groaned.
“How do you feel?” he asked.
“Like a girl.” I replied. I looked down at my dress, then back at my Father. “But I guess that’s the idea isn’t it?”
“It is.” he smiled. “You enjoy it while you can… you’ve put a lot of time and effort in to today. You should be proud of yourself.”
Maybe I should be proud of myself? I thought. I’ve endured many weeks of teasing for being part of the parade, but at least I’ve done something! All they’ve done is snipe at me. Maybe my teachers are right too… maybe they are jealous?
“Can I get a photograph before we go?” Mother asked, wielding her camera.
“Oh Mu-um.” I coyly replied.
“Here, put your gloves on.” she said, handing me a pair of white lace gloves. I carefully pulled them on and my sister fastened the two mother-of-pearl buttons for me. “OK… stand over there.” Mother said, before taking numerous photographs of me. This one, she declared her favourite and it would later grace the mantelpiece for years to come.
It goes without saying that I was a nervous wreck as we drove the village hall. The gaily decorated flat bed truck is parked outside and Mother asked if the garlands that decorated it were the ones we’d made. “They look very pretty.” she said. “It’s hard to believe it’s just a truck.”
“It’s hard to believe I’m just a boy.” I dryly retorted.
My mother grinned and agreed. “It’ll all be over after today.” she said, “Then you can go back to being ‘just’ a boy again.”
We got out of the car and headed inside. Benjimin and Antony were already there, as was Paula. “Vincent you look beautiful!” she exclaimed. “It’s hard to believe you’re really a boy!”