The boy stuck out his lip and imagined wearing a dress for the next eight or nine hours. “And then you’ll make me wear that.” he spat, pointing at the little pink baby doll nightie set.
I turned to Kathy and she smiled. “I think he’s finally getting it.” she said. We both turned to Timothy who looked both defeated and mortified. “Would you like us to help you?” she asked him. Timothy gulped and shook his head. His eyes dropped to the numerous pairs of very frilly knickers he’d been gifted. He hesitated. I suggested he wears the pale blue pair, since they match his dress and with a hesitant hand, he slowly reached for them.
“With these socks.” Kathy suggested, picking up a navy blue pair of pelerine knee socks with white frilly trim around the tops.
“Oh yes!” I exclaimed. Timothy’s expression said ‘oh no!’, so I asked if he’d rather wear a pair of tights instead. He reluctantly accepted the socks, but couldn’t bring himself to take hold of the knickers.
“They wont bite you Timmy.” Kathy grinned. “…and once you’re wearing them, you won’t have to look at them.” she informed him. We both remained silent as he left the room; knickers and socks in one hand, navy blue sailor dress in the other. We listened intently as he climbed the stairs and entered his room, then we looked at each other and a beaming grin swept our faces. “I can’t believe he’s actually going to wear it!” Kathy exclaimed, under her breath.
“Oh I can.” I replied, “Although I did expect a bit more of a fight.”
“Maybe he wants to wear it more than he’s letting on?” Kathy suggested.
“No I don’t think so… I’ve never seen such a look of disdain before… but I think he’d rather wear it than have everyone know that he’s got it.” I replied. Kathy agreed. She picked up one of the shoes I’d bought him and asked if they were bridesmaid’s shoes. “Either that or for a confirmation.” I replied before telling her I’d found them in a charity shop at a bargain price. “I hope they fit.”
All the while, the Christmas edition of Top of the Pops was on. As the final top 10 of the year was counting down, we stopped thinking about Timothy’s presents and gave our full attention to the TV.
At number seven it’s Billy Joel with Tell Her About It … Still at number six it’s The Thompson Twins … it’s Margarita Time at number five, and at number four it’s Paul Young with Love of the Common People
“Oh I wanted that to be number one!” Kathy whined just as the door opened.
Timothy entered and sheepishly announced his presence. “Shhh it’s the chart countdown!” I said, gesturing him to sit. He sat. Between his navy blue knee socks and his navy blue frock, his pale fuzzy knees knocked nervously together.
…Slade with My Oh My … and at number one, you guessed it…
“The Flying Pickets!” Kathy and I said in unison as the camera zoomed in on the acapella sextet. “Let’s have a look then!” I said to my son, prompting Timothy to stand.
“Ohh.” he grumbled as he stood.
“That looks nice. Quite boyish for a dress.” Kathy said. “I like the length.” She was neither gushing nor teasing or sarcastic in her tone.
I followed suit. “I like it too. I didn’t think a really girlie one would be suitable but… like you say, it is quite boyish really.” I said as my son stood blushing in his new blue sailor dress. “What do you think?” I asked him.
“It’s horrible.” he grumbled. “And it’s too short.”
“It’s nice being able to see your legs for once.” I said. The frilly interface between sock and knee is particularly charming. My eyes followed the pelerine pattern down to his feet. “Oh… I’d almost forgot about these.” I exclaimed, picking up the shoes. Fear purged though him and he begged me not to make him wear them. I expected this sort of reaction when getting him to wear his dress so was somewhat confused that he’d saved it until now.
“Because if I wear those, you’ll make me go outside.” he claimed. The poor thing was on the verge of tears. I assured him that I was not going to make him go outside and reiterated that so long as he’s a good boy and does as he’s told, then no one else need know.
With great reluctance, he donned the shoes; a simple pair of white Mary Jane’s with a single strap and buckle. “Would you like to unwrap your big present now?” I asked once he had them on.
He gulped and murmured “Yes please.”