“Oh that’s not fair!” I sulked. “She came to my birthday party.”
“Yes and your sister knows how to behave herself… unlike you David.” mum replied. “Close your eyes.” she said.
I closed my eyes tight shut as mum rinsed the shampoo from my hair. Jug after jug of water ran off my head and over my face, splashing off my shoulders and into the bath. Once rinsed, I opened my eyes.
“Now I want you to be a good boy and stay in your room until the girls have gone. Do you understand?”
“But I don’t want to stay in my room when Janet’s having a party. I want to join in.”
“You want to tease her friends, make fun of their dresses, pull their hair and be the centre of attention David.” my mother stated. “And for that reason, you shall stay in your room… out if sight, and out of mind.”
“Well, what if I get bored and just decide to come downstairs?” I said.
“Well you’ve got plenty of books and games to play with… you shouldn’t get bored.” mum replied as she held open a big towel. I stepped out of the bath and wrapped myself in it as mum took to my hair with a hand towel. “And even if you do get bored… I think you’ll find something to do that doesn’t involve disturbing your sister and her friends.”
“Well…. what if I get hungry?” I said. “I’ll have to get something to eat.”
“I think you’ll find it in yourself to wait ’til the girl’s have gone.” mum said. “Now
come on, put your vest on.” she said.
Mum held the gathered vest for me. I pushed my hands into the armholes and she pulled it over my head and onto my body. “Hey this is one of Janet’s vests!” I yelped, noticing the lace trim.
“It is.” mum replied. “And this is a pair of her knickers.” she added, holding a pair white knickers also with lace trim.
“I’m not wearing those!”
“Oh yes you are.” mum said calmly. “And then you’re going to wear one of Janet’s party dresses.”
“Why?” I sulked as mum picked up my foot and stuck it though one of the lace trimmed leg holes. “I’m not even going to her stupid party!”
“No, you’re going to stay in your room and be a good boy…” Mum said as she put my other foot through the knickers , “…but if like you said, you have to come downstairs for whatever reason, at least you’ll be wearing a pretty dress and the girls can tease you for a change.” she explained with a mischievous grin.
~oOo~
David just stuck out his bottom lip and I knew I had him. I pulled the knickers all the way up and told him to tuck his vest into them. “Aren’t they pretty?” I teased.
“They’re horrible.” he sulked.
“Well the sooner we find you a nice dress to cover them up the better.” I grinned before leading him by the hand to Janet’s bedroom. He glanced around nervously at the pink and purple décor. For many boys, there is nothing closer to an inhospitable alien landscape than a girl’s bedroom. His jaw visibly dropped as I opened her wardrobe to reveal a resplendent display of frocks, skirts and blouses.
“Can you see anything you like?” I said to the bemused boy, “Maybe a nice pink one?” I suggested.
He shook his head and stuck out his lip.
“What about this one? Boys like blue.” I said, pulling out a pale blue frock with with a large frilly collar and lace trimmed sleeves. “No?” I put it back and pulled out a green spotty frock. “This one then.”
“I don’t want to wear a dress.” he moaned. “Everyone will laugh at me.”
“Not if you stay in your room, be as quiet as a mouse and as good as gold.” I informed him as I began to unfasten the buttons that ran all the way down the back. On his face was a look of sheer defeat. He clearly couldn’t believe I was making him wear a dress, yet appears to know full well there is nothing he can do about it. “You’re going to look so pretty in this.” I said once I’d undone all the buttons. “It’s a pity no-one’s going to see you.” I said as David began to physically tremble.