It was a few weeks before Easter when the Cubs and Brownies began their rehearsals for the May Pole dance. It was definitely more of a girl thing than a boy thing; skipping around with garlands of flowers and long lengths of ribbon. It was also the time of year when the Brownies would be getting giddy about who would be chosen as this year’s May Queen. The only difference this year is the fact that Brown Owl had made a radical suggestion for updating the selection system and for the first year ever, both girls and boys could be nominated.
Initially we weren’t worried because no boy would ever nominate himself nor be chosen over a girl. It was nothing more than an exercise in equality, balancing boy’s rights with women’s rights, my mother claimed. But during the May Pole dance class one Thursday evening, Brown Owl announced that the eight nominees for this year’s May Queen had been chosen. “…and I’m delighted to inform you that we have five girls and three boys!”
We all gasped. The Cubs began nervously grumbling amongst themselves whilst the Brownies began whispering and giggling behind cupped hands. “I hope Roland Fletcher’s one of them!” one of the Brownies giggled. Roland countered and suggested one of the younger Cubs. Other names were suggested until the Cub Scout Leader quietened us down. Once we were attentive, Brown Owl stepped forward and began to read a list of names. “Jane Cleaver, Benjimin Preston…”
A host of gasps and giggles erupted and somewhere in the background noise, one could just make out Benjimin meekly mutter “Oh no.”
Brown Owl continued. “Patricia Baxter, Catherine Woolford, Antony Preston…” more giggles and sniggers erupted. I looked over at Antony who hung his head. “Amanda Barton, Vincent
Jackson and Barbara Miles.”
It took a moment for it to sink in. Initially I thought I’d misheard but the sniggers and giggles and all the eyes glancing at me confirmed that I was on the list. “What!?” I blurted. “How can I be on the list? …I didn’t even nominate myself!”.
“Bet you did!” One of the bigger Cubs claimed. “I bet you’re as big-a-faggot as those two at home!” he added, pointing towards Benjimin and his brother Andrew. The Cub Scout leader yelled at him to quieten down. Brown Owl informed me that I had been nominated and had gained enough votes.
I took a deep breath and optimistically told myself that I’m just on the list. Only one of us can be chosen as May Queen and chances are it’ll be one of the other seven. Brown Owl called out our first names and asked us to join her before telling all the other boys and girls to continue practising the May Pole dance.
“Congratulations.” Brown Owl said. “And can I just say how nice it is to have some boys involved in this year’s May Queen parade.”
Strange, I was just thinking the exact opposite. One of the girls said she looks forward to seeing us wearing dresses. “Only if I’m selected.” I ignorantly stated.
“Mandy’s right Vincent… you’ll all be wearing dresses on May Day.”
“Surely it’s only the May Queen who wears a dress.” Antony said.
“And what about her Seven Sisters?” Brown Owl asked.
All of a sudden it dawned on me. The May Queen is flanked by her ‘seven sisters’, and seven of us won’t be the May queen! “What if we don’t want to be involved?” I asked.
“Why wouldn’t you want to be involved?” Brown Owl asked. “It’s a great honour to be part of the May Queen parade.”
“Because I don’t want to wear a dress… only girls wear dresses.” I stated. Antony and Benjimin grumbled their agreements. “I didn’t even ask to be nominated.” I added.
“My mum nominated us two.” Benjimin admitted whilst his younger brother nervouslygulped.
“All of your parents approved the nominations weeks ago.” Brown Owl told us. “Your family, friends, relatives, neighbours, teachers and various other members of the community all voted for you.”
“But… no one asked me!” I whined.
“Vincent, if you’re having second thoughts, then I suggest you speak to your parents first and foremost.” Brown Owl advised. “If you’re still having second thoughts, then talk to me at next week’s Brownie meeting.”
“OK.” I glumly grumbled. Since the eight of us wouldn’t be taking part in the maypole dance, we were allowed to leave early. We exited on mass. One of the girls expressed her hope that it would be she who’d be chosen as May Queen. A few of the girls expressed their hope that it’d be one of us boys. “Shut up!” I grumbled. Other girls claimed it was wrong to have boys involved. These I wholeheartedly agreed with.
We went our separate ways. Eventually I arrived home and my dad quizzed me as to why I was home early. “Because I’m not going to do the May Pole dance.” I grumbled.
“Why so glum son?” he asked. “I thought you didn’t want to do it anyway?”
“I don’t.. but someone nominated me for May Queen and I got selected.” I mumbled.
“I see.” my dad replied. “Your mother’s going to be over the moon.”
“Did I hear that right?” my sister hollered as she entered from an adjoining room. “You’re going to be May Queen?!”
“Not if I can help it.” I muttered. “Where’s Mum?” I asked.
“She’ll still be at her book club.” Dad replied. “In fact I’d better call her and let her know not to pick you up from dance practice.”
Dad lifted the telephone and routed for Pauline’s number (the lady who hosts the book club). My sister began quizzing me about being the May Queen, but they were all questions I couldn’t answer. I went to my room and sulked. In previous years, I didn’t pay much attention to the May Queen thing so I didn’t really know what to expect. I know she leads the parade and is flanked by a group of girls dressed in similar white frocks, but other than that it’s all a bit of a mystery. Mum arrived home an hour or so later. She called me down and got over excited that I’d been chosen as May Queen. It took me a while to shut her up in order to explain that I haven’t been chosen, but am merely one of the final eight nominees. “The May Queen could be any one of us… we don’t know who yet.” I finally managed to explain.
This information took the wind out of Mum’s sails, thankfully. “Oh well… even if you don’t become this year’s May Queen, you’ll be one of her Seven Sisters… that’s something.” she optimistically told me.
“But… I don’t want to be one of them either… that stuff’s for girls.”
“Not any more it isn’t.” my mother smugly stated. “I think it’s great that boys can finally take part.”
“I don’t… especially if one of them is me.” I mumbled. “Mum… can you tell Brown Owl that I don’t want to do it?”
“But why don’t you want to do it?” Mum asked. “It’s a great honour for a child your age…”
“Maybe for girl my age!” I interrupted.
“It’s an even greater honour to be the first ever boy May Queen.” my mother told me.
“Your mother’s right son… in years to come you’ll look back on this and…” he paused. “Actually Vincent… I understand your reluctance, I really do, but your mother has set her heart on it when we nominated you.. she rallied around and got our friends and family to vote for you… I got the guys at work to do the same.” he informed me. “If you can’t do it for yourself, then do it for your mother.”
“But… I really really really really really don’t want to do it.” I stated. “Please don’t make me.” I pleaded. “Everyone’s going to think I’m a right sissy, even if I’m not May Queen I’ll still have to wear a dress.”
“I can’t wait to see that!” my sister grinned. I told her to shut up. “Hey Mum… he could wear some of my old dresses and practice being a girl!” she suggested. Again, I told her to shut up. Both Mum and Dad suggested that I ‘pipe down’. “I’m only trying to help Vincent.” my sister smugly claimed.
I pleaded with my mother to tell Brown Owl that I didn’t want to do it, but she refused because she wanted me to do it. I begged my father who claimed to understand my reluctance, but ultimately he sided with my mother. There’s no point asking my sister. “Well… I’ll just tell Brown Owl myself at next week’s Brownie group.”
“OK… but at least spend your time between now and then having good long think about it.” my mother said. “And rather than ‘tell’ Brown Owl what you want to do, talk to her about it, with an open mind.” she suggested.
