“It’s just a case of the times changing.” she replied. “When women were subservient to men we were encouraged to prettify ourselves. The pendulum’s just swung the other way, that’s all.” she told him. “Plus, there’s nothing new about males wearing make-up… just look at the glam rockers and new romantics in the nineteen-seventies and eighties.”
“But they weren’t wearing dresses.” Mark replied.
“Some were… but it was different back then.” she said. “It’s a lot more normal now.”
“It’s not that normal.” Mark gulped. “If it was I wouldn’t be so nervous.”
“You’re only nervous because you’re not used to looking so nice.” she said. “On reflection I suppose I should have started putting you in dresses a couple of years ago when they first appeared in the boys’ department.” she figured. “You’d feel a lot more confident now if I had.”
“I’m glad you didn’t… they were so prissy.” he retorted, recalling the infantile styles that initially entered the boy’s clothing departments. “At least this is normal.” Mark said, running his hand over his thick velveteen skirt. “Relatively.” he added.
“So you approve then?” his mother asked.
“It could have been worse.” Mark replied. “It’s not so bad bearing in mind some of the frocks some boys have to wear.” he sighed.
“Well I guess hoping you’d be over the moon with it was a bit much to expect.” his mother said. “Are you going to apply that lipstick?” she prompted.
“Er….” Mark gulped. He regularly wears a moisturising lip balm so the application isn’t unusual, what he’s not used to is seeing his lips painted a different colour and the change from his natural lip tone to the reddy brown is quite drastic. “Does it look OK?” he meekly asked. “Or should I try the other one?”
“It looks perfect. I was going to suggest that one.” his mother told him. “But you can wear the pink if you prefer… it’s up to you.”
“Nah this’ll do.” he sheepishly replied.
“Now make sure you don’t rub your eyes otherwise you’ll ruin it.” she advised. Mark gulped and nodded. “Are you feeling a bit more confident now?” his mother asked.
“No.” Mark bluntly stated. He looked up at his mother pleadingly. “I can’t believe I’m going round to Jacob’s wearing a dress and make-up.” he gulped. “I suppose it’s too late to say I want to wear something else.”
“I think you’re just getting a little bit of stage fright.” his mother said. “It’s not unusual to get nervous wearing a new outfit for the first time.” she claimed.
“It’s more than a little bit of stage fright.” Mark apprehensively replied. “I’m cacking myself.” he told her. “I hope Jacob doesn’t tease me.”
“I’m certain he won’t” his mother assured.
“Maybe not today but he might when we go back to school.” Mark said.
“And I’m sure plenty of boys at school all have dresses of their own.” his mother assured.
“If they do they’re keeping quiet about it.” Mark grumbled.
“Well you know what boys are like.” his mother replied, before suggesting he pack up his make-up as she picked up his new handbag. “Where’s your wallet at?” she asked.
“Err… in my coat pocket.” he replied, nodding to the back of his bedroom door where it hung. “Why?”
“So I can put your money and your bank card and whatever else in your purse.” she said.
“I’d rather carry on using my wallet.” Mark grimaced at the dainty little purse, clad in shiny green satin. “I won’t need it today anyway.” he added as his mother rooted through his coat pockets until she found his wallet.
“Well I didn’t buy it just to be left unused.” she said. “Plus it matches your bag and your frock.” she added as she transferred the few notes and his bank card into it. Mark began to bundle the cosmetics into the little bag they came from. “You won’t need the lipstick you’re not wearing.” she told him.
“I wont need any of it will I?” he retorted.
“When you’re wearing make-up, you carry make-up.” she informed him. “You’ll at least have to re-apply your lippy.” she said. “It won’t stay on forever.” she added. “Especially if you keep biting your lip like that.” she giggled as he grimaced. Having dropped his little satin purse into his green velvet handbag, she held it open so he could put his make-up bag in too. “You’ll need a pack of tissues too.”
“I haven’t got any.”
“Well it’s a good job I have.” she said. “Come on.” she chirped, handing him the dainty little bag.
