I exhaled long and slow through my nostrils before telling my mother in no uncertain terms that if I want to start wearing that stuff, I’ll ask for some. I was calm and considered I might add, not shirty or disrespectful. Mum smiled through pursed lips and nodded. “Well if you do change your mind, don’t be shy.” she advised. “And if it is just a nightie, no one else need know because you’d only wear it at bedtime.” she smiled.
Mum didn’t mention it again and neither did I…. until about three weeks later. I’d got home from school and mum said she had a surprise for me. “What is it?” I excitedly asked.
Hoping for a new video game or DVD, a digital watch, maybe a TV in my bedroom… Mum told me it was in my room. I scampered upstairs with a TV in mind… I’d have been happy with a second hand one, but no. All my hopes of a decent surprise were dashed as soon as I burst in. Mum was right behind me. “What do you think?” she asked.
I was speechless as I stood and stared at the item on my duvet. After a few very long seconds, and feeling my mother gently place her hands on my shoulders, I managed to muster a few words. “Oh Mu-um… I told you I didn’t want a nightie.” I gulped. “Especially not a pink one.” I added.
“It’s not a nightie Peter.” Mum replied. I could feel her smiling through the back of my head. “It’s a dress.” she added.
“It’s horrible.” I claimed. I could feel tears welling up as I observed the cute combination of kittens & cherries and its little elasticated sleeves. If it was just pink it’d be bad enough… but kittens and cherries! I felt my mother squeeze my shoulders just a little, as if to reassure me. I looked up at her.
“If I’d bought you a plain blue one that wasn’t pretty in the least you’d still say it was horrible.” Mum told me. “I don’t expect you to like your very first dress Peter…” she paused and smiled on me, “…so I bought you one that I like instead.” she dryly added.
“You honestly don’t expect me to wear that do you?” I gulped.
“Of course I do.” she replied. “I didn’t buy it for you to look at.”