As soon as I’d finished my breakfast, I cleared away the dishes before hand washing my underwear and putting it to dry on the radiator. I’d almost finished vacuuming the stairs when Mother told me she had to go out for a few hours. “Will you be OK on your own?” She asked.
“Yes, of course.” I replied.
“And make sure you change out of your school dress when all your chores are done.” She reminded.
“Yes Mother” I replied half heartedly, still not keen on having to wear the blue dress Mother was so keen on me wearing.
“I’ve put some sandals out for you to wear with it. Now be careful as they do have heels, but they match perfectly.” She added on her way out of the door. Locking it as she left.
Mother was gone for ages. I’d finished most of my chores and was vacuuming my bedroom when I noticed the shoes Mother insisted I wore with the blue dress. “I’ll break my ankle in those!” I said to myself noticing the 3” heel. I’d never worn a shoe with a heel before.
I blushed when granny almost called me a girl. Mother noticed my embarrassment.
“Oh don’t worry Mother.” Mother said to granny, “It’s an easy mistake with him looking so pretty.”
I wanted to return to my room and curl up and die, but not wanting to get into trouble, I did as expected and sat silently as the two of them chatted away though to the early evening. Eventually, the time came when Mother had to drive Granny home. Granny kissed me on the cheek and said how nice it was to see me, and how pretty I look, and how she looks forward to returning at Christmas. I blushed and said thank you. As Mother picked up her car keys, I asked if I could change out of this dress. “No.” Was her reply as she locked the door behind her.
I went to my room and listened to some music, waiting for Mother to return. Exiled from my own bedroom and my computer out of bounds except for study left me with very little to do. Life is so boring these days, and I’ve only been under house arrest for a week!
Mother returned home a couple of hours later. I sat up to attention on my bed as I heard Mother climbing the stairs. “Why didn’t you tell me Granny was coming?” I asked as she entered my room.
“It was a surprise.” Mother replied.
“But I didn’t want to see her dressed like this.”
“Well Granny thought you looked very nice.” Mother replied. “And I was very pleased with your behaviour. In fact, she asked if I’d take a photo of you.”
“What?” I replied, shocked. “But I look so stupid in this.” I stated, holding the dress out as I spoke.
“Well I told Granny that it wouldn’t be a problem. So come on, I’ll get the camera.” Reluctantly I followed Mother down to the study. “You stand over by the book case. And do try to smile!” she added dryly.
Mother took a couple of photo’s before previewing them on her computer. “Hmm… not bad.” She said. “But they could be better.” She left the study and popped upstairs, returning a moment later. “You’ll look far nicer with your hair off your face” she said, placing a blue satin head band in my hair.
“Oh Mu-um!” I moaned. “Do I have to?”
“Yes you do.” she replied, before taking more photo’s of me. “That wasn’t too hard was it?” She asked before checking the new photo’s on the computer.
I watched over her shoulder as she cropped the two ‘best’ ones to size and clicked print. I looked really looked stupid in all three of the photo’s she printed off. “Thank you Peter.” she said. “Granny will be very pleased with these. Now, you go and get yourself ready for bed.”
Eager to get myself out of this dress I did as asked. I entered my bedroom to put my nightie on, only to notice a cream floral dress hanging on my wardrobe door, along with a pair of low heeled pink shoes placed on the floor beneath it. At least the dress Mother chose for tomorrow wasn’t anywhere near as bad as today’s, even if it was covered in flowers.
