“Because it’s the only way he can behave himself.” Peter’s mother replied. “He never gives any cheek or answers back when he’s petticoated. Don’t you Peter?”
All eyes looked at Peter. He gulped and shook his head.
“I discovered that the only way he can be a good boy is to dress him as a girl.” his mother explained to his gob smacked cousins. “We all know that girls are better than boys so it makes perfect sense when you think about it.” she added as the girls grinned and nodded.
“Does he wear dresses too?” Deborah asked.
“Of course… every day.” his mother replied. “Except for school.” she paused as smiled at her son. “There he can wear his boy clothes so long as he doesn’t complain about wearing his girl clothes at home.” she told her nieces.
“He was dressed as a boy today though.” Sabrina pointed out.
“Well he did have some girls clothing on on.” his mother replied. “Didn’t you Peter?”
He nervously nodded as all eyes turned on him once more.
“Does he wear knickers?” Deborah asked, sniggering at the thought of it. “Girl’s knickers!?”
“Of course he does.” his mother replied on his behalf
“Do you like them?”
Peter shook his head, but kept his eyes fixated on his knees.
“Of course you do!” his mother insisted. “He pretends he doesn’t because he doesn’t want people thinking he’s a sissy.”
“I’m not a sissy!” Peter muttered.
“Of course you’re not.” his mother said reassuringly. “But you are very pretty… far to pretty for boring boy’s clothes.”
“Did you bring any with you?” Sabrina asked. “Dresses… I mean.”
Peter gulped and looked at his mother, as she did his packing.
“No.” his mother replied.
“Phew!” thought Peter.
“Oh that’s a shame.” Sabrina sulked. “I’d like to see him wearing a dress… especially now we’ve seen his nightie.” she grinned.
“Well I thought it would be nice to give him a few days respite.” his mother said, explaining what respite means. “He’s been ever so good since his petticoating began so he’s earned a few days off.”
“What’s Petticoating?” Deborah asked.
Peter’s mother explained to her nieces that petticoating is simply a way of making sure naughty boys, like Peter, be on their best behaviour. “…and as you can see, it works wonders!” she said proudly. “I wish I’d started it years ago.” she added, smiling at her sister-in-law.
“I wish I’d suggested it years ago.” Peter’s aunt added. “Ideally boys should begin petticoating before they reach puberty… fourteen is a little late but…” she paused and cast a smile at her nephew.
“Well better late than never.” his mother said. “He’s already got a few favourites… which is nice.” she added, casting a patronising smile towards her son.
“Has he?! That’s nice to hear.” his aunt said, throwing the boy a similar smile.
“Yes… I bought him one of those gingham school dresses and he likes wearing that.” his mother told his aunt.
“Only because you don’t have to button me into it.” Peter mumbled. “And it doesn’t have any bows.”
“You like the colour too.” his mother reminded him.
“What colour is it?” his aunt asked.
“Green.” Peter gulped.
“Oh nice… I’ll bet you look very sweet as a schoolgirl.” his aunt replied. “Wouldn’t you like to wear a girl’s uniform for school?”
“Would I fuck!!” he silently screamed. “Not really.” he murmured.
“Unfortunately…” his mother began, “…his headmistress won’t allow it in spite of my insistence that it’s an infringement of the equality laws.” she said. “But he does wear it whilst he does his homework… don’t you dear?”
Peter gulped and nodded.
“I think all boys should have to dress like girls.” Deborah said.
“Not all boys surely?” Sabrina retorted.
“Not all boys need petticoating.” their mother stated, casting a beady eye towards her nephew.
Fortunately, the film began and Peter’s petticoated state ceased to be the centre of attention. His cousins drank numerous glasses of pop throughout the film. Peter on the other hand barely touched his drink, served in a pink spill proof beaker. The girls couldn’t help but tease him, telling him how nice his beaker is and asking which princess is one it.
Prompted by his mother, he meekly replies “Cinderella.”
“Is she your favourite?” Sabrina grinned. “Or is Aurora your favourite?” she asked, since she’s printed on his prissy pink nightdress.
Peter shrugged and his mother said, “I don’t think he has a favourite… in fact I don’t think he’s seen any of the films.” she added.
The girls are flabberghasted at this claim. Surely everyone has seen most, if not all of the Disney Princess films. “We’ve got the box set.” Deborah announced.
Sabrina suggested watching some over the weekend, but Deborah said she’d rather not, since they’re for kids. “I know but… I think Peter might enjoy them.” Sabrina grinned.
“I doubt it.” Peter grumbled.
They quietened down as the movie picked up its pace. Once the film was over and much to Peter’s displeasure, his mother asked, “Do you need changing before bed Peter?”
Peter gulped and shook his head.
“Changing?” Sabrina hesitantly asked.
“His nappy.” Peter’s mother replied.
“But he’s too old for nappies… he’s not a baby are you Peter!?” Deborah sniggered.
“No but he is petticoated… and all petticoated boys wear a nappy for bed. Don’t they Peter?”
Peter sniffed and nodded. Deborah and Sabrina sniggered before shuffling off to their bedroom. All his hopes of a few day’s respite from the humiliation of petticoating had been dashed… slashed in fact.