Cissy

by Bea

 

My wife, Cissy, is sweet but dithery. Sitting at the table, her hands were working overtime and, if the napkins had been paper, hers would be in shreds. She stared at her mother and her eyes were watering.

"But mummy? I can't run a business?" She tittered a little, obviously put out. "I'm just not cut out for it! I think you're asking the impossible!"

Andrea gave her one of her "patient but aggravated" looks. "Dear? You really MUST get a hold of yourself. John here (she pointed at me) inherited the whole plant when his brother and father were killed. It's a self running concern as far as I can see – and you DO need the confidence dear. After all, you have the genetic background from both me and your dead father, God rest his soul."

I was a little put out by her calm attitude that there was nothing to running the small plant. Yes, there was some truth in what she said. We provided surf board forms and had a good market. Yes, my dad and brother had been instrumental in getting it up and running – but it wasn't as if I were a moron by any means.

But Andrea caught my look and shook her head. "You Cissy and John, came to ask for my advice and I'm giving it." She pointed at me. "You John did something reprehensible with that woman . ."

"She had cancer anyway mom!" I started.

"Probably. But that job you gave her may have helped it along. Frankly, with her suing you now you could lose everything – house, cars, business. The whole ball of wax. I'm NOT saying that you don't have other defenses, but the first and most obvious is for you to transfer everything – and I mean EVERYTHING - you own over to Cissy. That way, if that woman wins her case, you have no financial assets for her to take."

I shook my head, thinking. My helpless, hopeless wife? Cissy?

Andrea again read my mind. "Yes John, I can see the danger you face. Cissy could run away with everything."

We both laughed disbelieving before she continued. "But you've been delinquent in letting the EPA get where they are! If you had taken care of business a long time ago, that woman wouldn't have a leg to stand on. As it is? You don't have much time. I think the courts would frown on a transfer of assets right now – but if it were me? I'd do it." She shrugged. "I'm still a member of the bar. Wouldn't take me long to draw up the papers."

I looked at Melanie, our other companion at the dinner table, but she was no help. A nice looking woman – but she was Andrea's companion and I didn't see much chance of her going against Andrea's opinion. She smiled at me sympathetically and shrugged.

"Can I sleep on it Andrea?" I asked, conscious of Cissy's muttered protests even as I spoke.

"Absolutely!" Andrea smiled. "I'm sick and tired of this subject already. Might be a good idea to give it a rest."

I knew it was not a particularly happy option for Cissie but had to hold my tongue. Andrea was – or had been – a fine lawyer and had a mind as sharp as a tack. She had not been willing to give advice but had been pressed into it by me. I certainly didn't want to complain now – if the results didn't suit me.

We were staying the night and I drank in Cissie's appearance in the bedroom. She was gorgeous in a silver and black nightwear set I'd bought her. Nervously, she plucked at her negligee. "You know John? I just don't feel comfortable in those outfits you buy me!"

"That's silly!" I said. "You look gorgeous!"

Her eyes searched mine. Uncertainty clouded her face. "You keep buying me all this stuff John, but I feel like a linebacker in drag!"

"Dear? You may be a tiny bit bigger than me," I shook my head. "But I don't think anyone EVER teased me about being a football player! And you certainly don't look like one."

She shook her head. "I could strangle you John! That's not what I meant, and you know it. I just don't feel proper. That's all!"

I shook my head. "You're just upset dear. I know that you're worried about taking over the business – but that has no impact on how you look! You look stunning!"

She looked bewildered. "I try to keep the best house I can. Make myself attractive for you – though you seem to want me flashier that I am. I'm NOT a model, John. And I keep thinking that neither you nor mummy want me the way I am. Both of you want something different than I am!"

I took her in my arms. "Cissy dear? You just lack confidence. That's all. Both Andrea and I just want you to feel more confident in yourself. You're a beautiful, lithe, attractive woman. Just don't seem to have any confidence in yourself, that's all!"

She sighed and looked at me. "I've an idea what mummy wants John. But you? I DO have some intelligence you know – and if I let you sign everything over, you'll have nothing – NOTHING – left that I don't give you!"

I shrugged. "So? What's wrong with that? You think I don't trust you?"

She sighed again. "Never heard that old saying John about power corrupting? You won't have a job, no bank accounts, no house, no nothing! You'll just have ME controlling everything!"

"But darling? I know that you're smart – and if I'm going to have someone with power over me? Who would I be better to pick than you, huh? The sweetest, nicest . . "

"AW John! There's no talking sense into you. Come to bed!"

I felt nice and sexy – more so than usual for some reason. But the results were the same. Cissy had to close out our sex together. Again, she was apologetic. "Dear John? Don't worry! Every male goes through a phase – I'm sure of it!" I snuggled into her. Wasn't sure if the words were true, but they did salve my masculine pride.

The following morning, I signed all of the paper that Andrea put in front of me – as did Cissie. She had a resigned look on her face. "Well you two? I've done it now. Just don't blame me if things don't work out the way you want them!" We all hugged her, Melanie included and assured her that she would do a great job – although I did have a few reservations. I just figured that I'd have to work at keeping her on the straight and narrow

It was strange seeing my wife off to work in the morning while I stayed home. By Andrea's provisions, I couldn't hold down a job of any description I thought of taking up a hobby but, frankly, am not that kind of person. I messed around with housework but that wasn't for me. I even went shopping a few times and was quite surprised at Cissie's vehemence when she found out.

"We're supposed to be broke John! You go around spending money, they'll probably wonder where you got it. Why don't you just give me your credit cards, huh? That way they'll be out of temptations way." She looked thoughtful. "Probably be a good idea to cancel them anyway."

I didn't complain – after all, I could always get the money from her, could I not? But that turned out to be more difficult than I thought. You see? I'd never really figured out just how much of a tightwad she was. And that wasn't the only way she changed. The first week or two was great! I couldn't help but almost laugh at the state the poor thing came home – worried and distraught about the smallest things. I'd wrap my arms around her – and I was probably patronizing. But then one night? She was asking me – ME – questions! Not nice ones – questioning MY judgement!

I was laughingly answering them when I saw she wasn't amused. Was trying to keep a straight face when she suddenly pointed. "That china cabinet over there John?"

I looked. Nothing wrong that I could see. "Yes?"

A grim look came over her face and she walked to it. Ran a finger over a ledge and looked at her finger in absolute horror! "This is dusty!" she said. Then she looked around. "Have you done ANY dusting at all? And what about vacuuming?"

She was serious!

I made the mistake of laughing a little. "You don't expect me to be doing housework, do you?"

She was not laughing. "Who else should do it, may I ask?"

I knew better than say it should be her. "Look dear? If it's that much of a problem to you? I'll hire a maid."

She stared at me. For the first time ever I saw a hint of anger on her face – not uncertainty.. "Are you being silly deliberately?" she ground out between clenched teeth. "We are supposed to be BROKE – remember?"

"Oh."

"Yes – oh! Now if I'M working daily – and we can't hire a maid? Who's going to do the cooking and the laundry and the cleaning and the . ." She stopped. "I sound like a nag. Don't I?"

I was amazed. My wife had finally spoken her mind but, instead of carrying on like a hysterical woman had got a hold of herself. I was very proud of her. The defensive retorts I had on my tongue died. There was logic in what she said!

"I've been most selfish dear," I said. "It's never dawned on me. Our meals have come out of the freezer – that you put in there, but they can't last forever – and the wash is piling up – and oh dear!"

She surprised me again. Came and put a comforting arm around me.. "You're SO sweet dear! I just BET that not many men would have the courage to admit that!"

It felt so strange! SHE was comforting ME! But it was nice after a fashion and I cuddled in to her side. "Any ideas?" I whispered to her.

"I could say that I'm going to do the housework dear – but I'm not. And somehow, I get the feeling that you might give it a try if I showed you some of the ropes?"

And, I know I'm a male chauvinist – but I tried! My cooking wasn't too bad and I felt strange doing the dusting and ironing in one of Cissie's aprons, but she was adamant about trying to save what clothes I still had – I couldn't afford to buy more you see. (It raised my ire a little bit to see her buy tailored pant and skirt suits – but as she pointed out, she was head of an organization and had to dress well – and as she pointed out, her feminine dresses and skirts didn't fill the bill.)

But a month or so convinced us that it wasn't working out too well. I didn't care for doing housework and, to be quite honest, was starting to feel inferior to Cissie. There wasn't anything said that I could put my finger on – but she seemed to be growing in independence each day, while I felt more and more of a housewife to tell the truth.

How I learned of the order of things is maybe indicative. We had gone to her mother's – a not altogether unusual activity and were relaxing while Felicity (The part time maid) served us liqueurs.

"Well? Andrea said to Cissie. "I've spoken it over with Melanie, and she agrees that it has the basics of a wonderful idea!"

"A wonderful idea?" I asked.

Andrea looked at Cissie in some surprise. "You haven't run this past John?"

Cissie looked thoughtful. "Well mom? I wasn't that sure you'd agree. On top of that? I certainly don't see him fighting it! It meets ALL of out requirements and then some."

"Mom?" Adriana said. "I always prefer you to call me . ."

"Yes mom. I know," Cissie said with a smile. "But calling you mummy? Come ON - makes me sound like a schoolgirl!"

"Can someone tell ME what's going on? Has been agreed to?" I asked with some asperity.

Cissie let out an audible sigh. "Now please let me finish John? Okay?"

Her calm assurance flustered me. "Okay. Fire away," I said.

"Our house will be rented. I already got a good couple and a reasonable rent. That's for starters!"

I looked at her, dumbfounded.

"We will move in here. I am much closer to work. You'll have some company during the day. And even though you can help some? You won't need to do so much housework. We'll sell your car – you won't need it here as mom has one – so that's it. We look like we're doing all this to save money when, in fact it saves us ALL sorts of bother – and eliminates a lot of our problems. Now don't you agree?"

"Yes, but what'll . . " I tried, but she broke in.

"Don't worry your pretty head about it dear. I've taken care of all the details. You'll have nothing to worry about!"

She was talking DOWN to me! As if my opinion didn't matter.

But be that as it may, she was talking common sense. Okay I could see immediately that I was losing my wheels – and a lot of independence – but it had already been made clear to me that any expenditures I wanted to make were closely examined and I found it kinda shameful to explain everything to my increasingly confident wife. But the BIG thing was moving in with Andrea. I was out of doing housework! Okay, she was a little bossy – but I was sure I could live with that. I sighed a little. "Well I DO like to be kept in the loop, you know darling?"

I must admit to a strange feeling of shame as she got up, came around and hugged me. "I'm sorry pet! I'll do better in future!" Felt the other two women take this all in – and give each other glances when they thought I wouldn't notice.

It didn't take me long to settle into my new role. It was SO nice to be coddled for a change. I didn't even have the worry about going out into the world – that was Cissie's job now. All I had to do was be Andrea's companion – just like Melanie!

Yes, there were minor adjustments that I had to make. Andrea was boss – make no mistake about that. On top of that for example, she literally hated any kind of noise. It took me a little while to realize it. Before, at dinner when Cissie and I had gone around, she'd tolerate my 'loud' masculinity – but now was different. It wasn't long before I'd learned to talk sweetly and very low, just like Melanie. She also used us to fetch things – I think to show off her power to us, but she was ALWAYS so thoughtful and courteous in thanking us that it was no trouble. This was SO true of Melanie that I felt it would be inappropriate of me to complain. Naturally, I was with her and Melanie just about all of the time – and she was SO thrilled when she discovered that she loved me to brush her hair. It bothered me a little at first I'll admit, but it didn't take me long to get used to sitting beside her in an afternoon with her sighing in sensual pleasure as I brushed out her lustrous hair. Then Melanie asked my shyly if I could do hers?

So, without probably noticing the gradual change, I became one of Andrea's coterie. She was the boss, and Melanie and I were the followers. Then I started noticing the change in Cissie. She was gradually gaining in confidence –the breadwinner type – while I was becoming more and more of a dependent. Cissie would get home from work, and I'd find myself fluttering around her along with Melanie while Andrea looked on proudly as we asked what had been going on that day – and who and what had she done? To my own shame, Cissie came in to the house in a high good mood one day – gave me a resounding kiss – then had me sit on HER lap! And Melanie and Andrea were SO proud as she described how she'd finally got rid of Angus (A supervisor I'D hired) for flagrant incompetence as I sat there, with her awaiting my praises – which she got!

And slowly, the picture changed. She had become the force in the marriage, while I was gradually turning into the admiring little wife – with Andrea's support and blessing. It started innocently enough. "I must really compliment you John," she said one early afternoon.

I looked up from my knitting. Melanie was teaching me and though I grumbled to myself at first, there was a sort of peace for Melanie and I to be knitting away in the sun room while Andrea took care of correspondence (She had a real dislike of "Idle hands").

"A compliment – for me?" I asked lightly.

"Yes dear! I really like the way that you have let Cissie take over. Let her become the breadwinner, so to speak. She's gained – and is gaining – confidence almost daily. Not every male would do this – and I just wanted to tell you how lovely I think you are acting."

"Thank you mummy," I said. (I had discovered that she just adored me to call her mummy – especially now that Cissie refused to call her anything but 'mom').

She smiled and came over to me. "Your knitting is getting SO good! But may I make a suggestion?"

I blushed. "Of course mummy."

"Melanie tells me that you'll be going on fancier, finer, wool pretty quickly?
I couldn't help it – blushed again. "If she says so mummy. She's a great teacher!"

"Yes. Now I see that you keep your nails nicely John. But why don't you speak to Felicity? She's wonderful with nails." Then she took one finger and wound some of my hair around it like a curl. "Hair too?"

"Hair?" I asked. "That's something I was going to ask you Andrea. My hair is getting awfully long. Maybe the next time we go to town, I can get it cut?"

"Andrea?" Melanie said quietly. "You're going to have to ask him sooner or later. Why not now?"

"Ask me what, exactly?" I said as Andrea let out a sigh. Then she paused and spoke.

"John? You HAVE noticed how Cissie is gaining confidence almost daily?"

I nodded. "I think that doing that job has helped her immensely. But what do you want dear Andrea?"

"I have a theory about all of this John. I may be wrong, but I think we're on the road to making Cissie all she can be. But I think . .I think . ."

Melanie made an amused noise. "Andrea finds it VERY hard to ask for help John. She thinks you can help."

"Of course. Any way I can!" I broke in immediately.

"I don't think you know what you're agreeing to Jon," Melanie said smoothly. Then she turned to Andrea. "You seem to be having a problem dear. Want me to explain?"

Andrea nodded.

"You see," Melanie continued. "We see a BIG change in Cissie – mainly caused by the change in jobs - but you have something to do with at well, You agree."

"Yes, I think I do," I said judiciously. "But as far as I'm concerned? I don't know how much."

Andrea broke in a little impatiently. "Well when Cissie started work, we noticed an immediate change. But then? Then it seemed to slow down again, until you both moved here. And she started to improve again – immediately."

"But where do I come in?" I asked.

The women looked at each other. Melanie spoke. "You see John? When you joined us here? You settled in at once. No problems, right?"

I shrugged. "You ladies have been wonderful. No problems. Right."

Andrea spoke now. Her voice gaining confidence. "But you settled in to doing our kind of thing. Like a .a . .a . .lady. Not like a man at all."

I blushed. "I didn't seem to have much choice, did I?"

Melanie spoke again. "We don't mean to offend you John. But surely you can see? As you've gradually released the male reins, Cissie has grown – has taken them over!"

"Almost like a role reversal!" Andrea added.

I had no answer, just looked from one lady to the other. There was a certain amount of truth in what they were saying, but embarrassment halted me from going along.

"Lookit!" Andrea said. "What I'm asking is quite simple, really. Doesn't call for you to do much of anything, really – just go along."

I was thoroughly confused now, and it probably showed. Melanie spoke again. "John? Just ask Felicity to do your nails and touch up your hair. Truthfully? They won't be altogether manly when she's finished with you – but we'll bet that you'll see a difference in Cissie in no time flat!"

I looked at both of them. "Turn myself into some kind of sissy?"

"No!" said Andrea.

"Well, just a little bit," Melanie added gracefully. "You'd hardly know a difference. Matter of fact? It might help you settle even more in here with Andrea and me." She cocked her head, "And? You'd be doing Andrea a great BIG favor!"

At my stunned lack of response, she smiled softly and pulled the velvet rope pull to summon Felicity. When she arrived, Melanie smiled and whispered something in her ear. Felicity didn't seem too surprised, just showed me a magnificent smile and beckoned to me. She still was a maid of course, but did I detect something peremptory as I got up and followed her.

Felicity is probably of Latin descent. Very dark with short curling hair . Doesn't speak a lot so I've no real idea of how good her English is, but I'm well aware of how devoted she is to Andrea and Melanie. Me? She's always deferential – but I'm away behind those other two in hierarchy as far as she's concerned. She led me to an annex of her suite.

"I don't know . ." I began, but she smiled widely.

"Shush!" she said and out a finger over my mouth.

 

Melanie came in a while later. I didn't know where to look! I'm sitting there with a pink nylon cape around my shoulders, and Felicity is brushing a pink – not too pale either – polish on my nails. Melanie probably missed it – for which I am grateful, but Felicity has just plucked some of my eyebrows! Frankly I can't tell if there's a difference because I can't see a mirror where I am, but my brows are stinging, despite the scented crθme that had been put there.

Melanie surveyed me fondly and said something to Felicity which I couldn't hear because of the drier noise. Then she inspected my fingernails that had been done. Nodded approvingly at Felicity and gave me a fond smile before she left.

I think that the three of us were embarrassed when I reported back to everyone . Andrea and Melanie took in my hair – which was now a shade or so brighter and curled somewhat androgynously . I also think that they were bursting to see my nails, which I felt glowed pinkly – as if they were neon.

"Thank you John. That was nice of you!" Andrea said formally and we all paused, not knowing what to say or do..

"This is just silly! Plain daft!" Melanie said aggravatedly, and disappeared from the room for a moment. "Here!" she said when she came back in. "Put these on!" And she handed me a pink soft bundle. "We'll shut our eyes! But hurry up! Cissie will be home any time and I'll need to fasten you in at the back!"

It was a pink angora twin set. I stared at it for a second, then heard Melanie say to Andrea. "He may as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb! That set isn't all swishy – yet it shows off his new finger polish nicely!" Then she spoke to me over her shoulder. "Got it on yet John?"

"No," I said.

"Well, hurry up please!"

 

Then I was standing with the sweater part on – all nice and pink and woolly. It felt itchy, but nice in a warm fuzzy way. Melanie was fastening the little cord at the back that effectively closed me in.

"I really don't understand all this!" I complained, as she turned me around and helped me into the cardigan part.

"S'easy love," she answered. "Just think about it this way. Cissie's the most important thing in this relationship. She started improving when you gave her your position at work. Now? Andrea thinks that she'll improve if you give her your position at home. Nothing could be easier, could it?"

"But Melanie? What about ME?" I asked as she adjusted my hair a little.

She paused for a second. "Let me explain this as well I can. "You left a vacuum when you left your job. She filled it. She has become boss of the company. SHE, on the other hand, left a vacuum in the house here, when she left. You were the husband. Now Andrea thinks it would probably help if YOU filled it for her! Easy!"

I shook my head as I heard Cissie drive into the driveway. "But Cissie never held a position here!"

Melanie laughed and fluffed my hair. "Of course she did, silly! She was your wife! Now go and kiss her hello!"

I felt the eyes of both Andrea and Melanie on me as I went to greet Cissie. Her eyes widened just a trifle when she took in my hair and a small, approving smile crossed her lips when she saw my finger polish. Other than that, she accepted us three's greeting of her with aplomb. Later, as we sat around the dining table and Felicity served us it was almost as if four women sat there. She and Andrea were the alpha females. Melanie and I were the followers.

In the bedroom that night though, any pretenses wee dropped. "Want me to help you out of that sweater?" she asked once I'd taken off the cardigan.

"Yes dear," I said meekly.

"You DO know that it's one of mine?" she said, standing close behind me. "Looks very nice on. Don't you find it pretty itchy?"

"A little bit," I mumbled, embarrassed.

"Next time you wear it? Put on a camisole." She sounded rather amused.

"It was Melanie's idea," I mumbled.

She turned me around and touched my hair lightly. Lifted my chin to look me straight in the eye. "Hair and nail polish too?"

I couldn't meet her eyes. Nodded dumbly.

"It looks VERY nice on! I don't care whose idea it was!" she said lightly. "Now let's go to bed. I'm in the mood!"

The following day, Felicity visited me while the ladies and I were playing Trivial Pursuit in the drawing room. "Want to come with me, sir?" she asked.

I looked at her, askance. "Whatever for?" I asked.

"I think she takes your hair and your nails personally dear," Melanie said. "You might want to go with her?"

"But I'm in the middle . ."

"John? Why don't you do as Felicity tells you?" Andrea asked firmly. "I don't think you've realized something yet."

"What have I missed?" I asked anxiously.

She looked at Melanie. The thing that escaped us too, darling. You see? You're just as big a dither as Cissie EVER was. Your business was left you and you really didn't have to do a blessed thing other than show up – but because you're a male to all appearances, we all thought that you knew what you were DOING. Yesterday? You gave us all thought – we figured that you'd been overcome by LOGIC. But that wasn't it at all, was it? You simply followed the directions pointed out to you by stronger women. Did as you were told."

She smiled at Melanie. "But we wanted to run a little test on you today. You wouldn't have minded, putting on something nice for Cissie, would you?"

Her assurance was real. I cane close to admitting it. "Andrea? I really don't know! I'm kinda confused to tell you the truth."

"Perfect!" she laughed. "Sure signs of someone who can't make up their mind. But now Felicity wants you? Shouldn't you go with her? Find out what she wants?" She was almost laughing now. "I think she wants to help you make up your mind for how to appear for Cissie tonight. I mean, angora twin sets are all very well – but?"

"JOHN?" Felicity spoke and beckoned with her fingers. "Would you come here please?"

She was still the maid and I was a male – and a higher social level than her. Yet what Andrea said made sense. On top of that, I had this - this - reluctance – to aggravate Felicity. I excused myself to the grinning women and followed Felicity. To my amazement, she led me to my own bedroom! I found myself standing helplessly by as she opened the closet door and checked Cissie's closet, eyeing up the contents there while smiling at me. "Have to have a real look in here some day, shan't we?" she said, then laughed quietly. "But let's get to you!"

When I got back down to the other ladies, my hair was now a lot more curled. On top of that, my nails were now a deeper shade of pink. The two women simply smiled. "Getting better all the time dear!" Andrea said, and Melanie nodded her head in agreement. Then right before Cissie arrived home, Andrea produced one of Cissie's old aprons. "Here Joan. Put this on. Should remind her of how she used to be – and give her a better idea of how you are!"

And in my pretty frilled apron, with my hair curled just so, I was sent to meet Cissie immediately upon her arrival. She looked a little tired, but her eyes lit up when she saw me. "My goodness John! You're a sight for sore eyes. Love that hair!" There was even a touch of condescension inn her voice that flustered me.

I couldn't help it. Put my hand up to my hair and simpered. "Oh, you like it? Felicity did it for me this afternoon!"

"It's lovely! And that apron? If I didn't know better, I'd think you were making yourself all nice for me!"

"Oh Cissie, he is, he IS" Andrea smiled. "Spent SO long in picking an apron that went with his hair. Got all dithery – just like you used to be!"

"Well? I'm sure that John knows now how important it is to look nice for the breadwinner coming home!" Cissie said, putting an arm around my shoulders. "You wearing perfume dear?" she asked me.

"No!" I said.

"Well? You should! It's probably from that apron, but I like you to feel all soft – and smell nice."

"See Joan? All those nice clothes to pick from – and you can't make up your mind!" Melanie laughed. "Can't even pick a nice perfume! Just like Cissie used to be!" She looked fondly at Cissie.

"There's a lot up there in the bedroom!" Cissie said in my favor. "I know that I used to have a problem picking anything for John. I can understand him having a problem when he wants to look nice for me!" She gave me a hug while I blushed, but then added, talking to me. "You won't have that problem from now on, will you?"

She laughed raucously as I blushed even more – and she patted my backside!

And things even changed between Andrea, Melanie, and me. All of a sudden, it seemed that I was one of them! I really would have preferred staying in the house. They were now using Felicity as a trainer. Things like cooking, sewing, laundry – all that stuff. "I mean Joan! If you and Cissie ever move back on your own? Don't you want to know how to cope?" came at me quite often.

I didn't care for the pretty aprons that Felicity suggested I wear – after all, they did protect my clothes – or I should say Cissie's as I'd taken to wearing her plainer stuff to do housework. I should also add that I was becoming more proficient in makeup. Not much mind you – but as Felicity pointed out, I wasn't getting out much and had a tendency to develop a pallor. And the fuss that Cissie made the first night I forgot and she found me in full makeup! Teased me a LOT!

But as I was saying, the other two ladies started taking me out more. They seemed oblivious to the saleswomen who'd make little nods to each other when I'd come in and help Melanie or Andrea pick something. But I don't think it took a great deal of time before they considered me just a little pansy. Naturally, as they grew in this opinion, I gave them more and more reason with my hair becoming more and more feminine, my 'sometimes' outerwear that I'd help the other two ladies look for – and my perfume of course. The not so hidden enjoyment when one of the ladies in a department store picked me to demonstrate a new makeup and had me sit up beside her counter as she painted my face. It may also have been a joke to them, but I drew a LOT of looks that afternoon, going home with my face all made up. Neither Andrea nor Melanie wanted me to clean up for a while.

And Cissie had changed far beyond what had been hoped for her. Frankly, I found her a little scary now. Self confidence, she had in abundance – and she had started to look down – well I don't know if that's the proper term – but she was starting to tease me quite often about my girlish ways – quite a bit.. She had even had her hair styled much shorter and demanded that we all call her "Si" – a very masculine sound – while I seemed to be 'Joan' more and more.

And I discovered how wonderful Melanie was. In a platonic way of course but one day while we were on our own I confided in her. Told her how confused I was becoming around Si and how I wasn't sure what to do. It was SO comforting when she put her arm around me and assured me that all I was doing was helping Si, and how wonderful I was. It's embarrassing to admit, I know, but I started to cry from frustration a little and she was so comforting. Assured me that a good cry was good for one. Cuddled me and made me feel much better. After that, we often had a secret little smile for each other. I felt so warm and safe around her. Found myself making excuses to be taken into her arms when nobody else was around. She even commented one time about how nice I felt when Felicity had me wearing a pretty apron over a pair of Si's old pants. Didn't seem to care that I had on some makeup one little bit!

Then one night, Si brought home Mary – the replacement for Angus, a sort of plant foreman. I knew her of course from old times, but although she met me cordially she persisted in giving me strange looks. I was sitting beside Si on a couch and we were all sitting around having coffee after dinner. Mary finally leaned forward. "I love your hair John! Quite a difference. Looks almost pretty! Do it yourself?"

"Oh, he can put his rollers in at night quite well now," Si answered with a laugh. "But Felicity still likes to do his hair up nicely now and then – and his nails of course."

"Yes, I noticed his nails. Nice, I must say." Mary said a bit maliciously I thought. Then she added conversationally to me. "Sorry. But did I hear someone address you as Joan tonight."

"Ha Ha! Some of the ladies like to fool around!" I said, trying to make a joke out of it.

"A joke?" she said seriously. "I just wondered if you wanted to be a girl? Pretty hairdo and nice nails. Girl name? I hear that lots of men are girlish these days."

"Oh Mary!" Melanie laughed. "You're SO direct! Look at John blushing!"

"I'm sorry!" Mary said, laughing. "I just couldn't help myself." Then she turned her attention to me again. "I hear that you do embroidery?"

I looked around me for help but none was forthcoming. "A little bit," I admitted. This was getting embarrassing. Why wasn't anybody stepping in to help me?

"I'd love to see it?" she said ignoring my obvious pause. "Wouldn't bother me a bit if you wanted to do some either. Why don't you go and get it – Joan?"

"Oh Mary!" Si laughed. "Since when did YOU get interested in embroidery? Not exactly your style! And you called him Joan!""

"Embroidery? Not really for me," Mary admitted. "Not really – knda girlish, you know?" Plus, when he's gone to get his stuff?" she laughed. "I intend to come sit beside you. Then he can sit anywhere he wants. As for what I called him? I'm sorry if it wasn't appropriate."

"Oh – you ARE a devil!" Si giggled, Then she paused, thinking for a second. "Joan? Why don't you go and get your embroidery? Mary is SO interested! Then you can sit beside Melanie and do whatever you're working on – and she can tell you if you're making any mistakes!" She shot what could have been a loving look at Mary.

Then I breathed a big sigh of relief because Andrea spoke up. "Mary? You're a guest in this house! Si? You are acting terribly too!" She looked grave and intimidating. Both women looked embarrassed. Then My bubble burst as she smiled. "But truthfully? I can see reason for the confusion and as Mary is a guest here John? I think you should do as she asks. Will probably help Si's confidence a heap. Off you go then. Go and get your embroidery and keep Melanie company. I have to do some private business and this allows the four of you to split into two compatible groups that interest each other. Doesn't that make sense?"

Naturally, I had an objection but was in a distinct minority so went off with Melanie to get my embroidery. "You sure I should put this on? It's kinda embarrassing wearing it in front of Mary." I asked, handling the rose colored satin embroidery smock I'd been talked into wearing recently.

"That's just silly!" Melanie laughed. "A smock like that is just so handy for keeping all sorts of things around you – and anyway, I'm wearing mine!"

Can you imagine the feelings that cross your mind when a woman guest exclaims upon how nice you look when you come into a room, then gets upa little later from where she's sitting VERY close to your wife and comes over to where you sit – beside a similarly dressed woman – in your curled hair and a little makeup, doing embroidery? With a false smile, comments on what you're doing, then fondles your Peter Pan, satin, lapels and says what a wonderful idea a smock is. Compliments Si on how lucky she is to have a husband like me as she returns.

In our bedroom that night, Si had a sort of dreamy expression on her face, Helped me off with my smock. "Have to ask you Joan. Don't you find that Mary SO dreamy? I can't see why you and she didn't get together when you were in the business.."

"Uh? Dreamy? But I'm married to YOU!" I said pointedly. "And my name is John!"

"That's just being old fashioned," she sighed. "I find her SO strong and aggressive!"

"But I thought the whole idea of me acting the way I do is to get YOU feeling more confident?" I said, puzzled.

She shrugged as she pulled her clothes off. "But I AM – silly. But that doesn't mean I can't feel like a woman underneath. Surely you see that?"

I laughed shortly. "But I'm your husband for goodness sake!"

She stopped what she was doing and looked at me open mouthed. Actually laughed at me! "Oh darling! You can't possibly think I see you in that light any more?" She came and kissed me laughingly. "Joan dear? You're my friend! My nice friend! Did I tell you how nice you made yourself for Mary tonight? I was SO pleased. Though really dear? Don't you think it's time you started wearing nice dresses?"

"Aw Si! What are you saying?" I said, red faced.

To my amazement, she took me in her arms. Kissed me! "Silly little thing! Sitting there in your pretty pink smock, with your hair done and your makeup? Letting Mary say how pretty you were? Asking you if you wanted to be a girl? Not saying anything back? Here, I feel sexy tonight. Want you to be MY girl. How's that?"

She was holding out that silver nightgown to me!

I shook my head, but a tremendous feeling of weakness came over me as she advanced, smiling confidently. "Now don't be a silly sissy. Get your pretty gown on and I'll teach you how to be nice for Melanie!"

"Melanie?" I croaked.

"Silly! Thinks nobody sees that you have a crush on her? Making moon eyes whenever she comes near you?"

"But I don't . ." I said weakly as Si started undressing me quickly.

"Of course you do! Now lift those soft nice arms of yours. There's a girl!"

And in bed, Si taught me how to be a girl – how and where to kiss. What to fondle. When to be aggressive and when to submit. Frankly, it was lovely.

As I lay, contented in her arms, she smiled languorously. "That was a big help Joan. But it's time we stopped all of this fooling around, don't you think?"

"I don't know what you mean," I said shyly.

"Yes you do. Tomorrow? I want you to start dressing properly. I've got all sorts of nice clothes and you may as well start to get used to them All the way. Lingerie and all, I'll start tomorrow night showing you how to go after Melanie."

"Oh honestly Si!" I said, blushing.

She laughed. "Well maybe you can ask her to help you with your bra tomorrow? Tell her you need help?"

"Oh Si!" I giggled.

 

The end

  

  

  

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