A Delightful Arrangement

by Carolyn

Part Two

 

As I bustled about the kitchen organizing the trays of cold food and readying the oven to warm the rest, I marveled at how lucky I was to be portraying a woman in front of a crowd of strangers. I knew my maid outfit was convincing from the white princess collared blouse to the club heeled lace up tied heels. My hair was certainly feminine and I had done a great job on my makeup. All I needed to do was maintain my female persona and I had a great opportunity to be accepted as a woman all night.

Mark and Mary were sweethearts to provide me this opportunity to enjoy an evening like this. It had been months since I had been out, much less dressed as a lady in public. Already today had been a day to remember and the fun part was still ahead of me!

Just then the doorbell rang. I went quickly to answer it and it was the bartender. She worked at a local restaurant and had helped Mark and Mary for their parties in the past. I didn't know her other than by sight.

"Hi, I'm Sally. I'll be the bartender tonight."

"Hi Sally, I'm Carolyn. As you can see, I'm helping out as the maid. Can I take your coat for you?"

"Why thank you, dear. I'll go set up the bar. We can talk later. It's great to meet you."

She went to the family room and started working on the bar set up. I carried her coat into the downstairs bedroom that was to serve as the coat repository. I smiled to myself. It appeared I had passed my first inspection!

Back in the kitchen, things were well under control. Mark and Mary came down in costume. Mark was dressed as Simon, from American Idol and Mary was Paula. What a cute idea and they pulled it off quite well.

Soon the doorbell rang and guests began to arrive. I was a busy girl, carrying coats and arranging them carefully on the bed. It wasn't long before people filled the house and laughter rang from every room.

I scurried about, passing hot appetizers and constantly restocking the cold plates. Of course I frequently toured all the rooms to collect used plates and glasses. Thank goodness they used disposable items or I would have been at the sink all night.

Hours into the party Mary came into the kitchen. "Carolyn, you've been bustling about all night. Let's take a break. Come outside and have a cigarette with me."

That was music to this girl's ears. I was getting pretty tired. The combination of the thrill of being accepted as a woman all night by people I didn't know plus the constant activity was wearing me down a bit.

"Oh Mary, what a delightful idea. I admit I could use a break."

We went outside and sat at her picnic table. I took my pack of cigarettes from my purse and we lit up.

"Well tell me, Carolyn, how are you enjoying your night? You know, everyone has accepted that you are a maid - no one suspects you are a man. I'm sure of it because if anyone had an inkling the gossip would have spread like wildfire."

"Mary, this has been a dream night for me. I am so glad you and Mark understand how much I like dressing and acting like this. I've let all my inhibitions fly away and just have embraced this opportunity. I've not felt this alive for months. Thank you for this night."

"Oh my, Carolyn, I'm so happy you're enjoying yourself. You know, you are doing a fabulous job as a maid. I've seen you flitting from room to room replenishing snacks and picking up used dishes. You are quite efficient, much more so than any of the maids we've hired in the past."

"I'm loving the role, Mary. I really want to please you and Mark. I'm thrilled that I've been perceived as a woman by your guests and doing a perfect job for you is the best way for me to repay your kindness."

With that we finished our cigarettes and went back into the house. I popped into the powder room and freshened my makeup, added a spritz of perfume and went right back to work.

The party went on until well past 2:00. As the final guests were leaving I realized I still had a lot of work to do! I had been washing up the platters as the party waned but the house was a mess! Of course I had worn rubber gloves to protect my nails.

I began to straighten up the family room. Sally was cleaning the bar.

"Carolyn, I watched you tonight. You really kept busy! Aren't you exhausted?"

"I admit I'm pretty woofed, but I had fun too. It was quite a bash, wasn't it?"

"As always," she replied. "Those two sure know how to throw a party. Do you care for a drink? Come over her and rest those feet for a minute."

How could I refuse? She poured me a glass of wine as I climbed onto a barstool. I crossed my legs and sighed with relief. It had been a long night and I was one tired girl!

We chatted for a few minutes before Mark and Mary came into the room.

"Well ladies, it was a great party. Both of you did a great job for us. Thank you for your hard work. Carolyn, don't get up. You deserve to sit awhile!"

"There's so much more to do, Mary. I can't leave without cleaning up for you."

"Not tonight, honey. Part of the arrangement we've had in the past was that our maid would come back the next afternoon to clean. Would you like to do that?"

Mary was such a sweetheart. It was as if she read my mind. I really wanted to get home and rest but didn't want to end my charade. She was offering me the chance to reprise it one more time!

"Of course, Mary," I exclaimed. "I will be happy to come over tomorrow.

What time would you like me to be here?"

"Well, Mark and I will sleep in so why not plan to come for a quick brunch at 12:30 and then you can finish up."

So it was decided. I finished my wine and prepared to leave. One more trip to the powder room to fix my lipstick and I went to the door. Mary and Mark were waiting.

"So, you like being Carolyn, don't you," queried Mark.

"Yes, Mark. I appreciate your patience with me. I imagine this isn't what you expect from an old friend."

"You know, I actually caught myself envisioning you as a woman a few times tonight. Certainly you carry yourself like a lady and you look great. As far as I'm concerned, I feel like I've found a new friend."

I couldn't help myself. I gave him a big hug with tears in my eyes.

"You two are too kind. I will be back tomorrow. I will do a great job of cleaning up. I owe you more than you can imagine."

Mary laughed. "Hey, hands off my man, girl!" she said with a grin.

All three of us giggled at that. "Don't worry, Mary. I know my place."

I walked out to my car, my head spinning with the events of the night. I realized that only Mark and Mary knew I was a man and that I had actually pulled off the masquerade for the whole night.

Where would this lead? As I drove home, I pondered the future. Certainly I wanted to do this again! I glanced at my nails, rubbed my knees together enjoying the hose and focused on the feel of my heels as I drove. Being a girl was great.

When I got home I undressed quickly, cleaned off my makeup, brushed my teeth and put on a long black nightgown. I didn't want to end the night but was too tired to stay awake.

Climbing into bed, I expected my head to reel with the memories of the night. That was a poor expectation for I was asleep in minutes. I had another exciting day ahead of me but my mind and body were too tired to enjoy the anticipation.

  

  

  

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