The Farmer's Wife

by Margaret Jeanette

 

Sue Simon had met her husband while working at a department store in town. His quiet manner and immediate interest in her led them into a courtship that Sue thought was only found in storybooks. Her Gene was the exact type of person she felt comfortable with and wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Six months after their first date she proposed to him. They were at the only family restaurant in town eating the evening meal when she popped the question of marriage. He blushed and quickly agreed. She took him home to meet her parents, who lived on a farm. Gene had never been on a farm before and was fascinated with all the animals.

Sue was out in the barn helping her dad with the milking when her dad said, "Gene seems like a very nice boy but are you sure you want to marry him?"

Sue answered, "Yes, he just adores me and he is the kindest person I have ever met. I know he is quiet but he always does anything I ask him to. He is shy but when you get to know him he is a doll. I know he isn't real strong physically but he makes up for it with his love. I know he loves me and that he will be a perfect husband. Dad, I so much want you to like him!"

"I like him all right, but I thought you would want someone who is more out-going, you know someone who is more masculine."

Sue retorted, "More masculine? I think he has all the qualities I want in a man. There might be a couple of things I want to change in him but they are minor. For your information I asked him to marry me not him asking me. Can't you just try to see all the good points in him?"

Her dad said, "You are our only child and all I want is the best for you. If he is what makes you happy then I am glad for you."

They finished the milking and went into the house. Gene was helping her mother with the dishes and Sue just smiled when she saw him wearing one of her mothers aprons. Later they were all sitting in the living room chatting and her dad seemed to be glad his little baby had found the man of her dreams. He missed her help on the farm and thought about offering the small house across the road that he owned and offering them both a job helping them on the farm. He knew Sue loved farming and figured she would jump at the chance, but he didn't know how Gene would take to it. He held back on asking her.

The next morning as they were leaving her father asked her about helping on the farm. She told him she would consider it and gave him a kiss. He thought about how much of a tom-boy she was and how Gene seemed to be just the opposite of her. He thought about how opposites attract and how true it was in this case.

Two months later they were married. They were very much in love with each other and they had a bright future ahead of them. Every Sunday they drove out to her parents for Sunday dinner. At one of those dinners her dad said, "Harley Jones is going to retire and put his farm up for sale. If it wasn't three miles away I would buy it for the land. It is a good farm and has been good to him. I couldn't believe it when he told me he was seventy-two years old."

Sue asked, "How much does he want for it?"

"One hundred fifty thousand. I know it's worth every penny."

Sue said, "I wouldn't mind buying it. I miss the farm and I know I could manage the work. Do you think he would sell it to me?"

Her dad said, "I can talk to him and see if we can work something out. Do you really want me to?"

"Oh, yes. I think it would be a dream come true. I enjoy the department store but I miss working in the outdoors." She said.

Gene sat there with a bewildered look on his face. Sue saw him and assuredly said, "Gene, honey, don't look so shocked. I know I can help you understand how a farm works. You might even come to appreciate how wonderful it is to be able to work outside and how loving the animals can be. I really miss that."

Gene smiled and inwardly kind of hoped that things wouldn't work out. He knew once his wife had something in mind she did her best to get what she wanted. His love for her overrode his initial feelings. After they had eaten Sue went into the living room to talk to her dad. Gene went into the kitchen to help her mother with the dishes.

As they were starting her mother approached Gene with a fancy lace trimmed apron saying, "Here, put this on. I made it especially for you. You are so sweet in helping me, so I made a special gift for you."

He blushed furiously when she helped him put it on. He wanted to tell her that it was too fancy but couldn't bring himself to say anything. As they were doing the dishes Sue came into the kitchen to get a bottle of soda from the refrigerator. She commented on how pretty the apron was and her mother told her it was a present for Gene. In her imagination she saw him in the apron and wearing lipstick but quickly shook it off.

The next Sunday as they were eating her dad said, "Oh, by the way, I talked to Harley and he said he would be glad to sell you his farm. I was surprised when he told me how much he always liked you and thought how he wished you were the daughter he never had. He said the hundred fifty thousand was without the livestock but that he would leave the livestock if you were the buyer. Kind of a special present for you. That is a very, very expensive present but you know he can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. Anyway he said if you can come up with twenty thousand dollars you can have the farm in two months."

Sue said, "We have five thousand plus in the bank right now. I don't know where we go for the rest of the money."

Her dad said, "Don't worry about that I will loan it to you."

Sue was so happy everyone could tell by looking at her. Gene was happy with her even though he was a little tentative about the idea of being a farmer.

As they were returning home he said, "I know you really want to get that farm but I don't know anything about farming. You grew up on a farm and helped your dad but I lived in a city and never saw a farm until we visited your dad. I don't know how much help I'll be. How long does it take to learn to be a farmer?"

Sue reassuringly said, "Don't worry about it. Between the two of us we will do all right. Dad has had every natured cow from gentle to mean and I know how to handle them. I have planted, cultivated and harvested crops and know the when and how-to's of all of that."

Gene was a bit more relaxed after that. He knew his wife was confident and that feeling of confidence carried over to him. Sue had seen her mother give Gene something when they left and asked him what it was. He told her it was just a couple of aprons to use when the one she had given him was dirty. One extra and one more for emergencies she had told him.

On their first wedding anniversary they moved in to their new home. Sue was exuberant over being able to milk cows again and do some farming on her own farm. It was a dream come true. She showed Gene how to drive a tractor and how it was different from driving a car. He practiced for about an hour then went in the house to unpack. He started something to eat for them and unpacked the kitchen items. They had so much more cupboard space here than they had in the apartment. He got three boxes unpacked when he called Sue in to eat something.

As they ate he said, "I put the pots and pans away and I think I have most of the dishes put away. I'll show you where I put everything when we are done eating."

Sue told him, "That's all right. As long as you know where everything is. I'll be doing the work outside so you will have to do the cooking and cleaning in here. You are a better cook than I am so I am not worried about starving."

Gene said, "I thought I would be helping you with the farm work. It sounds more like you think I'll be spending more time in the house than in the fields."

Sue said, "I do expect you to spend more time in the house than in the fields. You cleaned our apartment and kept it spotless and did most of the cooking before so nothing has changed."

Gene asked, "What will your dad and mom think if I am not out in the fields working. Won't they think something is wrong?"

Sue put a hand on his arm and said, "Dad is a great farmer but he listens to mom about everything else. Mom knows you are better suited for house work or she wouldn't have given you those aprons. She never gave me a any aprons because she knows that cooking and cleaning aren't my bag of tea. When we finish eating I am going to make a round of all the fields and see where everything is at, unless you think you can do it."

Gene assured her that he didn't know anything about that kind of thing. Sue told him to unpack as much as he could while she checked out the fields. When they were done he heard her start the tractor . He cleaned the dishes and did some unpacking. He was unpacking her clothes and hanging them in the closet when he noticed she only had three dresses. He was putting clothes in her dresser and noticed she only had two nightgowns but lots of pajamas. He figured she knew what she had so he didn't think about it after he got busy unpacking his clothes. He found the box of dirty clothes and took them down to the wash room. The new washer and dryer they had bought were all set up so he started a load of whites and delicates. As they were washing he went into the living room and unpacked the knick-knacks they had all ready accumulated. He went back and switched the load from the washer to the dryer and put a load of towels and the two pair of dirty trousers in the washer. He found the boxes of food they had packed and put them away in the kitchen. He was just finishing up when Sue came in. He quickly finished putting away the last couple of cans of food and turned to find her standing right by him.

She reached for him and gave him a kiss for the record books. He reacted to her kiss and they moved into the living room on the couch. They hugged and kissed for a long time. Then Sue said, "I know you are lost on a farm but I want to thank you for going along with this. I just checked all the fields and this farm is in great shape. We are going to do all right on it. Now, I want to talk about who is going to do what. I know I can handle most of the field work but for some of the things I am going to need you to drive the tractor. I think I can handle the milking and barn chores. It looks like he just put in a new barn cleaner and he really kept up with the changes in farming."

"What does that leave for me to do?" Gene asked.

"Well, I'll show you how to gather eggs from the chickens and you can keep the house clean and do the cooking for us. There will be enough for you to do, I'm sure."

"Well, can't I help with some of the work in the fields?" Gene asked plaintively.

Sue answered, "Most of the things only take one person to do but there will be times I may need you to drive tractor. With the modern equipment there just aren't the things that take more than one person to do."

"Well as I asked before, where do I fit in if not to help you with the work?" Gene asked again.

"Do you want me to be blunt or to explain every small detail of where you fit in all of this?"

Gene said, "I guess you might as well be blunt. There must be something of value I can do around here."

Sue said, "I can't do everything that has to be done around here. I can't be in the fields and cleaning the house or cooking at the same time. So that leaves the cleaning and cooking for you. Don't forget you have to feed the chickens and gather the eggs."

Gene said, "That sounds like what a farm wife would do. You don't expect me to act as a farm wife, do you?"

"You said I should be blunt. Yes, I expect you to do what a farm wife does. You can do it all it takes is the right frame of mind."

"I am a man, not a wife!" Gene replied angrily.

"Doing the wifely things are just as important as the field work." Sue replied try to calm her husband. "If the wife doesn't do what she should the whole farm shuts down. It is a partnership where if either one fails they both fail. Can't you see that?"

"Yes, I can see that but why do I have to be the wife? Can't you show me what has to be done in the fields so I can at least try to be the farmer that is expected of me?"

Sue answered with a question, "Does it make sense for both of us to be in the fields and no one cleaning and cooking. How successful will we be if we don't eat and the house is a mess. You did a great job when we had the apartment of keeping it clean and cooking the meals. All I am asking is that you continue to do that."

"But why do I have to be a wife!"

"Do you think being a wife is a lowly thing. Do you think my mother is a lower class of person because she is a wife?"

"That's different, she's a woman! I am a man!"

Sue could see he was getting more upset so she switched subjects after saying, "You know you can do a good job of cooking and cleaning. Besides you can take care of the chickens for starters and maybe eventually we can have you do more work outside. My dad mows the lawn once a week so maybe you can do that."

Gene settled down a bit as Sue continued, "I will do whatever I can to make you more comfortable in your role around here. There are possibly some things you can do to help you be the farm wife I want you to be. Now, let's celebrate our farm. Let's go upstairs and lie down together."

Gene saw the opportunity for love-making and quickly agreed. They were lying next to each other when Gene got an idea . He said, "You know when we make love I always liked it when you wore lipstick. Your lips feel so smooth and I think the smell of your lipstick adds something ."

Sue told him to go get the lipstick. He got it and returned to lying next to her. She opened it and before he knew what was happening she had applied a thick coat on his lips. He asked why and she told him that was what a farm wife wears and that he looked cute with it on. She started getting serious about the love-making and mounted him. When he was getting really aroused she asked him if he would put a dress on when they finished. He declined and she pressed the issue again and as he was in the throes of passion he agreed to it not realizing what he was agreeing to. When they had finished he slowly got up and started to pull his pants up. Sue stopped him and reminded him of what he had agreed to. He stood motionless as Sue came over by him and slowly removed his pants. He stepped out of them in a daze.

As she started to remove his under shorts he asked, "What are you doing? You didn't say anything about underwear!"

Sue said, "I am helping you be a good farm wife. What did you think a wife wears under her dress? I'll tell you. She wears panties, a bra and slip. You'll feel more like a wife if you wear what a wife would wear. It's for your own good , can't you see?"

Gene very sadly asked, "Why can't I at least wear my own clothes?"

Sue said, "From now on these are your clothes. I think you know what I want to see you wearing, don't you?"

Gene was silent. After a couple of long minutes Sue asked again. Gene finally answered he knew. Sue saw the tears in his eyes and felt sorry for him. She led him to the bed and started playing with his erection. When it was good and hard she mounted him again. They had never had sex so close to one another as they were having now. When they were finished she could see Gene was spent. She got a dress out of the closet and slid it over his head. She buttoned all the little buttons in back. Then she told him it was time for him to start supper and kissed him passionately.

He went down to the kitchen and started supper. When it was ready he called her. As they were eating she told him that tomorrow she had to go into town to set up an account at the feed store. Gene said he thought they grew all their own feed. She explained how calves and cows took different feeds with different additives and that they didn't have the right equipment to mix them. When they were done Sue went to the barn for the evening milking and Gene cleaned the dishes from supper. Then he remembered the wash he had started. He took care of it and wondered what to do. Then he remembered he had to feed the chickens.

As he went outside he was aware of the skirt being blown around his legs. It felt sexy in a way but he put it out of his mind. He fed the chickens and went down to the barn. He asked Sue to show him how to milk the cows but she told him she didn't really have time to show him now. She suggested he find something to do in the house. He walked back to the house and when entering noticed the window in the back door needed cleaning badly. He got the cleaner and when he was done it looked new. He saw Sue leaving the barn. He went in and put the cleaner away. Sue told him how nice the window looked. He blushed and felt proud that she noticed.

They heard a car come into the driveway. Gene panicked but Sue calmed him. There was a knock at the door and Sue answered it. It was her mother. Her mother came in and when she saw Gene she acted like there was nothing wrong. Sue went to find the books she had borrowed from her mother a long time ago.

While she was gone her mother said, "I see Sue didn't waste any time changing you. I was surprised she didn't do it sooner. She was always a tom-boy not a real feminine girl. I knew when I first saw you things would end up like this. I know you love my daughter and I am glad you are now related to me. This shows me you ware willing to do whatever my daughter wants to keep her happy. If there is anything I can ever do to help you, let me know."

Gene thanked her and told her he didn't feel right wearing a dress. She told him he looked lovely in it and not to worry. She told him he should try to take things slow and as they go. He was still a little dazed at the turn of events. She told him there was another husband who was in effect a wife and wore dresses and no one thought anything of it, except for Swede Jensen in town. She told him Swede was the town bully. She warned him to look out for him that he wouldn't probably hurt him but would taunt him.

Sue finally returned with the books and she and her mother had a friendly mother-daughter talk. Her mother told her she really thought Sue had made a good choice in Gene.

After her mother left Sue went up to Gene and gave him a big kiss. When he asked what that was for she told him that it was for how much he had impressed her mother. They headed for bed and when they were undressed Sue handed him a nightgown to wear. He didn't protest but put it on. He went into the bathroom and as he was walking enjoyed the sensation of the nylon coming in contact with the back of his legs. He felt ashamed of the feeling but it felt good to him so he finally accepted it. He slept deep that night.

The next morning Sue suggested he wear the red and blue floral dress. He put it on and she zipped up the back. It had a ruffle all around the hem at the bottom of the skirt. He thought to himself that this wasn't what a wife would wear for cleaning around the house but thought better of saying anything to Sue. He went down and made breakfast.

As they were eating Sue told him that after milking she wanted to check a fence she had noticed yesterday needed fixing. She told him it wouldn't take long and that she should be done by ten o'clock. He said he would have fresh coffee ready for her. She smile at him and told him he was too good to her.

A couple of minutes after ten Sue walked in. Gene gave her a cup of coffee. When she finished her coffee she said, "Well, let's go into town."

Gene said, "Sure, just wait a minute while I change into some jeans and shirt."

Sue quickly said, "No, you can keep your dress on. It is clean enough to go to town in."

Gene asked, "You want me to go to town like this? Wearing a dress? Looking like this?"

Sue took a good look at him and told him they had to make a couple of changes. She left and quickly came back carrying a red patent leather purse and a pair of her multi-colored sandals. She helped him put the sandals on and saw they weren't a perfect fit but would do. She handed him the purse to carry telling him she had transferred his things from his old wallet to a wallet in the purse. She told him to refresh his lipstick so they could go.. He refreshed it and they left. He was worried about how people would look at him but Sue seemed happy.

When they got to town they were heading to the feed mill and Sue pointed out Swede Jensen, telling Gene to avoid him, that he was bad news. She parked in front of the feed mill. As they were going in they passed two men. Sue told Gene they were Swede's cohorts. They went inside and Sue talked to the manager. He was very helpful and even showed Sue the records of what Harley had gotten there for the last two years. When the manager answered the only two questions Sue had she remembered she hadn't introduced her husband. She introduced him to the manager and the manager welcomed him.

The manager said, "Welcome to the area. You'll find the people here are pretty friendly, with a couple of exceptions. Avoid Swede Jensen, he is a troublemaker. I can't stop him from hanging out around here but I can warn anyone who will listen. If he gives you any grief while you are here let me know. I don't know if I can do anything but I'll try. Sue told me she will give you a slip if you have to come here and I'll have the guys get it ready for you and get you loaded as fast as possible. Again, welcome, it is good to meet you."

Gene felt pretty good about the welcome. They left and as they went out they had to pass where Swede and his two cohorts were sitting.

Swede said, "You must be Mrs. Simon. Welcome back!" Then he turned toward Gene and said, "You must be her pansy husband. Are you queer or something?"

Sue took his arm and steered him toward the car. They could hear the three men laughing. Sue drove them for a couple of blocks, stopping in front of a little shop called Snips and Curls. Sue took Gene in and she immediately started talking to the receptionist. The receptionist called a woman over and Sue talked to her for about five minutes. The woman spoke to Gene, telling him to follow her. Gene saw Sue go out the door and wondered what was going to happen.

The woman said to Gene, "Hi, my names Samantha. Your wife explained the situation and asked me to help you. Would you like a cup of coffee?"

Gene said yes and Samantha went and got a cup of coffee. When she gave it to him she apologized, telling him it was decaffeinated and that was all they had. Gene drank the cup of coffee and sat back in the chair. In less than a minute he fell asleep. In what seemed to him was a few minutes he started to wake up.

Samantha said to him, "Perfect, you are waking up right after I have finished with you. Are you ready to see the new you?"

Gene said, "You did something in the five minutes I took a nap. That's amazing!"

Samantha said, "You have been asleep for two and a half hours. We have made quite a few changes to you. Would you like to see what you look like now?"

Gene said yes and Samantha turned the chair so Gene was facing the mirror. At first he didn't recognize the person in the mirror, then the realization that it was him left him speechless. His face looked so different. He noticed his eyebrows were thinner and arched. He noticed the peach colored eye shadow and the dark red lips he now had. He raised his hand to his face and notice his nails were longer and red that matched his lips.

Samantha said, "Your wife gave me a number to call her when you were ready and we called her. While we are waiting I'll give you some tips on how to apply the cosmetics we used. You look beautiful! You will make Sue proud."

Gene said, "You know I am a man don't you?"

Samantha said, "Oh yes, I know. I want you to think about something. Shouldn't a person look the best they can if they are a man or a woman?"

Gene agreed and Samantha started giving him tips on how to apply the different items. Gene was so intent on what Samantha was telling him that he didn't notice that Sue had arrived.

When Sue saw him she said, "Wow, now if that isn't a different person than the one I brought in then I'm Charlie Chaplin." She turned to Gene and said, "You look wonderful, just wonderful!"

She spoke to Samantha, "You did a great job. I never thought he would turn out this good. How did you do it?"

Samantha spoke to both of them, "We have two men who come here regularly for our expertise. I am the one they feel the most comfortable with so I ended up having to do them. They are both really sweet and I have become friends with them. I wouldn't want to be married to either of them but I am glad to call them friends. One drives forty some miles to come here so you know it must mean something to him. Anyway, Gene you are welcome here anytime."

Gene said, "You can do me a favor. Maybe next time don't put me to sleep. I would like to see all you go through to make me look like this."

Samantha said, "That's a promise. I like you. You have a unique outlook on life and I would like to be able to carry on a conversation with you while I work on you." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and they paid and left.

Sue stopped a block from the beauty shop in front of a store called Cora's Dresses and Things. Sue led him in and right away picked out a couple of dresses for him to try on. He came out of the dressing room with the first dress on when a lady he guessed about fifty years old approached them. She introduced herself as Cora and asked if they needed any help. Sue told her they needed some dresses for in the house and maybe one for church and special events. Cora made some suggestions and they accepted her advice. One dress impressed Gene in how comfortable it felt on him. He mentioned it and Cora came with two more in different patterns for him to try. She mentioned that his bra didn't look like a good fit. She measured him and told them his bra was the wrong size. They ended up getting him five new bras. Sue said he needed some proper fitting shoes and Cora took them over to the shoe area. She measured his foot and got some shoes for him to try. He liked three of the flats. Sue told him he needed at least one pair of heels and Cora brought out seven pairs. He picked two pair that he liked. Sue said that was about it.

Cora said, "I have something else you probably could use. There a story to it. Jenny Washington felt a lump in her breast and was sure she was going to have a mastectomy. To be prepared I ordered a pair of breast forms. Then when they did the biopsy they found out it wasn't cancer so they didn't need to remove the breast. They are top of the line gel breast forms guaranteed to be as close to the real thing as you can find anywhere. Are you interested?"

Sue said yes and Cora went and got the breast forms. When she offered to attach them Sue quickly agreed. When they were attached Cora gave Sue the release agent and a tube of new adhesive that had come with the forms. She gave Sue all the literature that had come with them.

As Cora added up the bill Gene was aghast at how much the bill was coming to. He said to Sue that maybe they should put some of the stuff back. Sue told him he was worth it. Then Cora surprised them by telling them the breast forms were a bonus at no charge. She said she didn't know of anyone else that might need something like that so they were her present to them.

They got all the stuff in the car and were heading home when Sue said, "I am really proud of you. I knew I married the right man and today you are showing me how much you love me. I can't believe it, I just can't believe all that you are doing for me. I love you!"

Gene couldn't think of anything to say except thank you. They got home and Gene put his new clothes away After he had them put away he went into the bathroom and stood and stared at himself in the mirror. He knew how he got this way but he couldn't figure out why he had to be this way. He wondered why he hadn't protested harder or maybe absolutely refused to go along with all of this. Then he thought about Sue and his feelings melted. He knew he couldn't deny her anything. He loved her even if she had had all of this done to him. He chuckled and told himself it takes a real man to wear a dress. He was laughing to himself when he left the bathroom. Sue asked him what was so funny but he told her she wouldn't understand.

He went down and started supper. He wanted to make something special for Sue so he made her favorite meal. When they sat down to eat Sue saw it was her favorite meal.

She smiled at him and said, "How sweet, my favorite meal. Today is just one great thing after another. Thank you!"

Gene smiled at her and said, "I really don't know how I feel. I think as a man I should be ashamed of all that has happened to me but I don't feel ashamed. My feelings are all mixed up. On one hand I am proud of how nice I look and on the other I know I should detest the things that are happening to me. I don't imagine a woman would understand inasmuch as they can wear men's clothes and no one thinks they are strange. A month ago if you would have told me I would be wearing a dress today I would have laughed in your face. Now I don't know what to expect in the future. If you have any idea please tell me now so I can prepare somehow. Please!"

Sue sat looking at him for a couple of minutes then said, "Dear, my dear Gene, you are right. A month ago if someone would have told me that today you would be sitting here in a pretty dress I would have laughed at them also. Things seemed to just happen without definite planning. I am not trying to punish you by making you wear dresses. I am trying to help you accept what I see as your role here. I thought that if you dressed like a wife you could better act like one. Will you promise me one thing? Will you continue to wear the dresses for the next two weeks and try to be the wife I want and need? It means so much to me."

Gene responded, "When you put it that way I can't refuse you. One question—didn't we pay out a lot of money today for a new wardrobe for a two week trial?"

Sue grabbed quickly on it and asked, "Are you saying two weeks is too short?"

Gene said, "No, I have no idea of how long it may take to get used to all of this. When you say two weeks you say it like it is a vacation doing something different from the normal routine."

Sue changed the subject saying, "There has to be some good that you are feeling. Tell me what it is that is good about it from your standpoint."

"Well, I am simply amazed at how good I look as a woman. And I can tell you the feeling of the skirt rubbing and hitting against my legs is erotic. I like the smell of the perfume Samantha put on me. She sent a small sample bottle home with me. I'll save it for special occasions. The feel of the nylon against my skin gives me goosebumps once in awhile. I think my fingers look longer with the new nails and they look dazzling, all shiny and everything."

Sue asked , "Would you consider wearing all the stuff for a month or two?"

Gene quickly responded, "No, let's play it by ear. You said you were playing it as it goes so let's continue to do that. Tomorrow I may be the most rebellious person you ever saw and be back into my pants again. Then again I may be your loving wife, all soft and gentle."

Sue agreed to play it by ear and having finished her meal went to do the evening chores. When she finished the chores and was heading back to the house she was astounded to hear Gene humming a tune to himself as he was folding some laundry.

As soon as he saw her Gene said, "I have been thinking about this and I still don't understand why I have to wear dresses. I can do all of this wearing my pants and shirt. Can you give me one real good reason why I should continue wearing dresses?"

"Yes, I think I can. One, when you are wearing a dress you are constantly reminded that you are to do what a wife does. You can't argue with that can you? Two, I really, really love how you look in a dress. You look so feminine and sexy to me. I guess it is because I am and always have been a tom-boy. I never liked how I looked in a dress. None of them ever did anything for me. In my mind one side of a couple wears pants and the other side wears dresses. In short, you look better to me in a dress than in blue jeans. I think you look sexy. Maybe deep down inside of me there is some lesbianism, I don't know. Three, I know you are wearing them because of your deep love for me and that means more to me than any other thing you could possibly do for me. Which one of the three do you want to disagree with first?"

Gene replied, "I can't think of anything to disagree with you about. I am having a tremendous problem with myself in accepting this. It makes me feel good that I am pleasing you. You mean more to me than anything in this world!"

Sue led him into the living room and they sat on the couch and kissed. After about ten minutes she took him upstairs to get ready for bed. Once in bed they made love. All the while they were making love Sue was whispering love messages into Gene's ear. They finally fell asleep in each others arms.

The next morning after milking Sue came in and had a cup of coffee with Gene. She said, "We need some feed for the chickens and some for the calves. Do you suppose you could run into town and pick it up at the feed mill? I want to do some cultivating in the corn."

Gene agreed and after Sue left to start her project he got into the pick-up truck and headed into town. He pulled up in front of the feed mill and saw Swede Jensen sitting there with his two friends. He was apprehensive about having to walk past them but decided he had to get to the office of the feed mill.

As he approached where Swede was sitting Swede's leg shot out blocking the path. Swede said, "Well if it isn't the pervert. Should I tear that dress off of you and show you what a man does?"

With out thinking and in a flash Gene's hand flew, and before he realized what he was doing he found himself pinching Swede's Adam's apple between his thumb and finger. In a low menacing voice he said, "Should I squeeze some more? Then you may not be able to talk again. You may not be able to harass anyone any more."

There were tears in Swede's eyes from the sharp pain. He managed a little nod of his head indicating no. Gene continued, "Are you going to leave me alone after this?"

Swede nodded yes and Gene left go of his Adam's apple. Gene went into the office and gave them the slip Sue had given him. They quickly filled the order and Gene left. He noticed Swede and his friends were gone when he left.

Gene got home and left the feed in the truck because he didn't know where Sue wanted it. He took the chicken feed and poured it into the storage container which was actually a plastic garbage can with a locking cover. He went in and started lunch.

Sue came in and asked if everything went all right at the feed store. Gene assured her that everything had gone OK. Sue made small talk during lunch. She noticed Gene was only giving short answers. She asked him if everything was all right.

Gene said, "Well when I got to the feed mill Swede Jensen was sitting there on his throne. He scares me."

Sue said, "Don't worry about him. I think he is more mouth than anything else. He will never change."

Sue didn't know how wrong she was because at that instant Swede was asleep on his bed. His wife and two neighbors were making major changes in Swede. Two hours later Swede woke up. He felt different and when he went to stand up he almost fell. He looked and saw he was wearing women's heels. He bellowed for his wife. When she got there he asked her what was going on.

His wife said, "Well, it is simple. A man in a dress got the best of you, my big strong husband. So, I figure if a man in a dress is stronger and better than you that you should wear a dress. I have had enough of your ranting and raving around here. You are going to wear a dress until you apologize to that man and he accepts your apology. Then we may or may not let you wear pants again . Oh, don't bother trying to take those heels off—the only ones we could get in your size lock on the feet and I am not about to unlock them too soon. The belt you are wearing is locked also. You better talk to me better than you have been or you'll be buried in that dress. Now, the lawn needs mowing so I suggest you get busy."

Swede dejectedly went out to the garage and got the lawn mower out to mow the lawn. He quickly found out that he had to walk on his toes because the heels sunk into the ground. He saw his neighbor out in her back yard and saw her blow him a kiss. His cheeks were so red he could feel the heat. When he finished his legs were killing him. He went into the house.

His wife said, "You are just in time. I just made an appointment for you at Snips and Curls. You have to be there in fifteen minutes. You can walk there but you better hurry, they don't like people to be late. I told them what they all should do to you and that you wouldn't be any trouble. If you give them any trouble at all you will be sleeping in your dress and shoes tonight. Now get going!"

Swede started walking to the beauty parlor. He was trying to figure a way out of this. After a block and a half his legs hurt so much he couldn't think straight. Right on time he arrived at the beauty salon. Samantha took him to a chair. He felt relieved to get off of his feet. She started putting rollers in his hair.

Samantha said, "Your wife must be pretty pissed off at you to be going this far. What happened?"

Swede replied, "I had a run-in with Sue Simon's husband. My wife saw it and she drugged me and when I woke up I was wearing a dress. She says I have to wear it until Sue's husband accepts my apology. I don't know what to do."

Samantha said, "You know what they say-'never cross a woman, you never know what their revenge will be'. Just take things as they go. Try to go with the flow. I'll be honest with you. A lot of people here don't like you. You have scared a lot of people. Now not many people are going to be scared of a man in a dress. Try to be polite with them no matter what. When you would like to lash out at them just smile instead. It is hard to argue with a smile."

Swede did some serious thinking as Samantha worked on him. He knew she was right as much as he wished she wasn't. She finished painting the ultra long nails on his fingers as the last thing to be done. Swede looked in the mirror and saw a man trying to look like a woman. He didn't realize how good a job Samantha had done on him. He also didn't realize that by the time Samantha was done with him the whole town knew what had happened at the feed mill and what had happened to him as a result.

When he walked out of the salon the Sheriff was parked right there. The sheriff said, "Well, Swede, is this the new look? I heard what happened at the feed mill. Anything you want to tell me about it?"

Swede said there wasn't anything to say about it. The sheriff smiled and tipped his hat to Swede. Swede started walking home. When he got home his wife handed him a short list of things to get at the grocery store. She told him it was only a five block walk and it was such a nice day for a walk. She handed him a purse and told him the matching wallet was inside. He was very red in the face when he left for the store.

His wife then called the two neighbors who had helped her transform Swede and told them how she had him parading around town. They all had a good laugh and his wife knew she had done the right thing.

As Swede was checking out at the store, the bagger asked, "Do you want paper or plastic, Ma'am?"

Swede blushed and told him plastic. The cashier gave him his change, smiled and said, "Come again, Ma'am." Swede was glad to get out of there. By the time he got home he pleaded with his wife to take the shoes off. She told him no, that it was good for him to keep them on.

 

Gene was putting the supper on the table when Sue walked in. She said, "I am amazed at how good your timing is for the meals. How do you do it?"

Gene explained how he watched her out the window and how he could tell when she was ready to come in. They were eating when they heard a car outside. There was a knock at the door and Gene went to answer it. It was the sheriff. Gene immediately thought about his confrontation with Swede and thought the sheriff was going to arrest him. He invited the sheriff in.

The sheriff said, "Well, I just thought I would stop and congratulate the hero."

Sue asked, "What hero? What's this all about?"

The sheriff said, "Didn't your husband tell you he had a misunderstanding with Swede Jensen?"

Sue said, "No, he never said a word. What happened?"

The sheriff said, "From what I heard your husband got the best of Swede. He had Swede with tears in his eyes . He gave Swede a taste of his own medicine. Swede's wife took over from there and made some changes in Swede. I don't want to spoil the surprise so I won't tell you what changes."

Sue asked Gene, "Why didn't you tell about this?"

Gene said, "I am ashamed that I lost my temper with him. He really isn't worth it."

The sheriff said, "Well, worth it or not, you are a hero in town. The whole town is talking about it. They love what happened and I am sure some of them think it is a prayer answered. I just wanted to come and tell you thank you. I know Swede has done some bad things but everyone was afraid to testify against him. I don't think we will have that problem in the future. I must be going now."

The sheriff left and Gene had to tell all what happened. Sue was proud of her husband. Just as they were finishing her mother came by. Her mother told Gene she was proud of him. She said she never thought it possible for him to do something like that. Gene agreed and said he didn't really know how it happened but that it just did. Her mother said it takes a real man to wear a dress and that he was more man in a dress than when he was wearing pants. Gene felt proud and Sue knew her mother was right. Sue excused herself to go do the milking and her mother stayed to talk to Gene.

"Do you really mind having to wear dresses?" she asked.

"Yes and no. I sometimes think about going and putting some pants on. Then there are the times I enjoy the feeling of the skirts about my legs. I take consolation in knowing it is what Sue wants and she is the center of my universe. I am afraid of what other people think of me. Your husband hasn't seen me yet in a dress and I am afraid of what he will think or say when he sees me. I think he thinks his daughter married a man not a man in a dress."

Sue's mom said, "Sue's father isn't a problem. I haven't told him you wear dresses yet. One thing I do know is that he loves his daughter more than anything in the world. Anything that makes her happy makes him happy. He adores her. Some times I think he loves her more than me. But I know he loves me so I am not worried. I love you because of all you are doing for my daughter. It is important to me that she is happy and you make her happy."

Sue's mom finished with some small talk and left. Half an hour later Sue came in from the barn.

She said, "How's my hero? You should have told about Swede when I came in for lunch. Why didn't you?"

"Well, I was going to but I was ashamed that I had lost my temper and sunk to his level. To tell the truth when the sheriff came I thought he was coming to arrest me. I never in my wildest dreams thought he would be congratulating me. A person never knows how something will turn out. If you would have told me when we got married that some day I would be putting make-up on and wearing it for you I would never have believed it."

"Well, you don't have to be ashamed of anything. What happened happened, only time will tell what the end result will be."

They heard a car in the driveway. There was a knock on the door. It was Samantha from Snips and Curls.

Samantha said, "You are the new town hero. I know its late but I was in the area and decided to stop in. I know the whole town thanks you for what you did. I want to tell you your next appointment is on the house. I don't ever remember anything that has stirred up so much conversation in this area."

Gene blushed at the compliment and they made some small talk then Samantha left. Sue kissed him and told him it sounded like everyone was proud of what he had done. They went to bed and slept soundly.

Three days later Sue sent him to the feed mill again. He was afraid of running into Swede again. When he pulled up in front he glanced at where Swede normally sat. All he saw was a woman sitting there. He didn't look close at her. As he was walking past her she reached out and took his arm. He looked at the person sitting there and recognized Swede.

"I have to talk to you. I want to tell you how sorry I am for how I treated you. Will you accept my apology for what happened. I will promise you I will never say or do anything to upset you again. I'll do anything for you to accept my apology." Swede said with humility.

Gene thought for a minute about every time he had seen Swede. He was still upset with all that had happened, then thought about how Swede could prove he was really sorry.

Gene said, "I think you are sorry but I don't know if you are sorry for the right reasons. I can't accept your apology now but there is one thing you can do to make me know you really mean your apology."

Swede told him he would do anything to show Gene that he was serious about his apology.

"You say you will do anything to show me you are serious about your apology. I'll tell you what, you get yourself a real dark bikini tan, one where the bikini outline really stands out, then maybe I'll believe you. I want to see one that takes at least a couple of weeks of everyday sunbathing to achieve. What do you say?"

Swede agreed, knowing it would be embarrassing to him. Swede told him thank you and Gene went to get the order filled. He returned home where Sue met him as soon as he got out of the truck. She asked him if everything went all right. He assured her that everything was fine. She asked if he had seen Swede.

Gene said, "I not only saw him I talked to him. He wanted to apologize to me, but I didn't accept his apology. Guess what, he was wearing a dress. I don't know why, he didn't say why, but it gave me something to grab a hold of. I told him I might accept his apology if he got a real good bikini tan, one where the marks really show. I told him it had to be one that took at least a couple of weeks of sunbathing every day to get. I don't know where that idea came from but that is what I told him."

Sue kissed her husband and said, "You know you are a riot. That is something only a woman would think of."

Gene kissed her back and smiled. Sue continued, "What did his dress look like? Was it prettier than yours?"

Gene told her he really didn't notice what it looked like. He said it would probably take Swede a couple of days to get up enough courage to even start thinking about the bikini tan so they probably have three weeks of quiet of not having to worry about confrontations with Swede.

Gene didn't know how wrong he was about Swede. Swede went home and told his wife what Gene had said. She immediately accompanied Swede to Cora's Dress Shop for him to get a bikini. Cora didn't have one that would fit him but measured him and told them she would have one the following morning. Swede could feel the redness in his cheeks the whole time they were there. Cora told him to be there the next morning at nine when she opened as there would be less likely to any other customers there. Swede was happy to hear that.

The next morning Swede and his wife were there when Cora unlocked the door. Cora showed them the bright yellow, red and blue bikini. She sent Swede into the changing area to put it on so she could see how it fit. He went in and put it on. When he walked out for Cora and his wife to see it he was surprised to see four other women there. The women openly laughed at him. He smiled at them and said, "Don't you think it is a great fit?" His wife was shocked at her husbands behavior. Swede was happy that the laughing stopped as soon as he had said that. He changed back into his dress and they left for home. Once home he asked his wife how he could get the fastest tan. She gave him some tanning lotion that was guaranteed to give a person a fast tan. He went outside to sun himself.

Gene and Sue found themselves more in love as the days went by. Gene came to accept the role Sue had laid out for him. He was continually amazed at how nice people were to him even when they knew he was a man in a dress. The further along they went the more of a standard schedule they fell into. Gene knew Wednesdays he would be going into town to the feed mill. Three weeks after he had turned down Swede's apology he again found himself facing Swede.

Swede said, "I have something to show you." Swede pulled to elasticized top of the blouse he was wearing down to reveal the very definite bikini tan lines. "I want you to know I meant it when I apologized before and I mean it now. It was awful what I said and I am sorry. Please forgive me!"

Gene told him he was forgiven and saw a tear in Swede's eye. Swede put his hand on Gene's shoulder and told him he wasn't such a bad guy after all. They both laughed. Gene got the order and returned home. He felt pretty good about everything.

As they were eating lunch Gene told Sue about all that had taken place between Swede and him. Then he shocked Sue by saying, "I thought about putting a pair of jeans on today, then decided that I would rather wear this dress for you. I guess what I am saying is that I don't mind wearing what you want me to wear any more. I have made some great friends while wearing a dress and now I can't remember what wearing pants feels like any more. In short I am saying it doesn't matter who wears the pants in a relationship as long as the love is there to carry them through."

Sue was smiling and said, "Dear, you are one in a million. I don't know what I ever did to get you as my partner, my lover, my hero."

They didn't finish lunch. They went upstairs and in a primeval act consummated their love for one another.

Meanwhile, Swede was having lunch with his wife. Swede told her about his encounter with Gene and how they were now friends or well on the way to being friends. Swede's wife told him she was proud of him and handed him the keys to the shoes and belt.

She said, "Here are the keys. You can go change after lunch. I dearly hope you have learned something from all of this. You have become a caring human being. I would hope you would continue to be that way."

Swede said, "One thing I have noticed is that people are so nice to me now. Even some of the people that I know hated me before. Even Gene has agreed to go with me shopping to that new mall they built. I hear there are a lot of dress shops there. Do you think I can stay the way I am now and not have people think I am nuts?"

His wife told him people never think anyone who shows care for someone else is nuts. She got up from her chair and went to Swede and gently kissed him. He knew no matter what he wore he was going to be a better person.

  

  

  

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