My Summer in Pantyhose

by Jeremy Chandler

Chapter 4

 

Bright and early Monday morning I was in the car with my mother on the way to my grandmother's house. She was dressed for her day in the office--dress, heels, and hose--while I was dressed for my day with grandmother--t-shirt, baggy shorts, suntan hose, socks, and sneakers. The night before I had shaved my legs again and they were looking silky smooth in my nylons. I was actually starting to like and appreciate this new look for my legs. Even though only my knees and shins were visible, I found myself admiring my legs. My mother noticed as well.

"Like the way your legs look sweetie?"

"Oh, uh, yeah." I focused on the road and the houses.

My mother chuckled. "They do look very nice. I think a lot of women would be jealous of them. Are you wearing Sheer Energy?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"I thought so. The light support will help to keep your legs healthy."

My mother pulled into my grandmother's driveway and let me out. "I'll be back for you a little after 5:00. Bye."

I walked to the front door with my backpack hanging from my shoulder. I was going to be reading a lot of books this summer. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Grandmother did make great chocolate chip cookies and a diet of peanut butter sandwiches gets old fast.

My grandmother gave me a hug and ushered me into her living room. "Make yourself at home. I'll be off the phone with Gladys in a bit."

I took my shoes and socks off and left them at the door before laying on the couch and delving into my computer gaming magazine. When my grandmother is on the phone, "a bit" usually means an hour or more, especially when talking to friends or family. I rubbed my feet together and over my legs as I read. This was a strange habit I was developing but the sensation of nylon against nylon on my skin was exquisite.

From the dining room I could hear bits of the conversation which I easily ignored until I heard my name.

"Yes, Jamie will be staying with me everyday his mother is at work."

"I think so, all summer."

"No, I'll just have someone with me all the time. It's been awhile since I've had someone tagging along."

"I'm sure he'll get used to it soon enough."

"Really, half-price on Wednesday. I'll have to call Cheryl and change my appointment."

"Oh I'll let her know the intelligence came from you."

The conversation drifted off to something else so I quit paying attention. I wondered what the appointment on Wednesday was all about. I realized that I had no clue what my grandmother did on a daily basis. Where would we be going. But, I reassured myself, it's not likely I would meet anyone from school, just other old people.

My grandmother came into the living room eventually, sat down in a recliner, and started crocheting. She had draws full of afghans.

"I thought we might bake some cookies this afternoon. Does that sound fun?"

"Yeah. I never pass up cookies." My grandmother always talked to me as if I were two or three years younger. Maybe that would change by the end of the summer. We ought to know each other a lot better by then.

"If you don't want to talk about it I understand but how are you feeling about wearing nylons?"

I put my magazine down and sat upright. I decided honesty was best. "It depends on the situation really. Sometimes I really like wearing them. They're so comfortable. Sometimes I forget I'm wearing them. And there are times when I don't like wearing them. I'm kind of worried about other people noticing and the word getting out. I guess I don't know what to think."

"I think you'll find that most people don't care what you're wearing. What's important is that you are true to who you are. People worth knowing will see and respect that."

"I know, but Julie has been telling some of her friends."

"Were they mean to you?"

"No, not really. Just a little teasing."

"That will get old for them soon. It's best to confront your fears head on."

"Do you like wearing hose?" I don't know if I've ever seen my grandmother without them.

My grandmother chuckled. "At my age I don't have much choice. I have to wear support hose to help with my circulation."

"My mom said this morning that they were healthy for my legs."

"Yes, they certainly can be if you're wearing light support." My grandmother stood up and headed for the kitchen. "I better make sure we have everything we need for those cookies."

Grandmothers, at least mine, always had a way of making you feel more secure about anything.

"Jamie," she called from the kitchen. "You need to get your shoes on. We're out of chips and nuts."

We were going to the store. I was going to the grocery store wearing pantyhose and shorts.

"I can just stay here," I suggested.

"No, we might as well get some groceries for the week. You can help."

Twenty minutes later I was following my grandmother up and down the aisles of the local grocery store. I put the heavier stuff into the cart and reached items on higher shelves. I was certain that everyone would notice my hose but remarkably enough, no one seemed to notice me. The rest of the day passed without incident. Tuesday was much the same, I read my books and magazines and talked to my grandmother. I told my mother and sister that it wasn't bad spending so much time with my grandmother. As for wearing hose, I was becoming more and more used to it and as I relaxed, I enjoyed the sensation of nylon against my skin all the more.

Wednesday started out the same as Monday and Tuesday. My mother dropped me off and I settled myself on the couch. Thirty minutes later my grandmother announced that we were going out. "I have a hair appointment at Cheryl's salon this morning," she said. "Perms are half-priced today." Cheryl was Gladys's daughter. I put my shoes and socks back on and tucked a couple magazines under my arm. I figured they would only have hair-care and women's magazines.

I stood behind my grandmother as the pretty receptionist took my grandmother's name. "Have a seat Mrs. Clark. Suzie will be with you in 5." The receptionist smiled at me as my grandmother moved toward a chair. "And your name?" the girl asked me.

"Oh, uh, I'm just here with my grandmother."

"It's Jamie. Jamie Stewart," my grandmother stated.

"Oh yes, you're down for a manicure and pedicure. Lisa will be with you shortly."

What?! For a moment I couldn't speak or move. I looked at the receptionist dumbly. She smiled back at me. "You can have a seat. Lisa isn't quite ready for you."

"Over here Jamie." My grandmother motioned me to a seat next to her.

I sat down, still in disbelief. "What's going on?"

"They're having a sale today and your mother and I thought you might benefit from a manicure and pedicure."

"Why?"

"Just enjoy it," my grandmother said then whispered. "You'll be much less likely to snag your hose when they finish with you."

I stared at the floor. There were two other women waiting but I didn't dare look at them. After a few minutes Lisa came forward and asked for Jamie. My grandmother smiled and told me to go ahead. Lisa smiled and led me back to her station where she told me to sit down then looked at each of my hands.

"Have you ever had a manicure?"

"No," I answered shaking my head. "I didn't even know I was going to get one."

"Don't worry. Your nails will thank you when we're done. It's an unbeatable price today."

I tensed when she started working on my hand. "Don't worry," she said. "I promise I won't cut you with the clippers. Just relax."

After I calmed down I realized this wasn't so bad having an attractive woman holding my hand. Lisa had dark brown hair cropped just above her shoulders. She smiled at me periodically as she worked and asked me questions about which school I attended and what I planned for the summer. I noticed my grandmother in a chair having her hair permed.

"Okay," said Lisa after she had finished with my left hand. "Let's try some clear polish."

"I don't need any polish."

"It's not visible," she answered. "And it will make your nails stronger."

I watched as she began applying the polish to my nails which had been carefully clipped and shaped.

"Hi Jamie."

I looked up to see Nikki, a girl from my class at school, taking a seat next to me. We had been going to school together since 1^st grade so we knew each other and talked from time to time, particularly when she needed help with math or science, but I wouldn't say we were close friends.

"Getting your nails done?" she asked.

"Just a manicure," I answered. "I've never had one before."

I noticed Lisa smiling as she worked. The stylist with Nikki started removing the red polish from her nails.

"Don't take me wrong," said Nikki. "More boys should get them. Most boys have such ugly looking hands."

I was certain I was the only boy in my class getting one. Fortunately Nikki and her stylist started gossiping and left me alone.

"Okay," said Lisa when she had finished with my right hand. "Do those look better?"

I had to admit that her work was an improvement although my hands now looked slightly feminine and the nails shined a bit in the light.

"Let me see?" said Nikki. Her stylist was painting a new coat of dark red on Nikki's nails. She did always have beautiful looking hands.

I held out my hands for her to see. "Ooooh. Very nice Jamie."

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"Time for your pedicure," said Lisa. "You'll need to take your shoes and socks off."

"Maybe we can do the pedicure at another time?"

"Your grandmother is nowhere near done Jamie."

I saw my grandmother sitting in a chair with some sort of bag over her hair.

"Are you wearing nylons?" Lisa asked.

"Um, yeah," I mumbled.

"Oh, I see. There's a restroom at the back. You can go there to change."

"Okay, thanks." As I headed for the back I noticed Nikki grinning at me. I felt her watching me the whole time I was walking to the restrooms. After changing, I walked back barefoot, carrying my shoes with my hose and stocks stuffed inside. Nikki was still grinning at me so I tried to ignore her.

"When did you start wearing nylons?" asked Nikki.

There was no way I was going to get out of this conversation so I decided to respond with the shortest phrases possible and avoid eye contact with her. "This summer," I answered. I kept my eyes focused on Lisa and her progress with my toenails.

"Stockings or pantyhose?"

"Hose." I couldn't bring myself to use the word panty.

"A lot of men wear hose for leg support," Lisa added. She smiled at me then returned to her work.

"Really? I guess sheer energy can help boys too. Is that why you wear Jamie?"

"Something like that."

Nikki's stylist mercifully finished with her manicure and Nikki stood up to leave. "See you later Jamie."

I said goodbye and she left.

"Is she a friend of yours?" asked Lisa.

"She's in my class at school."

She's going to tell everyone she knows, I thought. Maybe I should call her and ask her not to tell anyone. Then she would blackmail me. Crap, why did Nikki have to come in today. Maybe no one would believe her? Did she hang out with Megan? I couldn't remember.

"Would you like clear polish or a little color for your toes?"

"Clear," I snapped.

 

to be continued

  

  

  

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