Sister, Sister, Sister

by Missy Crystal

  

Beth and Susie hurried outside, but I hesitated. What if one of the neighbours saw me dressed up in girl's clothes? I poked my head out the door, looked up and down the street, and hurried down the walk as fast as I could in my jumper and heels.

"My goodness, Jenny," said Mom. "What on earth are you doing?"

"C'mon Mom. Lets get going!"

Beth and Susie had climbed in back, leaving the front seat for me.

"Could I switch places with Beth, please," I said softly.

"No. You are being a silly girl," Mom responded. "The best way to bring attention to yourself is behaving like you have something to hide. Just act like a girl and people will believe you're a girl."

"Well, that's easy for you to say, Mom. But how do I act like a like a girl when I don't know how a girl acts?"

"I know it's going to take time, Jenny, but you'll catch on. For starters, skirts and dresses are not made for running. You need to walk slowly and take small steps. Girls spend a lot of time on their appearance and they want to be seen when they go out. Now let's not waste any more time."

The car door was open and I started to climb in.

"Stop!" said Mom. "What do you think you're doing young lady?"

"Getting in the car like you said."

"I don't think so. Not like that. The proper way when you're wearing a skirt or dress is to turn with your back to the seat, sit down, then put your knees together and swivel around, so you don't flash your panties to the whole world. Now try it again, please."

I stepped back out, turned around and started to sit.

"Stop!" said Mom.

"Geez, what now?" I complained.

"Well, first of all, young ladies don't say, 'Geez.' Second, of all, you need to put your hands behind you and smooth your skirt, so it doesn't bunch up and get wrinkled when you sit. Now try it again."

I did as Mom directed and managed to get myself seated.

"Very good," said Mom.

She started the car and drove off. The mall was about twenty minutes from our house, so there was time for us to talk.

"Mom," said Beth. "If Jenny is going to be sharing my panties, then I will need some more."

"You're right, Beth, Jenny needs panties," replied Mom, "but considering Jenny's, umm, well, umm, 'difference', I think it would be better if you and she had your own."

"Well then, since I wear them every day, I should give Jenny some of my old panties and get new ones."

"I agree," said Mom. "It's Jenny's birthday, so she may pick out something pretty as a present from all of us. You can also pick out something pretty to replace the panties Jenny is wearing. Then I will buy you a packages of less expensive every day panties and you can give Jenny some of your old ones. How does that sound girls?"

"Great Mom," Beth said.

"Whatever you and Beth want to do is okay with me," I said.

"I'm glad that's settled, because we're here," announced Mom as she pulled into a parking space near the mall entrance. "Let's get going girls, we don't have much time to shop, the mall closes in about two hours."

I opened the door and caught Mom watching me. I figured that she was waiting to see if I had learned my lesson about how to get in and out of cars. I guessed that the proper way to get out was the reverse of how I got in, so I put my knees together, swung my legs out and then stood up.

"Very good, Jenny. Just one more thing"

What's that Mom?" I asked.

"Girl's are always fussing with their clothes. After you stand up, you should smooth out your skirt and straighten your jumper. Oh, another thing. Girls are always primping. You know what I mean, brushing their hair or putting on lipstick. We can't resist checking our appearance when we see a mirror or our reflection in a window."

"Thanks for the advice, Mom. I'll try to remember."

We reached the revolving glass door. Mom took Susie's hand and went through. Then I started to go through and Beth squeezed in with me. We kept bumping into each other as the door rotated and finally came stumbling out the other side. Beth thought it was really funny.

"Sis, please don't do anything to embarrass me or draw attention to us. This is hard enough for me as it is. I'd die if anyone knew it was me."

"I'm sorry," Beth replied. "I wasn't thinking. My girlfriends and I goof around like that all the time." She took my hand and started walking towards Mom and Susie, who had stopped to wait for us. I hesitated.

"Now what's the matter?" she asked.

"You're holding my hand. People will stare."

"Jenny, really!" exclaimed Beth. Girls hold hands or go arm-in-arm all the time. It's perfectly natural."

Mom and Susie had started walking again and we caught up with them at the entrance to the big department store. I had no idea where we were going, but Beth and Susie headed straight for a sign that said 'Girls and Juniors.' Since Beth was still holding my hand, I followed along.

"Alright girls," Mom said, looking at Beth and me. "You two go pick out your panties while I take Susie over to look at shoes. Have fun."

"C'mon Jenny. Let's start over there," said Beth, pointing to a rack of panties.

We walked over and she took down a pair. They were black nylon with beige lace covering the front. Beth showed me the tag.

"See, Jenny, they're designer. Aren't they beautiful. I'll bet there's a matching top around here someplace. Yup, here it is. See, the same beige lace on the front and the thin straps. They're called 'spaghetti straps'. Oh my gawd! Look at the price! Mom would have a stroke if we asked her to buy these." She put the panties and top back and walked over to another rack. "What about these," she said, pointing to a pink satiny looking pair. She took them off the rack and held them up to her waist. "What do you think? They're not designer, but they're pretty."

"I don't know, Beth," I said. "There are hundreds of different pairs. You could spend a whole day here looking at them. How do you know what to buy?"

"Well," she explained, "when you're a little girl you mommy picks them out for you. Mostly cotton ones in pastel colors with cute little designs and some nylon ones for when you get dressed up. Actually, Mom bought the pink nylon panties you have on now for my party dress that you were wearing. Then, as you grow up, you try different styles and decide what you like. See these here. They're regular briefs. The legs come down below your hips and the waist is above your hips. They're comfortable, but kind of old fashioned and most girls don't wear them unless they're having their period and need to wear a pad."

"Beth, will you stop with the period stuff. I'm not going to have a period and I don't need to know about it, okay?"

"I'm sorry, Jenny, I didn't mean to gross you out. But some of my friends are getting their periods and I should be getting mine soon, so it's something we girls talk about a lot."

"I'm flattered, I guess," I said apologetically.

Beth went on. "See these panties here. She pointed to an aqua pair with lace trim around the legs and waistband similar to the ones I was wearing. "The leg openings come up to below your hips and they're called 'high cut.' Then there are these," she said, picking up a powder blue pair that looked smaller. "They sit on your hips, so they're called 'hip huggers'. And these," she said, picking up an even smaller pair, "are bikinis. They just about cover your, well, you know what, but they're very sexy," she said with a giggle.

Then Beth gave me a little push towards another rack. She held up a pair of lacy white panties. "See," she said, as she pulled on the material. "They stretch, so they fit any figure. Even yours," she giggled. "And there's a matching crop top. I really want a set. If you get them too, we can be twins. What do you say?"

"Sounds good to me, but we'd better decide quickly. I see Mom and Susie heading this way. What color should we get? I like the black."

"The black is pretty," agreed Beth. "But it's not very practical. You can't wear black panties under light colored clothes, they show through. How about the beige, they're pretty too."

"Fine with me."

Beth took down two pairs of the lacy panties and two of the tops and walked over to meet Mom. I followed her. Mom took the panties and tops from Beth and looked them over.

"You and Jenny are getting matching sets. I can't wait to see you in them. They're really cute."

"Mom, that's not fair," Susie complained. "They're getting presents and I'm not."

Mom stopped to think, then she said, "I still have to pick up some packaged panties for Beth and pay for everything. Why don't you girls go across the way to the accessory store and pick out a pair of earrings for Susie as her present. I'll meet you there in a few minutes."

Susie grabbed my hand and started pulling me towards the exit. "C'mon Jenny, lets hurry," she said excitedly. "You spent lots of time shopping with Beth, now it's my turn."

I couldn't believe it. My little sister wanted me to shop with her. Beth tagged along behind us. I looked around nervously to see if anyone was looking at me. Beth patted my on the back reassuringly.

"Relax, Sis," she said. "Mom is right. Nobody will recognize my pretty cousin Jenny as my nerdy brother Johnny."

"Thank you for saying I'm pretty; but remind me to tell Johnny that you called him a nerd when I see him."

Susie was too intent on getting to the accessory store to listen to our conversation, but Beth laughed.

"I am not so sure that under the circumstances Johnny wants to make his big sister mad at him," she said.

"Beth, you wouldn't. You promised. I trusted you."

She quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, Jenny. It was a mean thing to say. I love my sisters and I would never, ever do anything to hurt them. Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."

By then we had reached the store. It was called 'Earrings and Things'. We went inside. There was a whole wall of earrings, dozens of racks with dangling necklaces and bracelets, display cases full of rings and jewelry and another whole wall of hair stuff.

Just like the department store, Beth and Susie knew exactly where to go.

"Over here, Jenny," Susie called to me.

We were so into looking at earrings that we didn't notice Mom come in. It was only when I heard her call my name that I turned around and saw her talking to a woman at the back of the store. Mom motioned for me to come. When I got to her, Mom pointed to a stool and said, "Please sit down so Kelly can measure you."

I had not idea what she was talking about, but I was in no position to argue. I looked over and saw Mom was watching me. I remembered what she said about how girls sit, so I reached behind me with both hands and smoothed my skirt. Then I slowly sat down and crossed my ankles. Mom smiled and nodded at me.

"Look straight ahead and don't move," Kelly told me.

I heard her tear open a package and then felt something wet and cold rubbing my earlobe. Then I felt something make a dot. Kelly moved around behind me and did the same to my other ear. She went back and forth twice more.

"Okay, Patty," she called to someone out of my sight. "We're ready."

I could see a young woman coming over to us.

"Here you go," she said to Kelly, handing her one of the things she was carrying.

I could feel Kelly and Patty pressing something against my earlobes, but still had no idea what was going on.

"Ready Patty?" Kelly asked.

"Yes, ready," replied Patty.

"One, two, three," called out Kelly.

I heard clicks and felt a sting in my ear lobes. Mom had moved in front of me and had her hands on my shoulders. I jumped, but she held me down.

"Ouch," I said. "That hurt. What are you doing to me?"

"It's all over, sweetie," Kelly said. "Your ears are pierced and your pretty new studs are in. We just need to put on the backs so they won't fall out. Just hold still for a minute. This won't hurt at all."

Mom was still standing in front of me. She had let go of my shoulders and was smiling.

"Now all my daughters have pretty pierced ears. Beth, Susie, come over her and see your sister's pierced ears.

I heard Beth squeal. "Jenny has pierced ears?"

She and Susie ran over and looked.

"Now you're just like us, Jenny," Susie said. "Do you want to wear my new earrings?"

"That's very sweet of you, Susie, to want to share with your sister, but not yet," said Mom. "She has to keep the studs in until the holes heal up."

"See, Jenny," Kelly said, handing me a mirror. "Men don't appreciate how much pain we girls have to go through to look beautiful."

"I do," I said.

Mom and Beth started to laugh.

Kelly had a puzzled look on her face. Luckily, she didn't get the joke. Then she said, "Our special piercing package comes with two pairs of earrings off the sale rack, so why don't you girls go help Jenny pick them out."

"That's a good idea," said Mom. "I'll pay and then we have one more stop. Hurry, I want to get there before the mall closes in a half hour. Susie, did you find some earrings for your present?"

"Yes, Mommy," said Susie. She handed her a pair of little hoops with a dangling heart.

We picked out a pair of small hoops, which Beth assured me would go with "everything" and a pair of pearl studs for when I got "dressed up." Mom paid the salesgirl, we all said, "Thank you," and walked outside. When we were a little ways from the store, I turned to Mom.

"Mom, it's not that I don't appreciate your getting my ears pierced, but what were you thinking? I have to go to school on Monday and when the guys get a look at my earrings, they will call me a sissy and probably beat the crap out of me!"

"Young ladies don't say 'crap,' Jenny. Beth giggled, because of course she did. And don't worry," Mom said reassuringly. "You can take the studs out in the morning before you leave for school. The holes won't close up if you leave them out for a few hours. Your hair covers your ears and I can even put on a dab of make-up to cover the holes. Nobody will know."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Mom had Susie's hand and Beth took my arm. We kept walking until we reached a store called, "Mr. Kenneth's Mall Salon." Mom stopped and opened the door. We trooped in behind her. She walked up to the woman at the desk and said politely, "I know it's late, but is it possible to get a trim for my daughter?"

I assumed she meant Susie or Beth.

The woman told Mom that she thought that all of the hairdressers had already closed up their stations, but to wait and she would see. After a few minutes, she returned with a small man. I'm not much good at guessing the ages of adults, but he looked younger than Mom. He was dressed in a black long sleeved shirt, buttoned at the cuffs and neck, and black pants. His light blonde hair was very short. He had a tiny mustache and a large diamond earring in one ear.

"Good evening, ladies. I am Mr. Kenneth. He looked at Mom. I understand that you want a trim for one of your daughters? I'm sorry, but we're getting ready to close. If you would like to make an appointment ... ." Then he stopped and walked over to me. "Is this your daughter that needs a trim?" he asked

"Yes," said Mom. I'm afraid Jenny has gotten rather shaggy since her last haircut. I was hoping you could even it up a little."

Mr. Kenneth continued to study me. He put his hand on my chin and tilted my head up and down and from side to side. Then he walked around behind me. I was getting very nervous. Finally, he said to Mom, "Come with me."

We followed Mr. Kenneth into a room and he closed the door.

"This is our spa room. Everyone is gone except for Ellen, the receptionist, but I think that it is best if we keep this private," he said. "Jenny is a very lucky boy to have such an understanding mother and sisters," he remarked.

Mom was startled. "How did you know?" she asked him.

"Really Madam," Mr. Kenneth replied indignantly. "You can fool most people about a person's sex, but not a hairdresser. I spend all day looking at heads and I can tell a boy when I see one, no matter how pretty he looks." Then he sighed. "I wish my mother had let me dress up when I was young. But no matter. Jenny is obviously special and I will take very good care of... ," he paused dramatically, "... her."

"Jenny, please sit in the chair." He walked over to a cabinet and took out a white towel which he wrapped around my neck and then put a plastic cape over me and fastened it in back. Then he picked up a bottle and began to spray water on my hair until it was dripping wet.

"Mom," I said nervously. "I'm not so sure this is such a good idea. I mean, you said I could take out the earrings and nobody would know; but if I go back to school with a girl's haircut, they really will call me a sissy and beat me up."

Mr. Kenneth spoke up. "Don't worry Jenny. I have many mothers who bring their sons and daughters in for unisex cuts. They are very stylish, which the boys like, and easy to care for, which the girls and their mothers like. When you are en femme... ." He paused when he saw my blank expression. "I'm sorry, Jenny. I forgot you are new to this. En femme is French. It means when you are dressed as a girl. Anyway, you can add a headband, a barrette or a hair clip and make it look very feminine. Then when you are en drab, that means dressed in your boy's clothes, you can brush it back off your face and look masculine."

"Thank you for making me feel better, Mr. Kenneth," I replied. "Whatever you think is best is fine with me," I said with a little smile.

Mr. Kenneth smiled back at me. He picked up a comb and started to fuss with my hair. Then he took a pair of scissors and began to snip here and there, measuring with the comb, lifting up little sections, holding them between his fingers and trimming them. Finally, he stepped back and turned to my mother.

"You see, Madam, I have shaped and trimmed her hair and layered it on the sides. It is more than I usually do for a unisex cut, but whoever cut her hair before should have been a butcher and not a barber. When her hair grows out, I can do more, but for now, to create a soft, feminine look, you should blow it out and use a styling brush. You do have a styling brush?" He looked at Mom's hair and then over at Beth and Susie. "Obviously not!"

I could see Mom frown and begin to say something, but he cut her off. "You must come back with Jenny in two weeks and Mr. Kenneth will make you all gorgeous." He gave Mom a big smile. Mom's expression changed to a smile and Beth and Susie were clapping their hands in delight at the thought of having a real salon styling. Mr. Kenneth picked up a hair dryer and turned to me. "Watch what I do, Jenny, so you can do it yourself." As he moved the dryer over my head, he gently wrapped the hair around the brush, drew it out and let it slide off. He handed me the brush. "You try it."

The most I had ever done with my hair was run a comb through it when Mom made me get dressed up. I took the brush and looked in the mirror as I tried to copy what Mr. Kenneth had done. He held the dryer for me and after a few attempts he nodded with approval.

"Yes, yes, Jenny, very good. Keep it up. A girl's hair is her most important feature. Even the best cut will not look good if you do not take the time to style it. Here, try holding the dryer."

Mr. Kenneth kept walking around and looking as I continued to use the dryer and brush. Finally, he said, "There, that is enough for now." I started to put the brush on the counter. He stopped me. "Please, keep it as a present from me."

Mom looked at her watch. "Oh, Mr. Kenneth, I am so sorry that we kept you after closing time." She took out her wallet and handed him a credit card.

"What is this, Madam?" Mr. Kenneth said indignantly. "There is no charge for Jenny. It is my pleasure and it will be my pleasure to do her beautiful sisters too." Then he gave Mom a big grin. "Their mother is hopeless, I think, but we shall see if Mr. Kenneth can do the impossible."

It had been a long time since I saw Mom become emotional, but she threw her arms around Mr. Kenneth and gave him a big hug. Beth and Susie ran over and joined in. So did I. The man was obviously caught by surprise. When we untangled, he led us to the back door, which went directly to the parking lot. We waved goodbye and headed for our car. It was almost ten o'clock and we were all tired.

As we drove home, Mom said, "I have not had so much fun in years. Tomorrow is Sunday. What would you girls like to do?"

 

TO BE CONTINUED

  

  

  

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