Tea For Two Families

by Sydney Michelle

 

Part Two

 

As Angela began to clear the table, Vicky followed Beth down the hall. The cheerful sounds of the children announced that they were not yet settling down to play in the cool room on the hot day.

Vicky glanced at her friend as they neared the open doorway. The pleats of Beth's peach dress swayed gently back and forth, crisp and precise just above the swell of her calves, accentuated by the height of the heels on her open toed, sling strap matching shoes. Every strand of her strawberry blonde hair was in place, a diagonal French Roll leading up to a clutch of thick barrel curls centered slightly to the right of her crown. Two enameled bracelets graced her right wrist, a thin gold watch her left, the single strand of pearls hanging lightly on her nape. By all appearances, Beth was past any lingering effects of her light depression from her divorce. Between caring for Fredricka and Alexandra and getting her business, Cumberland Tours, thriving, she had had little time to mope.

An image flashed through Vicky's mind's eye of Bill's astonished face when she had walked through the hotel door only to find him with two blonde groupies en deshabille. She had meant to surprise him with an early arrival for his birthday, only to be surprised tp find him in his birthday suit. His premature birthday party had ended abruptly, and with adultery as grounds, she had had no trouble getting the house, the cars, a cash settlement that would leave him in hock for years, and most importantly, the children.

Inspired by one of his favorite songs, Bill had insisted on naming Carol "Sue," not that he had expected his son to be raised in petticoats and curls. Vicky smiled at the thought of how easy it had been to change Carol's name to Carol Suzanne when she had taken back her maiden name and changed the children's family name to hers, Taylor. Carol Sue had been so cute at the hearing, all sugar and spice, lace dress and tight ringlets, not yet three. Samantha's hand me downs had provided a start for a wardrobe when she gave emptied out Carol's drawers and closet, along with everything Bill had left behind. Fortunately Sam had thought teaching Carol how to be a birl was a wonderful substitute for a doll, even one that cried and blinked.

When Beth moved back to Heraton a few months later in the throes of her divorce, it had been only natural that their children should become playmates, and that Sandy join Carol Sue as a birl. Over a large pitcher of Long Island Tea, they had vowed that their daughters would never be victimized by men as they had been. And that their sons would be loving and supportive of whatever woman took them in to hearth and home.

The two women rounded the corner, catching sight of their two birls sitting beside each other, Carol Sue holding Bitsy and Sandy holding his Tabitha. They were as sweet as spun sugar, in lace and curls, their bright patent Mary Janes swinging lightly before them.

The two girls were kneeling before the game cabinet trying to decide what they would play with their birly sisters. Beth had insisted that they would neither watch television not play electronic games. Freddie and Sandy were to play with their guests, not ignore them for some flickering dots of light. Their problem was deciding upon something challenging enough to satisfy them without frustrating the birls who had already hinted they should play "house" with their dolls.

"Have you two found something to play?" Beth's polished nail tapped Freddie's shoulder.

"We were trying to decide on a picture puzzle. But the ones Carol Sue and Sandy can handle are so easy."

"That would be a good choice. You two could help the birls learn how to sort and identify likely pieces. But how about a game? Something where your dear old mothers could join in?"

Freddie shook her head, her chestnut puffs barely moving. "That lets out 'Sorry.' There's only space for four. What could we play since the birls can barely count to a hundred, much less add?"

"Well, not dominoes yet. How about 'Chinese Checkers?' They don't have to count for that. And six can play."

"Are you going to play with us, Mother? Freddie and I won't stand a chance."

Just as competitive as her mother. "Oh I don't know about that. We're old and rusty. You just worry about beating your brothers. Besides it's not about winning or losing, but about playing together, helping each other to finish."

Sam looked doubtful. "If you say so, Miz Brown. But somebody always finishes first."

Vicky laughed. "It won't hurt you to learn to lose graciously, so long as you do your best. Besides you must be careful of Sandy's feelings. You wouldn't want your best birl all teary, would you?"

"No. No, I s'pose not. He can cry when I beat him too bad."

"That's right. He has to succeed enough not to become a clinging vine. Who knows? A few games and you might avoid having to play house." At least they can't slip off and play Doctor.

"Alright, Miz Taylor. 'Chinese Checkers;' it is then." Freddie began to fumble in the cabinet.

"Alright boys, come sit on the floor. Mind your skirts. We're going to play 'Chinese Checkers.'"

"Can Bitsy play too?"

"An' what about Tabitha? I don't want her to feel lonely."

"Why don't you sit next to us, and your dolls can sit next to you, and they can help you play?"

"'Kay."

Each birl sat to his mother's right, spreading his skirt and tucking his legs underneath. Each sat his doll beside him, carefully smoothing and spreading the hem over the dolls knees.

"There," Sandy admonished Tabitha, "you be a good birl and help your mommy."

Beth smiled to see how Sandy's maternal instincts had grown. One day her baby would be all grown up, a bride, a wife, a mother. Beth gently stroked Sandy's long ringlets, then hugged him close. She caught the faint odor of violets from his scented talc. He was so precious, so pretty, she would hate having to give him up someday.

Vicky squeezed her son's hand, looked down into his hazel eyes. With her free hand, she stroked the puff of his hair, plumped his thick curls. Carol Sue smiled at his mother, enjoying the comfort of her gentle touch. He batted his long lashes as her finger traced the rim of his ear. Caro Sue liked it that Vicky was especially warm each time he was all freshly done and prettily dressed.

The girls slid into the spaces on the other sides of their mothers, leaning into them to steal some closeness away from their pretty brothers. When they straightened up, their hands slipped over to take that of the birl sitting next to them.

"I found it, Mom," Freddie announced triumphantly. "May I have the red ones?"

"Let your guests pick first, Freddie. Then you may pick since you have been such a big help."

Sam picked the yellows, then Vicky steered Carol Sue to the oranges, away from the reds. She took the blacks, befitting "the Queen of the Night." Freddie got her reds, Sandy the greens, leaving Beth the whites. "I guess I'm the Good Witch of the North," was her comment as she opened her bag.

With the marbles all in place, Carol Sue, as the youngest guest, had the privilege of pushing the first marble into the center. The game proceeded quickly, the birls vacillating between moving their marbles quickly and hesitating, lost among the possibilities. The girls pushed their marbles steadily, focused on reaching the opposite point but prone to leave avenues open from the sides. Both Beth and Vicky offered gentle coaching to their birls with frowns and smiles and gentle shakes of the heads. The girls would have complained if they had suggested moves, but silent confirmation and disapproval for the younger set was within bounds.

Beth did her best to set up moves for Sandy, but playing after her did not make that easy. Nevertheless, Sandy managed to win the second game, and Carol Sue the third. Vicky glanced at Beth, who nodded in understanding. Sam found long paths opening up for her, and she won the fourth.

"There. I think that's quite enough. You children all did so well."

"But you haven't won yet, Mom." Freddie was truly distraught.

"Oh, that's alright. Vicky and I just needed to get the cobwebs swept form our brains. Would you please bring me a refill of lemonade? For that matter, all our guests could use one as well."

"I'll help you, Freddie. If you could help me up, please?" Carol Sue was ever willing to tag along wherever Freddie went.

Freddie held out a steadying hand. Carol Sue smiled his best dazzling pageant smile, slid his leg under and rose in a cloud of white organza. He smoothed out his petticoats and adjusted his sash before taking Freddie's hand to walk to the bar where the lemonade cooler stood.

Sam cued off Freddie to help Sandy rise. Sandy managed to rise, smile, and lift Tabitha all in the same motion, never letting go of Sam's hand. With Sam pinching their tumblers in well manicured fingers, Tabitha led her to the couch to sit, side by side, their skirts and petticoats intermingled.

A gentle cough sounded from the doorway. Beth looked up to find Angela standing there, hands clasped before her.

"I've finished the kitchen, Ma'am. And started another load in the washer. Is there anything else you have for me to do today, Ma'am?"

"Have you changed the bed linens?

"This morning, Ma'am. They've already been washed and folded."

"What about the slips and gowns. There was a basket full this morning."

"Folded and put away. Ma'am."

"Did you iron my nightgowns first?"

"No, Ma'am. Did you want them ironed, Ma'am?"

"I realize it must be difficult keeping up with your families, but yes, I want you to lightly iron out the wrinkles before you put them away. The same for my slips."

"I'm sorry, Miz Brown. Do you want me to redo them?"

"Yes I do. Remember, the 'Silk' setting. No starch. And sprinkle a dusting of my talc in the drawer before you put them away."

"Yes, Ma'am." Angela stepped back and dipped slightly before disappearing.

"Servants. You cannot live without them, but you do have to follow along behind and check up on them." Vicky glanced at the children. "They do make pretty pairs, don't they?"

Beth turned her head, glancing from one couple to the other. "Yes, they do. Each of our girls has the proverbial birl next door. There are a lot of dance steps between now and the wedding waltz, but it's hopeful that they do like each other now."

"They'll see lots more children at Miss Fairland's. And the dances the Talents offer will ensure that they interact with others."

"I know. Still, it's too much to hope for that over the next thirteen years that there won't be some tears and heartaches. That and familiarity can lead to breakup." Beth sighed.

"It won't be all wine and roses; there will be some lovers' quarrels. But we'll be there to reassure them. Let's not worry about what might happen and just enjoy them enjoying being together."

"May It have your tumbler, Mom?"

"Thank you, Sweetheart. Lot's of ice, please."

Beth's eyes followed her Freddie as she carried the tumblers to Carol Sue. Freddie was neat and clean in her dotted Swiss, very much a sweet young girl with her hair up. But standing next to Carol Sue in his sash and frou-frou, Freddie looked much more in charge, especially since she was a good five inches taller at her four feet ten. Carol Sue would always be petite, a perfect size match to become Freddie's wife.

The women helped each other up and were settled in arm chairs when Freddie brought around a tray of freshly filled tumblers. Even with air chilled and dried by the air conditioning, cool beads collected on the surface of each tumbler, a welcome chill since Beth kept the thermostat at 80 during the summer days. Her ears followed the chorus of "Thank you's" and "Your welcome's" as Freddie and Carol Sue served their siblings. Countless repetitions of etiquette lessons had penetrated after all.

"Beth? Could you be a dear and take Carol Sue to the next pageant? The Treetops are coming in that day for the weekend performances, and they are becoming demanding. I'm afraid I'll be tied down seeing that their egos are petted."

"Of course. If you'll have all their things ready to go at noon, I can swing by for them and then pick up the children from school."

"Oh, thank you, thank you; you're a life saver. I could just clone myself sometimes. And if you don't mind terribly, could you take Samantha with you? She might as well watch and give Carol Sue some moral support."

"Of course." My minivan is going to be awfully crowded; Vicky owes me another one. "So what is Carol Sue singing this month? Not 'My Heart Belongs to Mommy' again?"

"No, Miz Brooks thinks he's ready for something different. He'll do 'I Enjoy Being a Birl.'"

"We really must talk with her about the birls' material. She has Sandy doing that too."

"Really? Maybe the birls can sing a duet? Just for us?"

"Could they? It is written for one."

"Oh, just change 'I' to 'we.' It's not that they have to be polished. It's just family."

"Well, maybe." Sandy hates flubbing. And especially in front of Sam!

"It won't hurt to ask them? And if we have the girls do something as well? And we can even promise to do something together. An old fashioned family show should finish off the afternoon."

"Alright." Beth glanced at the children. Both the birls were trying to interest the girls in playing 'house,' holding and grooming their doll children. "Sandy? Carol Sue? Vicky has had an idea that you two might want to sing your pageant piece for us. Your both doing 'I Enjoy Being a Birl,' so you might sing it together for us. Would that be alright?"

"Sure. That would be fun. C'mon, Sandy, do you have the music?"

Sandy nodded, then shook her head. "But it's a solo."

"What if everyone sang something? Your mom and I could do a duet too."

"But I won't know the words."

"It's just a tiny change. And if you sing the lyric you learned, that will be alright."

Sandy squinted and cocked her head to look at Vicky. "I dunno. Carol Sue?"

"It might be fun. I could use the practice."

"Give it a try, Sandy. I like hearing you sing."

Sandy turned her head to Sam. "Are you sure? I might not be very good. I'm still learning it."

"That's Okay. When you're done, Freddie and I can sing 'Let It Be Me.' 'Kay?"

"'Kay."

The birls took up their positions in front of the game cabinet, smoothing their skirts, fiddling with each other's hair, fumbling with their mikes while Freddie located the right karaoke disc. Sam took up her seat, leaning forward in encouragement.

"How do I look, Mother? Shouldn't we put on our faces?"

"It's just for family, Carol Sue. You look fine.

"Now remember, just sing 'We' instead of 'I' each time." Vicky rushed on almost breathless. "You know, 'We enjoy being the birls.' Sing a few lines to each other, just before you finish. And relax. This is just supposed to be fun." Vicky settled back into her chair.

"And just what have you decided we should sing? Remember, I don't have a big range."

"Oh, you'll be fine. How about 'Baubles, Bangles, and Beads?' That should be tight enough."

"I hope we have the music."

"Let's do it a capella."

"You do like to live dangerously. Ready, birls?

Carol Sue nodded. "If you please, maestro."

The introit began when Freddie hit the play button. Carol Sue and Sandy turned to each other, their crinoline spread dresses swishing in the breeze.

"We are birls, and by us that's only great!

We are proud that our silhouettes are curvy,

That we walk with a sweet and birlish gait

With our hips kind of swivelly and swervy."

 

The birls had already performed in pageants many times. Miz Brooks stressed how to present a song as well as posture, lyrics, and hitting the proper notes. Despite Sandy's nervousness, he easily played off Carol Sue, alternating between singing to him and singing to his audience. Especially Sam.

"We're strictly shemale shemales,

And our futures we hope will be,

In the homes of two buh-rave females

Who enjoy being the gals having the birls... like... we.

 

The birls stepped forward to finish, arms outstretched, skirts swirling, each birl looking directly at his girl. There was no doubt who each birl hoped would give him a ring one day. Or that they would close their eyes sweetly, gratefully, as the hoops were placed in their noses.

"Wow! That was great!"

The girls hugged their birlfriends, the birls hugging back.

"Okay, our turn to entertain you. Freddie?"

Sam kissed Sandy on the cheek as he gathered up the mikes. Freddie searched the discs to find the accompaniment Miz Brooks sold to her students.

The two girls stood together, nervously twitching while the opening bars played. Their talents were dancing, not singing, although they sang well enough for the children's choir. The girls looked directly at their birlfriends and mouthed, "This is for you."

"God bless the day I found you;

I want to stay around you;

And so I beg you,

Let it be me."

 

The birls bunched together, dolls tucked close to their sides. For the moment, they were all eyes, receiving their first serenades. Their eyes glistened, their bodies relaxed; they were in heaven.

The song was done soon enough, sooner than the birls would have liked. But when the girls were done, the birls rushed to them, squealing, a cloud of flying skirts and white petticoats.

"Yes, yes, you were wonderful!" The occasional missed note and garbled lyric made not one whit of difference to each birl, his arms wrapped tightly around his girl's waist.

"Okay, Mom. Your turn. What do you want me to put on?"

"Just sit, Freddie. Vicky and I are going to do ours a capella. That way your less likely to know when we mess up."

"If you say so." The girls handed the mikes to their mothers, then each led his birl to a couch. They settled in, close, the girls' arms around the birls' waists. "Whenever you are ready."

Vicky looked at Beth, hummed a note. After a couple of pitch adjustments, Beth nodded to Vicky. They mouthed the first couple of lines, nodded. Vicky led off.

"A-one, anna two, anna three, . . ."

Baubles, bangles, hear how they jing, jinga-linga

Baubles, bangles, bright shiny beads

 

Each mother sang directly at her birl, then her girl, nodding her approval to the couples snuggled on the couches.

You'll glitter and gleam so,

Make somebody dream,

So that someday, she may,

Buy you a ring, ringa-linga.

I've heard, that's where it leads,

Wearin' baubles, bangles, and beads.

 

The children looked at one another, blushed during the song, but when it was done, they clapped enthusiastically.

"Gee, Mom. I didn't know you could sing."

"Thank you, Freddie. There's a lot you still have to learn. More lemonade, everybody?"

  

  

  

*********************************************
© 2005 by Sydney Michelle. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, and compilation design) may be printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without the express written consent of StorySite and the copyright holder.