Halloween — Chapter Three
Saturday October 31, 1976

I can’t believe what time it is. I had wanted to get up at nine but my clock told me it was a little before noon. I still had things I needed to do before getting ready for the party; and I had just wasted over two hours.

I quickly jumped out of bed, rushed into the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and took care of my morning needs. As quickly as I moved I still took the time to sit to pee, something I had been doing for years. All the boys I knew always stood when they had to relieve themselves. My mother and brothers were always arguing about who left the seat down, but it always seemed natural for me to sit.

After pulling on a t-shirt and my school khakis, I headed downstairs to grab a little cereal before going out to finish my shopping. “Good morning, Mom. You look beautiful as usual.”

“Well, aren’t you chipper this morning? It must be all the sleep you got.”

“I know. I didn’t mean to sleep in. I have a few chores that I want to do before we get ready.”

She raised an eyebrow. “I thought you already had everything that you needed.”

“I’m a little bit embarrassed to tell you this,” I began sheepishly, “but I want to go to the drug store and get some Nair, because I was hoping to get rid of the hair on my legs for the party. I was also hoping to get a pair of clip-on earrings that matched my outfit.”

“I have a better idea,” Mom said with a sly grin. “How would you like to get your ears pierced?”

“That’s crazy. Everybody will be able to tell. What would Steven and Billy say? They would beat me up, if they saw me with my ears pierced.”

“No, they wouldn’t,” Mom argued. “I wouldn’t let them. I’ll make sure they know it was my idea for the party. Lots of boys have pierced ears now; and you could just let them close up if you didn’t love them. They heal and close, if you don’t continue to wear earrings, Honey.”

“I still don’t know.” I sighed, but I was warming to her suggestion. “Where would we get them done?”

“There is a little store in the mall that’s pretty private.” Mom smiled. “We could go there after picking up your Nair at the drug store. Come on, Honey, you’ll look great with pierced ears and real earrings.”

“Ok, but you will have to take care of my brothers because I don’t want them picking on me.”

***

“I love these gold posts, Honey,” Mother commented while looking at the display of earrings.

“They’re pretty plain, Mom,” I replied. “I was hoping to wear a more dangly pair.”

“You’ll need to wear gold posts for at least three weeks without removing them. Maybe you can switch to another pair for this evening, and then switch back to the posts after the party. It’ll hurt a little when we do it, though. Why don’t you pick out a pair for the party while I go and talk to the store manager?”

***

Mom pointed at the clock on our kitchen wall. “Honey, it’s already three. Why don’t you run upstairs and start getting ready for the party? Steven and Billy won’t be back until later this evening.”

“I guess I do need a little time to Nair my legs.” I smiled. “Before I go I just want to let you know how much I love you and how grateful I am for your help.”

“I know you love me, Honey. I’m just happy you let me have a little fun every Halloween.”

“You need some fun in your life.” I took a moment to look her over. “Why haven’t you ever dated again?”

Moving her hand quickly to brush a tear, Mom returned my appraising looked and smiled, “You’re so sensitive. Neither of your brothers would ever think about asking me about dating. I guess the real answer is I haven’t really ever gotten over your father. It’s only been about five years; and I still love him and miss him every day. You boys keep me busy enough; and I’m happy just taking care of all of you.”

“You’re the best mother in the world, but I really think that Dad would want you to be happy. If that means dating and finding someone to share your life, then I’m sure that he’d want you to do that. No one will ever replace Dad, but I’m sure that there are men out there who could make you happy.”

Mom plucked a tissue to wipe her eyes, “Thank you for your advice. You’re so sweet and sensitive. I’m so touched that you want me to be happy, but unless you get upstairs and take care of those legs I won’t have enough time to do your make-up.”

***

“I thought that you might get carried away with the Nair.” Mom coughed while she looked at me sternly.

I sat in the chair by my desk while applying moisturizing lotion over my entire body, and hadn’t heard her enter. I suspected she was kidding, but couldn’t begin to explain why I had used the Nair on my arms, chest, and legs, before shaving under my arms. “Sorry, Mom, but it actually feels great now that I’ve applied this moisturizer.”

“I’m only kidding. Now you see some of the pleasures we women enjoy every day. No one will even notice your missing hair unless you tell them. Now, Honey, can you tell me what that thing is that you are wearing over your thingy?”

“Oh my, God,” I squealed while I jumped to cover myself. “I forgot my. . . . I shouldn’t be sitting here in front of you with nothing. . . .”

“Don’t worry, dear.” She laughed while I fumbled with my towel. “Let me show you how we girls cover ourselves. Instead of tying it around your waste you wrap it around your chest just below your armpits. See, it covers everything beautifully. Now tell me what that thing is, because it appears to be the smallest bikini I have ever seen.”

“It’s called a gaff,” I whispered shyly. “Connie from the ‘Velvet Underground’ gave it to me when she heard that I was going to be dressing up for Halloween. She also gave me this waist cincher to help give me a smaller waist and a little beard cover to use before you help me with my make-up.”

“You and this -- Connie -- seem to have become fast friends. Is there anything else you haven’t told me about?”

“Mom, I’ve told you everything except that she asked me to stop at the ‘Velvet Underground’ after the party tonight. Since I told you I wouldn’t go without you I have no intention of going later tonight. She was just trying to be helpful.”

“I think she’s been more than 'helpful'.” Mom knitted her eyebrows. “Let me take a look at your waist cincher. You’ll probably need my help to tighten it. Why don’t you stand and lift your arms while I wrap this around you? This is actually going to be a wonderful lesson for you. You’re really going to learn what we women go through to look good for men.”

“Don’t tighten it too much,” I complained. “I don’t want to pass out from lack of oxygen.”

“You’ll get used to it,” she laughed. “It loosens up over time. Now, grab that beard cover and let’s go into my room so we can use my makeup mirror. You hardly need beard cover on your face, but we’ll give it a try.”

An hour later I sat at my mother’s makeup table wearing a bra and high-waisted panties comfortably filled with foam, which gave me the exact curves I desired. In addition, I wore a garter belt with stockings.

Mom studied me, and then said, “There we go, Honey, I think we’re finished.”

“You’ve really outdone yourself.” I peered in the mirror and nearly teared-up. “I love what you done with my eyes. The mascara really adds length and volume to my lashes; and I love the shades you blended together for my eyes.”

“No crying, Honey. Not after all the work we’ve done with your face.”

“But, I can’t believe how beautiful you've made me look.”

“Well, wait until you see yourself when we get your clothes and wig on. If you don’t mind, I think these are the shoes you should wear. They’re really stylish, even for you young girls, and they only have a small heel, so they won’t be too difficult to get used to.”

Mom said quietly watching me stumble in her shoes. “I can’t believe how good you look.”

And, I can’t believe how hard it is to walk. “Mom, how do girls manage to look so confident in shoes with high heels? I can hardly move in these?”

“It just takes practice.” Mom laughed. “High heels are sexy and make your legs look great. Women have been wearing them for about five hundred years. It’s another lesson you’ll learn about what women go through to attract men. Posture is also important when you’re walking in heels; you want to stand tall with your chest out. Nothing works better for catching a man’s eye than walking into a party with high heels and a low-cut blouse. Try walking with narrower steps like you are walking on a straight line. You’ll want to stand tall; and you will find that it is easier to do if you sway your hips as you walk. Just keep practicing; it gets easier.”

“Look at me, Mom. I’m beautiful.” I had finally gotten a look at myself in her full-length mirror. I had imagined I would look good, but not great.

“You certainly are, Honey.” Mom laughed. “I can’t believe how much you look like I did at your age -- although that wig looks better than my hair ever did. Let’s find a handbag you can use that isn’t too fuddy-duddy for a young girl like you.”

“Can I use this Coach shoulder bag? The color definitely works with my outfit. I promise I’ll keep it with me all night, because I know it’s your favorite.”

“Sure, dear. Now -- let’s think about what you should carry in your bag. You definitely need your lipstick and powder to touch up your makeup. You could also use some tissues -- just in case.”

“Should I bring the perfume you sprayed on me?”

“No, Honey, I think that should do for the evening. Do you like it?”

I nodded. “What is it?”

“It’s Chanel #5 Eau de Toilette which is slightly less concentrated than actual perfume. Why don’t you grab your shoulder bag and your car keys? We’ll go downstairs and take a few pictures.”

*************

I would like to thank Angela Rasch for her editing of Chapter 3.