I wasn’t looking forward to my Grandmother being with us this Christmas. During Thanksgiving at her house, we had got into an argument and it ended with us just going our separate ways. Grandmother had always liked my sister Darby and cousin Laura better. When she spent the best part of Black Friday’s shopping time in the women’s section of stores; I knew this year would be no different.

I’m a high school senior and I’ll be graduating from high school in the spring. I thought this year was to be my year to be fussed over, at least a little.

Darby had gone out with some friends that she made at Grandma’s. I got stuck watching Grandma show off what she got Darby and my Cousin Laura. Mom forced me to watch and to compliment what Grandma had done.

Well, I finally had enough and blew my top. Grandma had bugged me about being sloppy and not taking my college interviews seriously. “Grandma, all you do is criticize anything and everything I do, while spoiling your granddaughters! This year you’ve gone overboard and I hate it!”

I grew up being told ‘hate’ was a word I was never to use and from Grandma’s reaction I know where mom got that. She got upset and blamed me. I insisted it was her fault!

Here it was Christmas Eve morning and Grandma had come the night before. It was her tradition that she’d give Darby and me each a gift today. If she gave us clothes, the tradition was we’d wear them, Christmas Eve, to the church service.

Well when Darby opened her gift, her outfit was beautiful. Something about Grandmother’s reaction indicated something was wrong. It wasn’t the outfit I remembered either, but I wasn't sure nor did I care.

My box was big like Darby’s. I was pretty sure it was either a suit or a new winter jacket. Hopefully the later and the one I wanted. Part of me hoped it wasn’t the jacket as I would feel compelled to forgive and thank my grandma.

I tore off the ribbon as well as the pretty paper and a plume of berry and vanilla wafted from the gift. That was common for clothes gifts from grandma. I wasn’t expecting what I found when I lifted off the top of the box.

There staring back at me was the prettiest dress of pink and glittering silver with white lace fringe. I was upset, to say the least, but I was also determined to give grandmother as little pleasure as possible. I went, kissed her on the cheek and took the gift, and ran up to my room.

I could hear my mother begin to question my Grandmother. Once in my room I hurried and locked my door and the bathroom door that led to Darby’s room. I was in no mood to have my feelings soothed or to be forced downstairs to give or hear any apology involving Grandma.

I decided to take a shower and relax with the shower drowning out the sounds of others. Mom was soon up to my room asking me to come in to talk to me. Well, I was still in the shower when Darby was knocking on her door. She too wanted to talk with me. Darby said, “Matt, Grandma made a mistake. But she’s still upset with whatever you said to her at Thanksgiving, but she’s sorry. Please don’t tare or wreck the dress it is too nice.”

I told her to leave me alone, but she was just obsessed with me not wrecking the precious dress. Finally, the shower blocked out everything else. I was thinking and finally laughed to myself, because of an idea that had come to me. I had decided upon my revenge and I set about doing all that I needed. I shampooed and conditioned my hair and used one of Darby’s special blower-brushes and then finished drying myself.

Once back to my room, I went to the Christmas gift. There was even more to the outfit than I thought. There were a pink panty and bra set. And like I hoped I was able to fit into all that was purchased for my sister or cousin Lara. With a little tissue in each cup, all I needed was some makeup. I neither had that nor any idea how to put it on without making a mess.

With my best girl’s voice, I called down, “I’m coming down and I need a little help.” I could see the feet of my dad, mom, sister, and grandma as I took the first step. I began to laugh to myself as I made my way down. Dad’s angered look quickly turned to an amused grin. Mom and Darby were surprised.

If Grandma was surprised, I couldn’t tell. I suspected she was as determined as I not to give in. “If you’re wanting me to call you Marti or Martha? You got a good start but you should be wearing the glimmering pantyhose I put in there. You also need some makeup and a better beautician to work on your hair.”

Without missing a beat, I began my retort, “Well, I felt it is too early for the pantyhose and I don’t have the desired makeup.”

With that, the doorbell rang and Darby said, “That must be your girlfriend Essie.”

Sure that she was joking, I remarked, “Tell whoever it is we ain’t need none.”

It was Essie and she corrected my English. “It should be, you don’t need ‘anything’. But from what I can see you’re a spoiled girl needing some big help. What gives?”

I tried to explain, but Essie wasn’t having it. “You were wrong to ever blow up at your Grandmother, whatever the circumstance. And Darby said this was an honest mistake. Whatever, all I see you continue to show you’re more stubborn than anybody I know.”

Grandma says, “I mixed up the gifts. Darby’s was to be for Laura and your dress was for Darby. But it's ruined now that you’re wearing it.”

“I don’t know,” Essie smiles, “Marti could make a convincing girl with a little help. We should get her out of her new Christmas outfit so we can work on her hair, makeup and accessorize her properly.”

I was ready to be as stubborn as Grandma and even go to church, but not if they were taking this seriously.

Mom said to me, “Matt apologize to your Grandmother for ruining the outfit, and let’s put this behind us.”

When I folded my arms, my Dad spoke up. “I have a better idea if Essie isn’t embarrassed and Grandma is willing to see her gift used at least once. Why doesn’t someone call around and see if we can get Marti a salon appointment?”

Darby, you will need to lend Marti another outfit so she can go with you to get a pair of dress shoes as well as go to her appointment.

Being in the school’s theater group, I act as if on key. “Sure Daddy dearest, I am willing to cooperate with you as long as you’re buying the shoes and jewelry.” My thought was to make it expensive enough to dissuade him.

My Dad quickly took out his wallet and gave his card to Darby. “Will a hundred dollars be enough for the shoes and earrings?”

Essie interrupts, “I checked, my hairdresser is willing to work her in at 1:30, but I ask that she gets a generous holiday tip for the favor!”

Darby yells at me, “Get you buns upstairs, we’re pressed for time and you need to get out of those clothes without damaging them.”

“Mom, she needs your help, whether she likes it or not. And do not let her break character.”

I’m scooting upstairs with Mom behind me. Essie is heading with Darby to her room. I can hear them talking about panties, bra…

Mom closes the door and says, “Stay calm Marti let me help with buttons, zippers, and slipping the clothing off.”

I said, “Mom, I was willing to apologize, but no one gave me room.”

“Matt… Marti, you’re the one who dug in her feet at each place you could have apologized. You like acting, now this will be your shining role. Maybe you can try for a woman’s role in the spring musical? Now, grin and decide to enjoy it.”

Darby opens the door, “Mom get her to put on these a bra, panty, pantyhose, and half-slip then call us in.”

I say, “No, this isn’t happening.”

My phone rings, I pick it up only to tell the person I can’t talk. Caller I.D. indicates it's Essie. “Matt, please calm down. Let’s count down… 10,9,8….3,2,1. I’m with you, let’s make a fun time of it. In the future all will laugh; if the explosion continues it will be a terrible Christmas for everyone. I love you.”

With a quiet voice I said, “I’m sorry, Mom, I’ll cooperate.” I take three more calming breaths. The idea of having Essie share this should make it a bearable experience.

I like the skirt and top, but the pantyhose troubles me. “Darby, it’s a little cold for pantyhose isn’t it?”

“Sis, I’m trying to have it as close to what you’re wearing tonight so we can choose the right shoes. Please suffer through it.” I shimmy up the pantyhose as Mom guides me in doing it properly, and I step into the half-slip. The sensation my legs were feeling was something wonderful like I never felt before. Stepping into the skirt is similar. Essie puts in a pair of cutlets in my bra, "They’re to give a girly shape." She topped it with a kiss. The blouse is a knit print with holiday colors in pastel shades. They compliment my slender figure. "Between being thin and the soft help to give you a little curve, you transform well.

I’m taken to Darby’s room and seated in front of a mirror and without asking they begin my makeup and brushing my hair. Darby’s doing my makeup and thanking me for being quiet. Essie asks, “Tonight do you want bangs or not? …I’m just sweeping it aside for now, but the beautician will need to know.”

They keep me so busy that I’ve seen only Picasso like snippets, nothing to go by. Essie’s done as my sister asks me to pout as she puts the finishing touches to my lips. She moves away and has me look into the mirror.

“I think we’re ready,” says my sister; as Essie hands me a purse with short straps…

Before I can move, Darby asks me my shoe size and smiles when I say an eight. It has usually brought teasing about me having small feet. This is the first time that it was to people's liking.

Darby is kneeled before me, opening a gray ankle boot with a two and a half-inch heel. “This is tall enough that you’ll want to take your time walking. They are fashionable.” Darby’s allowing me to wear a pair she presently likes and wears. “Do not go scuffing these or I will brain you.” She was nice enough to offer me a hand to help me stand.

I am delightfully surprised by the girl I see in the mirror. I’m not pretty as Darby or Essie, but it looks like we are friends about the same age…

To be continued...