TWINS by Marie, Part 13 Clara

“Wake up, Twin,” Marlene commanded. I drowsily opened my eyes. There was Marlene dressed like an angel in a long white gown with fake cardboard wings, hands on hips and looking high and mighty as usual. I lay there for a time then sat on the edge of the bed.

“Where did you get that silly costume?” I said. I was getting tired of my bitchy cousin. I’m sorry, I don’t usually use words like that but you know what I mean. And I wasn’t so afraid of her any more. I lifted one foot to the edge of the bed and pretended to examine my pink toenails. Using both hands I brushed my hair back and stretched sinuously. Getting no reply out of Marlene I decided to needle her back. “Why are you always so bossy? You know it’s getting boring.”

Continuing to ignore me she looked around. “My room’s finally clean.” She stepped into her closet and I could hear her rummaging around. “You’ve fixed my dresses and dollies. Very good!”

I tiptoed up and slammed the closet door behind her. “Hey,” she shrieked and banged on door. Eventually she found the inside latch and came out mad as a wet hen. I giggled in her face and stuck out my tongue.

She stuck out her tongue in reply while holding two identical navy blue velvet dresses - round white lace collars, short sleeves with white cuffs - you know the drill, one of which she handed to me. The dresses hadn’t been in there before and I thought they were lovely. I had long since stopped wondering where these things came from. Then she kissed me on the cheek. Maybe I was finally getting some respect. I noticed this time she hadn’t entered me and I didn’t ask why.

“We have to go upstairs again. But make sure we’re absolutely identical in my dark blue dress."

“They’re very pretty.” I said holding one up to the mirror. “And it does go with our coloring.” I preened back and forth with a sweet smile.

Marlene pulled out two sets of lingerie and we did each other’s bra catches. Little white ankle socks were carefully folded down over ankle strap black flats. Last came our soft nylon slips and the beautiful knee-length dresses. Big fluffy blue bows were tied in back.

“I loved it when you kissed Eric at the fashion show and so did you. You’re going to love being a girl,” I turned my head away blushing like mad.

Changing the subject I asked “We don’t have any hair on on our legs, do we?” Marlene inspected my legs and shook her head and I examined hers.

“I like it when we dress together,” I said shyly and checked her for slip length, collar position and knelt to wipe her shoes which were dusty from the closet.

We sat at the vanity and proceeded to make little changes in hair and makeup watching each other for detail. We both wanted the “little girl” look tonight.

“We really are twins now,” I said. “Let’s get the earrings,” which turned out to be little heart shaped studs.

“I think you like being me, but you aren’t as bossy.” Marlene said. “Do you like being me? If you don’t, I’m going to think of some awful punishment,” she said in mock anger.

One of his now infrequent doubts about being a boy in a dress washed over him and left as quickly as it came. With a big smile he stood there holding his skirts out twirling and smiling and for the first time said “I wish you could be here all the time so we could be twin sisters for mom,” he replied. “Sometimes she even calls me by your name. You know she adopted me.”

Marlene nodded. It looked like she might cry. She gave Kirk a big hug. “It’s o.k. That’s how I want it to be. I’ll always be there to help you be my sister.” She sniffled and we held each other, two babes in the woods alone.

The same group of girls was waiting upstairs. Kirk saw Emma and rushed over to give her a kiss. “You were my little voice and I love you for it,” Emma whispered.

He looked around. There was sarcastic Billie, the Indian girl and many others. Emma looked and felt as solid as Marlene.

“My, my, look at the Bobbsey Twins,” said Clara, the flapper. “One’s a boy, though, isn’t he.” Kirk blushed.

“Oh, look at him blush. He doesn’t know what being a girl’s like.” She touched her bosom in a lewd manner.

This time Marlene defended Kirk. “Leave him alone, you creep!”

Clara giggled, “So you're his watchdog, are you?” She stepped into Kirk faster than anyone could react.

“Clara, they’re waiting!” Eleanor screeched at me up the stairs. She’s my big sister and nineteen years old. Jack and Eddy were outside in Jack’s twelve cylinder 1928 Cadillac roadster. He got it for his birthday last week and is driving us to the dance in Larkspur. I was listening to Let’s Misbehave, on our victrola and forgot the time. It’s a naughty song by somebody named Cole something.

I had on my pale pink sleeveless, waistless georgette frock, knee length with rolled down hose and T-strap pumps. Underneath I had on the white silk slip and lacy French underpants I got last Christmas. My nails were elegantly long and blood red to match my perfect cupid’s bow lips. It took me a whole hour to get everything right- and another half-hour to get my eyes and lashes all dark like Marion Davies in The Flapper. A cloche hat shaded my face making me look mysterious, I hoped. Bangle bracelets and a rope of pearls clicked and tinkled as I moved.

I was almost seventeen but look a lot older, at least that’s what Uncle Bill says. Uncle Bill keeps looking at me with a big smile. Sometimes he puts his arm around me, sits next to me longer than I like and fiddles with my necklace. I think I know what Uncle Bill wants to do.

The night was summer warm. My sister secretly arranged the date when dad and mom told us they were going to Carmel for the weekend. She says she’s going to vamp Jack tonight. I hope she doesn’t get pregnant. One of the girls in school did last semester and had to leave. Mom and dad were embarrassed when we asked what happened and wouldn’t answer our questions. But everybody at school knew what she did.

I didn’t wear any bra so everything kind of rolled around as I walked. Eddy was grinning and giving me the eye as I came down the front stairs. I didn’t know him very well but I got in back anyhow and waved him away using my beaded clutch like a fly swatter. I thought his eyes would pop out of his head when my knees showed climbing in. Of course I didn’t do a whole lot to keep them covered.

“If he thinks he’s getting any tonight, he’s got another think coming.” I said to myself as I made a show of pulling my skirt down and stuck out my tongue which is when Eddy brightened up again. “God, it doesn’t take much to get them going.” I thought taking a cigarette from my sister’s case and lighting up. He didn’t even offer me a match, the jerk.

I watched Eddy slip a flask out of his pocket and held it out for me to take a swig. I shook my head and he went ahead on his own. It was still Prohibition and I didn’t want to get in trouble for nipping hootch. He started to put his arm around me trying to get all lovey before we were even halfway there. “You’re the cutest little thing, just like Clara Bow. I bet you smooch good.”

“Just stay where you are, big boy.” I moved to the other side of the seat because I had decided we would ride all the way to the dance on opposite sides of the back seat except when Jack took the curves too fast.

The Rose Bowl had a great band, Anson Weeks. Everybody says he sounds just like famous Paul Whiteman band from New York that came to San Francisco a few weeks ago. The Rose Bowl is the county’s big outdoor dance pavilion. Kids come from all over, even from the city by the ferry. We danced the Charleston and Fox Trot until midnight.

While we were there Eddy brought me a cup of punch. He must have poured his whisky in it because I started feeling woozy real fast. All the way to the car he had his arm around my waist and kept trying to grab my titties. I didn’t object because I was giggling, but I wasn’t going to cooperate either, no sir.

Clara was nothing like Emma, more like Marlene, but older and tougher, Kirk thought. She had a healthy, firm body like Emma but that was the extent of it. He was a little scared but curious as Clara began to snuggle with Eddy. He was getting used to being a girl and wanted to find out more.

Halfway back Jack’s brand new car sputtered and they rolled to the side of the road into the deep gloom of a big tree. “Sorry guys, we’re out of gas. Gotta wait for somebody to come along.” Kirk realized they were in the middle of nowhere when Eddy made his moves. A few slobbery kisses landed on Clara’s neck and shoulders.

They could hear Eleanor whispering in the front seat. “No, Jack, not so hard. You’re tearing my dress.” Then silence except for the rustle of clothes, heavy breathing and few ohs and ums. After another swig and Eddy’s hand began to rove. Cars went by and nobody got out to flag them down.

“No, you’re not gettin’ any,” Clara said and pushed his hand away for the hundredth time. He slobbered on her again and as she tried to push him away her hand slipped behind his neck forcing them to kiss by accident. Kirk felt strange as Clara unexpectedly returned Eddy’s deep if rather alcoholic smooch. Something tickled her nipples and she heard his belt buckle clink.

Still in a clinch he took her hand and moved it down to his pants where it was placed against something stiff and warm though still inside his pants.

Kirk felt hands tugging at his shoulders. After a wrenching sensation he found himself huddled between Marlene and Emma, back in his little girl dress. Some of the girls said Clara shouldn’t have done that.

Clara cackled. “If he’s going to be a girl then he’s gotta be ready for boys. He liked it but he ain’t gonna say so! Besides, that ain’t half what happened.”

I looked at the floor completely disoriented. “Twin are you o.k.?” For the first time Marlene looked concerned and took my hand.

Clara leered and shrieked, “He needs to go all the way.” and continued cackling like a demented turkey. I didn’t know what she meant and felt scared.

A Spanish-looking girl dropped her sewing and spoke angrily. “ ¡Cá¡llate, Clara!” (Shut up, Clara! in Spanish) and stepped into Kirk.