RELUCTANT PRESS

that his failure to help around the house was a factor in their separation.

Susie came back dressed in her uniform and I thought that she looked terrific. I took her rollers out and brushed out her hair and teased the top. I pinned it back behind her ears with two red barrettes that matched her blouse. She told me to use plenty of hair spray to hold it in place through

all her routines.

Susie had talked me into going to the game, the first time I had gone to an athletic event in my four years in high school. She had to go early to practice and I would come later. She dropped me at my house on her way and I did a little picking up and left a note for my mother.

The basketball game was great but I really did not pay much attention to the game. I could not wait for time outs so I could gaze at Susie bouncing all over the floor. I'm sure most of the guys in the place had their eyes on her too, but none of them could take any credit for the way her shiny hair bounced on her shoulders or the way her uniform looked.

She did wink up at me once though I'll bet nobody would have dreamed that it was directed at me. I knew Susie would be going out with Jack after the game so I just left by myself and went home. I had to get up early the next day and would spend the day on my feet at the salon. I often wondered how Mom could do it day in and day out.

-000-

Initially on an occasional basis and then as a regular practice, I began wearing a pair of panties on Saturdays. I justified it to myself by thinking that if I was going to be in a feminine place and doing feminine things, I should make some concession in my attire. And besides, they felt nice. At first I tried to hide this from Mom but one morning she walked by my room when I was getting dressed and I had left my door open. All she said was, "Do they still fit? Let me know when you need a bigger size." After that, several more pairs showed up in my drawer, always lacy and very feminine styles.

I was surprised to see Mrs. Wales show up at the salon and disappointed that Susie was not with her. I discovered that she had been so happy with the way my mother did her

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RUFFLES & CURLES

By Kammi Morton

hair that she made a standing appointment for every Saturday.

"Of course, since Susie has found her own wonderful hairdresser, she will only come in occasionally when she needs a cut," Mrs. Wales announced, as Mom was setting her hair and I was standing next to her.

"Oh? And who is that?" asked my mother with a tinge of jealousy in her voice.

"Why, Danny of course!"

"WHAT?" exclaimed my mother.

I had not told my mother anything about Susie. All I had told her was that I was going to study at a friend's house after school, which was true. Except, I had not told her that the friend was a girl, and that we had done more than study. My red face gave me away and Mom knew that there was something more going on.

Fortunately for me, another customer came in and I went to assist her. While I attended to the new customer I could see Mom and Mrs. Wales chatting up a storm and I guessed that I was the topic of conversation.

On the ride home, Mom told me that Mrs. Wales thought I was one of the nicest boys that she had ever met and hoped that Susie and I would stay friends. Mom was delighted that I finally had a girlfriend and so I did not bother to tell her that Susie was actually going steady with another guy and that I was just a friend a friend that did her hair, ironed her clothes, and cleaned up her room.

Yes, I was some boyfriend all right!

While I acted as her maid and got her ready for her date her real boyfriend was no doubt doing what a real boy would do with a beautiful girl kiss and hug and who knows what else.

Was I being used?

Was Susie just taking advantage of me while at the same time laughing behind my back? Laughing with her friends at the sissy boy who worked in a beauty shop and did laundry and housework? Perhaps. But even if she was I knew that I would be available to her whenever she called. And this opened up a new area of self-doubt.

Why did I at almost eighteen years old still let my mother rule over me? I should put my foot down and refuse to go off

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