RELUCTANT PRESS

cried when she had told me this and I had held her for a long time while she sobbed. In fact, Susie was still a virgin, and planned to stay that way until she got married. But if a guy like Jack started spreading rumors, everybody would believe him, and not Susie, and her reputation would be ruined.

The next day Susie invited me to go out for pizza and a movie for my birthday.

"I'd love to, but what about Jack."

"Well, he has to go out of town that night, so I don't have a date."

"No, what I mean is, what if he found out. Somebody is bound to see us." I did not add that, as much as I wanted to go out in public with Susie, the certainty of getting my face and body altered by Jack overruled my passion.

"I have a plan. Do you trust me? Completely?" "Yes, yes," I answered.

"And you're willing to do anything I ask?"

"Yes, if it means I can go out with you without fear of being beaten up."

"I guarantee it, but don't ask any more questions. OK?" -000-

I went straight to Susie's house after school on Friday, as directed. She told me that we could stop at my house later to change for our date. Mrs. Wales had a funny grin on her face when she greeted me and wished me a happy birthday. She even gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Susie's waiting for you in her bedroom. Go on up, dear." I heard the shower running when I stepped in and Susie seemed to be busy getting her clothes ready.

"We need to rush, so go take a shower right away." "What?"

"Remember, no questions. Just do as I say," Susie said firmly, escorting me to her bathroom.

I closed the door and took off my clothes. While I was in the shower, I heard Susie call out "And be sure to wash your hair!"

There was shampoo and soap in a basket hanging from the faucet and I found them both to be highly perfumed. When I finished, I slid open the shower door just a crack to make sure that Susie was not waiting for me and that she had closed the door to her bedroom. I was still very shy

Page 36

RUFFLES & CURLES

By Kammi Morton

about such matters. My clothes were all gone and the only thing to wear was a pink, terry cloth robe. I put it on and stepped into the bedroom. Susie was not there and I still could not find my clothes.

"Susie," I called from the top of the stairs.

"Down here," she answered. "I'm waiting for you."

I walked down the stairs and found standing Susie in the kitchen with her rollers and hair dryer on the table. She was not going to give me a chance to get dressed before she had me set her hair. Well, since it took her so long to get ready, I supposed that that was all right.

"Sit down," she ordered. "Why?" I asked suspiciously. "Remember? No questions!"

I did as I was told, by now well aware that beneath Susie's soft exterior was a very determined young lady. She began to comb my hair, which was all right, but when she applied a liberal dose of setting lotion I felt a little strange.

"Susie, what are you doing?" I asked, looking to Mrs. Wales for some help, but she just seemed amused by what was going on.

"I think that it's about time I set your hair, after all the times you have done it for me," said Susie, picking up a pink plastic roller.

"But I don't set my hair!" I protested.

"No, but today I'm going to set it for you! Now, just relax and enjoy it."

I got out of the chair and turned to face her. Damn! What was it with women wanting to curl my hair? First my mother and now Susie.

"I don't want you to do my hair. Guys don't do things like that. What do you think I am a sissy?" I asked, remembering not to use the "Q" word that had gotten her so angry before.

"I don't care what you are. I think you'll look nice with your hair styled and you better do as you are told. Are you afraid to have a few curlers in your hair? If you get me mad I'll put it all up in small, tight pin curls and make you look like a real nerd."

Using the roller like a pointer she emphasized her words.

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