8-TV FICTION CLASSICS

When Lilly started to show Kelly how to blow it dry, pulling the hair down to the nape of his neck and teasing it at the crown for body, I had to leave.

Later, my sister and I had a fight.

"Lil, your not helping him. You're making him look more like a sissy."

"Oh, you jocks," She screamed. "You can call names but you can't be friends with someone who is a little different. Kelly can't help it that he's too small for your 'sports'. How can he get strong if he can't play. Why don't you help him..."

"Okay," I said, "I will." I took him the next day to the gym and we shot some baskets. I was surprised how well he shot. I showed him some pointers and he caught on fast.

Unfortunately, baseball season was starting. I didn't have much time to spend with Kelly. Oh, I saw him occasionally, he hung around with my sister. He was the only easy "shill" she could find to practice her beauty lessons.

I'll never forget the day I walked in after practice and saw Kelly. His hair had grown to over his collar and was all one length. Lilly had teased his hair into a bouffant, swept up and over on one side, held with a sparkled girl's barrette. Kelly's face was bright red when he saw me. Lilly confronted me, "I thought you were going to be late?"

My jaw dropped. Lilly said, "Now you just run along if you are going to make fun. Kelly's helping me. I've got a wedding this weekend and I've never done one of these styles."

Kelly apologized, "I just wanted to help her."

Lilly scolded, "Don't apologize to him. You aren't doing anything wrong."

I went to the kitchen to fix a bite to eat. When I went back into the living room, Lilly had changed the style to a wavy swirling long lock look. His hair looked long, curled it did look shorter.

But that was only the beginning, I sat watching TV while she pulled his hair "Up" with combs and teased and curled the top adding baby breath flowers. Then she added a spray hair glitter that added sparkle and a touch of glamor.

"ALL DOLLED UP" -9

Lilly said, "That's it...that's what I want for the bride." How could my sister do this to him? I guess I wasn't a very good friend or I would spend more time with Kelly, you know, keep him busy.

Lilly was busy looking in some bags. It wasn't over for Kelly. She took a large piece of pink lace fabric and threw it over his shoulders saying, "This is a piece of the dress for color."

I couldn't believe what came next...Lilly pulled out her make-up bag. Quickly, without comment, she began applying a make-up foundation to his smooth face. She said to Kelly, "Your skin is so nice, I hope you never grow a beard." Talking to herself she continued, "I need a glamorous look...extra mascara, additional lipstick and gloss, a hint more blusher."

She worked quietly for a while then said, "There."

I looked at Kelly. This was no longer Kelly, the boy next door...he looked like a blushing bride. The softness that was so unattractive as a boy was dazzling as a girl. His yielding personality became appealing to my maleness. His facial expression was that of an available, sexy female. His red lips tempting and sumptuous. Kelly was projecting an image of a glamorous girl, unlike any in our small town.

Feeling my stare, Kelly said, "Lilly, please no more. I look stupid."

I interrupted, "Kelly, I won't tell any one about this, I promise. Really, you look nice. I want to get a Polaroid camera and take a few pictures."

Lilly agreed over Kelly's objections. I snapped pictures as Lilly changed the make-up subtly to give different mood expressions. Kelly looked most feminine, a ladylike gentleness showed in his eyes.

Kelly was dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. I wondered what he would look like in a lace dress, or a short skirt. Even in the jeans he looked like a girl, except for the flat chest. It was getting late and time for Kelly to be home. Lilly said, "Do you want to remove your makeup here or maybe you would like to show your mother?"