12 -ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID

a girl. It had a tight waist, flaring legs and cute little short sleeves that stuck out. It had a front zipper that went from the waist to the open neckline. The pants had no pockets except at the breasts----where there were two big pleated ones that made the front protrude out like a girls breasts.

I wanted to laugh but this was not a laughing matter for Baily. He was totally humiliated and blushed under my scrutiny.

"I think it fits him nicely," his Mother flatly stated. "I think white is the only color to wear around here!"

The HOUSE OF BRIDES was decorated in a most feminine way----florals, satins, lace, etc. Add that to the endless accumulation of slips, bras, lacy panties, silk scarfs and garter belts---she was right. .he did fit in! But that doesn't make it right! "You mean he's always going to wear that around here?" I asked. "Isn't that for a girl?"

"It's just an outfit. . .a uniform for work," his Mother said arrogantly. "It's not too different from what he's wearing to school, only it's neater and shows off his trim waist. I'm going to wear one myself when I'm not doing fittings."

"Please, don't make me wear this to school," Baily begged.

"We'll see dear," his Mother said harshly. "I think you look very neat and properly dressed. Better than most of the boys at school!" She said, as she cast an eye towards my torn jeans.

The next day I stopped by to see Baily at work. He was wearing the white jump suit but with a white apron over it. He was busy with a customer. That's when I noticed that he had no hair on his

arms.

To my surprise, the female customer complimented him on his appearance. "What a delightful uniform, dear. Tell your mother I love what she's

SANDY THOMAS PUBLICATIONS -13

done with her shop."

Later, when we were alone, I asked him about his bare arms. "Oh, my Gawd, you noticed," he grimaced. "Mother found some little hairs on some of the dresses and blew up. I told her I'd wear long sleeves but she made me spray some smelly cream on my arms and suddenly the hair was gone. Do you think anyone else will notice?"

He looked scared. "Just because I noticed doesn't mean others will," I said.

"I know why she insists that I look neat and clean but this is too much!" he said. "She's been making me wear aprons at home too. It's disgusting."

I did not reply. What could I say? I just put my arm around his shoulder and said, "You are my friend no matter what you wear." He smiled.

Nothing much happened for a while until one day I stopped by the shop. I noticed that Baily was walked funny---sort of stiff and more erect. I asked, "What's wrong with you. Did you hurt your back?"

He blushed and admitted, "I'm wearing a corset.' "What for?" I noticed how small his waist appeared and how he was standing.

Again Baily reddened. "We just finished fitting a dress," he said, unable to look me in the eye. have one for most sizes and mother does the rest." "What?"

He walked over and opened the closet door. There hung rather formidable looking, full corsets that were each marked with different waist and bust sizes. Most had padding in the busts and some at the rear.

"Mother used to use fitting dummies but they weren't right and didn't breath or move around," he said shyly. "With these, mother does the fittings on me. I walk, sit and see if there's room to breath or eat. When we are busy, I'm in these all day." "Can I see?" I asked.