86-TV FICTION CLASSICS

BORN TO BE

A DAUGHTER SANDY THOMAS ADVERTISING -87

Mary grasped Barbie's soft hand in hers and stared at the large masculine ring dangling from a charm bracelet. Mary ran her fingers along Barbie's palm and noted how soft and small her hands now appeared with her long polished nails. Undoubtedly, the hand she was grasping was that of a teenage girl.

"I normally wear Todd's ring on a chain around my neck," Barbie continued, "but it would look out of place at the Prom tonight. I wouldn't dream of not wearing it, so I decided to wear it on my wrist."

All Mary saw was a cute, perky teenage girl standing before her. "You're going steady with a boy?"

"Yes, Mrs. Lamb. I'm a normal girl, and I date boys! I'm so happy to be Todd's steady girl," Barbie gushed. "All the other girls at school are simply red with envy. I can tell by the way they stare at us when we hold hands or when they see me wearing his letter jacket. He's the hunkiest guy at school."

"You mean that you even act as his girl?" Mary gasped. "Girls kiss and pet and...?"

"I'm not acting! I AM Todd's girl, and he is my boyfriend," Barbie giggled. "And WE kiss!"

The front door bell rang to announce Todd's arrival. I excused Barbie and myself so we could answer the door. "Be home by 2 AM, dear," I said after taking a picture of the handsome couple.

"Mom, can't I make it 3 AM? Todd will protect me," Barbie cried.

"Okay, but no later. You take care of her, Todd," I stated. "I will, Mrs. Reynolds," Todd said as they left with Barbie holding his arm. The clicking of her heels was the only noise made as he escorted her along the walk.

When I entered the living room, Mary was just returning from watching Todd help Barbie into his car. "T...that's my son, Ted?" Mary gasped.

"No, she use to be your son. Now she's my daughter," Bob corrected.

"But he...she is so young looking. Ted is twenty one years old," Mary gasped.

"Barbie turned sweet sixteen last month, and she loves her new life," I announced. "You heard what she said.”

Mary was completely confused. Her husband was a man's wife, and her twenty one year old son was his sixteen year old daughter. This was more than she could take, and she slumped into another deep faint. Coming out of it a few minutes later, she took a moment to collect her thoughts

"I'm not acting," Barbie blushed, "I even have a steady boyfriend. Todd really likes me.