48-TV FICTION CLASSICS #6

"IT'S TIME TO SEE IF EVERYTHING WILL STAY TOGETHER WHEN WET."

GMINLI TUNING VLIVIOINU

That afternoon, we went shopping at a department store for new school clothes; girls pant suits and jeans were the only thing that would fit. She gave up and bought me a dress too.

Later, we went into a jewelry store and she bought me a delicate gold ring; one that looked like an engagement ring. She said, "This will help you keep the boy's at bay; just tell them you're engaged." The ring sparkled on my slender red manicured finger. I felt ashamed of my soft hands.

Mom picked out a beautiful pair of earrings and said, "These would look wonderful on you."

""

"They are beautiful, but they're for pierced ears.' The sales clerk said, "We can pierce them here." Mom took me aside and whispered, "I want you to have your ears pierced. It's your only visible masculinity left, we might as well emasculate you completely. We can't have anyone reading you as a boy. It's an election year, you know. Just relax darling-it'll soon be over."

"But mom, it's permanent.

"Hush," mom said as the clerk prepared the needle, "Now hold still or the hole won't be in the right place."

"Please don't," I cried.

But the clerk ignored my pleas and I cried out again as I felt a jab of pain. Then another.

"There, it's over," the clerk said. "You have a lovely set of pierced ears."

A wave of horror swept over me.

"Let's see how this pair of earrings look now," the clerk said. "Hold your head straight, miss.'

"Do they always feel so strange," I asked.

"All the girls say that at first. You'll get used to them quickly."

I found myself gazing in amazement at the sight of gold earrings dangling from my ears. "Oh, they make me look different."

I took a deep sigh, feeling a little unsteady on my heels. The young girl in the mirror with dancing earrings was me. Mom handed me a lipstick to freshen my lips and we left to

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