58 TV FICTION CLASSICS

It was very quiet, hardly a single, solitary sound expect for the rustle of a skirt.

In fact, only when Alan appeared to be sneaking into his room did his mother show herself and say, "I see you've been shopping!" Alan jumped. Quite clearly his mother was surprised also at the volume of bags and boxes.

"Oh!" said his mother, "I thought. . ." Then she stopped and stared at the bags and saw they were from the Boutique.

A red faced Alan muttered, "I guess I got carried away." "Let me see, dear," his mother said walking him into his room and laying out his purchases.

"Good grief!" cried his mother delightedly. "You've done it. These are delightful! But I don't think you'll be wearing these much after you save that nest egg?"

There were skirts-short skirts, many short skirts. "They were having a sale?" Alan defended.

There was a three-buckle kilt in plaid, a tiered gingham in black and white print, a country style, button-front shirt with a lacy petticoat that was meant to show and a black leather mini-skirt with matching wide leather belt.

"Very nice," his mother gushed then joked, "I always knew you should have been a girl. I should have put you in dresses a long time ago! Who cares about biology, anyway!" his mother added, apparently as an afterthought.

Alan asked sweetly, "Do you really like them? I shouldn't have bought so many."

"Oh you'll get the wear out of them. They are as pretty as if they'd been made for you...did Cindy bring on this sudden interest in an 'off work' wardrobe?"

"I guess," Alan said, answering his mother's question. Blushing brightly, Alan said, "Cindy thinks I might as well be wearing dresses all the time."

"She does, does she? That would make things easier and less confusing for you!" His mother was clearly delighted. She sat Alan down in front of his vanity, and fondied his hair.

"Actually, I'm not sure," Alan said.

"Not sure of what?" his mother said absent-mindedly, as she handed him a darker shade of lipstick.

"She means all day, every day! Do you think I could get away with it?" Alan asked, as he touched up his lips.

"Why not?" his mother said with smile. "Let me see you in your new skirts."

Alan complied readily and dutifully, feeling very feminine as he showed off for his mother. He rose gracefully, minced daintily over and put on the gingham skirt. Reaching into a box, he pulled out a new pair of pumps with almost four inch heels.

He straightened the skirt, and finally stopped in front of his mother where he swirled about for inspection.

HAIR TODAY, GOWN TOMORROW -59 "Will I do?" Alan asked demurely, with only a little fluttering of his long eyelashes.

"You will," his mother said affectionately. Seeing him sexily saunter over to try on another skirt, his mother had a reservation, she asked, "Being a girl will be different...know anything about boys?" "Hardly anything," Alan admitted wistfully, but added, "Cindy said she'll teach me. I'm willing to learn."

"Poor, innocent lamb," his mother thought to herself but didn't say anything more.

Alan opened the door wide and saw Cindy in her handsome pants outfit. Cindy smiled at her date and followed Alan inside. Daintily, Alan with a prim, ladylike little stride, walked carefully with Cindy following. He felt his dress flow gently with his hip motion. Just once he checked his curls in back gently.

Cindy looked at Alan, as they sat down with his mother. She tried to smile. Alan looked like a scared, little girl as Cindy said, "Hello Mrs. Taylor."

She said simply, "Do you like Alan's new dress? He picked it out just for you.'

Cindy couldn't have helped herself if she'd wanted to. She got up and put her arms around Alan and gave him a thoroughly genuine kiss and then backed off for a better look. "Why, it's extremely pretty," she said then asked Alan, “Isn't it exciting? You going to be a girl all the way, full time with a new name and everything! Are you ready?"

Alan flushed all over and said, "I'm going to try!"

His mother said, "Isn't he a living doll? He's cute enough to be my daughter and I'm proud of him."

"I'm glad that's settled," Cindy said smugly.

The three of them sat around the coffee table in the parlor munching cakes and sipping coffee. Alan, feeling terribly domestic, had insisted on preparing and serving.

Alan was, of course, quite the focal point of the conversation. He really only heard parts of the conversation, since most of the time he was sent out for more coffee or something.

He only heard little fragments and phrases, and noted pleasantly that they were about "a plan," but had no real idea of what was really going on.

He was aware all at once that his mother was snapping her fingers. "Huh?" he said, looking at his mother.

"Come back, dear," His mother teased, "We were just talking about boys.'

"Oh," Alan said brightly.

His mother said matter-of-factly, "I know you are dating Cindy but you'll look like two girls out alone. You have to learn about boys, luckily Cindy has offered to teach you.'