30-CONTEMPORARY TV FICTION

"Girlish?" he nervously giggled, leaning against a six foot corner post of his laced canopied bed. "I know. I can't believe all this is mine, either. At least the mattress's comfortable."

"MATTRESS! Silky pillow cases.. Pink quilted bed spread...Lavender striped wall paper...Matching white wicker furniture and a full length mirror.. .Heck, I'd rather sleep in a BARN!"

Wayne didn't reply. His deeply saddened frown said it all! "What's THAT?" I asked, pointing at a small bookcase in the corner of the room. You have to read that stuff too?"

"Sort of," he sputtered, all flustered. "Fashion magazines keep mr abreast of style trends. You wouldn't believe how quickly women's fashions change and..."

"But how about the books?" Picking one up, I shoved it toward his face. "ROMANCE NOVELS?"

"That's Rachel's idea," he sniffled. "She thinks reading about women's lives and identifying with the heroine, will help me understand..."

"I know," I threw my arms up in frustration. "What to feel as you run around in your little dresses.'

"Don't hate me, Ron! I hate what I'm doing, but I just can't help myself anymore."

"You got more will power than anyone. If you want out, GET OUT!"

"I only wish," he whimpered. "Something's gone wrong. I never listened to anyone, before, but now, I'm SO pliable. I think what ever they are doing to me is working...I feel like a BARBIE DOLL!"

By now, Wayne was curled up atop his bed, weeping like an infant. Leaving his side for the moment, I searched his room, trying to figure out what went awry.

I found the cassette tape atop his bookcase. Placing it in the recorder, I pressed the "play" button.

Crashing ocean surf and squawking sea birds played over the speakers. Glancing at Wayne, I saw he had suddenly stopped crying.

"Feel better?" I smiled.

"I'm okay," he demurely sighed in an airy, far away voice. Gazing glassy eyed into space, he gently petted his own cheek. "That tape. It makes me feel.. .PŘETTY."

But before I could say a word, Rachel came bounding into the room. "Aren't nature tapes SO relaxing?" she devilishly

BOSOM BUDDY -31

grinned. "Wayne has quite a few themes. . .They really help him cope."

Rachel then turned off the recorder. Within seconds, Wayne shook his head, as if coming out of a trance.

"Come BROTHER, dear," she smirked. "Rita's joining us for dinner tonight and we must look our best!"

Wayne, powerless to defy her, haplessly obeyed. As she began undressing him, I faltered, "I better go. I'll be seeing ya, pal."

"Stay, Ron," Rachel insisted, turning to Wayne, "Let's show Ron your lovely lingerie!"

My friend's agony ran so deep, he blushed purple! Under his sister's relentless prodding, he whimpered, "It's okay, you can stay Ron.

"That's right," Rachel added, "As a sweet young girl, Wayne should be embarrassed to be seen in lingerie...but you two are BUDS, right? Nothing to hide from one another?"

It'd be a big mistake, but I stayed. It was like Rachel was daring me to stay. Probably to shame her brother, Rachel made the simple process of undressing a genuine striptease!

With lingering tugs, she slowly drew the tube dress above his knees. His white thighs exposed, she wistfully flashed his remarkably sexy, nylon clad legs!

Down to just panties and bra, Wayne urgently crossed his pencil thin arms, trying to hide his narrow chest. But squeezing his legs only accentuated his disappearing waist and widening hips and shapely thighs!

"You're SO thin!" I gulped. "There's NOTHING left of you!"

"Thin's IN!" Rachel beamed. "Soon, he'll be a perfect ninety-seven pounds...with MORE changes to come!"

My friend's pitifully sorry eyes sickened me. Just as I was about to high tail out, Mrs. Carr entered the room.

"RACHEL!" she angrily scolded. "Your brother isn't a play toy. How dare you act SO cruel, especially with Ron here! Someday you might need a kidney and then you'll be in trouble!"

"Sorry, Mother," she simpered, feigning regret. "Guess I got a tad carried away."

"INDEED!" Turning to me, Mrs. Carr nodded, "Ron, please wait downstairs. Wayne will join you shortly."

As I left, I glimpsed over my shoulder. As his mother and sister doted, poor Wayne stood there, shaking with humiliation!