8SANDY THOMAS ADVERTISING

Jeff's heart was pounding as if he had just sprinted the mile. He pushed the doorbell and waited. What was he expecting he thought, why was he nervous? The door opened and there stood Tani. Jeff's eyes looked at his friend and they sent very intriguing messages back to his brain.

Tani was dressed casually. It was impossible to tell that he had spent 5 hours getting himself ready! Of course, much of it was trying different looks. What Jeff saw was the final result. Tani's hair seemed to be fuller than it had been on Wednesday. His pageboy, through subtle teasing in the right places, was much fuller, fluffier and curled under much more than before.

What would Jeff have thought had he seen Tani earlier in the day as he walked around with his hair set on jumbo-sized rollers? Simple, yet elegant gold-loop earrings were visible in his ears. His eyes looked very expressive, but it was not possible to detect the very subtle and skillful application of eyeshadows and mascara that were actually there. And the moist lips were ever so slightly enhanced with a darker color.

Tani was also wearing a wearing a knit top, but his had short sleeves and a v-neck which showed a delicate gold chain around his neck. Tani's slacks were white cotton and his shoes were penny loafers. Invisible were his white lace camisole, matching silk tap pants, and ultra sheer nylon stockings. Of course, he was also wearing his elastic gaff for that ultra flat look he had had on Wednesday.

Tani held his breath and waited for a reaction but there was none. Obviously his "look" was not shocking to Jeff.

Jeff led the way to his car and without thinking opened the door for his friend to get in. Tani noticed the gentlemanly gesture and smiled a "Thank you.".

They sat through the movie. Neither one of them was really concentrating on it though. Jeff wanted to talk, get to know this person. This Tani-a new person, at least one which had hidden herself from him.

Tani didn't know how to react-as a boy, boisterous at the action parts or like Jeff's date. He decided that he would sit quietly, his knees pressed together properly, occasionally smoothing the velvety pants over his knees.

Finally the credits rolled by and the lights came up. Soon they were in the parking lot headed for the car.

"So, feel like some pizza?" Jeff asked. "Sure, sounds great."

"How about Luigi's?"

MY SON, THE BRIDE 9

Luigi's was a small pizza restaurant down in the Westwood area. Jeff had suggested it because it was far enough away that they shouldn't run into anyone they knew. The place was pretty busy, this being a Saturday night. Most of the other patrons were young couples. The owner, Luigi, greeted them at the door and led them to the table.

"Will these romantic little corner be alright?" he asked Jeff. Jeff blushed and stammered, "Yeah. . .fine.

Luigi smiled and left them alone. Tani couldn't resist, "Theees rromantic corner? yeeesss?" he mimicked Luigi's accent and both boys broke up laughing.

A young waitress came by and gave them menus. After a few minutes she returned with her order pad and turned to Tani,

"Are you ready to order miss?"

Tani was so used to eating in restaurants as Tana that he didn't even notice the reference to him as "miss". He just told the girl what they had decided on. When she left he noticed Jeff's astonished expression.

"She called you miss!" he said in a hushed whisper. Then it struck Tani...he was supposed to be Tani not Tana tonight. He was embarrassed and fumbled for a response,

"Yeah...that always happens to me," he said. "Especially when I dress mod'."

"It does? You're kidding," Jeff replied, confused but determined, "Well you would make a beautiful girl. . .I mean. .you know, your small and pretty. I mean that in a complimentary way." He wasn't sure if he was insulting Tani or flattering him.

Tani saw an opening, "Yeah, my mom always says that." "What do you mean?"

"She's always trying to get me to try on a dress or something just to see HOW pretty," Tani lied, he didn't need any prodding from his mother for that! Jeff dropped a bombshell.

"Have you ever tried it. . .I mean to dress as a girl? I did once for a Halloween party a few years ago, but I looked really funny," Jeff admitted.

Tani didn't know where this was heading but played along on instinct. "Yeah, I dressed up a few times. . .you know.. .for a costume party and stuff. Some of the stuff I wear now