10-MY SON, THE BRIDESMAID

Robin had noticed that his mother was more prone to watching him while he worked. Also, she had run her hands through his hair a few times as she walked by. Just like a mother would do to a young son who had messy hair before visiting relatives. Finally, when she had done it the third time in as many hours, he had to comment,

"Mom, what are you doing. That's the third time today you've done that."

"Oh, uh, it's just getting so long, I guess it's just a mother's instinct. You know, rather than letting it hang in your eyes when you work, why don't you tie it back?"

"Tie it back? How do you mean?" he questioned sheepishly. Rather than explain, his mother just took his hand and led him back to her bedroom. She sat him down on the corner of the bed while she went to her vanity to get a few things. Returning with a hairbrush and some things she put in her pocket, she went to work on his hair.

She brushed all his hair back tightly and caught it into a high, bouncy pony-tail secured with a covered elastic. Then, she took a blue satin covered "scrunchie" and fastened it over the base of the ponytail. She stepped back to admire her handiwork, pleased with the definitely girlishly high ponytail she had created. However, Robin's overly long bangs didn't quite reach the back of his head and consequently fell down over his eyes and cheeks.

"Hmmm, that's no good," she muttered. "Sit still a second more, I can fix those pesky bangs too."

Robin sat there, experiencing the new sensation of tightly pulled back hair and a sensuous tickle when his ponytail brushed the nape of his bare neck.

His mother, meanwhile, was rummaging about in a drawer. Finally, she found what she was looking for and returned with a devilish look in her eye.

Brushing each side back one at a time, Robin felt her sliding something into his hair just over his ear, followed by a metallic click.

Having completed both sides she stepped back and said with a satisfied smile, "There you go, all under control!"

The lad stood up and looked into the large vanity mirror. His heart nearly skipped a beat as he saw the shining, silver barrettes that adorned each side of his head.

TV FICTION CLASSICS-11

Leaning forward, he could see the sides and back of his head in the three-way, side mirrors. His silky hair was tied into a "cute" ponytail, certainly not the kind that he saw long-haired guys wear at school! It was way up high on his head, and tied with a colorful, blue fabric, just as he had seen girls wear!

Robin didn't know how to react. If it had been his sister who had done his hair, he could relax. She had helped him dress-up like a girl once before-but his mother? Should he show shock and pull the effeminate hair ornaments out? That would show her that he wasn't a sissy! That would ensure this kind of situation wouldn't happen again! Is that what he wanted?! Or, what if he didn't act shocked? He thought quickly as his mother stood over him, smiling, waiting for some reaction. His inner feelings kicked in, and in effect made the decision for him-'play it easy my friend' they spoke to him.

"Gee, mom, it's kind of different, isn't it?"

"I think it's just practical. It'll keep your hair in place around the house, and it's kind of stylish, don't you think?" she said as she patted some invisible stray hairs in place on his head.

"Well, I don't know much about long hair styles really. It's somewhat new to me."

Now, Evelyn Wilkes took this opening without hesitation.

"Yes, you're right. You poor thing, that horrible bowl cut wasn't much to worry about but you have beautiful hair. Let me show you how to care for it properly, like this," she said as she pointed to his current hairdo. "How about if from now on, you let me give you some pointers, you know, 'grooming tips"?"

Robin didn't miss catching some of the meaning, though he would never have guessed his mother's true thoughts when she said that.

"Hmmm, you're right. Maybe I do need some help. Ok, since you're teaching me the design business, maybe I could benefit from learning some other things. I must admit, that this the first time in months that my hair has been out of my eyes. It's quite comfortable even." The smile on his face, and the intent examination of his image