TV FICTION CLASSICS

SUBSTITUTE DAUGHTER -7

became even worse after she started teaching for Swifter Air. The first time I learned that something was going wrong was when Bob said he couldn't play softball after work.

"Mary wants me to come home right after work,” he said.

"But, you like to play and our team will miss you. You're the best and fastest player," I said.

“I know...I want to play, but Naomi says that I have to do whatever her mother says."

I commiserated with him. Softball was really his best sport and his only way to relax. I felt sorry for Bob. "Why does she want you to go home right after work," I asked.

"Mary says I have to help around the house. She says it's dirty and has to be cleaned from top to bottom." "But what about your job at the beer bar?"

"That's not until 7 o'clock," he said sadly. "And please don't come to my house."

"Why not?," I asked, surprised at this strange request.

At first he didn't want to tell me, but then he said: "Will you promise not to make fun of me if I tell you?"

"Of course," I replied. "Friends never make fun of each other except when it's a joke."

"Well..." he hesitated. "My mother-in-law says that I have to be careful with my clothes because they are expensive and. . .I. . .have to wear an apron when I'm home doing housework. That's almost all of the time

now.

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"So what," I said, assuming of course that it would be some kind of masculine covering like we sometimes wear at the shop.

"It's terrible," he said. "She made it especially for me and Naomi says that it wouldn't be nice to refuse to wear it. It's all white. . .and it looks like a girl's thing!!"

I tried to console him. "It's just in the house. . .So what? Who cares?"

"I do," he snorted. "I'm the one who has to wear it. And that's not all. She's making me something special to wear at the beer bar and she says I have to wear the

apron there, too."

"Oh no,” I said. "That's terrible. You want me to come and talk to her?"

"It won't do you any good. She has set her mind on it and you know how she is. She said she'd leave town if I said another word about it. Naomi and I really need her help.”

I slapped him on the shoulder. "Well, maybe it won't be too bad. I'll tell you what, I'll come and pick you up at seven and we can walk together to Doc's Bar. Nobody better try to make fun of you. . .or they'll get it."

Bob tried to smile. "Thanks John. . .I've been thinking of finding some other job so I won't have to be home so much and wear that silly thing."

"But you hardly have any spare time for yourself now!"

He sighed and walked home alone and I went on to soccer practice.

As promised, that evening I went to Bob's house. I was a little early and barged in as was my custom. Mary and Naomi were in the living room. I must say it looked neater and cleaner than ever before. After saying hello to them, I announced that I had come to pick up Bob.

"He's in the kitchen," Mary scowled. I was beginning to dislike her.

I headed for the kitchen to find Bob. When I found him I was really shocked...more than I cared to show. I surprised him when I entered the kitchen. It looked like he was going to cry. ..but with an effort he managed to control himself and busied himself putting away the clean dishes, turning to try and hide his face. No wonder he felt so bad!! Over his blue jeans and sweatshirt he was wearing what looked like a girl's white dress. It was tied in back with a bulky, neatly tied bow and when he turned around I saw what a sissy girl's thing it really was. It had a square neck festooned with a panel of lace. The armholes were ruffled and the apron had a cotton gathered skirt with the waistband smooth and tight around his waist. It had two ruffled pockets on the skirt and there was a flounce at