20 -THE FRILL OF IT ALL!

a girl, because I had no trouble assuming I was one

now.

I put on a high collared white blouse, with puffy full sleeves, a blue plaid skirt, black pumps with one inch heels, small earrings, and a bracelet. Just before going out to show Margaret, I put some perfume behind my ears, wrists, and into my curly, girl's hairdo.

CHARM LESSONS

It started with a quick refresher of charm lessons. Then she shoved me out the door for window shopping and stopping for a soda. She wanted me to quickly get used to people looking at me. At the last minute, she panicked and ran down to change the names on the mailbox. I disconnected my phone and we went off to bed for a night in curlers and matching nighties. Tomorrow gave way to "P-Day".

Her parents were to arrive at eleven so we were up and preparing by eight. We kept finding more "things" out of place. A football tape in the VCR. Too much beer in the frig. Men's deodorant in the bathroom. I put on my underthings and pulled the rollers out of my hair. Then Margaret brushed it into attractive style. As an accent, she added a white satin ribbon to the brown curls.

I put on a conservative blue tailored dress with white collar and cuffs and a pair of red pumps. Part of the training the night before had been in makeup, so I did my own, applying it sparingly, but with a luscious pink to my cheeks and lips. With the nervousness of two schoolgirls we waited for her parents arrival.

They appeared right on time, like the plague. Actually, I was sure they were very nice people but they resembled judges at a trial for my murder at the moment.

After Margaret answered the door, She greeted them warmly and led them into the living room where I was standing demurely. I was trying to disappear into the carpet, and cursing this whole idea. To make

SANDY THOMAS ADVERTISING -21

matters worse, when they came in the living room, they seemed to be startled and gawked at me.

As they looked at me, it must have been just a few seconds, but my whole life passed in front of me. All I could think of was that I looked like a joke. I knew that any minute her parents were going to ask what the guy in the dress was doing in the middle of the living room.

The tension broke as Mrs. Johnson said, "You must be Jackie. Margaret's told us so much about you. My, you're even lovelier than that picture. The blonde was too much for a sweet girl like you!"

She came over for the final moment of truth and put her arms around me to kiss my smooth cheek. If ever I would be "read", it would be now!

Nothing happened! I responded in my softest voice and told them how glad that I was to finally meet them. Everything worked out after all.

Actually, once we get used to each other, it was almost funny. Mr. Johnson, although a stuffy midwesterner, had a real eye for the ladies. Although it was quite embarrassing, he just about stepped all over himself trying to be nice to me.

What was most funny was the sleeping arrangements. They took Margaret's room. They felt so bad that she'd have to sleep with me in such a tiny bed. I didn't mind at all!

We spent a pleasant week, with him chaperoning us to dinner and shows. Margaret and I dressed to the hilt in cocktail dresses. He took us to lunch, where I wore a blue wool suit and a flowered silk overblouse. We made a trip to the zoo in sweaters and skirts.

I have to admit to this day that her father is the fastest man at opening a door for a lady that I have ever seen. In a way I was quite sorry that they had to leave. I was enjoying my new self so much that I kind of hated to go back to plain old Jack.

Two days before they left, they gave me a present to say "Thank You" for letting them stay with me.

This box was from their store. Í quickly unwrapped the box and opened it. "Just what you need!" said Margaret who was obviously in on the selection.