32 -THE FRILL OF IT ALL!

SUMMER VACATION

Margaret's parents insisted that she come home for the summer to work in their department store. She encouraged me to come with her. "We know you can pass as a girl. . .Why not be one for the summer and pick up a few dollars too?"

"I probably could pass," I confessed, fingering my now even longer hair.

"You can do it and I'll bet that we will have a lot of fun doing it, too. Besides, Dad will pay you more than you'd ever make as a boy."

By the time we arrived at her parents, I was ready to face the world as a girl.

Not having any choice but be alone for the summer, I found myself as "Jackie” again...with a sales girl job. Before we left for her parents, Margaret made me go to a beauty shop and get the works! Nails, perm and color. Even I was amazed at my image!

For my first day at work, Margaret suggested a conservative skirt and blouse and low heeled pumps. "We are going to be on our feet all day. Once you get used to it we'll want to wear higher heels."

With my plucked eyebrows, made-up face, curled hair, I went off to work. Margaret said, "I'm so proud of you. By the end of the summer, I can't wait to see how feminine you get."

After a few final words of encouragement and a covert kiss, we entered the store to begin our summer jobs.

Our jobs would be to fill in on vacationing salesgirls and would work in various departments throughout the store. I quickly found out that I liked working in the women's department most. Selling men jockey shorts made me feel weird.

What surprised Margaret and even me, was how easily I fit in as a "salesgirl". I was excited about the creative aspect of the job and by the second week, I was discussing fashion and dress styles with Margaret. I had a eye for what looked good...guess I knew what men wanted their women to look like. Small

wonder.

SANDY THOMAS ADVERTISING -33

There were a lot of subtle adjustments in my life at home. I was used to Margaret doing most of the woman's work and I did the guys stuff. I fumbled at first when Margaret told me to iron my own dress. "But Margaret, I don't know how...besides you do the ironing."

"No more! Ironing is part of what we girls do," Margaret stated, "And it would look odd to my parents if I did your ironing."

That night when her parents were away Margaret taught me how to iron and a few other girl chores.

Each day I was learning more about what a woman's life was like. One day while I was fixing a skirt's split sem Margaret suggest I shorten the skirt.

"Gee, Jackie...you have great legs, why not show off a bit more?" Margaret said. "I'll show you how.'

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The next day I proudly wore my re-fashioned slim mini-skirt to work. Margaret was amazed at the speed with which I absorbed the supposedly alien knowledge of what to wear with what.

"Oh, that skirt is perfect for you now! I'm jealous!" raved Margaret about the way my legs looked. "Maybe we should shorten all our other skirts? I began to experiment with different accessories. Higher high heels, dark textured stockings, and sumptuous jewelry.

The money was good and the fashions irresistible. With our deep employee discount, it seemed almost free. It was hard to believe but I actually bought myself a few new dresses and outfits.

"This skirt would be perfect for school," Margaret said to me one day.

"You should get it! It's already 30% off and with our employee 50%..."

"I was thinking about for you," Margaret replied. I was sure she noticed me flinch when she said those words.

"Uh....what do you mean?"

"Well, I didn't mean to class but for on weekends.. .you know when my parents come visit," Margaret