RELUCTANT PRESS

take her place with the bridesmaids, then turned to watch the bride. Linda was radiant as she made her way down the aisle to the waiting groom. Shelley felt pleased to be a part of the wedding as she watched her step-brother kiss his brideto-be.

It only took two run-throughs before everyone was satisfied that all would go well. After appropriate hugs and kisses, the group broke up. Cindy and Shelley rode in a car with two of the bridesmaids as they headed for the Green home.

During a light snack, the girls gossiped.

"Have you ever been a flower girl before," one of the bridesmaids asked Shelley.

"No, this is the first time," she replied with a grin.

"You obviously enjoy your role as much as I enjoy mine," the woman responded. "Just think, someday you'll be the blushing bride walking down the aisle!"

Shelley did blush at that. The image of her as a grown up woman, walking down the aisle made her feel warm and tingly all over. She realized it was caused by a combination of both shame and hope that it might someday happen!

For the first time, she realized she was enjoying her time as a girl. Part of her hoped it would never end!

But, there still remained quite a bit of boy safely tucked away to feel indignant and insulted about such wild hopes!

Cindy noted the blush for what it meant and giggled and jabbed Shelley in the side. Shelley was at first angered, then saw the humor in the dilemma and joined the giggles. The adult women just looked at the two giggling girls and smiled. An hour later, a tired but tense Shelley snuggled against Cindy as the two settled down to sleep. No one had suspected that Shelley was other than a seven year old girl!

In the morning, Shelley and Cindy awoke to a house buzzing with frantic nervous energy and activities as the last minute preparations tumbled into completion. Both young girls were amazed at how so many things could be going on at the same time without things getting confused.

Page 36

TWO LITTLE GIRLS

By JENNIFER SUE

Soon it was time to head for Alternative Image Beauty Salon. Just before a.m., the caravan of cars pulled into the parking lot. Barry Bangs and Ginny's mother, Mary, greeted them warmly.

For Shelley, this was a first-time trip into a full-service exclusive beauty salon. Cindy giggled as one of the beauticians took Shelley's hand and led her into the back to wash her hair. Cindy quickly followed, led by Barry Bangs himself. "I can see you're quite a beauty despite your injuries, young lady," he simpered as he shampooed her hair. "I'll see to it that your pretty little cousin doesn't outshine you too much!"

Soon, the two young girls were seated in a beautician's

chair.

"Manicure their nails," Barry instructed the woman who had shampooed Shelley's hair. "I'll style both girls. I think I can give them matching hairdos."

With that, he set about brushing and trimming the locks, jumping from one to the other with animated motions that resembled a slinky walking down the steps. In minutes he was done, both girls had their hair wrapped in rollers and were under hairdryers. The poor beautician was still busy manicuring their nails!

When their hair was dry, Barry brushed the soft, wavy styles out. Both blond girls had silken tresses that shimmered in the light. Both were quite delighted with the effect he had achieved. They looked older than their seven years, yet maintained an appearance of girlish innocence. Barry frowned as he studied the duo, placing the fingers of one hand over his lips, resting the elbow of that arm upon his other arm which was draped across his chest.

"No, not quite," he pouted while studying the pair. "I simply must make you match!" Suddenly his face brightened. "I know! Just a moment!"

With that, he swished off, only to return in a few moments with a bottle of alcohol and a small, gun-like device. "Shelley doesn't have her ears pierced," he said as he stepped beside Shelley. "But I'll take care of that!"

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