RANSVESTIA

It sounded like the old story of how many versts grandpa had, and I dismissed that remark. After all, what happened 50 years ago is not relevant now, right? I bet many girls today did not own more than two panties and some blue jeans. Hopefully I asked:

"Didn't you get anything for me. for a boy, I mean?" Silly ques- tion. I already knew the answer, of course. And mother ignored the question completely. I paled when she opened the next parcel and drew from it some baby doll nightgowns... and then a slinky long nylon nightgown. I started again:

"But Mother. . . What about my pyjama's? Why did you get that housecoat?" I asked, pointing at the latest thing she withdrew.

"Do not be so dumb- you're wearing nice things in the daytime so why should not you sleep in them also? You'll look so ... what do you say, 'kjoet” in this."

She smiled, holding up the light blue baby doll gown. "They cost nearly $10," she added. That made me swallow my harsh response. I knew how hard it was for her to spend a few extra dollars, let alone the over 50 bucks she must have shelled out for all of this. Why she must have saved for months to do this. So I kept my mouth shut and tried not to look too mad.

It was not until it was too late that I recognized the big mistake I was making. Like the time when I had admired Carmel's pretty petty- coat... and when I let them lace me in the first corset. Mistakes all. But at the moment I could think only of her sacrifice. I hugged her and said: "You should have bought a nice dress for yourself.”

"I much ratherly buy things for you Lieber," she said, stroking my longish hair and holding me close to her. "You look so nice now Lieberski." When she used that word that had become the topmost of endearment terms in our 16-year relationship, I became emulsi- fied. I really loved my mom.

After we broke up, I did not have the heart to protest anymore as she showed me how really extravagant she had been. There were some kicky sculptured panty hose, nylons, some new bras, a nice miniskirt and even some hair ribbons and a shiny barette for my hair.

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