RANSVESTIA

"Are you a girlfriend of Chris'?"

Eagerly I nodded.

"Yes, Mrs. Weingarten," I said quickly, grasping at anything to prevent her from recognizing me. It sure did not explain my dust- cloth and apron. Separating the words, slowly the truth began to dawn on her. "How ... do you ... know my name? Have we... met... before... sometime?"

...

...

Feverishly I began to babble lies but was interrupted by her shout: "Himmel... you're Chris, aren't you? Maida has made a girl out of you, ja? Was ... a gut Gretchen hairdo doch."

She opened her arms and hugged me to her ample bosom. I broke down then and melted in her embrace. The world seemed at an end for me right then. I cried and cried while she tried to comfort me.

"Liebchen... Liebchen, do not weep... it's alright."

I could not stop sobbing... let alone speak a word.

As she held me, I felt the hem of my skirt around my knees, aware of my feminine shoes. My embarrassment knew no end.

Mother chose that moment to return. At a glance she realized what happened. But she greeted Mrs. Weingarten as if nothing had happened. She had brought Mrs. Rosalia with her. She did not help either, greeting me with a kiss and saying, while she pulled on my new pigtail, "How pretty your hair looks dear. Why have you been crying... what for?

Lena Weingarten and mother were finishing with the weather and just about to start on their respective medical conditions. Mrs. Rosalia happily joined in. She had not even expected a reply from me apparently. I used the opportunity to slink away, still shaking in my shoes. I had almost reached the safety of the hall when mother called: "Chrissie

"

She always called me that now, ever since she had made me wear skirts. "Chrissie will you make us a dish of tea, dear?"

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