RANSVESTIA

strange items, explained their use and smeared some of them rather lavishly, I though on my virgin face.

—

The other woman watched with interest, with Mrs. Rosalia oc- casionally nodding her head and making a comment.

"Her eyebrows need some attention, Maida. Do you have some tweezers handy?"

"Oh yes... pincets you mean," mother replied, ignoring my pleading looking and searching through a buffet drawer, where she kept the strangest collection of things.

As Lena was doing my lips, I could not protest, while Mrs. Rosalia "gave attention" to my eyebrows, I could not help saying "ouch" as she continued long after Mrs. Weingarten was finished. When I finally got to look in the mirror, I just could not believe my reflection. There was nothing of Christian left. Not a trace... Some fresh, pretty ... and yes... sweet girl... tried to keep from laughing at me. I went into shock. It was just like seeing a stranger wearing my dress. "I don't believe it," I finally whispered, pulling on my pigtail, to test and remind me that I was really that adorable looking girl. The three of them admired me so that I almost began to believe them when they said: "She's a real pretty girl ... ja ... a real girl."

"It's a shame she won't go out of the house," Mrs. Rosalia remarked If she wasnt so nice, I could begin to hate that woman.

"She's the prettiest girl on the block," Mrs. Weingarten added. "You will come and visit me soon, Christine ... yes?"

"Not like this," I said with real conviction.

"Why not?" Mrs. Weingarten asked, not so innocently. "And think of all the money you can make for your education ... as a babysitter or a shopgirl. Many of my customers keep asking me if I know a reliable girl for babysitting. I can get you plenty jobs."

Nobody seemed to consider the fact that I could make money as a boy, too. Anyway, I said again: "No, I won't go out as a girl."

"Not even in a real pretty outfit?" Mrs. Rosalia asked with disbelief