RANSVESTIA

brandy in the air-brandy or some other liquor. I sat down next to Erica, smoothing my skirt first, a move not missed by Mrs. Mallet.

"Erica, I don't really know what you expected me to think by this little ruse you pulled," she started, then paused, then added, "But, well, I've thought it over a bit." Pause. "I know you two have been seeing each other for some time, but you, Dave, are unknown to me other than one chance meeting and from what Erica has said." She looked at me and uneasily I shifted my weight and changed my position-very conscious of what I was wearing as the nylons whis- pered with the move.

"So, what I suggest is that you move in with us here. There is ample room and you don't have to go off behind anyone's back. Also you could dress to match your work; in fact, I'd insist on it." Again I shifted; I had not expected any such approach.

"Well, Mrs. Mallet, that is a kind offer, but I'm not sure that Erica would go for just that arrangement." I looked at her. "But we could get married right away, if you'd like."

Before Erica could answer, Mrs. Mallet broke in, "No, Dave, I would prefer you put off getting married for awhile. I'd like to know you better before I give my consent. Now, I realize that consent is not all that important in the world as it is now-a-days, but I think that Erica would like to have it, if possible." At that she looked at Erica and smiled. “After all, you'd be together here and will be able to see if you really would like to get married. It's a big step and you want to be fully informed."

Little did we know what she was hatching in her mind or we would have walked out then, at least I think we would have, now I'm not all that sure. We glanced at each other. She looked sort of quizical, like she didn't know if I'd buy what her mother was selling. She glanced at her mother then looked again at me, and said, "Well, Dave, what do you think? We do have enough room here. I want to get married but as long as I have you here, we could put off the ceremony. I'm sure, but mother is right, she doesn't know you and I would of course like to have her consent." Her mother smiled and looked in my direction.

I didn't know exactly what to say. So, I started sorting things out by asking questions, "You mean you want me to move in here and give up my apartment?"