Fiction by Claudette © 2004, all rights reserved
CHAPTER FOUR
The next morning at breakfast Betsy looked
over at Beth. Beth had said something the night before that his mother wanted to
explore a little deeper.
“Beth honey, last night you told Mommy that there were some things about being a
pretty little girl that you already liked.”
“Yes Mommy,” he said as he ate some marmalade-covered toast. Beth tended to be
all business when he was eating. Only occasionally did he indulge in any
breakfast chat. Betsy knew that it was like pulling teeth to get him to say
anything while he was eating, which was no doubt good manners for anyone,
provided it wasn’t carried to extremes.
Before he could take another bite of the toast, Betsy told him to stop eating
for a minute. She was dying to find out what it was that he admitted to like
about being a girl. It could be the key to getting him to be her little girl for
good.
“What they are sweetheart? Are you starting to like pretty things? Please Beth,
stop eating for a minute and tell Mommy.”
“Well,” he said with a thoughtful expression on his face, “do you promise you
won’t tell anyone?”
“Why sweetheart? Mommy is very proud of you when you behave like a nice little
girl. Is it your pretty clothes dear?”
“Sort of,” he said, his taciturn reply almost driving Betsy to exasperation!
“What do you mean... ‘sort of’ ?” asked Betsy. She felt that she was possibly on
the verge of a breakthrough. If he’d explain his answer, she’d know best how to
not only have him accept his little girl status, but to eventually prefer it as
well.
“I like my blond hair and wearing a dress just like yours Mommy,” he said with a
little smile, his face blushing. “I know boys aren’t supposed to like wearing
dresses, but I can’t help it Mommy. I like my dresses and petticoats now.”
“Why sweetheart? Do you like looking like Mommy?”
“Yes, Mommy,” he answered. “Now I do.”
“What do you mean... ‘now you do’?”
“Well, when I first started being a girl, I thought you were being mean to me.
And you’re always telling other ladies about me really being a boy.”
“Oh honey...” said Betsy, “I only tell other ladies about you because I’m so
proud of my pretty girl. And I didn’t try to be mean to you dear...but I had to
make you do it at first just so you’d see how nice it is to be a pretty girl.
Why do you like looking like Mommy?”
“Because you’re so pretty, and you’re my mommy.”
“Do you love Mommy sweetheart?” asked Betsy, her eyes beginning to tear up.
“Yes Mommy,” he said. “And I like it when you kiss and hug me when I behave like
a good girl.”
Betsy couldn’t stand it anymore! Her heart was over-flowing. She got up and went
over to him and hugged his face to her breast. “Oh, sweetheart...Mommy loves you
so much... And I really am proud of you dear. I don’t mean to embarrass you when
I tell other ladies about you.”
“I don’t know why Mommy, but I don’t mind you telling them now.”
“Well darling,” said Betsy, “maybe that’s because you like being a girl now.
You’ve made Mommy so happy! And you should be proud of how pretty you look now.
There’s a lot of real girls that aren’t as pretty as you dear.”
With the abruptness of a child’s mind, he changed the subject to something else.
“Are we still going shopping today Mommy?”
“Yes Beth,” said Betsy as she dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “Now go ahead
and finish your breakfast dear. Mommy wants you to be a healthy little girl.”
“Mommy! Why are you crying?” he asked with alarm.
“Because I love you so much sweetheart. And you’ve made me so happy. It’s
alright dear. Ladies sometimes cry a little when they’re very happy.” She bent
down and hugged him to her again and kissed his cheek.
Later, as they were driving downtown, Betsy looked over at him with a smile.
“Would you like Mommy to buy you a ‘poodle skirt’ Beth? A lot of girls are
wearing them now. You’d look very cute wearing one.”
“Do they have a funny little dog on it Mommy?”
“Yes dear, and you’d look very cute wearing one with a pretty blouse or sweater.
Alright sweetheart? We’ll get you a couple of petticoats to wear under it, too.
We’ll have to get you some saddle shoes to wear with it, and white socks.”
Betsy parked her car near a department store she had never taken him to before.
“This store isn’t just for little girls dear, but they do have a lovely girls
department. Don’t forget to shake your skirts and petticoat when we get out,
Beth.”
On the sidewalk, Betsy watched with a smile as he shook his dress and petticoat
like she did. She enjoyed taking him shopping so much. It was another chance to
show him off.
“Mommy, I don’t have a skirt on. I’m wearing a dress.”
“I know dear, but ladies sometimes call the bottom half of their dress ‘skirts’.
Now hold Mommy’s hand and we’ll go in the store.” She was glad she had painted
his fingernails again before they left. She liked him to look like pretty girls
should look in all areas of their appearance. They took the elevator up to the
the women’s and girl’s department. Just as they got off the elevator a lady
suddenly waved and called to Betsy.
“Betsy! Over here.”
“Look honey! There’s Mrs. Devlin, one of Mommy’s friends. Let’s say hello to
her.” She held his hand as they walked over to a lady who looked older than
Betsy.
Instead of a full dress and petticoats, she was wearing a gray suit dress, which
did nothing for her, since she looked overweight, even with a corset. But she
smiled brightly as they went over to her.
“Oh! It’s so good to see you Betsy,” said Mrs. Devlin as they put their cheeks
together.
“How are you Faith?” asked Betsy.
“Fine dear,” she answered. “And who is this pretty little girl you have with
you?”
“This is my little girl Beth,” said Betsy. “I want to buy her a poodle skirt
today. The girls all look so cute in them.”
“Your little girl?!” said Faith. “Betsy, I’ve known you long enough to know you
don’t have a little girl. Is she one of your neighbors’ girls?”
“Oh no!” said Betsy. “She used to be my little boy, but she’s my little girl
now. Say hello to Mrs. Devlin sweetheart.”
“Hello Mrs. Devlin,” said Beth with a cute smile. He was beginning to like
surprising ladies!
“My goodness! Aren’t you a pretty little girl!” said Faith as she bent down
towards him with a big smile.
“Betsy! He’s soooo precious! How long have you been dressing him like a girl?”
“Ever since he started his school vacation for the summer,” said Betsy. “And he
likes being my little girl now. Don’t you Beth?”
“Yes Mommy. I like being a girl a lot more than being a boy. Now I can wear
pretty dresses like you do.”
“Betsy! He’s so sweet! I dressed my boy like a girl when he was younger, but he
never liked it, so I stopped. I envy you so much!”
“A lot of ladies seem to, ”said Betsy. “He’s made me so happy. He behaves like a
good little girl for Mommy now. Don’t you sweetheart?”
“Yes Mommy. It’s fun being a girl.”
“Oh! Wait til I tell Irene and Helen about him!” said Faith. “They’ll be bumping
into each other all the way over to see him.”
“Yes, tell them to come over,” said Betsy. “I love showing off my pretty little
girl.”
Suddenly Mrs. Devlin bent down and gave Beth a big hug and kissed his cheek.
"He’s so darling Betsy! I wish I could go shopping for him with you, but I have
to be going. I’m having my hair done this morning.” She bent down to Beth again.
“I’ll come over and see you again sometime sweetheart,” said Faith as she gave
him another hug and kissed his cheek. Betsy looked on with a hidden amusement,
knowing what Beth would probably say when Faith left. After she said ‘goodbye’
and went her way, Betsy looked own at Beth.
“What do you think of Mrs. Devlin?” asked Betsy.
“Gosh Mommy! I thought she was going to crush me when she hugged me. And her
perfume was so strong I couldn’t breathe!”
Betsy laughed a little. “Yes honey. Mrs. Devlin has a bit of a weight problem. I
think she’s afraid she’ll perspire and offend people. So she uses a lot of
perfume and powder. But she’s a nice lady. I bet she’ll visit us with a nice
present for you soon. But being hugged and kissed by ladies is something pretty
little girls have to expect sweetheart, even if the ladies aren’t as pretty as
they should be.”
“She’s got two chins Mommy!” said Beth.
“Stop that Beth or you’ll get Mommy laughing in public,” said Betsy trying not
to laugh out loud. ‘Children can be very direct’, thought Betsy with a grin.
“Now let’s go get you a cute poodle skirt honey. I think Mrs. Carter is bringing
some nice pictures of us to the house this afternoon. We have to be home when
she gets there.”
In the girl’s department, Betsy found the poodle skirts on a separate rack. She
picked out a pink one and brought it to a saleslady.
“Could you check my little girl’s waist size for me?” she asked.
Soon Betsy and Beth were in a dressing room as she tried it on him, along with a
pretty short sleeved white blouse. The collar and sleeves were trimmed with
white lace, and buttoned up the back.
“That doesn’t feel too tight around your tummy, does it Beth?”
“No Mommy. Gosh! It’s a big skirt Mommy!”
“Yes honey. It’s what they call a circle skirt. It’s a very full skirt, but your
petticoats will fill it out nice. Mommy’s going to get you some waist high
petticoats for the summer dear. And some pretty camisoles, too. Let’s go look in
the big mirror in the store now.”
When Beth saw himself in the poodle skirt and blouse, he made a big smile. “Gee
Mommy! It’s just like the one a girl in school was wearing.”
“Do you like it dear?” asked Betsy.
“Yes Mommy. I want to wear the same things other girls wear. Why don’t you get
one Mommy?” asked Beth.
“Well, I’d like to honey,” answered Betsy, “only poodle skirts aren’t really for
ladies. But girls look very cute in them honey. Now we have to get you some
saddle shoes to go with it. I don’t really like them, but they’re very popular
with poodle skirts now.”
The saleslady came over to them as Beth looked in the mirror. “She looks darling
in it!” she said with a nice smile.
“Yes, and the wide belt will hold her petticoats in place,” said Betsy.
They left the store with the skirt, some waist-high petticoats, a couple of
camisoles, and the saddle shoes. As they walked back to the car, Beth skipped a
few times on the sidewalk as he held Mommy’s hand. His dress and bouffant slip
bounced up in front of him.
“You seem very happy today sweetheart,” said Betsy.
“Yes Mommy. Thank you for my new skirt and petticoats, and the camisoles.”
“You’re welcome honey,” said Betsy. “Mommy wants you to be a happy little girl.”
“I am Mommy,” said Beth with a big smile. It was at moments like these that
Betsy knew she had done the right thing to make him be a little girl.
When they got home, Betsy had no sooner put Beth in her new poodle skirt, white
petticoats and ankle socks, along with a training bra and white camisole under
his white blouse, and the clunky looking saddle shoes, when they heard the
doorbell chimes.
“That must be Sally Carter with our pictures, honey. Go ahead downstairs and
answer the door while I gather up the shopping bags and price tags. I’ll be down
in a minute. Be careful on the stairs with your new shoes sweetheart.”
“Yes Mommy,” he said. Soon he opened the front door.
“Well, look at this pretty girl in her poodle skirt!” said Sally. “You look so
sweet honey! Where’s your mommy Beth?”
“She’ll be down in a minute Mrs. Carter,” said Beth with a big smile. “Mommy
just bought my poodle skirt for me, and some petticoats and things, too.”
“Oh, it’s very pretty dear. I bet you like it a lot.”
“Yes Mrs. Carter. I saw some other girls wearing poodle skirts. I’m glad I have
one now, too. Mommy said you should come in and sit down.”
“Thank you precious,” said Sally, as she came in and sat down in a chair. She
placed a large flat paper wrapped package against the side of her chair. “I’ve
got something you and your mommy are going to love sweetheart!”
“Are they the pictures you took of Mommy and me?” asked Beth excitedly.
“Yes dear, but let’s wait til she joins us before I show them to you.” Then
before Beth could sit down, Betsy came into the parlor.
“Sally! I was afraid we might miss you,” said Betsy. “We just got back from
shopping. How do you like Beth’s poodle skirt? Isn’t it cute!”
“It’s adorable Betsy! And so full! How many petticoats is he wearing under it?”
“Just two,” said Betsy, “but being brand new, they’ll keep his skirt nice and
poufy.”
“Well, let me show you the pictures of you two pretty girls,” said Sally. She
took the large flat package from the side of her chair and took off the brown
wrapping paper. When she held up the first big enlargement for them to see,
Betsy fell in love with it! It was the one of Betsy and Beth sitting on the
couch together. Betsy had her arm around Beth’s shoulders and Beth was leaning
his head against the side of Betsy’s breast. Betsy had a nice smile on her face,
and Beth did, too. White petticoats peeked from beneath their pink gingham
‘mother and daughter’ dresses.
“Oh! Look sweetheart! Isn’t that a pretty picture of us!”
“Yes Mommy,” said Beth. “I hope you hang it in here so everyone can see it when
they visit us.”
“Yes honey. I will. It’s such a precious picture Sally! I can hardly wait to see
the next one. Is it as big as this one?”
“Yes, but this one is in landscape position. The next one is in portrait
position.” She held up the next picture showing Betsy and Beth standing
together, with Betsy’s arm around Beth’s shoulders again, smiling down at her
little girl, and Beth looking up and smiling at Mommy. The white scalloped lace
hem of their bouffant slips showed a little below the hem of their dresses.
“There are two of this picture,” said Sally, and I also had them make some
ten-by-fourteen copies for myself. They’re such darling pictures I wanted to
have them to show my friends. I know they’ll love seeing them.”
“Sally, they really are beautiful,” said Betsy. “How large are these?”
“Forty by thirty inches,” replied Sally. “Special equipment is needed to get
them this large. But I think they’ll be lovely here and in your bedroom.”
“I can’t thank you enough Sally!” said Betsy.
“I like them too, Mrs. Carter,” said Beth. “Thank you lots!”
“Well, two pretty girls should have nice pictures of themselves,” said Sally. “I
think they’re classic ‘mother-and-daughter’ pictures. But I’m afraid I have to
get going now. I’ll see you two pretty girls again soon.”
Betsy and Beth both thanked her again and said goodbye at the front door. Then
Betsy turned to Beth.
“Honey, won’t it be nice to look up at the pictures now and then to see the two
of us looking so nice in our pretty look-alike dresses?”
“Yes Mommy. I hope you hang them up soon.”
“I will sweetheart,” said Betsy. “Mommy loves them, too.”
“Mommy, your dress goes all the way past your knees,” said Beth. “But my dress
doesn’t even reach my knees. Why is my dress so much shorter than yours Mommy?”
“Beth! That’s good that you notice things like that. Little girls should notice
things about their pretty clothes. The reason that little girls have short
dresses is so that their petticoats will show more often, especially when
they’re sitting down. Little girls look so precious with their petticoats
showing! That’s why they have shorter dresses honey. I bet you’re starting to
like showing off your poufy slips and petticoats now. Aren’t you?”
Beth blushed, smiled shyly and squirmed around on the couch a little. “Is it
alright for me to like doing that Mommy?”
“Yes sweetheart,” said Betsy as she bent down and gave Beth a little kiss on his
cheek. You go right ahead and let ladies see your poufy slips and petticoats.
All little girls do it because they like to have people see how pretty they
look.”
“Gee Mommy!” said Beth. “It is fun being a girl! And I love my poodle skirt.”
Betsy smiled and gave him a big hug and kissed his cheek. ‘He’s really my little
girl now’, thought Betsy, and she loved Beth so much. She was the center of
Betsy’s whole life now, and she wouldn’t have traded places with any other
mother in the world.
CHAPTER FIVE