The following day his mother was on the phone early. âThat was your cousin Kerryâ, she told him when she finished the call. âYou know, the one who is getting married next week. She wants you to be flower-girl at her wedding.â Brian was distraught. âHer little sister wonât do it because she hates wearing dresses.â What? And I like it? Brian thought to himself. âWhat about Sarah?â he asked his mother but she just laughed and said âfat chanceâ.
So he was going to have to wear a mortifying flower-girlâs dress at the age of fifteen because two eight-year-olds wouldnât. But he knew he was in no position to argue. He could find himself in nappies again very quickly. Although, the serenity of a play-pen began to look more desirable than parading down the aisle in a dress.
He was brought to a bridal shop for a fitting. Two friends of his cousin who were going to be bridesmaids were there in lemon dresses with pink trimmings. The dresses were straight and slender down to their ankles.
All the ladies in the shop were aware of Brianâs true status as a boy and wore broad grins. There were various comments about how they would never have guessed he was a boy if they hadnât been told, which didnât make him feel any better really.
The shop assistant was thinking hard. âWe may find it difficult to get anything in his size. Usually flower girls are much younger these days. We could fit him with a dress like the bridesmaidsâ but I guess you are looking for something different.â Kerry nodded in agreement. âI think we have an extra-large outfit from years ago in the storeroom out backâ, the assistant reckoned. âIt might be a bit short on him but should fit.â
Brian waited nervously as the women examined his appearance with great amusement. He shifted from one foot to the other, wishing he could get the damn four-inch heels off.
The assistant returned with a box from which she produced the dress. The pink matched the trim of the bridesmaidsâ dresses so Kerry was delighted. Brian looked grimly at the puffed sleeves and the large bows around the waist.
He had to strip down to his bra and panties. The women tittered at his frilly pink panties and laughed out loud on seeing the outline of his pen-is.
He was actually relieved to get the dress on. âItâs a nice ballet length on himâ, the assistant pointed out. Kerry was reasonably pleased. âDo you have any petticoats that could fill it out more?â she asked. The assistant found one of the appropriate length with several layers of organza. As his dress was smoothed out over the petticoats Brian looked enviously at the bridesmaidsâ elegantly slim dresses.
The assistant went back to the box. âI found some other old stuff too. I know that nobody wears these kinds of things anymore but I just thought you might like them.â She looked at Brian with a mischievous grin and pulled out a pink bonnet. He winced. He thought heâd seen the last of bonnets.
Kerry was delighted and took the bonnet from the pleased assistant and placed it on Brianâs head. He looked thoroughly miserable as she tied it under his chin but the women ignored that and all agreed that he must wear it.
On a roll now the assistant produced a pair of pantaloons from the box. Brian wanted to cry now but was soon stepping into the pantaloons as his mother raised his petticoats. He looked in the mirror and could see that three rows of lace, threaded with pink ribbon, could be seen below his dress.
They found a pair of ankle socks with pink lace trim for him and a pair of pink Mary Janes. He was relieved to be out of the high-heels but it was a case of out of the frying pan into the fire.
The women were unanimous that Brian had to wear this outfit and they thanked the assistant profusely for her help while Brian glared at her.
On the day of the wedding Brian had his hair and make-up done with the bridesmaids. When they emerged, Kerry and her mother were delighted. The bridesmaids had been dreading having to appear in what they regarded as stupid dresses but were now relieved that Brian was attracting all the attention with his pink dress, petticoats, bonnet and frilly pantaloons.
He just wanted to cry as they left the house in the limousine. He was facing complete humiliation in front of every relative he knew.
At the church Sarah and her little cousin stood waiting in trouser-suits. When Brian appeared he heard Sarah say âboy, am I glad I didnât have to wear that!â and her cousin nodded vigorously.
As Brian stood having his petticoats arranged around him, Sarah pointedly put her thumbs inside the waist band of her trousers and pulled them up.
Brian was handed a basket of rose petals to strew down the aisle. He took up position at the end of the church and braced himself. The organ struck up and the congregation stood and then all turned to face him.
Brian stepped forward with his right foot and brought his left foot level with it and paused as he had been coached. Then he repeated this with his left foot first.
It seemed to take an age to reach the altar. He could hear the sniggers and tittering all along the way but people were too polite to laugh out loud in the church. One woman had to cough into her handkerchief to conceal her amusement. A few people who may not have realised that this was a boy gave each other puzzled looks at the sight of this teenager in such a ridiculous outfit.
He could see everyone taking in his bonnet and pantaloons and he was dreadfully conscious of the swishing sound his petticoats made.
He was so relieved to reach the sanctuary of the altar and turned to watch the bridesmaids come up the aisle. But many people were still watching him and ignoring the bridesmaids.
During the service as he sat, knelt and stood with his back to the congregation he could still hear comments being whispered and splutters of laughter.
With the vows exchanged they all turned to head back down the aisle. Cameras were flashing as much at Brian as at the bride.
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