The Portrait of Edward Gray

[Dancer4Fun]

I would have thought that Aunty Patricia would have included a pretty lemon coloured slightly padded training bra with his new dress.

If her goal is to eventually have him dressing fulltime a training bra would be the one thing that would be the most feminizing addition to his wardrobe.

Nearly all girls by the age of thirteen are wearing training bras weather they need them or not.   

The first time he put on his training bra is when he would realise this is no short-term thing.

"But Aunty I don't need a bra."

"You silly boy, a training bra will help you feel more feminine and help you find your feminine stillness."

[sissyboy1212]

Edward's Last Day of School

        For most of Edward’s classmates, the last bell of the school year rang with a jubilant finality. Almost at once the hallways became a river of students and voices chattering excitedly over one another. Lockers slammed open and shut. One of Edward’s classmates bragged that his family was leaving for the lake first thing in the morning. Another boy looked forward to his baseball camp. Even the teachers seemed a little lighter as they stood by their doors saying cheerful goodbyes while the students spilled past them into the warm afternoon.

        Each happy exchange among his classmates seemed to strike him in a different place. Summer, to everyone else, sounded wide open and carefree. To Edward it almost felt like a door closing. The rest of his afternoon would be subject to Aunt Patricia’s schedule and the demands of the portrait. Very soon, he would be prettily dressed in one of his dresses and on the way to Miss Vale’s studio for another sitting. Another long afternoon of ringlets, velvet, and stillness was in front of him. Even more days being dressed, curled, powdered and posed awaited him after that. He sighed in resignation. Weeks of his summer had been stolen in advance.

        And of course, there was also the matter that the girlish way he was spending his free time was no longer a close secret. That thought kept returning.  Lily knew, Hannah knew, Sophie knew, Rachel knew, and those were only the names he knew for sure. There seemed to be another cluster of girls at neighboring lockers, friends at lunch tables and older students who knew what a sissy he was becoming. Edward could not stop imagining Hannah sharing the pictures of him in his darling yellow dress at the ice cream shop. Who else would find out? Who had already found out?

        Edward moved through the crowd quietly, trying not to listen.

        As soon as he was home, he found himself back in his darling pink Sunday school dress. Then, in what seemed like the blink of an eye, he was back in Miss Vale’s studio. This time, the swiftness of the transition unsettled him more than anything. Less than two hours earlier, the last bell of the school year had released everyone else into summer. He could still hear it in his mind. Edward had been carried in the opposite direction.

        He was again dressed with careful efficiency in his corset, tights, silk chemise and fluffy petticoats. He quietly endured the skilled pull of Mrs. Bell’s comb through his hair and the return of his adorably glossy ringlets. The vaguely familiar layer of powder and lipstick made his face soft and demure once more as he was again meticulously fastened into the old lilac gown.

        Miss Vale then guided him back onto the chair and made sure his layers of skirts and petticoats were arranged just so. She placed his hands and feet with that same gentle precision. Edward sat very still as the pose closed around him again. All Miss Vale’s little supports, stays and ties were put in place to ensure he held the most delicately girlish pose for his portrait. He knew now what each touch and adjustment meant, and he felt a fresh embarrassment in how quickly his body obeyed the routine. Jarringly, the happy sounds from the playground cascaded through the window as Edward was again enveloped in his elaborate Victorian finery.

        The seconds stretched into small eternities as he sat demurely, encased in his intricately feminine wardrobe.

        Aunt Patricia leaned toward his mother with a glowing smile. “He really is so lovely like this,” she murmured admiringly, “look how much more natural he looks today!”

        Edward silently cringed as his Aunt Patricia practically fawned over his girlish appearance. He was unsettled to feel another disturbing warmth and excitement in his frilly panties!

        Almost as if she sensed his reaction, his aunt’s smile widened with unmistakable satisfaction. “His hands rest so daintily, and it’s so sweet how those darling ringlets frame his face.” Aunt Patricia gave a pleased little sigh. “Practice has done wonders for our little darling. It is almost as if the gown remembers him. He looks as though he were born for this!”

        His mother nodded softly but did not speak. Miss Vale continued to paint with gentle but confident strokes of her brush.

        Later, with his fourth sitting mercifully behind him. Edward again sat with his mother and aunt in the little ice cream shop.  Aunt Patricia had decided it would be nice to continue these “outings” after his sittings as a reward. All things considered, Edward would much rather have gone straight home than spend more time dressed like this with all the eyes on him. He had been reticent to say anything, however, and his mother had of course gone along. So here he sat again back in his pink Sunday dress. He worried that Lily or Hannah or one of the other classmates who seemed to know about him would walk in any moment.

        It was while they ate that Aunt Patricia spoke again. “Edward, dear, now that school is out for the summer, we can make some more plans.” She continued, “Miss Vale told me that she thinks she will actually need about fifteen more sittings to get your portrait exactly right.”

        Edward started involuntarily. “Fifteen more… Aunty?” he managed to spit out.

        “Well yes, now that she’s had time to assess the work, I’ve asked her to make sure she captures all the rich details of your hard work, sweetie!” 

        Edward had been counting the days until summer looking forward to a reprieve. He had desperately wanted to reclaim at least a little free time away from dresses for himself. The last few days had been nerve-wracking. Now the number of sittings he would have to endure seemed to multiply of their own accord.

        “Since it appears we have all this extra time,” Aunt Patricia announced happily, “I spoke to Mrs. Bell today and she agrees we should arrange some maintenance appointments for your hair while you are doing your sittings.” She continued, “consistency is everything!” She explained, “Miss Vale cannot be expected to paint the same ringlets if they change from one session to the next.” 

        With a sinking feeling, Edward sat silently as Aunt Patricia informed him and his mother that she had already set up a series of “maintenance” appointments at Mrs. Bell’s salon, “Belladonna,” on Saturday mornings until the portrait was done. “Your first one is this Saturday,” she announced.

        Edward looked powerlessly at his mother, helplessly hoping she might object. Mrs. Gray only nodded uncertainly. “If Miss Vale thinks it will help the sittings, perhaps it is sensible.” Edward understood then that this portrait project had grown even more tentacles outside the studio.

        “And since we have such an open schedule before your sittings now, Mrs. Bell offered as well that we could bring you to Belladonna for a brief appointment before each sitting to put your ringlets in.” Aunt Patricia smiled, “It’s right down the street, and she just thinks it will be faster and easier to do it in her salon instead of the studio.  Of course, I agreed at once!”

        “Patricia, won’t that be expensive?” Edward’s mother asked hesitantly.

        “Don’t give it a second thought, Marian,” Aunt Patricia replied nonchalantly, “It was my idea, so of course I will see to it.” 

        Edward’s spirits plummeted. Now his Saturday mornings would be stolen too, and the added prospect of a hair salon visit before every sitting promised to draw things out even more. Adding this new regimen of hair care did not feel like dressing up for a single afternoon. A dress could be taken off. A little makeup could be washed away. But his hair was his hair, growing every day. Aunt Patricia now spoke of it as something to be preserved, trained and closely managed. The continuity of it all began to weigh on him, the idea that he was always being kept ready for this portrait’s increasing demands.

[sissyboy1212]

A Delightful Trip to Belladonna

       Saturday morning arrived in a flash. The first visit to Belladonna was more taxing, in some ways, than the first portrait sitting. On Saturday morning, Aunt Patricia had arrived earlier than expected to drive them to the salon. To his chagrin, Edward learned that his hair appointments would require the same preparation as the sittings themselves. He had been wearing a normal pair of shorts and a striped polo shirt when she made her entrance.

       â€śWhy Marian, why isn’t Edward dressed yet?” she asked with a trace of disappointment.

       His mother’s face tightened a bit, but she only said, “We didn’t expect you so early Patricia.” It came out rather feebly.

       For a moment, Edward was confused. He was dressed. “What do you mean… Aunty?” he began to ask. But even as the words left his lips, he instinctively knew the answer. He realized that it had been useless to pretend otherwise.

       â€śYou can't wear that, sweetheart," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Of course, we'll get you into one of your pretty dresses for your hair appointments, darling,” Aunt Patricia almost giggled as she removed any doubt. Then her expression changed to amusement if he had said something humorous. “The salon is part of the process now, dear. We can’t separate the maintenance from the portrait.”  With a more insistent tone she added, “it would be silly to show up for a girl’s hair appointment dressed as a boy, now wouldn’t it dear?”

       Edward gulped. Then he caved almost immediately with a monotone voice, “of course Aunty… that would be… silly.”

       â€śNever fear, Aunty is here!” she said cheerily. “I think that your adorable yellow frock would be perfect today. Let’s pair it with those precious tights again!” She added, “That outfit looked so charming in the ice cream shop the other day with your little friends!”

       Once Edward was dressed, they were off in Aunt Patricia’s fancy car. Belladonna was an elegant salon with gilt mirrors, glass shelves and soft salon chairs that turned gently beneath bright lights. At least in Miss Vale’s studio, everyone knew the purpose of his curls. At Belladonna, he was an object of new curiosity. Soon, Mrs. Bell led him to the back. He was sat down meekly in a salon chair amongst all the ladies getting their hair done in his frilly yellow dress, pristine white tights and shiny Mary Janes.

       Once he was perched on the chair, Mrs. Bell lifted Edward’s hair between two fingers and let it fall against his cheek. Propped on the counter, Edward saw the photograph of his great-great grandmother was displayed for reference.

       â€śWe just need to ensure your ringlets will continue to match the photograph,” Mrs. Bell observed, “and young hair grows fast.”  She added, “Miss Vale depends on consistency.” She went on, “We are just going to refine and shape the ends and maintain the overall length.” Edward stared at his reflection in the mirror, where his hair fell around his face in soft, betraying waves.

       Mrs. Bell began with a towel tucked carefully around his collar to protect his dress. A bright pink salon cape was snapped around his neck so that only his white tights and Mary Janes were visible beneath it. Then Mrs. Bell leaned the chair back and began washing his hair with lavender shampoo, working the suds through the longer strands near his temples with small circular motions. Next, she rinsed it until it fell smooth and heavy into the sink. Then she patiently worked in conditioner and rinsed again. She blotted his hair gently with a towel rather than rubbing. Finally, she sat him back up to face the mirror. She trimmed away the tiniest uneven tips and sectioned his still damp hair into neat rows with the point of a comb. She then wound it in soft rollers before drying it all gently with slightly warm air.  She set several “practice” ringlets just to make sure they would behave correctly for the sittings.

       As his hair was lovingly washed, conditioned and then carefully trimmed, Edward felt completely self-conscious and also a bit suffocated. The salon was unmistakably feminine in a way the studio was not. Belladonna was softer, brighter, and much more public. All around him, women discussed shades of nail polish, elegant hairstyles and fancy hair products. The sweet chemical smell of setting lotion and other scents filled the air. Sitting there in his yellow party dress under the pink cape made Edward feel as if he had crossed into a new reality. He wondered enviously how the other boys in his class were spending the first Saturday of their summer vacation. He was sure none of them were doing anything like this!

       And of course, many of the ladies made admiring comments about the precious little girl getting her hair done. They doted over his dress, and they were charmed when he blushed sweetly at the attention.

       Aunt Patricia and his mother watched it all from a comfortable sofa on the opposite wall. Embarrassingly, Aunt Patricia seemed to have no qualms in occasionally referring to him as “Edward” or “my nephew” a bit too loudly. More than one lady was surprised to find they were complimenting a sweetly attired boy! Of course, this only led to looks of bemusement and more conversation which just made Edward want to crawl into a hole.

       As Mrs. Bell finished up with him, Edward noticed a difference in his hair. It seemed to lay smoother and shine more brightly with a polished hint of curl at the ends. She unsnapped and removed his salon cape, and he watched glumly in the large mirror as she took pains to delicately arrange his pretty yellow hairbow in his freshly styled hair.

       Still watching himself in the mirror, Edward lifted one tentative hand to tentatively brush his curls with his fingers. They caught the salon light in glossy little curves, softer and brighter than he remembered his hair ever looking. “It looks so much softer,” he murmured before he could stop himself, his cheeks warming at the admission. After another uneasy glance at his image, he added in a smaller voice, “And… shinier too.” The words seemed to embarrass him as soon as they left his mouth.

       Aunt Patricia, meanwhile, practically cooed over his shiny locks. “Oh, Edward, look at you!” she exclaimed. “How darling, sweetheart. See how your curls catch the light now? It is so much more refined and polished.” She gushed, “it brings out the sweet delicacy in your features.” With a smile, she added, “This can only help in making your portrait come alive.”

       Edward had never given a lot of thought to his hair, but now it looked deliberately pretty and unmistakably girlish. It was glossy, curled, and fussed over in a way that seemed to invite attention. Embarrassment prickled at him as he realized just how much like a sweet little girl he now looked. He felt a pulse under his pretty dress as a small, traitorous flicker of admiration ran through his thoughts. His curls were indeed pretty. He was… pretty. He hated to admit it even to himself. If his hair could be trained so easily with a little shampoo, conditioner, trimming and curling to look this different and girlish, what else about him would be trained and shaped in this process?

[sissyboy1212]

Another Surprise Encounter

       Mrs. Bell pursed her lips for a moment as she appraised her work, and Edward felt the small pause lengthen. “Hold still for me, dear. Your hair is lovely, but it I think we need to add a finishing touch.” Edward blinked, unsure whether that was a criticism or not. Mrs. Bell reached onto the counter before he could ask. “Chin up,” she directed. Then she began dusting the lightest touch of powder across his face. After that, she brushed a faint bloom of blush onto his cheeks until they held a soft rosy tint. It was less makeup than she used in the portrait studio, but it felt significant because it was happening here in the public brightness of Belladonna. It seemed the portrait continued to follow him out of the studio. Finally, she touched his lips with the same pale pink shade she favored for the sittings, leaving only a delicate suggestion of color.

       Edward sat very still, afraid that any objection would only draw more attention. Mrs. Bell stepped back, studied him once more, and smiled with satisfaction. “There,” she announced. “That looks perfect with a touch of color… It just didn’t look quite right before.”

       Finally, Mrs. Bell was done. “There you are, sweetie,” she said with a bright smile, “all polished and pretty!” 

       â€śThank you, Mrs. Bell,” Edward replied softly. As the teen rose from the chair, he felt a little lightheaded from the overwhelming feeling that he was being being transformed. He shyly followed his aunt and mother back into the lobby of Belladonna. Aunt Patricia settled the bill, and Mrs. Bell expressed her thanks at what must have been a generous tip. As they prepared to depart, Edward was acutely aware of the new bounce of his softly falling hair. The lavender scent of the shampoo and conditioner lingered, and he felt as if even a slight breeze would make it flutter in a newly girlish way.  At that moment, the salon door chimed and more customers entered the salon. Edward turned just in time to see Lily arriving with her mother. Apparently, they were here for their own appointments!

       Lily stopped short in shock, recognition brightening her face as her eyes went at once to Edward’s smooth, shining hair. “Oh Edward!” she said, sounding delighted, “What a surprise to see you here… and in your adorable dress again!” Then she giggled and said, “Wow, your hair looks really nice. I had no idea you were… going so all out for your new look!”  She added, “that is a really cute hair bow!”

       The mention of his hair bow made Edward’s ears burn even more for some reason. He had almost managed not to think about it, but now he could feel it there again, lacy and secure among the curls, a dainty little finish that made his whole hairstyle seem even more openly pretty. Edward felt Lily’s compliments land strangely as he was exposed as this way in front of his schoolmate. And now Lily’s mother was there too.  Edward turned beet-red and became painfully aware of everything at once. He shifted his feet nervously in his glossy Mary Janes, overly conscious of his dress’s careful fit and the little shift of its skirt against his knees. His stomach tightened. A hot, prickling flush crept up his neck, and his hands gave a small, helpless twitch at his sides. He wanted to hide, but there was nowhere to go. 

       Lily inspected him with open curiosity, taking in the yellow dress with its charming bubble sleeves and little flowers near the hem, the hair bow, the curled and shining hair, and the careful little details that made the whole outfit seem complete. “Oh,” she said with a gentle tease, brightening again, “you have your nail polish on again too… I was a little disappointed you took it off for school!”

       Edward’s fingers jerked almost before he could think. He curled them inward, tucking his polished nails against his palms, then shifted his hands behind the folds of his yellow skirt as if the fabric might somehow hide them. But the quick movement only made him feel more exposed. Lily smiled as if his bashfulness only made the look more charming. “It really does all go together,” she said sweetly. “The dress and tights, your hair, the hairbow, your nails, those darling shoes. Oh my gosh you're even wearing makeup! You look… very sweet, Edward.”

       Edward’s cheeks warmed more, and he lowered his gaze toward his Mary Janes. “Thank you, Lily,” he managed softly. He felt keenly aware of the slick pink lipstick coating his lips.

       â€śMrs. Bell just finished up on him,” Aunt Patricia couldn’t help but add, “she did a wonderful job!”

       Edward blushed more deeply, and Lily tugged lightly at her mother’s sleeve. With a quick little smile, she said, “Mom, this is the boy I told you about… the whole portrait thing?” Then with a grin, she added, “although he doesn’t look much like a boy today! That’s the same dress he was wearing in the ice cream shop!”

       Lily’s mother looked from Edward’s flushed face to his neatly arranged curls and demure outfit, then smiled kindly although with some surprise she could not quite conceal. “Oh yes. Well,” she said pleasantly, “it’s very nice to meet you, Edward. Lily told me all about your interesting project, and I will say you look very carefully put together today. Your curls are lovely.”

       Edward’s mother gave him a gentle verbal nudge. “Edward,” she said softly, smiling politely at Lily’s mother, “what do we say, honey?”

       Edward swallowed, aware of Aunt Patricia standing just behind him. “Thank you, ma’am,” he replied in a small but careful voice.

       Lily’s mother softened her smile, and she gave Edward an encouraging nod. “You’re very welcome,” she said. “I must say you seem very… dedicated to this unusual pursuit.”

       Lily looked him over again, and her curiosity softened into a teasing smile. “So I have to ask… is this your only dress?” she asked. “Or do you have others too?”

       Edward’s blush deepened, and he glanced down at the glossy toes of his Mary Janes before answering. “I… I have a pink one too,” he admitted reluctantly.

       Lily’s eyes lit up instantly. “Oh? I bet it’s adorable too,” she said gently, “I’d love to see that one sometime!”

       Edward’s stomach fluttered at that. Somehow Lily’s interest felt even more dangerous than her teasing. He felt a hot blush spread up from his collar. The thought made him lower his gaze again. He gave a small, nervous shrug as if that might make the whole subject go away.

       Aunt Patricia, on the other hand, practically beamed, her face shining with satisfaction as she stood just behind Edward and looked him over with unmistakable pride. She seemed almost unable to keep quiet, her smile growing each time Lily or her mother noticed another detail. “I’m sure that could be arranged couldn’t it, Edward?”

       There was an uncomfortable silence, and Edward realized that they were all waiting for him to speak. “Uh yes… Aunty… sometime, maybe,” he stammered weakly.

       â€śHis look is coming along beautifully” she said, lightly resting a fond hand on his shoulder. “For the portrait… of course,” she added as a hasty, amused afterthought.

       Edward stood between Lily’s delighted smile and Aunt Patricia’s glowing pride feeling thoroughly flustered, as if both of them were seeing right through him. Every compliment tilted him further off-balance. He was embarrassed by his dress, his dainty curls and his shiny nail polish, but he could not quite deny the uncomfortable truth that all of it suited him more than he wished it did. He knew how pretty he looked. That was what made the moment so confusing.

       In the moment, he cringed to think that despite everything that had happened so far, this felt like only the beginning. The thought struck him with a sinking weight that seemed to pull the air out of his chest. There were still many portrait sittings ahead of him. There were more careful afternoons where he would have to sit perfectly while Miss Vale smoothed his dress, adjusted his curls and positioned his hands. There would be more visits to Belladonna with more trimming, curling, brushing and styling.

       He sighed softly.

    A few minutes later, having said an awkward goodbye to Lily and her mother, they were walking back to Aunt Patricia’s car. “You know,” Aunt Patricia said with thoughtfully, “your little friend Lily made me think that it’s a pity you only have the two dresses to choose from.” She continued, “they need to be cleaned on a regular basis, and you should have more options. I think your wardrobe ought to rise to the occasion.”

       Edward nearly froze as she spoke. “My wardrobe, Aunt… Aunty Patricia?” Over the last week, his aunt had begun encouraging him to use the more childish term “Aunty” as opposed to the slightly more grown up “Aunt” when he spoke to her. If he called her “Aunt Patricia,” there was always a flash of disappointment in her eyes. He kept trying not to rock the boat.

       â€śJust a few items, sweetheart,” Aunt Patricia said brightly. “Another pretty dress or two, perhaps. An extra pair of shoes for variety. Some nice things suitable for your sitting days and the salon. Perhaps some different things for some more outings like the museum now that school is out. We could go shopping together.”

       â€śAunty Patricia,” Edward began, “I don’t think I really...”

       She interrupted him again, “oh don’t be silly, darling,” she said brightly, “your Aunty will be more than happy to get you some more delightful things.”

       Edward grimaced, and Mrs. Gray gave her sister a pleading look. By his mother’s standards, this was an almost shocking display of disagreement.

       Aunt Patricia clearly noticed, but she only smiled as if this resistance were merely a charming preliminary stage. She replied with an amused grin to her sister, “you certainly can’t argue that he should have some extra changes of undergarments at the very least… for hygiene if nothing else!”

       Edward’s mother was silent.

       Aunt Patricia continued almost imperiously, “well, we shall see.”

       Edward hoped very much that they would not. All the way home, and for hours afterward, the word “wardrobe” would come to trouble him more than he wanted.