PART 32
The morning flew by in a blur. Before Josh knew it, Kathy was excitedly leading him by the hand into Miss Andrea’s salon. It was decorated with soft pastels and looked very modern but extremely feminine. Soft contemporary music played in the background. Definitely a place that didn’t have many male customers.
Andrea greeted them as they came in. “Good morning ladies! We’re all ready for you!” she said cheerily. “Kathy, this is Gina and you’ll be with her,” she gestured to an attractive younger lady dressed very fashionably.
As Kathy went off to a different station with Gina, she called, “Have fun Josh! I can’t wait to see you later!” Josh smiled weakly as his sister bounced away, leaving him with just Miss Andrea and his mother.
“Gwendolyn, we have a few minutes before Jessica is ready for you. I understand you just want a trim, so you can help us choose a nice style for Josh,” Andrea added. Turning to Josh, Andrea said with anticipation, “And of course, you’ll be in my chair. We’re going to have such fun! By the way, that’s a cute little romper, Josh. It suits you. And your sandals are simply precious!”
“Thank you Miss Andrea,” Josh replied softly, “Mommy gave them to me.”
“I love the little white flowers,” she said kindly. ”And your lip gloss is very pretty. It’s sweet but understated,” she observed. “What shade is that?” she asked sweetly.
“Uhh… it’s Sky Pink, Miss Andrea,” he replied, somewhat embarrassed that he knew the answer to that question. He thought glumly that boys should know about football and video games instead of lip gloss and panty liners. He let out a small sigh.
There were several stations in the spacious salon separated by partitions which gave each client some privacy although they were all open to the central area. She led him to her station at the very end. It appeared they were the first customers of the day. He had butterflies in his tummy and soon he was seated in a large salon chair with white leather cushions and gleaming chrome metal accents. As he sat in his romper awaiting the unknown, Miss Andrea pumped a pedal and raised the chair several inches higher. The elevated chair made him feel so small and exposed as if it was going to swallow him up.
“Well Josh, I know you want to look more feminine, so I can certainly help with that,” Andrea said as she gently removed his blue barrette and placed it in a little tray on the counter. Running her fingers through his hair, she commented, “You’re lucky your hair is nice and thick, and you have a little natural curl. I have some ideas, but did you have anything in particular in mind?”
“Uhhh… “ the flustered boy’s voice trailed off as he looked at his mother.
Gwendolyn piped in, “Well he has been reluctant to get a haircut, so it’s obvious he likes it long. We definitely want to preserve the length. I also think he’d like something versatile so he can change up the styles for different occasions. Isn’t that right sweetheart?”
“Uhh yes Mommy, that’s right. I’d like to keep it longer please… if you think that’s best,” Josh replied almost pleadingly. He had no idea about girls’ hairstyles, but maybe he could wind up with something that wasn’t too overtly girly. Ruefully, he knew he had already made his decision.
Andrea said enthusiastically, “I’m so glad you said that honey. That gives us lots of fun choices for you! I think we’ll enhance your natural waves and boost the volume. We’re going to frame your delicate facial features nicely but add a little bounce. And I want to make sure you keep those lovely bangs. What do you think?”
Realizing that he was well and truly stuck, and catching Gwendolyn’s eye, he replied timidly, “Yes Miss Andrea. That will be wonderful! Whatever you think is best.” Why did he say that? He basically gave her free reign to do as she pleased with his hair. He only had vague ideas what most of these terms meant, but they all sounded extremely girly.
Nodding eagerly, Andrea assured him, “Thank you Josh. I think I know just the thing. You’re going to look adorable! Yesterday, I wondered if you might want more of a unisex style, but I’m glad you trust me. Instead, we’re going to go for something really trendy and cute. You’ll be able to wear it up or down. All the other girls will be jealous!”
Turning to Gwendolyn, she explained, “I’d like to add some highlights too, will that be OK? I just want to lighten the color a bit. I’m going to make you so pretty Josh!”
Gwendolyn beamed back, “Oh of course Andrea. I’m sure Josh will love that. You’re the expert and we’ll trust you!” Returning to Josh, she asked him “Doesn’t that sound great honey?”
Now starting to blush, Josh felt cornered by his own words and choices. It didn’t escape his notice that a subtle shift had taken place, and Miss Andrea was referring to him as a girl. “Yes, Miss Andrea,” he gulped. Then, seeing the expectant look on Gwendolyn’s face to elaborate, he reluctantly added, “I’m so excited to see how it turns out. I’ve never had highlights before.” He squirmed mousily in the padded salon chair.
As Andrea moved to fasten a baby pink nylon cape around Josh to get started, Gwendolyn asked her to wait a moment. “Andrea, we’ve actually been working on his posture and deportment, and it occurs to me we might be able to do two things at once if it’s OK with you. He’s going to be in the chair for a while, right?” Gwendolyn inquired with a tad of mischief. Josh thought he knew what was coming.
“Oh at least two or three hours,” Andrea replied as she wondered where this was headed. “We’re going to do a shampoo and style cut. Next we’ll add the highlights. Then we’ll see where we are and decide how to finish things off,” she explained. Hearing all this, Josh’s spirits sank as he realized what an involved process he was in for. Instinctively, he pulled his drifting knees together and tried to sit up straight. Belatedly, he saw that he had been slouching again.
Gwendolyn, on the other hand, was enthused about her wayward son’s next steps into sissyhood. And what she did next would only enhance it. She reached into her purse and pulled out… not the familiar pewter compact case… but two very feminine ladies silk scarves. One was a rose pink and gold color pattern, and the other was purple, teal and light gray. Puzzled now, Josh watched nervously. As she took the first one and folded it several times diagonally, she explained, “Josh has been trying to learn to sit more like a young lady and keep his knees modestly together, isn’t that right dear?”
Seated in the chair, Josh pulled his knees together more tightly and remembered to fold his hands daintily on his lap. “Yes Mommy. I’m learning how to keep my modesty,” he nearly squeaked. He thought he understood now what she intended. He sat there motionless with a sense of dread.
“You simply must get in the habit of sitting more modestly honey, OK?” his mother asked in a way that was not really a question.
“Yes Mommy of course,” he answered meekly.
With that, Gwendolyn looped the scarf under his knees and drew them closely together with the pink scarf. She then tied them firmly together with a secure double knot. “This will help you get used to keeping your knees together dear,” she chided him. As the teen’s face began to warm, she used the other scarf to tie his ankles together for good measure. She stood back to examine her work approvingly.
Feeling utterly helpless and weak, a fresh wave of humiliation crashed over the feminized teenage boy.
“Oh my,” Andrea said quietly with increasing interest.
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Topic: New Arrangements for Josh (Read 119129 times)
