PART 56
As Miss Andrea carefully pinned the big floppy velvet bow into his bouncy curls, Mrs. Smyth spoke up again with a slight chuckle, “it was quite common for boys to wear large hairbows with their Fauntleroy suits back in the day, so this would have been considered a typical boy’s accessory.” She added, “sometimes the mothers would also put their sons in adorable boater hats with their suits, but I wouldn’t dream of covering up your gorgeous sausage ringlets!”
“Oh my goodness Joshy, your ringlets are just darling!” His mother exclaimed.
Finished now, Miss Andrea spun him back around to face the mirror, and Josh saw his shiny new ringlets for the first time. He was shocked at how his hair looked even more girlish now, if that was even possible. His head was covered in the most childish sausage curls he could imagine. The springy curls bounced gaily with even the slightest movement of his head, and his large velvet hairbow was perched so effeminately on top. He was momentarily entranced by his incredibly sissyish ringlet curls as he watched them dangle. The darling corkscrew locks felt noticeably heavier on his head with all the hairspray Miss Andrea had used on them.
“What do you think, sweetheart?” Miss Andrea asked him, breaking the spell.
By now Josh knew well the type of response that was required as he saw his mother’s expectant look. “I just love my… princess curls!” he said with as much cheer as he could. “Thank you Miss Andrea… they are so… bouncy!” he added softly.
“You’re quite welcome, honey,” she replied kindly. Removing his pink nylon cape, she said, “now I want to see how they pair with your pretty suit.”
“Stand up dear, so we can see the whole look,” Mrs. Smyth instructed her charge. Josh stood back up, and Mrs. Smyth guided him back to face the full-length mirror. “I’d say we’ve found our own Little Lord Fauntleroy! Look!” she said cheerfully. Almost to herself, she added, “Gorgeous… simply gorgeous!”
“Joshy, aren’t you just the cutest Little Lord Fauntleroy… very fetching!” his mother exclaimed happily, “I’m so eager to take you and Kathy to the High Tea!” She added, “Your outfit is just perfect, and your princess ringlets are to die for!”
“Oh Josh,” Miss Andrea exclaimed as felt his jacket sleeve, “your velvet suit is simply delightful!” She added, “I just love your lace collar!” She marveled, “I can’t believe how well it fits you!”
Mrs. Smyth couldn’t resist adding with a knowing smile, “he got a little help from his corset.”
Josh cringed as he confronted his completed “boyish” outfit. For the first time, he saw the whole thing. Reluctantly, he studied the completely sissified boy staring back at him from the mirror. His heart sped up again as the full impact of the humiliating and confining outfit hit him. He was already growing warm from the fancy velvet suit, and he felt sweat forming in the small of his back underneath his satin corset. He was very conscious of the way his movements were now restricted by the multiple layers of prissy clothing which were extravagantly fastened, buttoned, laced, pinned, tied and buckled all over him. His cheeks warmed more as he blushed furiously.
He couldn’t resist the urge to reach up and touch his dainty new ringlets. He immediately noticed how stiff and “locked in” they were from all the hairspray. He gave one a little tug, and he watched as it sprang immediately back into place. “My princess curls,” he thought again as he saw how they practically gleamed in the light underneath his big pink hairbow.
His little man also began to press in its cage, but he knew it was hopelessly buried under his diaper, rhumba panties and shiny pink velvet knee pants. He looked nothing like a fifteen-year-old teenager… all he could see was an effeminate and delicate little sissy. Any traces of his dwindling masculinity had been shredded right before his eyes. The gleaming “SISSY” buttons on his finicky cutaway jacket twinkled gaily. The fussy pink ribbons and white lace frills around his wrists and knees were so cute and feminine. From his pink Mary Janes and ribbed stockings up to his flouncy silk blouse, he was totally trapped in the most sissyish outfit imaginable. And, of course, his enormous lace Fauntleroy collar seemed to taunt him mercilessly. Soon, he knew he would be on full display for all the people at the High Tea. It crushed him to know that this had all started with his own choices.
“Don’t you just adore your beautiful Fauntleroy outfit, honey?” His mother prodded him, “I’m sure you must be excited to show it off!”
With yet another a sigh of defeat, he answered, “Yes Mommy… it’s... it’s darling.” Then he added almost automatically, “I can’t wait to wear it for the Tea.”
“Excellent!” Mrs. Smyth added, “I’m sure your sister is dressed by now, let’s get her back here so we can see your outfits together!”
“And then,” his mother said with growing enthusiasm, “it will be time to leave!” Quickly she added, “And we’ll be sure to get plenty of photos for Mrs. Meriweather and your aunt!” In her mind, she repeated her mantra, “No half measures!”
The exquisitely attired teenager in the mirror let out another small sigh.
“Such an elegant little gentleman!” Mrs. Smyth said proudly.