PART 65
When Justin stumbled, Josh’s gaze was again drawn downward to Justin’s glossy, patent-leather Mary Janes. Somewhat regaining his composure, Josh belatedly realized that Justin’s shoes sported cute angular heels that were about an inch tall. He hadn’t noticed that at first. Unlike the ballet style flats Josh was wearing, Justin’s unfamiliar heels clearly required more grace and practice than Justin possessed. No wonder he looked so wobbly on his feet! Between Justin’s confining corset, the bulky bustle protruding from his backside and those fussy heels it must have taken great concentration just to keep his balance. He watched as Justin nervously fiddled with the delicately scalloped fringe of his dainty pinafore. Clearly, Justin was now worried about what Mrs. Smyth might have planned for him.
As Miss Andrea, Mrs. Smyth and even Kathy chimed in with so many helpful suggestions, Margaret surveyed her son with a thoughtful gaze, almost as if she were seeing him clearly for the first time. She was plainly excited by all these new possibilities, and she had especially noted Justin’s pained expression when Mrs. Smyth had described Josh’s pretty underthings. She began to muse aloud to her son with growing energy and determination, “Oh sweetheart you have so many delightful changes to look forward to—pretty dresses, darling shoes, dainty nightgowns!”
She turned to Kathy warmly, “and thank you for thoughtfully suggesting a manicure, that’s a great idea!”
Kathy giggled, “Of course! Justin, I bet you’ll have the cutest nails of any of us! Won’t that be fun?”
Justin’s mother nodded cheerfully and spoke to him again, “Honey, I’m sure you’ll feel so pampered and pretty with some pretty polished nails.” With a slightly firmer tone, she added, “Oh I promise you won’t have a single moment to get bored or misbehave anymore—we’ll plan all sorts of exciting things to occupy your time and energy!” Her words left no doubt about her intentions.
Then, Margaret turned back to Gwendolyn and said, “Well we’ve taken enough of your time, but I just wanted to thank you again for your wonderful advice!” Then, in a lower voice, she again admonished her befrocked son. “Listen carefully, darling,” she began. She continued, “Don’t embarrass me today—no fidgeting, no sulking, and no complaining!” She flashed a final grateful smile at Gwendolyn. Without bothering to wait for a response, she began firmly guiding Justin to their own table to enjoy the High Tea.
Helplessly swept along, Justin clutched in vain at the edges of his poofy skirt with each hesitating step. He looked absolutely stricken. The snug embrace of his overwrought dress—the corset’s firm squeeze, the flouncy petticoats, the cloud of ruffles and ribbons—forced him to scurry meekly with an effeminate, mincing gait. Every slight movement made his bouncy skirt swish dramatically. The confining layers of his precious outfit shortened his steps in a conspicuous way and drew extra attention to his predicament. He was cutely unsteady in his dainty but treacherous heels… teetering along like a bashful little girl playing dressup in her mother’s shoes! He cast a longing look back at Josh and the others as if silently pleading for rescue, but there was nothing to be done. The anxiety on his face—bordering on an adorable panic at this point—was impossible to miss. It was the unmistakable look of a boy newly plunged into a world of frills, ribbons and lace. As Samantha trailed merrily along behind her brother, her cheerful mood was a total contrast to Justin’s obvious chagrin.
“Well,” Gwendolyn observed dryly, “that was quite interesting!” She had a trace of satisfaction in her voice as she exchanged a knowing look with Mrs. Smyth. Both ladies giggled slightly.
Topic: New Arrangements for Josh (Read 186033 times)
