June's Story
"Why are you doing my make up, Auntie Sylvia?"
"Because there is a young man who wants to chat to you, that's why, and I've promised your teacher, I'd help her out."
"What's Mrs Harrison got to do with someone coming to see me?"
"You don't need to know. Cynthia had a few problems, but that's nothing to do with this."
"You're lying, I can always tell."
"You don't have to meet him if you don't want to, Julian."
"I told you Julian has passed on, I'm June now."
"Passed on, that's morbid," she says looking in the mirror at me.
"Sylvia, I liked Julian, but I out grew him. I have fond memories of him, but I'm happier being June. Can I borrow your white top?"
"God okay, it's in the wardrobe. I'm going for a cigarette. He'll be here in 20 minutes."
"Who is it?"
"It is just a boy who likes you. Oh my days, that skirt really is too short."
I'm laughing at her, "It's your skirt."
She smiles.
"Anyway, mum knows I model myself on you, she openly cringed when I told her that."
"Yeah and don't I know it. She had a right go at me. She said, of all the women you could be like, you picked her tart of a sister."
I chuckle, "She went ape when I had my hair dyed and then cut like yours. She shouted at me that I was a mini you. I haven't told her when I changed my name to June, I added Sylvia as my second name."
"Oh my god!"
"Don't look so shocked. You're the only one who accepts who I want to be."
I stare at myself in my Aunt's full length mirror. I do look like her, well a younger sister. I had my nose done just after my 18th, just the same as hers. I like her black skirt the way the hem flicks round my thighs as I walk. I love the black pantyhose too. Mum would kill me if she knew I used to wear hers. Aunt Sylvie's pantyhose and stockings were always my favourites though.
I think I'm the daughter Aunt Sylvia never had, which is nice because mum takes no interest in June. Sylvia has a wonderful shoe collect but my feet are too big for her shoes. My Easter present from Auntie Sylvia was a pair of black 3 3/4 inch high heels, which I'm wearing now, and getting my ears pierced. My sis came too, and Sylvia bought Melody a pair of brown boots.
I look down at her tight white top with a deep V neck, which shows my pink bra a little and my cleavage. I touch my boobs with the pale pink nail varnish my sister put on me this morning. I think she likes having a younger sister, and she is the only one apart from my Aunt who defends me.
"Hey come on he'll be........."
"What?"
"I didn't think you meant that top. How long have they been that big?"
"I'm nearly a B cup now. Those pills I got from the doctor really do work don't they, what do you think of my cleavage?"
The doorbell goes before she has time to answer me.
"Okay he's here, now don't get nervous, and I'm not leaving you alone with him, I'll be up here, out of the way but not listening. If you want me to come down just shout. And don't let him touch you, and don't be nervous."
I'm giggling at her.
"Aunt Sylvie, you're more nervous than I am."
"You're not nervous?" she asks shocked.
"No, of course I'm not."
"Well you should be.......okay just half an hour, and for god's sake, don't tell your mother I let you see a boy here, she'll skin me alive."
"I'm not that stupid."
We walk downstairs and she fiddles with my hair.
"I'll let him in, while you wait in the kitchen. I want a few words with him first."
I watch my Aunt come through the lounge to the kitchen.
"Did you really have to say no funny business?" I whisper in a hiss at her.
"Well I'm just making sure he knows how things are."
"So where is he?" I ask opening my arms as she puts the kettle on.
"On the doorstep," she replies.
"Jesus thanks," I say rolling my eyes.
"Are you sure about this, I can tell him you've changed your mind about seeing him?"
I go past her and take a deep breath as I reach the front door. I can't believe she actually shut the door on him. I open the door and there he is. Now I'm not so sure about this, but luckily he seems as nervous as I do. I step to one side and gesture to him to come in with my hand.
"Hi," he says as he passes me, thrusting a small bunch of flowers in my hand.
He stops and turns round and I point to the couch. He doesn't sit down he pushes his hands in his pocket.
"You look......."
I open my eyes wider, and dip my head forward a bit, asking him to carry on, without using words. His left hand comes out of his jeans and he scratches the back of his head.
"Nice.......I mean, you look, well pretty. Shit can I say that, or........oh fuck I'm going home."
"Sit down, June don't be so stupid, he's paying you a compliment," my aunt says as she breezes past.
"Sorry, yeah."
My aunt walks past and goes up the stairs. We both watch her until she goes out of sight.
"You well don't seem surprised it's me," he points up the stairs, "did she tell you, it was me I mean?"
"No, I kind of guessed....well sit down," I say again gesturing with my hand.
We both sit down, and Toby jumps up, after sitting on my hand.
I smile embarrassed, "I wasn't you know, feeling you......I mean, trying to."
He smiles awkwardly and nods.
My aunt comes down the stairs again and Toby jumps up.
She goes to the kitchen and then comes back with two glasses.
I watch Toby's hand shake as he takes the glass.
"All of it, neck it.......go on."
We do.
"It's what Nana used to give me when I got nervous."
"What like some special remedy thing?" Toby asks.
"It is half vodka and half coke. Oh and yeah there is something else in there, but it's a secret."
She takes the empty glasses off us.