It was a windy Autumn Friday in Manhattan and I had just left class and was on my way to JC Penny's to do some shopping. I was excited and bouncing on my heels as I thought about my upcoming spree when I heard a deep, almost familiar voice call out behind me.
"Jesse! Is that you?"
I turned and saw someone I hadn't seen in years but still recognized immediately. It was Bobby, one of my friends from grade school. I hoped that my expression matched the one on his face which was delighted and surprised.
"Wow! Bobby! It is so good to see you!" I exclaimed as we gave each other a hug.
"What are you up to?"
I asked as we both stepped back from the embrace.
"Well, I just got off work." He replied, "We should get a coffee somewhere and catch up."
Seeing as I was done with classes for the day I agreed, and we walked around the corner to a Starbucks. As we walked we brought each other up to speed on what was going on in our lives. Bobby had graduated college and was working for a small sports magazine covering baseball, that made sense considering he was a great athlete growing up. I, on the other hand, was starting my first year in a small theater school in Manhattan. As we sat down with our coffees Bobby asked,
"So what are you up to tonight? Because I have no plans and it would be great if we could hang out this weekend."
"Well...ummm..."
I stuttered, trying to thing of something to say besides the truth, because the truth was a little embarrassing. The truth is, before I ran into Bobby, I was on my way to JC Penny's to do some shopping. But not the kind shopping he might expect. I wanted to find some new lingerie, a dress or two, and anything else cute I saw in the women's section.
Since I was a teenager I have enjoyed dressing up in girlie outfits. I would even put on make up and shave my legs from time to time. I always did it alone and would take pictures of myself that I would send to hot men I met on the internet. I liked going to this specific JC Penny to do my shopping because the women's section was in the basement where it was usually quiet and I could pick out sexy outfits without feeling embarrassed.
I snapped back to the present. Feeling flustered and unable to come up with a lie, all I managed to squeak out was,
"Well, nothing really."
"Nothing?" Bobby asked raising his eyebrows, "You looked like you were in a hurry when I saw you, where were you heading?"
I became nervous again, wondering if I should just tell him the truth.
I normally wouldn't let any of my friends know this secret but Bobby was different in one very big way. My enjoyment of feeling girly actually began as a child in elementary school when I used to go to Bobby 's house for play dates. Our favorite game to play was house and he was a bossy boy growing up so he would be the one to choose our roles every time. And every time without fail he would choose to the play the role of husband and make me play the role of his wife. I would have complained except for I didn't mind being his wife in these situations. It meant I got to wear one of his moms old dresses, put on her lipstick, and talk in a high pitched girly voice for the whole game.
Apparently I had spaced out thinking about our play dates because Bobby snapped his fingers and joked,
"You still there? What are you thinking about that has you smiling like that?"
I immediately blushed, realizing that I had a dreamy, dumb look on my face from picturing us as husband and wife playing house. I was flustered and without thinking I blurted out the question that I was afraid to ask.
"Do you remember those play dates we used to have in elementary school? And how we used to love playing house?"
I immediately regretted asking it, thinking it was random and would throw Bobby off, but to my surprise he replied,
"Yeah I do, I remember you used to love being the wife and dressing up in my mom's clothes."
I felt embarrassed that he remembered it that way and countered,
"Well I only did that because you told me to!"
He smiled and began to blush a little himself admitting,
"I guess I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy making you dress up and be my wife."
So far the conversation was playing out like a fantasy and I guess that made me feel bold because after a moment I replied,
"Well I have a confession to make."
After saying this I realized it was too late now and there was no going back.
"What is it?" He asked with a curious look on his face.
I released a nervous sigh,
"Well, I did enjoy wearing those dresses and make up. In fact I still enjoy it and I do it from time to time when I'm home alone. So when you asked me where I was heading, I was actually heading to JC Penny's to buy some stuff to put on when I get home tonight."
I looked down at my coffee to hide my red face, I can't believe I had just told him that, I'm such a chattermouth.
To my absolute surprise, however, Bobby remained relaxed and casually replied,
"Well do you want company? I could help you pick out some stuff that would look good on you."
Okay, I thought trying not to freak out, if he still thinks I would look good as a girl then maybe I have a chance.
"Sure," I replied with a smile, "I would like that."
So we head off towards JC Penny's and I briefed him on what I planned on buying as we walked. Suddenly I felt much less nervous and much more excited, and I noticed without that even thinking about it my voice had become higher and more squeaky.
"Well I was planning on just getting a few things when I was alone but are you going to want to see what I look like all dressed up?"
"Yeah I would be interested in that." Bobby replied with a smile.
"Okay then," I continued, "I'm going to go all out then because if you don't like what you see I'm going to be embarrassed."
"What does 'go all out' mean exactly?" He inquired.
I smiled and began rattling off my shopping list, "I'm going to need a nice set of lingerie, at least one dress and one skirt with a top to match, stockings, shoes, and make up."
"Oh," I added thinking as I talked, "I will also get a women's razor and some shaving gel so I can shave my legs."
Bobby looked impressed, "Shaving your legs? Wow you really are going all out." I blushed and nodded, hoping I wan't acting too excited about all of this.
We walked into the store and I quickly lead him to the lingerie section, where we picked out a matching set of black lace, low rise, bikini panties and a bralette. We picked up simple white school girl socks and just for kicks we also got a black lace babydoll nightie. Next we went to the dress section and picked up a black lacy sleeveless dress that ended halfway down my legs. We also picked up a black flowery dress with a frilly bottom and a tight top with three quarter length sleeves and an open collar to show off my exaggerated collarbone. I bought a pair of two inch leather heels that were also black.
Our next stop was the make up section, Bobby let me make the decisions here because I promised him I knew what colors looked good on me. To set off all the black clothing I bought some scarlet red lipstick and a slightly darker red lip pencil to outline my lips with. I went with some subtle reddish pink blush and black mascara. Lastly I picked up some smokey blue eye shadow. The last stop before checkout was the women's grooming aisle, were I got a razor and some apricot shave gel. To make sure I smelled as girly as I looked, I got some apricot body oil for after I shaved. I also got shampoo and conditioner deciding it would be good to wash and condition my hair, which was shoulder length and would really complete my look. Bobby insisted on paying for it which made me feel girly so I let him. Bags in hand, we set off for my apartment.
"I live alone in Brooklyn so privacy won't be a problem" I assured Bobby, trying to be discreet as I brushed up against him on the subway.
"Great." He said with a smile and to my extreme surprise he moved behind me and grabbed my butt. It took everything in me not to squeal out loud and instead I turned to him, beet red, whispering,
"OhmyGod! You snuck up on me!"
With a devilish grin he said, "I don't know what you're talking about."
We quickly exited the station and were in my apartment elevator in minutes.
"I'm going to need some time once we get up there to get ready so you can just wait on the couch and watch ESPN or something." I instructed.
He laughed and replied, "Aww I wanted to watch you get dressed."
It was my turn to put on a devilish grin, "No, no, noooo." I taunted, "You don't get to see me until I'm ready for you."