Out of her Hands
“Wake up, Mary Louise! You’ve overslept! You’re going to be late if you don’t hurry.”
Mary Louise lifted her head and saw her mother standing in her bedroom. “What?” she asked groggily.
“It’s late. You only have ten minutes until the bus comes. Throw some clothes on and I’ll pack you some breakfast along with your lunch.”
Dragging herself out of bed, she peed first and then went to her closet. She had to blink her eyes because she must have gone into someone else’s room. Hanging in her closet were only dresses and skirts and blouses. She didn’t see any of her regular clothes.
“Five minutes, Mary Louise!”
Frustrated she grabbed a white blouse, dark skirt out of the closet and went to her drawer. Rifling through the drawer, she could only find panties, no bras. Quickly, she pulled on the clothes, slipping her feet into the flats, she ran downstairs. Her mother was by the door.
“You look just fine, dear. I was afraid you’d forget socks.” Her mother pulled out a pair of white anklets. “You can’t go without some kind of sock or stocking on. There you go, now I’ll see you after school. Have a good day!”
Mary Louise ran to catch the bus, which was hard in the tight skirt. As she walked down the aisle, she was aware of people giving her the strangest looks. Slipping into an empty seat, she set her book bag beside her. In less than ten seconds, she heard the voice of the kid who had lived next door all her life and annoyed the hell out of her.
“Who scalped you?”
“Go away, Kenny!”
“No, really girl. What’s with this fuzz ball look? Not to mention other significant changes, which have been duly noted by many others than just yours truly. Are you on hormones?”
“No, just some vitamin shots the doctor told me to get.”
“Why the change in clothes? Weirdsville, M.L. Trust me.”
“My parents bought me some new clothes. No big deal.”
“Whatever,” Kenny said but he continued to lean over the seat until her friend Karen got on and walked back. Reluctantly he sat back, giving up his view of Mary Louise’s fabulous bouncing boobies. Never before had he been so thankful for potholes!
“Uh, what’s wrong, Mary Louise?” Karen asked as she sat beside her friend.
“I overslept. It appears all my old clothes are gone and this was all there was in my closet.”
“Okay, but did you look in the mirror?”
“No, why?”
“Because your baby poodle turned into over grown sheepdog over night.”
“Oh my God!” Mary Louise lifted her hands to feel her hair. She realized that it did feel fuller, puffier and springier. “What am I gonna do?”
“Don’t worry. We’ll have ten minutes before class. We can go into the bathroom, wet it down so the curls settle back down. It should be fine. No sweat.”
“Thanks, Karen.”
In the bathroom, Mary Louise bent over the sink while Karen tried to splash enough water on the thick nest of hair to get it wet. Neither was sure they were making progress and each time Mary Louise stood back up to look in the mirror water ran down, wetting her white blouse. There was no disguising her bra-less state now. The bell rang and they were nowhere close to being finished.
Mary Louise looked into the mirror, feeling hopeless. “You go, Karen. No need for both of us to be late. You have two minutes until the second bell. I’ll stay here and work something out.”
Once the bathroom door closed, Mary Louise bent over once more trying to get more water to soak into the dense nest of curls. Finally, frustrated, she rubbed her fingers angrily through the hair, trying to finger comb through it. That actually worked the best she realized, but it also ended up wetting her shirtfront pretty thoroughly. Gratefully she put on the cardigan her mother had thoughtfully put with her book bag and ran to class. She scooted through the door just as the bell rang.
Karen stared at her as she sat in front of her. She whispered, leaning forward. “That’s a little better, don’t you think?”
“It will have to do because my shirt is all wet!”
“Attention class!”
*****
By the time class ended, Mary Louise couldn't leave fast enough. She didn’t expect a ride home with Barry today, so she caught the bus. She ignored Kenny all the way, but he kept on hanging over the seat, pestering her. With great relief she walked into her house.
“Hello, darling. I hear you have another date with the eligible bachelor tonight.”
Mary Louise felt her relief fade away. She’d forgotten about the date tonight. Slowly she nodded her head. “Do you think it would be okay if I called him and cancelled? I don’t think he would really mind. I bet he only asked me for a second date because he felt he had to.”
“No!” Jeanine practically snapped at her. “You cannot cancel at this late time. And I am sure he wants to spend time with you darling or he would not have asked.”
Mary Louise shrugged, not really believing it. “I think I’ll take a nap before I shower and get ready, if that’s all right with you Mom?”
“Of course, Mary Louise. I’m sorry I snapped. I’ll wake you up in time so sweet dreams!”
Almost instantly she fell asleep. It seemed like a minute later and her mother was gently shaking her awake.
“Rollover onto your tummy, dear. I’ve got your shots ready.”
“Oh, Mom! Please, can’t I skip them today?”
“No Mary Louise. It’s very important you take them every day at approximately the same time. I know they will help you.” Quickly and efficiently her mother gave her two injections, one in each hip. “There you go dear. Now take your shower and I’ll fix your hair and makeup.”
At seven twenty she was sitting on the sofa in the living room, waiting for her date to arrive. Her hair was once again in tiny, tight curls, held in place with mousse. Her mother generously applied her makeup, using a dark mauve shade on her lips tonight. She was surprised to find a dress lying on the bed when she came out of the bathroom. Against her wishes, she was wearing it now. It was pink, buttoned down the front past the loose waist down to wear it ended just below her knees. It was fuller cut, being pleated. It had short, puffed sleeves and the neckline was at her collarbone, and had a rounded collar. Over her shoulders and tucked under the collar of the dress, was a matching sweater. The same as the previous night she had no bra on and only skimpy panties, also in pink. Instead of nylons, her mother had her put on a pair of white anklets, which folded down neatly to her ankles. The black flats completed her outfit.
The doorbell made her jump nervously.
“I’ll get it, dear.” Jeanine announced and hurried to the door. “Hello Rowdy! It’s lovely to see you again. Welcome home!”
Mary Louise could hear faint talking but couldn't hear any particular words until her mother spoke again.
“Mary Louise is waiting quite patiently for you in the living room. She told us what a wonderful time she had with you last night. You certainly wore her out because she overslept this morning.”
At that moment, her mother and Rowdy entered the room. The look in his eyes caused the flush on her neck to move higher.
“Since this is Friday and not a school night, is it okay for me to keep Mary Louise out later?” Rowdy asked politely.
“Oh, yes, her father and I discussed this before he left for the lodge meeting. Anywhere between one and two is fine. We’ll leave the front door unlocked since Mary Louise won’t be carrying a purse.” Her mother was ushering them towards the front door. “It’s so wonderful, I told Mary Louise, to be going out with a real man who is used to taking care of things for a woman. She can really appreciate that.”
“All right, Mrs. Walters. I’ll take good care of her. Good night.”
Mary Louise felt Rowdy’s hand grasp her elbow and they started walking towards the street where his car was parked. She was surprised to see him leading her to a large SUV. The windows were tinted so it wasn’t until he opened the door for her that she saw her friend Karen, with her boyfriend Donny, were seated on the backseat.
“Hi Mary Louise.” Karen and Donny both greeted her.
Rowdy helped her climb into the vehicle. “I thought you’d enjoy a double date with your friend. We’re going to the opening of the Drive-In Theater. The food won’t be as classy as last night, but I thought you would have fun.”
Mary Louise smiled and nodded. Perhaps she’d gotten the wrong impression of Rowdy after all?
The drive was filled with conversation and laughter. Once they arrived, they had thirty minutes until dusk, so Rowdy and Donny went to the Refreshment building for some dinner food. They’d go back later for popcorn or snacks. Karen immediately popped her head between the two front seats.
“I didn’t know a thing until Donny picked me up tonight. They must have planned this last night while we were in the bathroom.”
Mary Louise nodded. “Well it is nice knowing you are here. I think we’ll have a good time. Did you see what is playing?”
“I didn’t pay attention. Knowing Donny it’s probably action or surfing.”
“That is probably a good bet.”
They shared sandwiches, French fries and sodas. As the movie was starting, they were hurriedly clearing out the trash. As Rowdy returned to the car, Donny passed a blanket forward.
“In case you get cold. The nights here are still chilly sometimes.”
As Mary Louise nodded, she became aware of the commotion in the backseat. To her amazement she saw the second seat folded flat and Karen and Donny were now seated near the back, huddled under a blanket on the left side. Donny grinned and gestured towards the right.
“We’ll take the left, since you have the wheel up there.”
“Great,” Rowdy said and then turned a switch and Mary Louise’s seat started to recline until it was flat. He pulled a couple of pillows that Donny had tossed forward and put them on the seat. “Now we can be comfortable and not get a leg cramp.”
Mary Louise knew her mouth was open as Rowdy joined her on her seat and began arranging the pillows and the blanket.
“Lay back, Mary Louise. This should give you a good view of the movie.”
Nervously she complied, unable to think of a good reason to deny him. Soon she was resting her head on a pillow next to Rowdy’s. She was intently aware that he was turned sideways and looking at her, not the screen. Soon the music for the movie came on.
Rowdy spoke to her softly, under the cover of the movie. “Let me undo a couple of these buttons and you’ll feel more relaxed.”
Her hands were caught under the blanket and he skillfully had the first four buttons undone before she could stop him. She was aware that her dress was now unbuttoned to just above the waist.
