Chapter 6
(Melanie Joins The Group)

After Dee and Chrissie left to go to supper, I took out my one school book that I had homework for and started doing it. It was math, yuck, not my favorite, but I was doing alright in it. I was just about finished when my mom came home and saw me studying.

"Hi dear. How did it go today. Did you have fun?"

"Hi mom," I replied. "Yes, we had all kinds of fun today. Even Charla had fun today."

"Did she get everything straightened out with her mother?" My mom asked.

"Yes, and Charla even followed your advice. She told her mother right away when we got to her house and she even asked her mother if that is what her mother wanted when she was dressed like a girl when she was little, and her mother said yes right away. Now Charla wants to stay like she is and not have to worry about whether she is a boy one day and a girl the next."

"That is good to hear, Allison. How are you coming with your homework?"

"Just one more problem mom, then I am done."

I set about the task of finishing the one problem and when it was done I put everything back in my backpack and went into the kitchen to help mom with supper.

Dee and Chrissie came over and told me there was a movie on at eight that they wanted to watch with me. Both girls said it was alright with their parents to stay and watch it with me and they would come and get them. The movie was an old one called Sylvia Scarlett. It was funny at times and we giggled and it was serious at times and we oooohed and awwwed. But it was delightful when the girl dressed as a boy and took off with her father running from the police. We had some potato chips during the movie and when the commercials came on we talked about Charla and Melanie.

About a half hour before the movie was over Chrissie’s mom and Dee’s dad showed up. Dee's dad was not a tall man, but was just little taller than me. Probably around five foot seven. He was slim but not skinny and he worked for the county. A position he just acquired after the move. He was dressed casually in jeans and t-shirt and tennis shoes. They sat in the kitchen talking with my mom and when the movie was over they had to go home.

"Okay," said my mother. "Time to go home girls. School day tomorrow. It was nice having you over. See you tomorrow."

The girls said they had fun and then they left with their respective parent. I was tired too and kissed my mother good night and went off to bed.

SECOND DAY OF SCHOOL

I woke up with the sun shining in my eyes. I forgot to pull the shade down. So I got up ten minutes before the alarm was set to go off. Turned off the alarm and went and did my morning ritual. Since Melanie would be joining us for lunch, I decided I should wear something practical. I got out my white ruffled blouse, my yellow sundress, and matching undergarments. I put on my yellow anklets, fluffed at my hair and went down to breakfast.

My mother was just finishing cooking the waffles and as she set them on the table, she said.

"Why, Allison, you look absolutely beautiful today. Got an important date?" She giggled at that and so did I.

"Why thank you mother I’m sure." I said blinking my eyes several times and looking a little impish. We giggled at that and had breakfast. After we were done we did the dishes and I gave my mother a kiss and a hug and was off to school meeting Chrissie and Dee just outside on the sidewalk as I came out of the house.

Dee looked at me with her mouth wide open. "Allison, you look absolutely wonderful today. My mother is taking me on Sunday to the parlor to get my hair done, why don't you ask your mother if you can too, then we can go together?"

"Ok, Dee, I will. What about you Chrissie? I think you need a new perm also. Don't you think so?"

"Oh yes, Allison, I just live for trips to the beauty parlor."

We all giggled and kept walking on. When we got to Charla’s corner, we saw she was just coming. Charla must be a mind reader, because she was dressed very similar to me. She was wearing a pale yellow dress with puffed sleeves and had a lace collar. Even the hem had lace around it. Her hair was set in just one braid down the center of her head to about just below the shoulders. Since she hadn't had time to grow her hair out, we knew it was a wig, but didn't say anything about that. When we got up to her, we all said how pretty she looked and that dress was just out of this world.

"Wow, Charla, that is a very pretty dress, and so fancy too. Got an important date?" I said with a little smile.

"Why, thank you, Allison. And no I don't have an important date." Charla replied rolling her eyes into the air.

We told Charla that Melanie was going to be told today she would be part of the group if she wanted.

(Interruption: by today’s standards, a group of five all together is considered by most authorities to be a gang. But in 1957, since we were just children, nobody paid us any mind except to say that there is safety in numbers.)

AT SCHOOL

So we walked the last few blocks to the school. When we got into class, and had just sat down, we heard a commotion in the hall. We all went out to see what had happend, and Charla was standing over Todd, her dress was ripped. Apparently Todd started something he couldn't finish. Anyway Charla was taken to the office.

"I bet she gets suspended," I told Dee and Chrissie and anyone else that was in earshot. Then when the teacher couldn't see me, I went over to Todd and said.

"If she gets suspended, we are going to make sure you don't ever do anything like this again."

I didn't really know what the 'this' was, but I had fire in my eyes and my hands on my hips and I wasn't playing any games. The teachers that were in the hall commanded everyone to go back to their classrooms.

"Except you, Todd," said Mr Sanford, the gym teacher. He was a big man, maybe six feet, and didn't have an ounce of fat on him. His short brown hair was wavy on top and he was wearing his gym clothes, because the boys had gym just before lunch. He told Todd he was taking him to the office too, and that what he did to Charla's dress, was inexcusable.

"Alright class, settle down, we have had enough excitement for one day." My teacher said. "Allison, the principal wants you to go to the office too, she is going to want to talk to Dee and Chrissie too, after you are through."

"Ok, Miss Spencer."

My teacher was Miss June Spencer, and really nice. She was young, maybe late twenties or early thirties. Wore nice dresses or skirts (never any pants, that I knew of) and very nice blouses. Her shoes were always smooth and shiny and never any scuff marks on them at all. Her long blond hair was as radiant as the sunshine, and had the personality to match. Unless you got into trouble.

Today she was in her matching navy blue business skirt suit with matching shoes with two inch heels. She had a pin on her blazer, and when it was time for lunch I complimented her on it and said it looked very pretty.

"Why thank you Allison. How nice of you to say so. I like it very much too. It was given to me by my fiance a year ago on Valentine's Day."

"Miss Spencer, does that mean you are getting married?"

"Yes, Allison. But not right away, he is still in college yet and we said that when he graduates, we will pick the date."

"Oh." I said and went to lunch kinda disappointed that my teacher was thinking about marriage. Most teachers that got married left the school and never came back. As I got near the table after getting my tray, I noticed Melanie sitting at the table with Dee, Chrissie and Charla.

"Hey, where have you been, Allison?" Dee asked. "We've been like waiting forever here, girl."

"Hi girls, I was talking to Miss Spencer. She said that when her boyfriend gets out of college they are going to get married. Anyway, Melanie, you look absolutely wonderful today. I like that jumper you are wearing." Her jumper was a green plaid over a ruffle collared, white blouse. "Well, we took a vote, and you are now officially part of the group."

"Thanks guys, I mean it, and it is Mel from now on. Okay? We are going to have so much fun together. Allison, I have seen you and the others at the beach and at the pool. Let's all do something this weekend."

"Sure Mel. Want to go into the city and do some shopping and just hang around for a bit?" I said and looked at the group. Everyone nodded in agreement. I would make sure mom knew and I would have enough money for the day. As we were just about to get up and leave, Charla came in wearing a different dress.

"What happened, Charla? Why did you hit Todd?" I asked.

"I was just going into class right behind you when he pulled my hair a kinda dragged me back out in the hall. When he let go, I wasn't taking anymore chances so I hit him as hard as I could with my book and he fell. As he fell he ripped my dress. He and his mother are in the office now."

After lunch, they went back to their classes and I went to the office as instructed. I stopped at the door marked principal and knocked.

"Come in," I heard Mrs. Blanchard say.

I opened the door and walked in. "Oh, Allison, good. Please have a seat here by my desk."

Todd and his mother were there also. Todd just shot me a dirty look and his mother nudged and looked at him in a very stern manner.

"Now, Allison, I want you to tell me and Mrs. Boling here what Todd has been up to since Charla has been wearing the clothes of a girl."

Mrs, Blanchard was a short woman, about an inch or two shorter than me and was always dressed in a business suit. Today she was wearing her brown suit and shoes. Her hair just turning grey (probably because of guys like Todd, heehee). Mrs boling was wearing stirrup pants and a white blouse, with black shoes. Her hair was a bit mussy but still looked ok.

"Well," I started. "Todd has been waiting for Charla after school and calling her names and wanting to constantly fight with her. One day we had had just enough and chased Todd across the street from the corner by the playground. Then Todd just doesn't seem to learn. He keeps taunting Charla all the time and Charla doesn't want to have anything to do with him anymore, because he showed what kind of a true friend he isn't."

"Is this true, young man?" Mrs Blanchard asked.

"So what if it is," said Todd with a anger in his voice. "I mean that Scott . . ."

"Charla," I interrupted.

"Allison," Mrs. Blanchard cautioned. "Don't interrupt dear, it isn't polite."

"Sorry Mrs. Blanchard."

"Continue young man," Mrs. Blanchard said.

"Well, Sco . . . er, I mean Charla walks around like he enjoys wearing dresses and only fags dress like that if they aren't girls. Of course I can't say that about Allison, because we all know why she is doing this. But Charla was always acting tough and seemed like he liked picking on the girls. I just wanted to see if he . . . er she . . . was tough enough to back up her . . . er, well, you know."

"No Todd I don't know," said his mother. "Looks like I am going to have to drop you off and pick you up so you can't cause any more trouble."

"You wouldn't. I'm in the sixth grade. My friends would never let me live it down."

"Well, what do suppose we should then, young man?" His mother asked

"I'll apologize to Charla. Okay?"

"Was that a question as if to ask me if it is alright to make the apology or were you making a statement that you were going to say that you are sorry to Charla? You are just lucky that Charla's mother brought her another dress to wear for the rest of the day. You ruined a perfectly good dress today, Todd. Do You have any idea how much that dress cost?"

"No, mother, I don't."

"That dress cost thirty five dollars. And, guess whose allowance it is coming out of?"

"Oh mom, you can't be serious. Look at the mark Charla gave me. I had a right to rip her dress as I fell."

"No! You certainly did not. I have already paid for the dress. It will be me you are paying back. There will be no allowance for you until it is paid off. Now, let me see. Two dollars a week, divided into thirty five dollars equals right around four months and a little over three days so shall we say four months and four days. Hmmmm Todd?"

"Y y you can't be serious. No allowance for four moths. I won't be able to go to the show or into the city or just hang with my friends."

"You should of thought about that before you let yourself get out of control, Todd. I'm sorry, but no allowance for four months and four days and that is final."

With that the meeting was over and I was instructed to go back to my class.

"Allison," Mrs. Blanchard said. "You can tell Dee and Chrissie I won't need to talk to them."

"Yes, Mrs. Blanchard," I replied and went back to class.

As the close of the day neared, we all started chatting about the weekend and what we were going to do. When I told some of the girls that the five of us were going into the city on Saturday to do some shopping, and just hang around for the day, they all said they wished they could go with but a lot of them didn't have the money. Then we all got a little sad at that. It was a very dull week. all we did was go to class listen to the teacher, do homework.

When Friday finally got here, we all rejoiced. I got up just before the alarm went off again. I pushed the button on the back of the clock and went in and ran my bath water. I poured in some lavender bubble bath and then brushed my teeth. I then stepped into the tub and began my soothing ritual of sliding down into the tub to let the fresh lavender scent cascade all over my body and I did this two more times to make sure I smelled as sweet as I could manage. I then took the lavender shampoo and washed my hair, conditioned it and washed and conditioned it again. I got out of the tub and patted myself down. Then I sprinkled some lavender body powder on, I was ready for my hair and makeup.

I went into my bedroom and put on my lavender (heehee, today is my lavender day for some reason) panties and slip and sat down to dry my hair slightly before brushing it. My mother hearing the blow dryer as she passed my room came in and said:

"Let me help you, dear. My those are striking undergarments today. Got a hot date sweetie?" She said teasing me again then gave me wink. I giggled and let her do my hair. She then went into my closet and picked out the nice lavender colored dress, with the lace collar and lace hem that I was going to wear. My anklets were also lavender as were the Mary Janes I put on. "Tell me something, dear," my mother said.

"Yes, Mother?" I inquired.

"Are you sure you are only nine years old?"

"Why yes, mother, nine going on nineteen," I replied and gave her a wink.

We both giggled at that. "Well, dear, you are dressed to go to a ball today. Why did you pick all lavender today?"

"I don't know mother. Sometimes a girl just wants to feel pretty. and I feel ohhhh sooo ever pretty like this."

She gave me a hug and smelled the lavender bubble bath and powder and said I had better watch out for the boys today, because if they smell you they might just want to take you on a date. I giggled and put my hand to my mouth and I then I told her that if they fight over me I am going to go with the one that didn't fight to teach the ones that did fight a lesson. She smiled at me and told I was learning every trick in the book. I smiled and we went down to breakfast. I had an orange juice and and jelly toast and one egg. Then I was off to school as Chrissie and Dee should be just about to the house.

I got to the sidewalk just in front of the house as they were still a couple of houses away. When Dee saw me I thought her jaw was going to hit the sidewalk.

"Oh my god, girl, don't you look fantastic. Alright fess up. Who are you and what have you done with our friend Allison?"

"I think you look gorgeous, Allison. That is a very nice dress and shoes to match. where did you find them?" Chrissie also said.

You look nice too today Dee. Is that blouse new? I have never seen it before."

"Yes Allison it is new and I was hoping to surprise you with it, but when I saw you, I knew this little old blouse wouldn't compare to what you look like now."

"Likewise," Chrissie said. "Allison, what made you get all dressed up today?"

"Oh I don't really know it was one of those girl things we all go through, I guess."

We giggled and then we talked about watching out for boys today because I looked super cool.

Then as we got onto the playground, some of the sixth grade boys started whistling and when the teachers saw who they were whistling at, told the boys in question that kind of behavior will not be tolerated as every girl had the right to dress pretty. Well, they stopped the whistling but not the ogling. Oh well, I guess I'm used to it by now, and it always makes me feel extra pretty to know that the boys appreciated what I did.

When we got into class, word had already reached Miss Spencer about my selection of clothes for the day. When she came into the room, she was wearing her standard black skirt, white blouse, and black two inch pumps. After she told the class to settle down, she looked at me and the smiled. Then she said:

"Allison?"

"Yes, Miss Spencer?"

"Where did you get that beautiful dress?"

"At Marchand's, Miss Spencer."

"Well that is such a beautiful dress, Allison. I wonder if they have one like that in my size."

"I don't know, ma'am. But I can find out as five of us are going into the city tomorrow and do some shopping. I could look for you and find out."

"Why Allison, how sweet of you. And, you would let me know on Monday, right?"

"Yes, Miss Spencer."

"Good. Ok class today is basically a free day as we cleared this week's lessons already and guess what class."

We all looked at her with mock puzzling looks and said what together.

"There is nooooooooooooo homework this weekend for this whole class."

Miss Spencer immediately put her hands to her ears as the class roared 'alright' in unison.

The rest of day we just sat around talking. The girls couldn't get enough of talking about my dress and a few of the boys wanted to know if I wanted to elope. I giggled at that and thought how foolish. Miss Spencer came over to me while I was talking with some of the girls and she asked me how we were getting into the city and I told her by bus. But that there were five of us and there is always safety in numbers. She looked at me and then at the girls and she told me she was serious about finding a dress similar to mine only for adults, and she wanted to know if it would be alright if she gave us a ride. I told her we were going to do some shopping and then hang around for a while, and she said that was alright, as she hadn't 'hanged' around in a very long time. I told her that was fine, but what would other kids think if I let my teacher chaperone us.

"Well, alright Allison, just treat as a member of the group."

"But Miss Spencer, teachers aren't allowed to be in our group, because you're not a girl, you're a woman."

"Allison Dawn Kingston! I will chaperone your little group and if you say no one more time I will have your mother give me persmission. Do I make myself understood?"

"Y y yes ma'am. Thank you ma'am," I stammered back at her, looking like I just entered the proverbial haunted house.

Oh way cool. That went as planned. We not only get to go into the city but my teacher is going to give us a ride to and from and hang around with us for the day. That went very well, indeed. But I didn't let on to anyone that is what I was trying to do. You see, even big girls are suckers for pretty dresses. I giggled to myself and the class was over for the weekend.

Saturday and the city

I woke up with the sun beating down on me and then I looked at the clock and it said nine thirty. I got up and went into the bathroom did what I had to do, and decided that today would also be a lavender day. I did everything and then got dressed and went down to breakfast. Miss Spencer was already in the kitchen and Dee and the others hadn't arrived yet.

"Good morning, honey," my mother said and gave me a hug. "I see that you are wearing the same outfit as yesterday."

"Yes, Mother. I think this calls for a psecial occasion. It isn't everyday you get to have your teacher give you and your friends a ride into the city and back."

"Yes, Allison. I am looking forward to this. I think you are very pretty just like yesterday."

"Thank you, Miss Spencer. I'm kinda glad you can come too."

The doorbell rang and I went to answer it. Mel, Dee, Chrissie and Charla were all standing there.

"Hey gang, come in. Miss Spencer is here and is going to drive us to the city and back."

"Great," replied Chrissie. "Then we can talk without having to disturb some other passengers on the bus."

"Let's go in the kitchen," I said.

We all went into the kitchen and I stood by the sink because we only had five chairs. Miss Spencer decided today was going to be her runaround day and she had on a very nice red shift dress over a rose colored blouse. Her two inch heels were the color of her dress and her hair was immaculate and tied into a pony tail high on the back of her head. After we discussed where we were going first, Miss Spencer said she wanted to go to Marchand's first to look for that dress and we could all help. I looked at Charla who was going on her first shopping trip as a girl.

I gave my mother a hug and kiss and we were off to the city. In the car we started talking about what we were going to get, and where we would hang around. Miss Spencer told us to call her June for the day, and treat her as one of the group. We giggled and told her that was fine. She smiled. We spent the rest of the trip just talking about clothes and what we should try on even if we didn't want to buy it. Charla looked at us like we were crazy and then I said:

"Charla, the whole purpsoe of shopping isn't just to buy things. It is the fun you have trying on things you would love to have but can't afford it. Sometimes, we just go and try things on making excuses to the sales ladies that we still can't make up our minds. You will see when we get there. You will have sooooo much fun."

With that we were in Marchand's parking lot. Marchand's is a privately owned department store with seven floors. The seventh floor is off limits to the customers as that is where all the offices are. The first floor is like most department stores. There is cosmetic counters as you first walk in and then there is a cafeteria and a small room where kids (mostly boys) go and can play pinball and other arcade games. The minute we walked in, I headed for the first cosmetic counter.

The young lady behind the counter was in college and her name was June just like my teacher's. She had on a very stylish white dress and her blond hair was also set in a pony tail like Miss Spencer's. I mean June, heehee. June saw me coming and greeted me by name as she knew who I was as well as the other girls, except for Charla.

"Hi June," I said. "June, this is Charla, she is one of my new friends."

"Nice to meet you Charla. I hope you come back often. Allsion, want a little perfume spray today? Ooooh, lavender I suspect?"

We giggled and I let her spray a little on my neck. The other girls had to have some to. I introduced my teacher.

"June, I would like you to meet Miss June Spencer, my teacher."

"Oh? Is this a class trip then, Allison?"

Miss Spencer shook hands with June and said she had never been in here before and that the store looked very nice when one entered to shop. The store owner, Mr. Marchand just happened to be passing by and heard what Miss Spenceer had said. He was tall, kinda a little round at the belly, but wore his dark grey suit like a million bucks. His hair was just turning grey and he wore nice, brown leather shoes.

"Why thank you, young lady. That was very nice of you to say that. I'm Mark Marchand, the owner. Miss . . . Spencer, isn't it?"

"Yes, sir. I am very pleased to meet you." She offered her hand and he took it and kissed it. Oh brother!

"Well, Mr. Marchand, we are going to do a little shopping in your store today. You come highly recommended from a regular customer. Right, Allison?"

"Oh, Allison, I didn't see you there. Hi Dee, Hi Chrissie. And who are theses other two charming young ladies, with you?"

Dee and Chrissie said hi and then Dee introduced Charla and Mel.

"We are going to buy some things from the girls department and then maybe try on about fifty or so outfits." Dee said.

"Well, ladies, you are welcome here at any time. Allison and her friends are always so well behaved, even without adults." He said as a means of a compliment.

I then said, "Why thank you, Mr. Marchand, I'm sure." We all giggled and then headed to the second floor where all the girls things were.