Chrissie

Chapter 8
Trip Discussion and other things

As the others left, and went to their homes, Miss Spencer, mom and I sat down and discussed what we did during our little excursion into the city.

"Well dear," mom started. "What did you all do today?"

"We went to Marchand's and tried on several outfits. I put some money on a nice party dress and I only owe fifteen dollars on the balance. I told the lady we could pick it up by the end of the month. I figure that will give me enough time to save my allowance for it. She said it would be fine."

"Well, I understand that Mr. Marchand gave you girls a compliment today, according to Miss Spencer."

"That's right," Miss Spencer added. "I said something to the girl at the perfume counter about how nice of a store it was to shop in and Mr. Marchand told us how nice the girls behave themselves when they are not accompanied by an adult. I was very pleased to hear that my students are well behaved. Especially this group."

"Well," my mother said. "I am very proud of all of you. For so young, you'd think they'd be rowdy and make all kinds of noise. Even girls, dear, have a habit of showing off when they're by themselves. Sometimes. But I am so proud that You are welcome in that store on your own. Are you sure you're only nine years old."

I giggle and so did mom and Miss Spencer. The doorbell rang and it was the other girls with their parents. We went into the living room, and sat down. Mom called and ordered a pizza because they were going to be here for a bit they said. When we got into the living room, Dee's father started.

"Young lady," he began. "I am proud to know you and your mother. I have been told that you are well known at Marchand's department store and that the owner has nothing but good to say about you. I am glad that Dee has you for a friend. I just came over with Dee to tell you that anytime you want to take Dee with you into the city to go shopping at Marchand's, I will have no objection. You children seem to have knowledge and responsibility beyond your years, and it is nice to see young people today who don't go around hanging on street corners or with cigarettes in their mouths."

"Allison," Chrissie's mom added. "I knew you behaved yourselves when you went shopping. But I had no idea that you had such a wonderful reputation with the owner of the store. When I called Mr. Marchand, he told me your little group was welcome back there at any time with or without an adult. I knew you were responsible, and I am not disappointed."

Melanie's mother echoed the same sentiments as did Charla's. I sat in the front room and looked at my mother and Miss Spencer who were just beaming with joy and pride. Then I added.

"We can only behave as we are taught what is right and what is wrong. If we choose to do wrong then we get punished. If we do right, then we get rewarded. I would rather be rewarded by seeing my mother happy that I am doing good in school and when I go out with my friends. When we are out together, we have lots of fun, but we do it without hurting or disturbing others."

My mother then repeated herself by asking me if I was sure I was only nine years old. Let me explain. I have done a lot of reading. I listen to the news at ten o'clock with my mother, and my mother and I have lots of talks. I have formed a rather extensive vocabulary as had Chrissie when we had met. So I learned and I have behaved according to what is right. Now there are five of us who are respected even though we are young.

The doorbell rang again, and it was the pizza delivery guy. Mom asked who wanted Pizza, and we all said "me."

After the pizza and social visiting, everybody again said how proud of me they were and then left to go home. Mom and I talked for about another hour.

"Well, Allison. I am very proud of the way you handle yourself. You are growing up to be a fine young lady." Mom said as we finished our talk.

"Thank you mother. I am very pleased that you're happy." I had replied. Then I said, "Mom, I'm tired. This day has really been nice but I think I'll go to bed now. Tomorrow we're going to the beauty parlor and get our hair done. Chrissie and Dee are going too."

"That's fine dear. Goodnight and sweet dreams."

I smiled and told her the same thing and went off to bed. That night I dreamed of wearing my new party dress I had on layaway, and we were at a party that for some reason had mainly boys there. I dreamed I was the belle of the ball and danced with as many boys as I could find. You don't think a nine year old can dance? Thanks to my dance lessons I asked my mother if I could take, I can dance with the best of them. Even that rock and roll junk.

II - At The Beauty Parlor

The next morning I woke up around ten, took my nice bubble bath, (no not lavender this time - giggle), put nice lotion all over, and went to get dressed. We were going to the beauty parlor today and I wanted to be a little relaxed. What should I wear? I know I thought. I'll wear my green outfit today. I pulled out my green pull on slacks and got my green blouse from the closet. I put on my green underthings, with my green socks and black Mary Janes. I looked at my hair and said, well it'll pass for the trip. Our appointment was at eleven, and Dee and Chrissie were already in the kitchen when I came down.

"Morning Allison," they both said together.

"Morning," I managed to say and went to get an orange juice from the refrigerator.

"My don't we look casual today. Going somewhere impromptu are we?" Dee Asked

"Oh, you know, nowhere important. Just a trip to the salon today." I said in my worst rich lady's imitation. We all giggled.

"Honey, here is the money for salon. Put in your purse, dear, so you won't lose it." My mother said.

"Alright, thanks mom." I replied.

It was time to get going, so we wouldn't be late. We said our goodbyes to my mom, which I reassured her that I loved her and would see her later. We then walked the four blocks to the beauty parlor and got there just about five minutes before our appointed time. We went in and told the lady at the desk we were here for our appointments and she checked us off and told us to have a seat. They had a couple of those books they have you look at as to what style you want, and we were looking at them when this lady, looked to be Miss Spencer's age, and just as pretty but only with red hair. She was wearing a white smock over her dress so I couldn't see what it looked like.

"Allison, you will have to wait for a bit. Okay? I'm going to take Dee first and then Chrissie."

"Okay, I'll just look at the book and see what I want." I replied.

Dee and Chrissie's appointments both took better part of the afternoon. When they came out they were very pretty. Dee's hair had these red streaks in them but they looked good on her. Chrissie had a straight style that came down to her shoulders and framed her face. Of course Chrissie wouldn't let anyone change that beautiful blond hair. It was my turn next and I showed the lady what I wanted and she said good choice. I think they say that to everyone because they're in business. We went into the salon proper and I sat in this chair that tilted back. She then started to rinse my hair and put shampoo in it and began messaging it all around like you do in the shower when you wash your hair. Then she conditioned it and patted it down with a towel. While it was not dripping wet it was still wet and then she used another towel to get it damp. While it was damp, she began to put rollers in my hair all the way up to the scalp skin. While she was doing this, she began asking me how I was doing in school. Did I like school? What was my favorite subject and I said boys. We both giggled. She said her name was Miranda and was actually new to this area. After she was done with rolling my hair she took me over to the dryer area and sat me down and turned on the dryer. I sat there thumbing through good housekeeping while I waited for my hair to dry.

"Alright, Allison, let's see how good we did. Ok, young lady, look in the mirror and tell me what you think."

"Great, Miranda. I love this. Looks like I did pick a nice choice." I replied.

My hair was styled in a sort of long page boy where the hair was cropped at the ears and curled over them, while the back was still fairly long. it was down to my shoulders. I liked it. My bangs were perfect and everything else just framed my face better. When I went out to the waiting room and sat down next to Dee and Chrisse, Dee said.

"I'm sorry miss, we're saving this seat for our friend"

Chrissie then said, "Yes, and she'll get mad at you if take her seat."

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Allison Kingston," I said offering my hand.

Then all three of us broke up into giggles and laughter. We went to the desk and paid for our treatments and then went home, without stopping anywhere. When we got home, I put our coats in the hall closet and went into the kitchen. Mom was sitting there drinking her coffee and looking at the same issue of good housekeeping I was looking at at the parlor.

"Hi mom," I said giving her a hug and kiss.

"Hi girls. How did everything go? My my, look at all of you. Don't you all look pretty." Mom said as she looked up from her magazine.

"Thank you, Mrs. Kingston," They both said together.

"And, Allsison, dear, what style do they call that?" Mom asked looking at my hair.

"Princess page boy, mom. Isn't it just divine? I replied.

"Well, I must say, yes, it looks very very good on you."

"Thanks, mom." I replied giving her a hug.

I gave her back her change and Chrissie and Dee had to head home for supper. Mom and I got out the things for our supper and started making it. We were having spaghetti. I got out the steamer for the noodles and put the water in to boil. Mom always made her own sauce. It was thick and tasted good. It had tomatoes, finely chopped onions (yuck), some garlic salt with red and green peppers. She added some chives also, and then put tomato paste in to thicken it up. It tasted delicious. I put the little bottle with the parmesan cheese in it on the table along with the place settings. I loved the way we made spaghetti from grandma's recipe. The sauce tasted better than store bought anyway. It took only a half hour before everything was ready. Mom put the spaghetti in a strainer set in a bowl and put it on the table. I put just enough sauce in two creamer cups so we would have our own. We then sat down to eat and had a marvelous talk.

"Allison, I was just thinking while you were out today. We haven't had a mother/daughter day for about a month now, since school started. How about we have one next weekend. We could go into the city. Just you and I. No friends. I want this to be just us so we can have a little fun. Okay?"

"Okay, mom," I replied. "Sounds like fun. I would enjoy spending the day with just you."

"Good, dear. What do you think we should do?"

"I think we should go shopping. You know, we don't have to buy anything, just window shopping."

"Why Allison, that is a great idea. Why didn't I think of that? Are you sure you're only nine years old?" She said with a giggle and I giggled too. Then I said.

"Oh mom, you're always kidding me about that. But you know what? I have given that some thought. I'm nine going on eighteen. When I am eighteen you'll say are you sure you're only eighteen and then I'll say yes mother, eighteen going on thirty six." I giggled and she giggled too."

We got along like two peas in a pod. Even when we were home together without any company we could talk, and tell jokes and just have fun. We would watch horror movies on the weekends like Dracula, with Bela Lugosi, or the Wolfman, with Lon Chaney or the Mummy, With Boris Karloff. Then mom would scare me at the most dramatic parts, and you knew they were coming because the music got louder. What I didn't know is what mom was going to do. I jumped each time she did or said something to scare me. Oh, it was fun though. I wasn't really interested in horror movies, but mom liked them and I sat and watched with her. I have a friend in my class whose mother died suddenly of an aneurysm (this is spelled correctly, I checked) in the brain. So I know that mothers will not be around forever, and I want to spend as much time with mine as I can. I never told her about my friend's mother, but I am glad she is happy that I am happy. Makes me warm inside even on cold days. So we watched a non-scary movie with the Marx Brothers. I got such a laugh out of Harpo, and that duck walk of Groucho's. It was very funny. I forget the name now, but back then I just busted with laughter. I still like the Marx Brothers.

After the movie was over and we had calmed down from our fits of laughter at the Marx Brothers, I hugged and kissed mom goodnight and went off to bed. I got out my clothes for the next day being a school day. I selected my pink jumper this time, with my rose colored blouse, my rose colored slip set. My socks were even rose too. For the shoes I selected a pair of my white flats with an ankle strap. After laying them out on my vanity bench, I went to sleep.