An Eight Year Old's Halloween

by Marnie Smith

 

My son Michael always looked forward to Halloween. He loved dressing up as a cowboy, hobo, a spaceman in previous years, but this year, he just couldn't decide what to be. He kept asking me if I had any ideas, but no matter what I'd suggest, Michael said, "no." This year, Halloween was on a Saturday. Michael normally went to the local YMCA for afternoon sports and games, but in honor of Halloween, they were hosting a children's party and everyone was suppose to come in costumes.

Several days before, Michael suddenly announced that he would dress up as one of King Arthur's knights. He asked if he could use a galvanized garbage can lid for a shield. I told him that I'd clean it for him. He said that he needed silver paint because he had a old space helmet that would become part of his armour. The next couple of days were spent figuring out what might help Michael become a Knight. I fashioned tin foil around cardboard which was stitched together to form the bodace of his armour. He refused to wear tights, so I had to again mold tin foil around a pair of pants. He had a nice wooden sword and I fashioned a white tunic for him to wear over his "metal" suit. I thought he looked great when he climbed out of my car and ran into the Y.

Two hours later, I waited for my son to emerge from the party. When he came out, he looked, well almost dejected. "Mom, I didn't win the contest," he said.

"That's ok Darling," I smiled, "I thought you looked great. Where there a lot of good costumes?"

Michael told me of several, there were the usual Harry Potters, Obi Whan Ka Nobi, mummies, and witches, but then he looked surprised and said, "Mom, remember Will?" He was our neighbor who'd moved a few blocks further north last summer. "Mom, he was a girl."

I laughed softly, and said, "my goodness that must have been funny. Was he very pretty?" My son just shrugged. Then I saw Will coming out to his parent's car. Oh, he was dressed up just so cute. I wouldn't have thought that it was Will except that Michael had just mentioned his costume. He was in a short navy skirt with white polka dots that flared out into tiny pleats. He had on a black top and navy pantyhose. His hair was just long enough so that with a barret and some lipstick and earrings, he really looked like a girl. Oh, he was adorable. I smiled and waved as we pulled away from the Y.

"I don't like my costume, Mom. I want something else."

"Michael, it's kind of late to find another. What's wrong with your costume."

"I don't like it," he said.

I thought for a few moments and I began to offer ideas for another costume. "Michael, we could dress you up as a scarecrow."

"No."

"Hmmm, how about a cowboy."

"I did that last year," he whined.

"You could be a walking sign," I suggested remembering the cardborad still left over from some work we had done in our house.

"Mom, I want to do something different."

"You could be Groucho Marx,"

"No, no, no, no," everything was no.

Then I thought of something that might rattle him.

"Michael, I could dress you up like a girl."

"OK."

I had never picture my little man wanting to do anything like that, but I couldn't help smiling at the thought of it. I wondered what would be fun. "Michael, you could be an old lady, or a fat lady."

He didn't respond. "Or....pretty?"

Michael's voice almost trembled as he said, "ok, pretty."

I was taken aback and began to wonder if I'd made a mistake with my ideas. I picked up my cell phone and dialed my sister. Good, she was home. "Natalie, it's Emma, I have a little Halloween emergency. Michael is unhappy with his costume and he'd like to dress up as a girl. Oh, that's exaclty what I was thinking. Bye."

"What did Aunt Natalie say mom?"

"That you're going to be lovely," I laughed. but Michael didn't say a word. I wondered if he was getting cold feet. It only took a couple of minutes to arrive at my sister's house. She practically burst through the front door as we approached.

"Michael, my goodness you're a fancy knight. I think it's cute, but I also have been thinking of what you might wear if you still want to be a girl for Halloween. Is that what you want?"

Michael nodded his head so slightly and my sister said, "let's go into Susan's room." Natalie has a daughter who is 18 months older than Michael. She's a lovely girl and she always dresses so beautifully. "Emma,I've laid out a beautiful dress of Susan's." We entered my neices room and on the bed lay a dress that Susan had worn to her dad's brother's wedding. It was a rich coral linen dress. Yellow flowers at the waist and the dress had a sheer overskirt with satin trim. Satin ribbons at waistline and a beautiful squared neckline. Next to this georgeous dress lay a beautiful white half slip and white pantyhose. And on the floor lay my neices white ivory dress shoes with flowered straps.

"Natalie, it's too pretty," but my sister cut me off.

"But Emma, it's not what we think, what does Michael think. Honey, would you like to wear this?"

Michael shrugged but also said, "ok...I guess."

"Well young man," Natalie said, "let's get you out of your armour and let's turn you into a girl."

"And Michael," I quickly chimed in, "if you change your mind or if you want to wear or do something else....it's ok. OK?" He nodded. We quickly got him stripped down to his underwear.

Natalie went to her daughter's drawer and pulled out the lovliest pair of pink panties, but Michael looked alarmed and said, "Mom, can't I wear my own underwear?"

I laughed and said. "of course honey."

We got our little guy into his pantyhose. Next came the beautiful slip and dress. Immediately, I realised how pretty he'd be as a girl. My sister sat him down and pulled out a wig that her daughter had worn for a school play. I swear, from start to finish it was five minutes and we were putting some lipstick and earrings onto my boy. I couldn't believe it. He was lovely. He turned and looked at himself and laughed a little. He took a few awkward steps getting used to the shoes and the odd feelings of stockings and a pretty dress.

"Thanks Aunt Natalie, this is fun." His Aunt smiled and hugged him.

"Now, shall we find your cousin Susan and surprise her? She's trick and treating with her friends, but another girl is always welcome."

"Yes, Michael smiled."

I laughed, this was certainly an unexpected turn of events, but I was delighted at what a pretty girl he was. I tried not to think of how I'd explain this to his dad and we left to trick and treat.

  

  

  

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