We enter the bathroom giggling like school girls. Taking out our makeup bags, we commence to do our faces. We remove the light make we applied that morning and scrub our faces clean. Like sisters, we help each other to get just the right look, making suggestions and comparing techniques.
"I've got something new I'd like to try," you say.
"What's that?" I ask.
"False eyelashes," you answer.
"I want some, too," I exclaim excitedly.
"This is a three-pack," you say as you pull the package out of your bag, "We can all have them. But I'm not sure how to apply them."
"I'm an expert at eyelashes," Jill tells us, "I learned how during my drag queen days."
"You used to do drag?" I ask, "How exciting!"
"Yes, that was before I transitioned," she replies.
"How did you like it?" I press.
"It was fun, but the other queens were very competitive and I got over it. It's much better just being myself these days," she admits.
We watch Jill expertly apply her eyelashes and try to follow her example. You get yours right the first time, but it takes me several attempts to get them in place.
"How do I look?" I ask, fluttering my new eyelashes.
"Very cute, but go easy on the butterfly action," you reply and we laugh.
"I'd really like to do my nails and toes," I say next. "Jenny, will you help me?"
"Of course, dear, I've brought several bottles of nail polish, what color would you prefer?" you respond.
"Something pretty to match my lipstick," I reply. We choose a deep red. I extend my hand and you expertly begin to apply the polish. I'm amazed at the look and remark, "You're really good at this, Jenny,"
"Practice makes perfect, Monique," you reply. When you are done with both hands, I hold them up and look at my reflection in the mirror. "Beautiful! Now let's do my toes."
You repeat the process with both feet, and I wiggle my toes with delight. "I've never felt more femme," I say gleefully, batting my eyes and flexing my fingers.
"Careful with the butterflies," you say seriously and we all three giggle.
We brush our wigs and don our bras and panties. "What are you girls wearing?" I ask.
"As hot as it is, I'm going with a sundress sans hose," you reply.
"Sounds good to me," Jill responds.
"Me, too!" I chime in. We slip into our dresses and regard ourselves in the mirror.
"Beautiful!" you exclaim, twirling gracefully.
"I hope we pass as well as Jodi said we do," I add.
We exit the cottage and get into your car. "I'm still a little nervous about being out in the wild," I say.
"Just stick with us and you'll be fine," Jodi says reassuringly.
"What's the menu?" I ask.
"How about seafood and pasta?" you offer.
"Sounds great," I respond. "I can grill some shrimp and scallops"
"I'll make a pasta salad," you say.
"And I can boil corn on the cob," Jill adds.
We head into town and stop at a small seafood shack. We enter and are greeted by a nice looking young man. "What are you ladies looking for today," he asks cheerfully.
"Are your shrimp fresh?" you inquire.
"No, they're very well behaved," he says with a laugh.
"Everyone's a comedian," you respond and roll your eyes. I bat mine at him and smile sweetly.
"How about your scallops?" I ask.
"Both came off the boat this morning," he replies, "None fresher on the whole island."
"We'll take four pounds of both," Jill answers and gives him a $100 bill. "Keep the change," she says and smiles broadly.
"Thank you ma'am! You ladies come back, now," he says and stuffs the bill into his pocket. He wraps our purchase and we exit the store.
"Wow! That was quite a tip you gave him, Jill," I exclaim.
"I'd like to give him another kind," she answers and winks.
We drive on into town and stop at a small grocery store. I'm feeling more confident with my presentation and am enjoying our outing. You pick out the ingredients for your pasta dish and we pick up some corn.
"I've got one more stop to make," I announce. "We'll need some refreshments, let's visit the liquor store and pick up some Scotch."
"Sounds good, we'll need some wine as well," you add.
We find a convent ABC store and enter. "Anything, in particular, you ladies need?" the young clerk asks.
"We'd like some dinner wine," you tell him.
"I'd like some fourteen-year-old Scotch," I inject, and bat my eyes at him.
"Yes ma'am, we have some excellent Glenfiddish," he says and retrieves it from the shelf.
"I'll take it," I say and hand him a $100 bill. "Keep the change."
"Thank you, ma'am," he says "What's the special occasion?"
"First class cock sucker," I say sweetly and bat my eyes.
His eyes widen and a broad smile crosses his face. "Congratulations," he says and winks.
We pay for the wine, exit the store, and get in the car. The moment the door closes we all break into uproarious laughter. "Good job, Monique," you quip.
"Did you see the look on his face?" Jill exclaims. "Priceless!"
"Let's get out of here!" I say and you gun the engine and spin the tires.
We arrive back at the cottage without incident. We unload the groceries and strip out of our clothes. "What are you girls wearing for dinner?" I ask.
"I thought this was clothing optional day," you say.
"I suppose we should put something on to start with," you say, "Hopefully we won't be wearing them for long after our guest arrives."
"I can't wait to meet Jodi's roommate," Jill says excitedly, "If she has a lot in common with me I'd like to talk to her."
I'd like to do more than talk I think to myself, and visions of my dream return.
We set into cooking. I start the grill for the shrimp and scallops, you start on the pasta salad, and Jill puts some water on to boil the corn. When the food is done, I look at the clock.
"Good grief!" I exclaim, "It's five-thirty. Our guests will be here in half an hour."
"We'd better throw some clothes on," you say with a panicked look. We scurry to the bedroom and open our bags. "I'm going with shorts and a top," you proclaim.
"Sounds good to me," Jill responds. I don my breastplate and slip into a fresh sundress. We freshen up our make-up just as the doorbell rings.
You walk to the door and swing it open. "Good evening, Jodi, so glad you could come. Please come in," you say sweetly.
You step aside and Jodi enters. We look in amazement at her transformation. Her make-up is flawless, and her hair is falling in tight blonde curls down her back. She is wearing a tight blue mini skirt that barely covers her lovely thighs. Her legs are bare, tanned, and gorgeous. Her feet are clad in open toes sandals which show off her ruby red toenails.
"Good evening ladies," she says politely, "Thank you so much for the invitation."
She steps to one side and says, "I'd like you to meet my friend Jasmine."
We gape in amazement at the figure who steps through the door. She is tall and statuesque and her skin shines with a beautiful ebony hue. Her high cheekbones glisten and shine. Her full lips are parted slightly exposing gleaming white teeth and her coal-black hair falls in tight dreadlocks halfway down her back. From her ears dangle gold loops and a matching gold necklace hangs above her lovely breasts. Gold bracelets and rings adorn her arms and fingers and a gold anklet circles her delicate ankle. She is wearing a short leopard print mini and her on her feet she is wearing strapless pumps. She is the perfect image of an African goddess, I think, and I am speechless as I regard her beauty.
"Good evening, ladies, it is so good of you to invite us here tonight," she says with a thick Caribbean accent.
She extends her hand and you take it and say, "Welcome, I'm Jenny."
Jasmine turns to me next and I say, "I'm Monique, pleased to meet you," as I take her hand. She turns to Jill last and extends both hands.
"You must be Jill. Jodi says we have much in common," she says and gives Jill a hug.
"How about a drink?" I offer, "Scotch or wine?"
"Scotch for me," you say. The other ladies agree and I pour a round. I raise my glass and say, "To new experiences." We down our drinks and set down for dinner.
After we are settled, Jill turns to Jasmine and says, "Tell us something about yourself, Jasmine."