Chapter 15: Saturday 1

JASON

It was Saturday. I would have liked to have slept in. Fat chance.

“Jay.”

“Go away, Gracie.”

“But we’ll be late.”

“For what?”

“The play.”

“What time is it?”

“Nine.”

“It’s too early. Go back to bed.”

“The play’s at ten.”

“Shit. Do I have to go?”

“You promised.”

“Yes, I did. Fine. I’ll be ready in a few minutes. What’s for breakfast?”

“Cereal.”

“But Mom cooks breakfast for us on weekends.”

“We don’t have time to cook.”

“It won’t take that long.”

“We have to leave in a half hour.”

“Fine. I’ll be ready. Gracie?”

“What?”

“You’re not nervous, are you?”

“I-I-I’m not nervous.”

“Good. You’re going to do great today.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

“Are you going to wear clothes?”

“Yeah. Oh wait. No. I have to be naked, remember?”

“That’s why I was asking. You don’t have to get dressed.”

“I do for the ride over.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Good. That means I can sleep an extra fifteen minutes.”

“Jaaaay!”

“Fine. I’m up. I’m up.”

I wanted a little time alone this weekend. Guess I’ll have to wait until later. Yes, it was early but I was not going to miss Gracie’s play. Wait. Did I just tell Gracie I was going to ride over to the play without putting on clothes?

Nope. I wore clothes. Who knows what we were going to do after the play and I wanted to be prepared. I was expecting something to happen after the play, especially with the Powell’s since Mary was going to be in the play too. I knew Sue would be there. It wouldn’t be so bad with her there with me. I was hoping we’d sit together.

We arrived at the middle school, parked and then I had to get naked. Mom was ready so it wasn’t a shock for her but she wasn’t too happy about it. It actually felt pretty good to get my clothes off outside in the parking lot. The sun was out and the morning chill was going away. I even left my shoes behind. I knew my feet would get dirty like yesterday, but there was something about being barefoot that made the nudity special this way. I can’t explain it. It’s some mind trick or something, but I was now totally nude.

As we walked in Grace left us to go backstage I guess. Mom and I found a seat which wasn’t too hard since there was only us two to sit next to each other and not several like some of the families. I looked around for Sue and didn’t see her, that is, until she stood up. I couldn’t miss her. I didn’t want to yell so I asked Mom if I could go talk with Sue before the play started.

“Hey, Sue. I’m right here.”

“Hi, Jay.” she said with smile. Sue is so pretty when she smiles down on me. “Where’s your mother?”

“We’re sitting over there some where.” I said pointing in the general direction of where I had just come.

“We saved two seats for you. Why don’t you ask her to come over?”

So I ran over to Mom and told her. I think she was happy that the Powell’s wanted us to sit with them. As I walked over to Mom then back to the Powell’s I could feel eyes on me. I was in school, but I was getting a very different vibe than during the week. It was making me uncomfortable. I’d been uncomfortable before so I endured.

Seeing naked people was no big deal nowadays. It happens. It’s legal. Yet there are those that still think it’s immoral or just plain don’t like looking at naked bodies. Well, too bad for them. Maybe the Naked in School Program should be the Naked at Work for Old People with Nudity Hang-Ups Program. I wondered what old wrinkly people would think about that. On second thought, nah.

I was sure there were those kinds of people now at the middle school auditorium. I could hear gasps and whispers as I walked by. I wish the weather would stay nice all year then maybe more people would find nudity enjoyable and maybe, just maybe, there wouldn’t be so much hostility directed at those who don’t wear clothes.

But when I sat next to Sue all of that was forgotten. I wasn’t the only one happy to be with Sue. Mom was excited to see her too.

SUSAN

Mary was so excited and at the same time nervous this morning. She was going to be in a school play and we were all going to see her. Why they put on the play on a Saturday I’ll never know. Why not a week night? I guess that would be too convenient for the school.

I think Daddy was a little freaked out that I didn’t wear any clothes out of the house this morning, but he seemed to be alright with it now that we were at school. I looked for Jay and his Mom in the auditorium. I knew they’d be there since Grace was in the play too. I found him looking around. I bet he was looking for me.

I persuaded Mommy and Daddy to reserve two extra chairs for Jay and his mother next to us before they got there. We had to sit in the back to get a row of five seats together. But we do that anyway -- we’re a tall family and don’t want to block others view. The chairs were set up on the floor of the auditorium so even though the stage was raised, people who may have been behind us would have had a hard time seeing over.

It was always nice to talk to Jay’s mother. Thursday night was a little strange but I felt a lot better about it now, even being nude in front of her.

“Hello, Sue. How are doing today?”

“Hi, Ms. McMillan. I’m fine.”

“How’s your sister holding up?”

“She’s a little nervous about the play.”

“I’m sure she’ll do just fine.”

“I wish I could have given her a pep talk before the play.”

“It’s okay. She’ll get over her stage fright if she has any.”

Then Jay wanted to talk. It seemed a bit urgent. “What were you doing last night?”

“Me?”

“Don’t try to hide it. Nora had pictures of you shopping.”

“Nora? Where did she get pics?”

“Where does she ever get them? But you know Nora.”

“I’m going to have a word with her.”

“You were shopping naked, weren’t you?”

“So?”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. I was dared.”

“Since when do you do things on a dare?”

“When it’s a naked dare.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Don’t be mad at me. I got something for you.”

“Me? What did you get?”

“You’ll see later.”

“Okay.”

“I just hope you like it.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Just be patient.”

“Fine.”

“Oh look, they’re starting.”

The lights were going down and the principal came out to address the crowd.

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, parents and siblings. Thank you for coming out to support your students today.” And blah, blah, blah. I remember when I was in middle school I didn’t like her very much. She wasn’t very inspiring. Not like Dr. Bruce. He’s a cool principal.

The principal left the stage and the curtains opened. There was a king and a queen talking then a girl entered the stage -- the princess. The rest of the play revolved around her. I think I knew her from my time in middle school but I couldn’t tell.

It wasn’t long before the Earth fairy showed up. Guess who the earth fairy was? Mary! She had a big commanding voice as she recited her lines.

“I am the earth fairy. I am strong and provide a base for all of the trees and plants of the world. I provide shelter for living beings.”

She didn’t seem too nervous now. Sure, she flubbed her lines a little but all of them did. She was pretty good compared to the others. And big. Right after her some little girl entered as the air fairy. She was so cute and next to Mary she was so small.

All the fairies wore pointy ears, wings and glitter. Mary and Grace wore this green one piece dress that was scalloped at the bottom. There were two little fairies that wore the same thing, but it was a two piece. I almost forgot: they were barefoot. I was a bit jealous of the kids up on stage. It looked like fun and I kind of wished I was up there showing off.

The next fairy was the water fairy. That would be Grace -- Jay’s sister. She’s as big as Mary and when the little fire fairy showed up who was almost as small as the air fairy it was such a contrast to have two itty bitty and two gigantic fairies. It was so cool watching them. I loved it.

JASON

There were four fairies in the play: the air, water, earth and fire fairies. Two were big -- Gracie and Mary -- and two were small. The little ones must have been sixth graders so I’d say they were eleven or maybe even ten years old and next to Mary and Gracie they looked so little. They wore cute little green costumes. Those four fairies stole the show; they were so darling. I could have just eaten them all up. I mean that in the figurative way, not the ‘going down on them’ way.

Gracie seemed to be loving this. All the fairies had lots of lines to say and were on stage throughout the whole play, almost, which lasted about an hour. But I remember Gracie’s lines. Well, at least her leading line.

“I am the water fairy. I bring life to the world and provide a home to all of the water creatures great and small. My currents can shape the land and lay waste before you. Do not trifle with one who wields such power, Princess.” And so on. I won’t bore you with the rest.

I knew she practiced in her room at home but I never really listened to Gracie. The fairies lines were directed at the princess who looked pretty cute too. I think the fairies were cuter. I was very proud of my sister that day.

Maybe some day Gracie will be an actress. She was pretty good up there. Better than Mary and Mary is year ahead of her in school. They’re not much more than a year apart in age either but they look like they could be twins. Except for Gracie’s blonde hair and Mary’s almost black hair, that is. But Mary’s still pretty -- she wears her hair in a Betty Page style and it certainly fits her. And I find it hard to fathom that Grace is as tall as Mary now. Why are all these girls towering over me?

And speaking of towering, we were sitting in the back. I couldn’t see. I tried sitting on the back of my chair with my feet on the seat bottom. But Sue just had to pick me up. I was mortified. Everyone, including parents and middle schoolers could see. Or maybe not since we were in the back. Our parents saw. I wasn’t too happy but Sue was. At least I could see the stage now.

When it was over we gave them a standing ovation. Of course we did: the audience was filled with parents and family. No matter how bad it would have been they would have still stood. But I have to admit: the actors and actresses in the play were pretty good.

There was more embarrassment when we stood -- Sue still held me. I guess I better get used to it. When the applause subsided the stage curtain parted again and the whole cast was lined up hand in hand and took a bow together. Everyone stood and clapped and cheered some more.

The fairies were still wearing their costumes when we were all gathered around in the atrium talking and waiting for the kids to find their families and go home. Gracie and Mary found us hanging around with our families talking and walked over hand in hand. They looked real happy. I don’t blame them. They certainly seemed to have a good time up there on stage. But guess who else came?

“What are you doing here, Nora?” I asked.

“I just came to see Mary and your sister.”

“Well, here they are.”

The girls started to talk. And talk. And talk. And ... you get the idea. I wanted to talk to Sue but she was gossiping with Gracie, Nora and her sister. Being ignored is the story of my life. I may have been the center of attention a few times but I knew it would end after this week and this was just a preview.

But then I noticed out of the side of my eyes another gal came skipping up to us. Wouldn’t you know it, it was Mia! Maybe now I could talk to someone. She had one of the other fairies in tow -- the really little one and she was still in her green outfit too.

Mia must have caught the other’s attention because when she started talking the girls stopped their conversation.

“Hi, Jay.”

“Hi, Mia. This is a pleasant surprise. What are you doing here?”

“My sister’s in the play. I want you to meet Melanie.”

“Hi, Jay.” the little girl said.

“Hi.” I greeted back. “This is so cool. My sister is a fairy too. Mia, have you met Grace yet?” I said pointing up at Gracie.

“Hiya, Grace.” Mia greeted waving up to Gracie.

“Hello, Mia. Nice to meet one of Jay’s friends.” Gracie said smiling down at us.

“I remember her. I’d seen her in school last year.”

“Hey? Are you?” Mia’s sister Melanie said to me.

“What?”

“You’re Grace’s brother?”

“Yeah.”

“Whoa, you’re that Jay! You’re famous. He’s famous, Mia.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I said. I did know, but I didn’t want to expose this little gal to that subject. She was so cute and wasn’t any taller than I was. Clearly she was the innocent one.

“Mia? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I told you.”

“You didn’t tell me the guy you did was Grace’s brother.”

“I didn’t know.”

“Is it true, Jay? Did you and Mia really screw?”

I coughed, choking on a bit of spit in the back of my throat. So much for innocence.

“MEL!” Mia screamed.

“What?”

“Ever heard of discretion?”

“But...”

“No buts, you little brat! You have such a big-mouth! I’m sorry, Jay. We need to go.”

“Uh, yeah. Bye.” I said, a bit stupefied. Then I heard a voice from above.