Chapter 2: An October Surprise

The end of October would bring my very favorite holiday, better than Christmas: Halloween! For one very important reason: I could go out and talk to people, because I could be wearing a mask. I could pretend, for a night, to be a normal person. I would be around people who would speak decently to me, unaware of my deformity—completely hidden under my mask.

Now that I was legally an adult, I planned to attend a charity masquerade ball, held in a hotel downtown. For this one night, I could be social, like Tara, and meet and talk with new people while feeling safe. Maybe even flirt!

But first, I needed help. A lot of help. In mid-October, I explained my Halloween plans to Tara, including the mask.

“I’m begging you. I need coaching on how to act. You know I’ve never dated. I don’t know how to talk to guys, to men. I’m going to say something stupid and embarrassing, and night will be ruined. At least, with the mask, I won’t be caught not knowing how to kiss properly. Will you help me?”

Tara held up her hand, index finger raised in the universal “wait one minute” gesture. She left for our parents bedroom.

When she returned, comically, she was wearing Dad’s awful brown sport coat. Of course, it hung very loosely on her slim frame. She pitched her voice deeply and addressed me, formally.

“I am Reginald Throckmorton, and I will have the privilege of being your date for tonight. May I ask your name, gentle lady?”

“I am Miss Priscilla Entwhistle, and I am most pleased to make your acquaintance this day.”

I held out my hand, wrist high, palm down, for “Reggie” to chastely kiss.

Then we collapsed together into giggles. Tara and I had spent too many hours reading trashy romance novels. After we settled down, we actually just started having normal conversations. We were still role-playing a bit but we were acting as adults who had just met for the first time, practicing light and comfortable conversation.

This went on for a few days until I felt more comfortable and even proficient. Then Tara stunned me.

After school, Tara said, “I think you are doing well with our conversations. Now I’m taking you to the next level. Come out to the front room with me.”

Sitting on our sofa was her boyfriend!

“Carson, may I present my dear sister, Nora. Nora, this is my dear friend, Carson Atkins.” She indicated our dining table, where a candlestick was burning. (No dishes, though.) “Carson would like to have dinner with you, so as to get to know you a little better.”

I burst into tears. Carson looked very uncomfortable. Tara glared at me, crossly.

“No! You’re doing it wrong. Nora, my extremely nice boyfriend has agreed to help you prepare for Halloween. This is a practice date with a real live boy. Do you see any food over there, idiot?”

I wiped my wet face with my sleeve. “I’m sorry, Carson, I thought she was being mean and teasing me. And, no guy has ever been nice to me like this. I should have known better. Please, both of you, forgive me, and let me try again.”

“Carson, may I present my dear sister, Nora.” Our practice date went very well. Tara gave us some notes and comments, and we repeated the date using different topics of conversation.

Before he left, I addressed my sister: “Tara, just one thing. Will you promise to kiss and hug this wonderful sweet guy of yours, as much as you possibly can, for being so kind to your ugly sister today?”

“No.”

“What do you mean, no?”

“Nora, the whole point of today was for you to talk with a man. None of this indirect shit. Carson?”

Before I could react, Carson took me in his arms and kissed me. Firmly. And then he glowered, and growled, “I am not kind, and you are not ugly.”

Handing me to Tara, he kissed her and left. This was fortunate, because I was having trouble keeping my feet.