3. Chapter
Cathy strolled idly through the mall looking in the store windows, but her
mind wasn't on the displays. She kept worrying over the situation with Bob.
She was troubled about how to handle him. A part of her saw it as poetic
justice that he should have to live as his own male fantasy. But he was
also a victim of how society treated unattractive people. If he hadn't been
shunned all his life then he might have a more realistic conception of
women.
At first she'd thought of him only as a dweeb and just barely tolerated
him. But she learned Bob was more than just a dweeb. He was a smart, kind,
generous guy. Once you got past his outer facade he was like a puppy just
aching for affection. As they'd grown closer Cathy had begun to gain
insight into how Bob ticked. Based on things he'd said and his general
attitude Cathy knew he regarded most women, especially pretty ones, as less
intelligent, good for little more than sex objects. But in reality, despite
his male arrogance he was afraid of women, and possibly hated them, hated
the power they had to hurt him. He envied the way everything seemed to just
happen so easily for attractive women. At least that's how Cathy reasoned
it would appear to Bob, but she knew there was a price to be paid for
everything.
In spite of his attitude toward women she'd grown to like Bob, once he
loosened up enough to be himself around her. Cathy was the only woman who
Bob felt comfortable with, the only woman who didn't instantly turn him
into a quivering, sweaty, tongue-tied dork. Which is why she felt so
offended when she learned he tried to transform her into one of the
brain-dead sex objects he expressed such disdain for. She felt betrayed by
him. Yet in a weird way it was almost a compliment that he'd want to give
her his own version of beauty. Even though she was pissed, he was still her
friend and she wanted to help him. It was a hell of a dilemma and she still
hadn't resolved how she was going to deal with it. In fact, while it was
true that getting clothing was a priority, the main reason she suggested
this shopping expedition was to give her some time alone to think things
through.
She was of two minds about how to treat Bob now. It would be so satisfying
to punish him. Shock him. Rub his nose in his new femininity. Maybe dress
him up slutty and dump him at a biker bar. Let him deal with the nasty side
of being female in a man's world with no help from her. But she also felt
inclined to make things easy for him, he had enough stress just looking in
a mirror without her adding to his problems. The big unknown factor in her
reasoning was how long Bob would have to live as a woman before they could
change him back, if they could even do so - the spell had worked once but
there were no guarantees it would work again. The one thing you could rely
on when dealing with the supernatural was that you couldn't really rely on
anything. Plus there was an added factor of danger if they succeeded -
would the demon be angry and maybe do something worse if they bothered it a
second time? It might be for the best if Cathy did all she could to get Bob
to accept his new womanhood and get on with his life. As a bonus, if he
ever did change back to a man, he might have a better attitude towards
women after having lived as one.
Cathy had been careful in picking out stuff for him to wear, deciding to go
low key on his wardrobe. She bought him a pair of jeans, and a rather plain
cotton ribbed top from the Gap as well as some socks and a pair of Reeboks
from Lady FootLocker. So far she'd resisted the urge to pick out anything
that might freak him out as being too sexy or feminine. She'd also picked
up a new pair of jeans for herself. She adjusted her bra strap and realized
she needed a new bra, thanks to her own transformation the one she had on
was pinching her something awful. She figured she'd also need to pick up
some panties and a bra for Bob, no matter how weird wearing women's
underwear might feel to him he couldn't be expected to wear jockey shorts
on his new form.
She looked at a display of casual evening wear. This store, like all the
others, had a sign announcing their upcoming "Fabulous After Thanksgiving
Sale!" She toyed with the notion of dragging Bob here on Friday and getting
him decked out in a sexy miniskirt. Then she caught a glimpse of her own
much improved reflection in the store's window. All her life she'd been a
conservative dresser. A realist when it came to her looks, she never
embarrassed herself by trying to be something she wasn't, preferring to go
for an 'interesting' rather than a sexy look. But she'd sometimes
daydreamed about having the kind of body that could wear revealing clothes
and be the center of attention. Now she had the body, but old habits die
hard, and she was hesitant to try anything that might be too flashy. She
put the thought aside and walked on to the next storefront. In this window
there was a rather daring bodysuit on display. She paused, idly wondering
what it might feel like to wear something so form-fitting.
"Cathy?" a man's voice broke into her thoughts, "Is that you?"
She turned and saw Greg Ewing staring at her uncertainly. Greg and she had
lived in the same dorm her freshman year. They shared many common interests
and had become good friends. Cathy had always harbored a secret crush on
him but she'd never pursued it, he had a girlfriend back home. Later, after
he broke up and became available she'd been reluctant to risk their
friendship by voicing her feelings. So she'd watched in silent frustration
as he became involved with an Economics major. After freshman year they
drifted apart when they were assigned to different dorms. He was pre-Law,
her major was Anthropology, so they had no classes together and almost
never bumped into each other on campus.
"Greg!" Cathy smiled broadly, enjoying the look of pleased astonishment on
his face.
"It is you! Wow! You look great! How've you been?" He hugged her warmly
then held her out at arms' length to look at her again.
"Thanks, I feel great!" She posed coquettishly, hand on hip, other arm
raised in imitation Vanna White flourish.
Greg clutched his heart and laughed. He was quite good looking with dark
hair and a lean athletic build. His face was clean shaven with a strong
chin and roman nose. His eyes were gray and very intense. When he was
talking with someone he focused on them alone, very direct and frank. This
quality made you feel he was sensitive and honest and deeply interested in
what was being said, and Cathy had always found it endearing.
"So how come you're still in town? I thought you'd be home for
Thanksgiving... or maybe visiting Susan?" Cathy fished for news on his
relationship with the Econ major.
"Sue and I broke up last spring," he said casually, tossing it off as
totally unimportant. "And I'm bagging the holiday this year. I decided to
hang around town. Sort of depressurize and get ready for the big push into
finals. Besides, I'm going to get enough bad advice on Law Schools from my
uncles over Christmas - I don't need it dished up for Thanksgiving dinner
too. What about you? What are you doing here, instead of home with your
parents?"
"What am I doing here? Oh.... Thinking about buying that catsuit." She
grinned and teasingly pointed to the window display. God, she was flirting
like a schoolgirl! She was feeling a thrill of possibilities opening before
her. "He's not seeing anyone!" kept echoing in her mind.
"Cool! That would look so hot on you! I can't get over how fabulous you
look, Cathy." He smiled appreciatively, all but drooling over her.
She blushed at the compliment, then changed the subject. "Actually I'm
staying on campus over the holiday too. I've got a project due and my
partner and me need to get some work done... but... we probably won't be
working the whole weekend..." She hesitated a moment, letting the hint
dangle hoping he'd decide to go for it.
"Well, if you're not busy maybe we could get together? Get caught up with
each other. That'd be great wouldn't it? It's been too long." He paused a
moment, as if considering taking a chance, then plunged ahead. "In fact,
some friends of mine were talking about taking a break and getting a beer
this evening down at the MouseTrap. If you get a chance, why not stop by?"
Cathy considered his offer a moment. Greg obviously didn't want to pressure
her, he was keeping it cool by not making it seem like a date. But the
MouseTrap was the local meet market and she always felt out of place there.
She sure didn't relish the idea of having to fight off a bunch of losers
while looking around for Greg. And if something came up and he didn't make
it she didn't want to be stuck there all alone. But she didn't want to
totally blow him off either, she might not get another opportunity. Then
she remembered Bob, they could go together, she knew she could convince him
to go with her -- he owed her.
"I'll check with my partner, maybe we'll take a study break tonight too."
"Great! I'll look for you. But I gotta run right now, I'm late. Cathy, I
can't tell you how fantastic it is to see you again." He hugged her once
more, and started off into the mall. After a few steps he turned back
around. Walking backwards he called in parting, "I can hardly wait for
tonight! See ya!"
Cathy waved and smiled as Greg walked away. She was thrilled with how he
reacted to seeing her. She wanted to jump up and down and squeal and laugh
out loud, but she restricted herself to a little twirl and a half whispered
"Yesss!" Now she had to think about what to wear tonight, the jeans she'd
just bought were practically the only thing she owned that fit properly.
Jeans were okay but she had an urge to go totally wild to impress Greg. And
if she went for all out gorgeous, she'd need to pick out something more
than jeans for Bob too. In her giddy happy state she blew off her original
plan of keeping Bob's wardrobe low-key so as not to shock him. Wickedly,
she thought what an experience it would be for him to get a taste of how it
felt to be a lust object.
The bodysuit in the window caught her eye again. On impulse she entered the
store, practically dancing.
*****
Brad looked around the living room and joked "Wow, must have been some
party. Remind me never to use your decorator."
"Oh. Yah. Well... it's the maid's day off... you know how hard it is to
find good help." Bob cringed at his lame come-back.
Bob was totally at a loss. He stood paralyzed with indecision as Brad held
his hand possessively and openly stared at his breasts. In his entire life
he had no experience to draw on for a situation like this. Previously,
whenever Bob had any interaction with a woman it had always felt like she
had complete control, she could freeze him out or accept his conversational
overture at her whim. Now, he was a woman and still he felt overwhelmed. It
was a matter of self-confidence, Brad was sure of himself to the point
where he didn't seem to consider rejection as a possibility. Bob knew this
intellectually. But knowing it didn't change the fact that he felt himself
swept along by Brad's self-assured commanding personality.
"So, Robyn, how come I haven't seen you before? Is this your first visit
with your brother?"
Bob's mind floundered for a simple cover story, he might be like this for
some time and he needed to explain his presence. "Um... actually, I'm
thinking about transferring here from Community College. So I'll be staying
around for a bit to check out the campus."
"Really? Well, if you need a tour guide, I'd be happy to show you around.
That is... if your brother's too busy. Where is he anyway?"
"My brother? Oh... he had to... go away. Something came up back home and he
needed to... take care of it."
"Oh? Then you're all alone for the holiday?" Brad openly made a show of
looking in the direction of the bedrooms as if to see if anyone else was in
the apartment.
"Well... just now. But I'm expecting a friend any minute." Bob felt
suddenly very vulnerable, reminded again of how the thin tank top he was
wearing concealed very little of his new body.
"Then we should use that time to get to know each other while you wait,"
Brad said with an ingenuous grin. He gently steered Bob over to the sofa.
Bob had the presence of mind to carefully smooth his shirt underneath him
as he sat down. He kept his knees together while he lowered himself to the
couch, then cautiously crossed his legs to prevent any inadvertent beaver
shots. He tugged on the hem of his shirt, attempting to pull it further
down his thighs. All the while he was intensely aware of Brad's eyes
watching every move he made.
Brad slowly began to draw Bob out. He had a practiced wit and disarming
charm. Bob was experiencing first hand what so many other women before him
had, Brad was employing the full force of his personality to make Bob feel
at ease. Never in his life had anyone paid so much attention to him. Bob
was totally defenseless against Brad's flirtatious flattery and attempts to
amuse him. It was a heady experience and Bob soon found himself giggling at
Brad's jokes and feeling clever himself thanks to the way Brad seemed to
enjoy his feeble attempts at humor.
Brad sat close to Bob. Too close for Bob's hyper alert senses. Bob could
feel the heat radiating from Brad's thigh as it occasionally brushed his
own. He somehow managed not to flinch the first time Brad touched him,
which he seemed to do often. He would compliment Bob on his hair and reach
up to lightly stroke it, or make a joke and gently brush Bob's forearm or
the back of his hand to signal the punchline. The touches weren't overtly
sexual, or even overly familiar, but Bob felt each one almost as an
electric shock. He was more used to the unconscious space maintained by two
men talking, or the even greater distance which he kept when talking to a
woman. But Brad was relaxed with the intimacy, as if it were natural and
expected. And as they continued talking, Bob found himself feeling more
comfortable with each casual touch.
Bob heard someone at the door and glanced at the clock, surprised to see
they'd been talking for over an hour. In very short order Brad had somehow
maneuvered him into a friendly, even flirtatious mood. Yesterday Brad
wouldn't have given him the time of day, and now here he was virtually
dripping charm and friendliness. Bob would never have believed how much he
was enjoying himself.
The front door swung open and Cathy came clattering into the apartment
loaded down with more than a dozen shopping bags. She came in backwards,
having pushed the door open with her hip while she struggled with the
packages.
"Hey! I'm back!" she yelled over her shoulder, "Guess what? We're going to
the 'Trap tonight so we gotta hurry and get ready... Oh! Why Brad Franklin,
as I live and breathe... what are you doing here?" Cathy shot a scathing
'what-the-hell's-going-on?' look toward Bob.
While Bob was still collecting his thoughts, Brad smiled at Cathy, slightly
confused that she apparently knew him, and said, "Hi. I'm sorry, I know I
should remember meeting someone as lovely as you but..."
"We never actually met. I was Beth Simpson's roommate in sophomore year."
"Oh. Beth! Nice girl. How's she doing?" Brad seemed pleasantly interested.
"She's fine... now." Cathy answered, deadpan.
"Good. Good. Anyway... um... it's nice to meet you, uh...?"
When Cathy remained silent several heartbeats, Bob suddenly came to life,
breaking the mounting tension. "Cathy... this is Brad. Brad, Cathy. She's a
... um... friend of my brother."
"Yes... a friend of your brother. So. Well Brad, I hate to be rude but
you'll have to excuse me and... me and... you'll have to excuse us girls.
We've got lots to do. Another time, perhaps." Cathy dumped her shopping
bags in a pile then stood expectantly holding the door for Brad.
Brad stood up. "Oh I should be going anyway. Nice to meet you Cathy. And so
very nice to meet you, Robyn. Maybe I'll see you tonight... you did say you
were going to the MouseTrap?"
Cathy narrowed her eyes at Brad. "Yah. Maybe. Anyway... um... Robyn. We
really do need to get busy."
"Well, ladies until later." Brad leaned down and took Bob's hand again,
giving it a farewell squeeze. He nodded to Cathy and walked out.
"What the hell was that about?" Cathy blurted as soon as the door closed.
"He... um... dropped by to borrow ice and we just got to talking." Bob
said.
"Well, he's trouble. Big time."
"Oh, I don't know. I used to think he was a major asshole too. But once you
get to know him, he's actually kind of... nice." Bob blushed, remembering
the feel of Brad's hand stroking his hair.
"Well he really pulled a number on my roommate. So you better watch your
ass around him cause I guarantee that's all Mr. Brad Franklin is interested
in... a piece of ass."
"Stop worrying Cathy. No way is something like that going to happen to me!
I'm a guy, for godsakes."
"Just remember what I said... Robyn. Nice choice of name, by the way. I
like it, it suits you."
"Spur of the moment," Bob said. "I can't go around calling myself 'Bob' and
'hey you' is just too lame. But forget that for right now, this is more
important: that old book of yours, with the original spell... the Grimoire?
I found it, or what's left of it. It's totally trashed. I was hoping maybe
you had another copy?"
"Oh shit." Cathy paused, thinking rapidly. She could kick herself for not
making copies. The Grimoire was a one of a kind, something she'd stumbled
across in a tiny shop in Italy. In all her studies of the occult, she'd
never seen or heard of any other source that was so accurate and complete.
If she told Bob the book was irreplaceable he'd totally freak. She'd have
to let him adjust to his new situation before she gave him the bad news.
"That's bad... but... we can probably find enough different references in
the library and some shops I know to piece together the spell."
"Well... that's a relief. But how long do you think that could take?" Bob
hadn't a clue as to what reference works were available on subjects as
arcane as black magic or witchcraft.
"I dunno. I have to be honest... it could be a while, Bob." Cathy hedged.
Well, then I guess we need to start researching. Maybe we can make a list
of references to start?"
"Bob, Bob, Bob. The library won't be open tomorrow, it's Thanksgiving. All
that can wait. Besides, as I started to tell you earlier, we're going out
tonight. It'll do you some good, get your mind off... things."
"Out? Where?" Bob was thinking desperately how to get back into a male body
and hadn't caught on to Cathy's change of subject.
"I ran into an old friend at the mall and he asked me to meet him tonight
at the MouseTrap. I can't go alone so I figured I'd take you with me." Her
voice assumed a wheedling tone of appeal.
"I dunno Cathy..." Bob hesitated, "Go to a place like the 'Trap... looking
like this?"
"Oh come on, Bob. I really need you to do me this favor. I even bought you
something special to wear tonight. You're gonna love it. It'll be fun,
trust me."
"Well..."
Cathy sensed Bob was wavering, so she plowed on ahead. She decided her best
bet would be to give Bob no options. Just act like it was already decided
and he'd better follow along with her or else. She rummaged through the
pile of bags she'd dumped on the floor until she found what she wanted.
"Here's the outfit I picked out for you to wear tonight." Cathy handed a
flat red box to Bob. "Go ahead, open it."
Bob hefted the box, slightly puzzled at how light it felt. This couldn't
contain an entire outfit. He opened the box, unfolded the tissue paper
lining and saw shiny black fabric. He stroked the material with his
fingertips and felt soft sensuous silk. He lifted the garment from the box,
marveling at how insubstantial it seemed.
"What is it?" he asked.
"It's a dress, silly," Cathy took it from him, and held it up by two thin
straps. Now Bob could see that it was indeed a dress. A very small dress.
"I can't wear something like that... that... little scrap!" he protested,
"I've seen bigger handkerchiefs."
She ignored his protests, and chattered on cheerfully as if he hadn't said
a word. "It's called a slipdress. Some girls wear a tee shirt underneath,
but you don't need to -- you've got the body for it, so why not flaunt it."
Bob stared at her like she was insane. He shook his head vehemently, at a
loss for words.
Cathy grinned wickedly, "Don't be such a chicken... Robyn. Every girl needs
a little black dress. That's the First Commandment of Fashion. You'll drive
the guys wild in this. Don't you even want to see what it looks like on
you?"
"No! If you think I'm wearing that, you're nuts." He was all but shrieking
now.
Bob was starting to get hysterical. She needed to get control of the
situation. It was for the best, she rationalized, he needed to come to
grips with his new life and going out tonight would be a first step. Cathy
played her trump card. "Well, it's this or nothing, girlfriend. But either
naked or wearing this dress you'd better be planning on coming with me
tonight. If you won't do this one little thing for me then you can forget
about any help from me from now on."
Bob sighed, feeling defeated. Events were just moving way too fast for him.
"If you put it that way, what choice do I have?"
"Atta girl!" Cathy steered Bob toward the bedroom. "You'll have fun, you'll
see. Now let's start getting you ready for your debut."
