Blindsided 16

Shaking his head to indicate that he wasn’t in the mood for questions, Robbie clomped in loudly through the door of Beauty by Shar. Locking eyes with the salon owner, she momentarily opened her mouth as if to speak, only to resist the urge. She then watched in amusement as the femininely dressed man minced over to her waiting room sofa and collapsed onto it.

“Lost another outfit then, I see,” Shar jested as she walked over to join him.

“Don’t,” Robbie replied, gripping the sides of his pounding head as he looked up at the ceiling. “I’ve had one hell of a morning.”

“Well, how about I make you a coffee, and you rest up for a bit?” Shar said, patting the crossdressed boy on the leg before motioning to stand.

“A coffee and some of those biscuits from the other day would be amazing,” Robbie said as he turned to look at the beauty shop owner. “But unfortunately, there’s no time to rest. This isn’t a social call.”

“Oh, this is going to be good,” Shar said as she sat back down and made herself comfortable. “Do I even want to know?”

Sitting up, Robbie smoothed out the flared skirt beneath his pantied backside before crossing his legs mid-thigh. “Can you do something with my hair for me?” He asked while pouting.

“Your hair?” Shar asked, sounding surprised. “Again?”

“Yeah,” Robbie replied before turning away sheepishly. “I messed up earlier, and now Agatha’s making me do it.”

“You failed your challenge?” Shar blurted out as her eyes widened.

“No,” Robbie shot back as he placed his hand on his belly to try and ease the uncomfortable cramping pains emanating from there. “I had to tell her I wanted to look prettier, and now she’s making me get my hair done.” He added as he went red in the face. “She wants curls and for me to cover the part you shaved. A damsel in distress look, she said.”

With her mouth gaping, Shar paused to stare at the pathetic-looking man beside her, wearing a lacey blue dress and strappy high-heeled sandals. A few seconds passed as she appeared to think before she finally spoke. “It’ll have to be extensions above the ear. And hairpieces glued directly to the skin below,” she announced with a nod.

“So, you’ll do it?” Robbie enthusiastically said as he swivelled his head to look her directly in the eyes.

Shar rolled her eyes before smiling and nodding her head. “I suppose so,” she announced. “I guess I’ve come this far with you. Let’s see this thing through to the end together, shall we?”

Suddenly feeling overwhelmed with emotion, Robbie felt his eyes tearing up. “Thank you, Shar,” He said while wiping at his eyes. Thank you.”

“Hey, don’t get all soppy on me now,” She said while leaping to her feet. “How about I make that coffee, then we’ll see what we can do, ay? If you can pull yourself together, I’ll even bring out the whole biscuit tin!”

“Deal,” Robbie said, wiping again at his eyes. “I’m ok, really.”

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With annoying blonde hair fluttering about in front of his painted face, Robbie’s eyes widened as a van pulled up at the curb. “I think he’s here,” he announced. “Are you going to tell me what's going on now?”

After leaving the salon, with even more blonde hair than when he'd arrived attached to his head, Robbie made his way across town by bus to an address given to him by Agatha. When he arrived, he was told to wait outside a house and that a man would join him shortly. Stood in a leafy green neighbourhood on the edge of the city, he had waited forty-five minutes. And after three-quarters of an hour of radio silence, where he'd teetered on wobbly legs, trying to stop the wind from lifting his flowing skirt, Robbie felt as though he was about to pass out from exhaustion.

“Not yet, my little kleptomaniac,” Agatha said, finally answering him. “Where would be the fun in that? Has he seen you?”

“Yes, and he’s getting out of his van! What do I do?” Robbie anxiously replied.

“Wave him over and smile,” Agatha replied, “It’s time to complete today’s challenge.”

Doing as he was told, Robbie stumbled slightly on his heels but caught himself just before he fell over. Trying to regain his composure, he Straightened the top of his dress and faked a smile.

“Alright there, love?” the approaching man cheerfully announced as he bounded up the path. “Are you the one who called for a locksmith?”

“Tell him you are,” Agatha announced in his ear. “Tell him that you’ve lost your keys and you can't get into your apartment.”

“Yes,” Robbie mumbled quietly as his voice began to betray him. He couldn’t quite believe what he was being told to do, but needing the relief that only Agatha’s tonic seemed to bring, he obeyed. “My keys must have fallen out of my purse somewhere when I was out, and now I’m locked out,” he said in a high-pitched voice.

“I see,” the balding man replied, looking Robbie up and down. “You got any ID on ya? You know, to show that you live here.”

Expecting to hear Agatha speak but receiving nothing but silence, Robbie stuttered. “Err… no. I err… lost my purse too. I’m not sure what happened to it.”

“How are you planning on paying me if you don’t have your purse?” the tradesman asked, giving the skirted man a sceptical look.

“Can’t you just send me a bill in the post?” Robbie announced, thinking fast. “You know where I live, right?”

“Sorry, love. That’s not how I work. And without any ID, It would be breaking and entry,” the locksmith said, shaking his head. “Can’t do it, I’m afraid.”

“Oh, no,” Agatha teased in Robbie’s ear. “Looks like you’re losing him. “Better think fast, Blondie. Try offering him something. Perhaps s

ask if he’ll do it in exchange for putting them plump lips of yours to work.”

“No way, I’m not doing that!” Robbie screamed out in a deep tone, causing the man opposite him to jump slightly.

Coughing, Robbie looked over at the locksmith and smiled. “Sorry, I mean you have to do it,” he said in a much more feminine-sounding voice. “Please, Sir. I have nowhere to go. Look at me! Do I look like a criminal?” He added as he began to tear up.

“Well, erm... No,” the man awkwardly replied while scratching behind his ear and looking away.

“Then, please, I’m begging you. I just want to get into my house and change out of these shoes. Have you any idea how painful it is to walk around in heels this high all day?” Robbie said between sobs.

(See image 25)

Shaking his head, the locksmith breathed out a heavy sigh. “No, and I guess, just this once, I could make an exception. I suppose you’ll be wanting the locks changed and a new set of keys?”

Hearing Agatha say yes in his ear, Robbie nodded. “Alright, I’ll get my tools from the van,” The man said, feeling uncomfortable when faced with a crying woman. “Back in a jiffy, ok?”

======================================================

Twenty minutes later, now alone in a strange house, Robbie stood motionless, taking in his surroundings. “Wow, that was one hell of an Oscar-worthy performance there,” Agatha said while chuckling, “I’m impressed, Barbie. I really thought you were going to get down on your knees and suck that man dry.”

“Shut up!” Robbie screamed, finally breaking. “Just shut your mouth! Whose house is this? And what the hell am I doing here?”

“Wow, someone’s got their knockers in a twist,” Agatha replied before laughing even louder. “The good news is, today’s challenge is over, and guess what? You passed. Yay! So, why don’t you take off those sexy sandals and put your feet up? You've earned it, you little diva.”

“And what happens when the owner comes home?” Robbie angrily spat.

“Oh, don’t worry about that, you stroppy little madam,” Agatha teasingly replied. “That’s not going to happen. From now on, this is your new home. So, like I said, put your feet up and get comfortable. Your reward for today’s hard work will be delivered to the door shortly.”

“What do you mean, my new home?” Robbie blabbered, feeling very confused. Looking around the darkened Livingroom he now found himself in, his tired mind struggled to comprehend what was happening. Wiping a fallen tear from his cheek as he plodded over towards a comfortable-looking armchair, he hated the fact that he was crying again (having not entirely faked the waterworks show for the locksmith). “Agatha, why are you doing this to me?” He asked in a sad, quiet voice as he almost fell into the chair.

Agatha laughed. “You’ll find out soon enough, sweetcheeks. For now, rest up and get used to your new home. We’re done for today.”