By Marie Greene
This reading is unlike any of my previous writings all of which had an upbeat thrust — Fear not! — This is not a “downer”. This is more of an “Expose”. It covers a period of 30 plus days and includes both high and low points in this “GAL’s” slightly emotional Roll-a-Coaster.
It began with the dual high-points of my happy participation as the “Maître de-Ess” at a Halloween party as “Wonder-Woman” followed less than a week later as a Playboy Club Bunny in female Tux and White Fluffy Tail at a Marti Grass party. As the glow from these two thoroughly enjoyable public events became cherished memories had two other joyous back to back private activities on the near horizon. Both involved meet-ups and dinners out with two of my Girl Groups. Both required more than a 300-mile round trip to a major metropolitan complex, but it was projected to be well worth the mileage and gas cost. Had many pleasant anticipatory thoughts and total emersion in two female time capsules. Great things ahead.
Whereas Wonder Woman and Playboy Bunny were each six to eight-hour adventures, these two future sojourns were projected to be upwards of 36-hour multi-event adventures. Let me explain – The first was to be an almost unbounded shopping spree in a high-end Mall followed by cocktails and dinner at a roof top restaurant then taking in a stage show. The second was to be a country setting where my GAL guide had an out-of-town lady guest who had expressed interest in meeting Marie. We (definitely Marie) were looking forward to the three of us enjoying a Girl’s country weekend and a quasi-pajama party. As you can envision, I was really looking forward to this potentially glorious double-barreled estrogen charged Girl excursions.
Now to the realities!
The drive to Gotham was uneventful and my greeting from the lead Gal of the HI-End event and Penthouse cocktails was as usual warm and cheerful with a big hug and mutual compliments on our looks and outfits. Great start! Mid-way through my normal makeover and the regular experimentation with the new palette of seasonal colors and shades, I interrupted the fashion chit-chat and transitioned into the plans for the evening. At this point, I learned both of the other two Gals who to be part of our four-girl dinner had bowed out earlier that day citing the effects of the Flu that was rampaging across the country. This was a blow to my girlish enthusiasm and doubled down when she added she could not participate either as both of her teenage children had just, that morning, exhibited the early symptoms of this modern “plague” and she decided “mothering” her girls took a higher priority than the planned outing. I was now totally crushed but recovered quickly and was still was looking forward toward the “Country Outing”.
Called my other hostess to advise her of the change of plans and learned that “pink-dream- balloon” had also been burst by the same “bug” or one of its cousins and her out of town friend would not be coming had to decline my hostess’s invitation. There went the “Country Weekend”. Marie was the victim of another immediate and severe disappointment. One disappointment would have been enough, the second had a Double-Barreled impact. This dual impact was reinforced when I reached home and learned a major writing project Marie had been offered was still up in air and there had not been any response to my communications for three weeks. Marie took this to be a third REJECTION. The first two incidents which, were quickly classified as being “Stood-Up” – twice in one night. Collectively the thought came flitting through Marie’s thoughts that she was being evicted from her sorority of Gal friends for some unknow reason and perhaps it was time for Marie to forego any further evolutions and adventures in femininity. Logistic planning was mentally examined on how to purge Marie’s extensive wardrobe and all the large collection of bangles, baubles and the myriad accoutrements associated and which epitomize the cherished aroura of femininity.
Collection of Minor Miracles
This mental trough of rejection and abandonment continued for approximately two weeks until Marie experienced four pinpoints of light-hope-and unsolicited human warmth. All in rapid cessation. and all from members of Marie’s Gal friend circle. The first came from the Lady Barber who while Marie was in the chair for a trim, excused herself for a moment and returned with a gift, a “Steeple-chase” bonnet for her special GIRL friend. Shades of last year’s Kentucky Derby vignette. The next came from Tailor-Dressmaker who called and excitedly relayed the story of a special “Sun-Dress” that she said was “perfect” for Marie and Marie had to immediately come to the shop to try it on. As directed dashed over and within 15 minutes was swirling around in a sea of sun-glow floral yellows and greens. It fit and looked wonderful and most of all it went “perfectly” with the “Steeple Chase Bonnet” and Marie thankfully claimed it in joyous mood.
Reaching home Marie found two messages on the answering machine. The first was from the GIRL Guide announcing that her Out-of-Town visitor would be coming next month and wanted to reschedule the “Country Girl Weekend” including to make sure Marie was included. The second call was almost a mirror image of the first. It came from the “lead gal” of the ill-fated Penthouse evening, saying now that all parties had beaten the FLU it was time to reschedule the “Party”. Collectively, these happenings were met with a joyous giddy girl joy. All thoughts of purging and withdrawal were instantly banished. The darkness faded and the sun was shining again.
