Big Men of the House(15)

“Gifts?” I was completely shocked. They'd never given me any type of present before.



My mom pulled out two rectangular boxes that were both wrapped nicely. “Happy birthday Taylor,” she said, handing the presents to me.



I hesitantly took them and stared. Opening presents was foreign to me. Was I supposed to do it gently so as not to harm the wrapping paper? Or just tear through?



My mom nudged me, “Come on! Open them up quickly!”



I set one of the presents down and focused on the other one. I tore off the paper in a frenzy. I was beyond excited to see what it was. I pulled out a see-through box that contained paints and brushes but they looked differently than the art supplies I already owned.



“It's a makeup kit!” my mom announced. I looked at it more closely and I could identify some of the same things that were in my mom's bathroom. I was speechless. I thought I wouldn't be able to wear makeup until I moved out.



I bounced out of the chair and into my mom's arms. “Thank you thank you thank you!! Can I go try it out?”



“Well you have one more present but I guess you can open it later tonight. Just don't make a mess in the bathroom!”



I kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you so much!” I ran as fast as I could to the upstairs bathroom. I opened up the makeup kit and set everything out onto the counter. I realized quickly that I had no idea what any of that stuff was. I'd seen my mom put makeup on a dozen times before but I never paid any attention to the specific names.



I took some of the stuff labeled eye shadow because I assumed that was for your eyes. I painted it on my eyelids like I was filling in a coloring book. I put some foundation on and tried a few other things out. I put some ruby red lipstick on my lips and then looked at the finished product in the mirror. I couldn't help but laugh at myself in the mirror. I looked like a clown from a circus.



I splashed some water on my face to get it off but it wouldn't go away. I scrubbed my eyes harder and the stuff barely came off. I knew that I was definitely going to need help. I yelled downstairs to my mom, “Hey! Can you help me up here?”



“Be there in a second!” she called back. I could hear her footsteps up the stairs and into the bathroom. “Oh my!” she put her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. “I see you really do need help.”



“Well I tried to get it off with water but it didn't work,” I said sadly.



“That's because you need this.” My mom picked up a tube that said eye makeup remover. “This will get any waterproof makeup off your eyes. Try it out.”



I took the tube and poured it on a circular pad and wiped my eyes. “Wow it's like magic.” The makeup that I was having such a hard time with had all disappeared. “Can you show me how to put this stuff on?”



For the next couple hours, my mother showed me how to use the makeup effectively. There was a lot of trial and error but the end result was beautiful. I looked totally different. I was older, wiser, and more importantly a woman now. I got goosebumps as I studied my face in the mirror. The thought of dating boys entered my mind and I felt a rush of adrenaline.



“You need to open your last gift,” my mom reminded me. She pulled me away from the mirror even though I wanted to keep staring at how much my face had transformed. She led me back downstairs to the kitchen table with the present sitting on it.



I wondered what it could be. The makeup was such a surprise. I couldn't imagine what else it could be. I held the present in my hand and felt the weight. It was a lot lighter than the makeup. I ripped the wrapping paper off to reveal a white box. I opened it to find tissue paper which hid a piece of white clothing. It looked like one of my many white dresses but this was different. I pulled it out and I could immediately see the differences. It wasn't as long as my others. The dress had a low neckline that would show off my cleavage. All my other dresses closed up around my neck. They were super conservative. This dress was the exact opposite. It was sexy and daring.



“Wow mom, this dress is amazing!” I stood up and put the dress up against me. It showed almost all of my thighs.



“This dress is very special,” my mom began. “After tonight, you won't be pure anymore. This dress symbolizes your transition into womanhood. And tonight will be the last time you wear it.”



I didn't understand what she was saying. Not “pure” anymore? “What do you mean? Why can't I wear the dress again?”



She motioned for me to sit down. “This might be difficult for you to understand so I'll explain slowly. Our family has a tradition that's been passed down from generation to generation. When a woman is of age, she is to lay with her father.