Synopsis:

Carlton's Uncle always liked him although he lived on the fringe of his extended family. It was at the reading of his Uncle's will that Carlton found out just how much his Uncle cared for him. Carlton begins his transition into Carly.

Story:

The Bequest Ch. 2

by

Paula Dillon

Carly woke at her usual time of 6:00. She was use to the time; this gave her plenty of time to get ready for work. She was somewhat disoriented by her surroundings and the strange pressure on her chest.

“Morning Carly, how are you,” Sarah asked.

“Morning Sarah, were you up all night dear.”

“No Ma’am, I wasn’t, but there was someone here all night to comfort you in your new environment and trappings lest you panic, and to remind you to sit now to pee, since you have been rearranged down there somewhat.”

Carly tried to sit up but the corset gave her problems. Sarah came over and assisted her to stand. Carly threw her arms around Sarah and gave her a big hug.

“Thank you for all that you did. Everyone was so wonderful.” Carly whispered to her before releasing her.

The hug brought a tear to Sarah’s eye. It surprised her but it felt so good. “You’re welcome, dear. Your bathroom is right here. Dry yourself to as you will get a little wet when you pee.”

Carly headed to her bathroom. She walked on the balls of her feet as if she had heels on, and sat to pee after pulling her panties down. She took some tissue and dried herself. She stood and reached behind her and loosened the corset enough to unhooked the busk. It was strange working with these incredibly long nails. She laid the corset on the counter and took off her panties. Looking in the big mirror she saw herself. Her waist was somewhat narrowed by having worn the corset. Her breasts looked so real, as did her hips and butt. She giggled as she looked at her mound. It looked like any of the ladies pictures he (she) had seen before.

Carly reached in the shower and turned on the water.

“Sarah I am going to take a quick shower.”

“Ok do you need help getting out of the corset?”

“Nope, way ahead of your dear.”

The shower was a real nice European model with eight shower heads at various levels. Carly found a loofah and some shower gel that smelled divine. First she shampooed and conditioned her hair. Then she scrubbed herself with the loofah and gel. She was careful around her breasts, her mound and hips she didn’t know if they would peel off or not. She just loved that tuft of fur there.

Sarah was there waiting for her as she came out and dried her off. She then handed her a pair of white satin and lace panties. Sarah took a skin moisturize and worked it into her skin. It felt wonderful to Carly as Sarah worked. Deodorant for the pits, a soft silky powder, and then a matching white corset was wrapped around her. This corset didn’t go as low but it was very pretty.

“Your waist retained some of the shape from your previous corset dear and as you wear them more you will be able to have a more ladylike appearance even without them. But first we need to train your waist.”

“I saw that this morning Sarah and I liked how they helped me maintain my posture. So how tight are you going to shoot for today?”

“I am going to take four inches off your thirty inch waist, but you won’t notice it that much dear.”

Carly felt her whole insides being squeezed impossibly and her breath was taken away, but she endured it well. Sarah had Carly sit in the salon chair, and blow dried her hair. Makeup was next, Sarah was taking time to show Carly what she was doing.

“Sarah it was incredible what you did to my eyes last night. You got to show me how you did that. I just loved it.”

“That was a nighttime makeup Carly, but I will show you how to do them so they will always look good. You have some really great eyes, they are very easy to highlight dear. They are definitely you best facial feature. You can melt men’s hearts and look into their soul with those eyes.”

“Sarah I don’t know about men right now. I have never been attracted to them. That might change but I did love what you did.”

Sarah completed her makeup and as promised highlighted her eyes, but it was a different look. Carly’s eyes were no less attractive and just as stunning.

Sarah handed Carly a pair of pantyhose and told her how to put them on. Carly looked like she had done that before although she denied it. A matching camisole and half slip followed. Her outfit was completed with a powder blue long sleeve chiffon blouse, a white knee length twill skirt and the same pumps she wore the night before. Carly took time to revel in the soft silkiness of her clothes today. All her nerves were firing as the fabrics moved across her skin. She put on some bangles, a normal watch, a couple of rings and a light fragrance.

Carly looked at her appearance in the mirror. It was hard for her to believe that just yesterday she was a rather plain looking guy.

“Sarah, thank you so much for all you have done. Tell Dana I would like to have breakfast, in about an hour, with as many of the staff as possible please; if that would be alright?”

“Your welcome Carly and I will tell Dana.”

Carly walked around the room, she began to practice sitting, standing and such. She was interrupted by a lovely young lady who knocked at her door.

“Come in dear,” Carly said, “Hello I am Carly Compton.” She said holding out her hand.

“Hello Miss Compton, I am Randi Lewis.” She took Carly’s hand in hers and gave it a squeeze.

“When it is just me and the other staff you must call me Carly, ok. I want you all to be my friends.”

“Very good, then you must call me Randi. I would love to be your friend. My job is to teach you feminine deportment. You seem to have better than average skills already, but you will be like a flower blossoming when we are through. You will move like a lady, stand like a lady and act like a lady.”

“Ok we have a short time before breakfast, let’s begin.”

“Ok, when a lady walks it should look like she is gliding. Her arms are kept closer to her body and are not swung as she walks.” Randi said demonstrating as she spoke. “She walks like she is on a tight rope one foot in front of the other swinging her hips slightly as she walks. Never exaggerate any movement. Take smaller steps than you did as a male. Now it's your turn.”

Carly tried to copy the movements and action of Randi. Try as hard as she could she just wasn’t as graceful.

“Not bad, not bad at all for a start. You’re trying too hard, just relax and remember to glide. Flow into the room like a breeze dear. Hold your head high try not to bob it up and down. Keep your arms closer to your sides. That’s good, turn smoother dear. That is right, now sit. Smooth your skirt under you, as you sit and don’t plop down. Good. Now cross your legs at either the ankle, which is preferable, or at your knee. Try not to flash your panty dear. Again, but smooth the top of your skirt as you change legs. Hands folded together in your lap, back straight, not touching the chair. Very good. To stand, keep both feet together, knees together, push your chest forward and rise over your feet. Very good, don’t lean forward to stand, push your chest forward and rise. Now do it all again; walk around the room, turn, come back, sit, ankles, knees, hands, arms and stand.” Randi directed. “Better dear, again. Back straight when walking not leaning forward. Good you’re learning. I will give you an A+ for effort and a C+ for execution.”

Carly started to frown at the C+.

“Now don’t get frumpy dear, you were doing so well. Ladies don’t show frumpy. They may get mad as hell but they may never show it. Good that is better, smile show those pearly whites. You are lovely dear.”

“Thank you. Is it polite to hug?”

“Yes there are several hugs. The polite hug, one hand to back like this and an air kiss to either one cheek most of the time or to both cheeks like this.” Randi demonstrated. “A more familiar hug is like this, for a mother, father, a close friend. Don’t grind your chest into them dear, you are not out to seduce them, only light contact if any with your breasts. Now a hug for a very close friend in a not too public place, we can squeeze a little tighter your breasts can press into them but we still are not trying to seduce them. The more romantic hugs we will cover later. Very good, I love your hugs dear.”

“Thank you Randi. I like you,” Carly said.

A knock at the door was heard and Carly said, “Come in.”

Sarah entered and said, “Breakfast is ready, Carly.”

“Thank you Sarah, I will be down shortly. Randi, go on down I want to make my own entrance, and thank you again.”

Carly took a few minutes to steel herself before heading down stairs. She put one hand on the rail and the other on her skirt as she made her way down the stairs to the dining room. She stopped outside for a second to compose herself and entered the room. Everyone was there and standing behind a chair. She glided as best she could to the head of the table, turned as gracefully as she could and stopped by the chair. Head up, back straight, big smile on face.

“Hello, I am Carly Marie Compton, and I want to thank everyone for my welcome here yesterday. Everyone, when it is just us, please call me Carly, no Miss or Ma’am. I want to think of all of you as friends and co-workers. I know there are times for formalities and such, but at times like this we are friends. I understand that you have your jobs and I consider being a lady mine now. I would love to have your help. I know my Uncle cared for each of you. I want to care for you also, and according to his wishes this is your home. I would very much like to dine with many of you during the week. I hate eating alone. I hope this meets with your approval. I want to thank each of you again.”

Carly stood there for several seconds as her staff looked at her. She started to feel small but she just showed them a big smile. The silence seemed to hang in the air.

“Carly, I want to thank you for your kind words. You showed such grace and poise I would not have thought possible for just under half a day of training. I can say this and I believe my staff will agree that it will be a real pleasure assisting you. Randi whatever you did with her today keep it up.” Dana said and started to applaud.

The rest of the staff joined in the applause and their smiles beamed brightly.

“You have met Terri and Cindy, your chauffeurs. Anna is your upstairs maid and hairdresser. Sarah is your handmaid and makeup. Belinda is in charge of fashion and laundry, and Randi is deportment and your personal secretary. Mary is your voice coach and finance. You know George, our chef; and Vanessa and Nicolas are kitchen staff. Theresa is the downstairs maid; Denise is your head grounds keeper, with Eddy and Felicia as her assistants. These are your staff dear.”

We all sat down, except for Vanessa and Nicolas who began serving breakfast. Carly made sure she smoothed her skirt before she sat and sat up straight, her back away from the chair back, hands in her lap, and her ankles crossed. She was served first but she waited till all had been served and seated before starting to eat. She took her napkin and laid it across her lap. She ate in a dainty manner, a trait she had picked up from eating with the girls at the office. She listened intently to the conversation at the table and picked up what was proper and acceptable with these people. She joined in where she felt she could add to it in an intelligent manner. The girls were impressed that Carly was able to join right into their conversations.

After they had finished eating, Mary got Carly’s attention and together they paid their respects to the others. Carly followed Mary into another room where they sat. Nicolas delivered a pitcher of water and a couple of glasses.

“I am here to help you learn to talk and sound like a woman. We have all heard the cliché that if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck. Well honey, let me tell you, you look like a duck and walk like one but you don’t quack like one right now. This is the area that a lot of transgendered fail to pass in, and the big shame is if they had enough training they could easily pass. Take your voice for example you are just a hair or two from a normal female range, but the pitch of a voice doesn’t make it male or female. The things that make a voice sound male or female deal with resonance, range and enunciation more than pitch. I can talk in a baritone voice but I still sound female. You could talk in an alto and you would still be seen as a male. Close your eyes and listen to these voices and tell me if they are male or female.” Mary said starting an audio file on her laptop.

The file went through about ten different voices. Carly responded male and female to the voices.

“Ok, open your eyes and watch various speakers as they speak.” Mary restarted the file and various people spoke. One person provided three voices, which Carly misidentified twice. “One person there is a professional female impersonator. He can pass vocally as female but would never pass visually, so he does a parody of their appearance.”

Mary then had Carly do several vocal exercises and recorded her as she read off the screen of the laptop. Carly worked hard for over an hour. Mary then played back the first lesson and the last lesson. Carly could hardly tell any difference, but Mary was encouraging. Mary then gave Carly, an I-pod with a big MP3 lesson and exercise. She told her to listen and practice what she heard and talk, talk, talk girl.

About noon, Carly was kidnapped by Cindy, Belinda, and Randi. They actually made her go shopping. Carly was handed a purse made to fix her face and forcibly dragged to the Mercedes. Well they really didn’t kidnap her and they didn’t actually have to drag her; they just had to show her where it was parked. They took her to the mall. Carly started getting nervous the closer they got to the mall. She didn’t want to get out of the car when they parked, but they didn’t give her much choice. Carly tried to remember what Randi had drilled into her and she tried to glide.

Carly tried to pay attention to the people around them. Nobody seemed to pay any particular attention to them other than a few extra stares but they were looks of lust rather than revulsion. The first store they hit was the Gap. The sales lady took Carly’s measurements and gave her a size range for the various jeans. Belinda showed her some things and Carly was made to find others. After they had found about a half-dozen jeans and four tops Belinda led her to the fitting room. Hesitating for a few seconds she steeled her nerves and entered.

Carly stepped out of her heels, took off her skirt and blouse. The jeans Carly was trying to put on were tight. She almost wished she had a shoe horn. She finally got the pants worked up her legs. She felt the pants pull up her crack as she pulled the waist up, and somehow she got them buttoned. Stepping back into her heels she went out to the mirror. She was admiring them when Belinda came up behind her.

“Those look great girl. I like your corset with them.”

“Oh I forgot to put a blouse on.” Carly started to dash into her cubicle to get it.

“Don’t bother girl, plenty of girls wear a corset as a top. That combo looks GOOOOOD on you.”

“The jeans are way too tight,” Carly complained.

“That’s the way we wear them. We will get four pair like those and a pair or two of the relaxed fit jeans for knocking around but you definitely want those.”

Carly wound up with a dozen jeans, all of them tight but two pair, and a dozen tops. Cindy made arrangements for them to be delivered to the mansion.

Their next stop was the lingerie shop her corsets had come from. They selected dozens of bras and panties, chemises, camisoles, slips, stockings, pantyhose, nighties, six more corsets (tighter than the previous corsets) and everything else that a girl would need. Although money was not a problem now, she still winced when she heard the final price.

Slowly she started to really get into this shopping thing, and began enjoying herself. She found herself buzzing around the various shops looking at various lines of clothing. Belinda taught her, what went with what, and what would work best with her. She even started picking out things for the other girls to try.

They entered a shop that specialized in Professional Women’s Business clothing. Carly picked out a couple of suits that were off the Rack.

“Belinda you may think this is strange but I love women’s business suits. I know they aren’t as sexy as other clothing but the girls at the office really looked great in their suits.”

“Suits are a power image Carly, they say I am a woman but I still have power. Let’s find you some suits that make you look good girl.”

They hit the racks and found four suits that complimented Carly well, so she took them to the fitting room. Two of them fit like a glove and needed no alterations, the other two they discarded, and Belinda arranged to have three more hand tailored for Carly. Carly liked the two piece black suit so much she chose to wear it out. It had a fitted mid thigh length skirt, a short slit in the front left side and a very tight fit at the waist. Belinda assured her that it would be ok. The jacket had wide lapels that came down in a deep v to a single button. Carly’s blouse fit in well with the suit. Belinda made Carly change the shade of her pantyhose to a darker black, and buy a scarf, a purse, a wallet and a pair of pumps with a four inch heel to go with the suit.

“Good suits are good suits, but it’s in accessorizing them that makes them stand out. A scarf here, a lapel pin there, the right jewelry, all can make a woman look right.”

They hit the mall. Carly found the new heels more precarious. Her steps were forced to be shorter and her hips developed a little more swing. This had the girls giggling as they saw Carly move. Randi was very pleased with her pupil. Keeping control of her purse helped keep her right arm in a more feminine position, and her left looked very natural.

Carly saw one of the girls from work and without thinking went after her. Cindy moved to stop her but was too late.

“Sheryl how are you?”

Sheryl turned to where her name was called and had a very strange expression on her face as she saw a strange woman headed to her.

“Hello, do I know you?”

“Of course Sheryl,” Carly said as she came to a stop and then realized that Sheryl knew Carlton, not Carly.

Carly’s friends caught up to her and stopped by her side, as a look of recognition sprang on Sheryl’s face.

“Sheryl why don’t we all have a cup of coffee over at that shop, dear,” Randi said.

Sheryl walked next to Carly as they entered the store. They all took their seats in the corner, while Cindy took everyone’s orders and headed to the counter.

“Sheryl I think Carly has something to tell you. Please let her finish before you say anything.”

“Sheryl I am sorry if I startled you dear, there have been some things I have been meaning to discuss with you and the rest of the girls.” Carly improvised.

“You’re finally becoming a women right.” Sheryl said.

“Well yes, how did you know?” Carly sputtered, “Well I guess it is rather obvious seeing how I am dressed.”

“Oh Carly this is just the icing on the cake, several of the girls at work have been wondering about you for a long time dear.”

“You mean you talked about me doing this?” Carly asked in an incredulous tone, “They must think I am a freak then.”

“Not in the least Carly, believe me; they have been rooting for you. There will be some at work that won’t accept it and it won’t be easy for you dear; but there are quite a few of us that will stand by you.”

“I don’t think I am coming back to work Sheryl.”

“Yes you are dear; you don’t need to worry about how you will be treated.”

“You don’t understand, it’s not that I don’t want to, but that….”

“I won’t hear it dear, you’re coming back to work if I have to get a truck load of the girls and we have to drag you back. You can’t throw away a good job like that, besides we need you and you know it. Now be a dear and introduce your friends to me.”

Carly was lost in thought for a few seconds. In a way it was true, for a lot of their work Carlton was an important figure. It wasn’t that he was irreplaceable but it would take them a while to get Carlton’s replacement up to speed. The company could lose accounts, while that happened. It wouldn’t hurt Carly to leave work but it could affect the others left behind.

“Well Carly are you going to introduce me or am I going to have to hang a sign around my neck?”

“Oh sorry Sheryl, Sheryl this is Randi Lewis, Belinda Keys and the girl bringing our drinks is Cindy Reed. I sorta moved in with them this last week. Randi, Belinda and Cindy this is Sheryl Smith, one of my favorite co-workers.”

The girls hit it off with Sheryl and they were all soon trading gossip. The girls had heard enough that they were able to fall in line and not give Carly away.

“The three of us work for the same employer. We have known Carlton for a while and when we found out he wanted to transition we insisted Carly move in with us. We think she is just great. We are teaching her about being a woman.” Cindy said.

“Really? That is interesting. It is good she found some nice people to help her. I am sure that there are some of us at work who would love to help her. What all are you teaching her?”

“Well I am teaching her how to move, act, and present herself as a woman. I think she is doing great I haven’t had to teach her all that much, I bet she picked up a lot from the girls she works with,” Randi said.

“You’re right about that Randi, she was the odd man out at work, and she didn’t fit in with the guys that’s for sure. I guess that is why she worked so hard to fit in with us girls. Carlton was a bit awkward at first, but he helped us out in so many ways and tried hard to fit in with us. Never in a pushy masculine way, he never pushed us with sexual advances, or told crude jokes; he just worked to become one of the girls. Now he is one of us. Poor guy I know he took a lot of grief over it, but he was too valuable to us for the macho types to run off.”

Carly felt weird hearing herself talked about like that, but Sheryl was being so sweet.

“I am teaching Carly about fashion. She seems to know so much about it already. I am just polishing what I guess you girls started. I assume you talked about clothes and such around Carlton?”

“Carlton spent a lot of time with us away from work, and we do have some clothes horses at work so we often talked about that. I must say Carly that the girls at work are going to be so jealous of you, you are absolutely gorgeous. You are going to have to fight guys off. I would never have thought you would look so good. I would never have recognized you if it wasn’t for your voice dear, a little work and nobody would ever know.”

“Thank you Sheryl, I know this may seem awfully sudden, but I felt I needed a clean break with my past. I am just afraid about how I will be perceived at work. I am not doing this to make fun of the girls. It is just something I felt I had to do.”

“Well said, Carly. I think you will do just fine,” Sheryl smiles a big genuine smile at Carly.

We all got up to leave; Sheryl gave us all hugs, especially Carly.

“See you Monday, girl.”

“Ok, Sheryl, I am afraid I will need your help to grease the squeaky wheels.”

They had to hit some more shops.

“Oh lordy, what have I got myself into now.” Carly muttered.

“I think you did quite well, Carly. Not quite the truth but not really lying. I think she is such a nice lady Carly,” Randi added. “Going to work as a woman will be good for you, you can see how the other side makes a living. It will be a good teaching tool also. What exactly do you do Carly?”

“I worked as an expediter for an interior design company. We don’t carry an inventory and our design coordinators depend on me to see that they have what they need when they need it. Nobody does what I do for the company. So my job is pretty important. Without me the coordinators have to hustle their own supplies. I guess I could work for a couple of weeks and train my replacement.”

“That is not a bad idea,” commented Cindy.

“Well if you are going to work on Monday we have got to get cracking.”

They picked up more work style clothes, a cell phone, a PDA, briefcase, and more moderately priced jewelry. A stop at the Este Lauder counter had the three girls busy selecting makeup that Carly could learn and use.

After a day of shopping madness, we finally headed home arriving at about 6:00 that evening. Everybody whistled as Carly entered. Belinda made her change out of the suit into an evening dress before dinner. It was an ankle length of oriental styling made of corded turtle and knot type closures, a dragon was beaded into the black silk dress with slits up the sides to the hip. She kept Carly in her four inch heeled pumps. A change of jewelry and makeup and she was ready for dinner.

Randi appeared dressed in an evening dress as well. She was there to instruct her in walking in the ankle length dress. Although her feet hurt from being in heels all day Carly took it in stride. She found walking in a long dress a little more difficult, but was soon walking like any other girl. Belinda appeared, nicely attired, and together they headed to the dinning room. Carly was handed an evening bag to carry with her like she was out somewhere else.

The girls stood by their chairs till Nicolas and Eddy assisted them to sit. Everyone looked so nice, the guys in tuxes and the ladies in formal dresses, Carly made sure to comment and compliment each of them. Dana especially looked like a Grand Dame. She could easily mix with royalty. She was graceful and lovely in a stately sort of way. The table was set in a formal dinner setting with a whole slew of utensils and glasses by each place. Randi was sitting to Carly’s left and was instructing her in etiquette. The meal was served in courses, first was an array of Hors d’oevers, soup, appetizers, sorbet, fish entree, bread and salad, and finally desert. They had three different wines with the various courses, and a brandy after dinner. Carly had never eaten in this manner but she paid attention to the others instead of asking questions.

After dinner she was made to fix her makeup from her evening bag. This was something she had not done yet, but again, she followed the other girl’s leads and powdered her face and touched up her lipstick. After dinner they had a sort of mixer like a cocktail party. Carly took a snifter of brandy, not exactly a lady-like drink but she liked it. She was shown how to move from one group to another, socializing along the way. She was not allowed to just stand in one place, but was escorted from one group to another till she moved between groups on her own. She had to engage in polite conversation with each group.

At the end of it, they all sat around and Carly had to describe her day in as much detail as possible. She got a rise out of everybody as she described seeing a friend that Carlton worked with, and calling out to her, forgetting that she was Carly now. The girls complimented her handling of the incident. They giggled again as she told them that she was roped into working for at least a little while. The fact that Sheryl and other female coworkers had seen a woman in Carlton made them smile at each other. Cindy, Belinda and Randi made her give more in-depth details. They all agreed that it would be a good place for her to expand her female experience.

At about 11:00, Dana called an end to everything and Carly was taken to her room. Sarah had her remove her own makeup and take care of her skin. She removed her jewelry, hung her dress, and removed her shoes and pantyhose. Sarah didn’t loosen her corset like before but it wasn’t as uncomfortable as it had been that morning. Carly put on her chemise and gave Sarah a good hug before lying down in bed. She was asleep before Sarah closed the door to her room.

Carly woke, still a little unsure of her environ, but she quickly recovered. She got up and took care of her morning business. She worked her way out of the corset and jumped into the shower. She inspected her chest closely and saw that the breast forms were still attached well and really matched her skin tone. The seams were hard to detect and the breasts felt pretty natural, not that Carlton had ever handled any real breasts.

Carly dried herself off and found a silk kimono robe in ice blue, and silk panties. She put them on and entered her room. Sarah was waiting for her.

“Morning Carly, how are you today?”

“Morning Sarah, do you ever sleep dear?”

“Yes, but I was going to ask you the same question.”

“I never sleep more than six and a half hours. I usually get up this early anyway, to get ready for work. It carries over to my days off.”

“Ok, I know the feeling Hun. Well, let me take your waist measurements Carly.”

Carly opened her robe and Sarah wrapped a measuring tape around her.

“Twenty six and a half inches very good I think we should shoot for twenty four inches that will give you a very nice 38-24-36 figure. What would you like to wear today dear?”

“How about I wear one of my corsets, jeans with an open camp shirt.”

“Sounds daring but not overly so.” Sarah went to the dresser and selected a teal satin corset that was very pretty and fitted it on Carly. She tightened it unmercifully, till Carly was down to at least twenty three inches. She then handed her a pair of pantyhose, which Carly carefully pulled on. Carly then worked her way into a tight fitting low rise pair of jeans. It took her several minutes to work the jeans on but buttoning them was quite easy. They only came up just over the top of her panties. She had to roll her pantyhose down beneath the waist band.

“They look great but how do women put up with skin tight jeans?” Carly asked putting on the camp shirt and admiring herself in the mirror.

“They do it so they can attract the attention of men dear.”

“I don’t know that I want to attract the attention of men, I still like women. Is that strange?”

“Then look good for yourself, and to attract women. Women like to admire pretty women also. I think that if everybody was honest most people at some time or other question their own sexuality, attraction and roles. More and more people are seeking a transgender solution to their lives. Openly it is less acceptable for men to express their femininity but why, after all, it is just another aspect of humanity.”

“Ok I will accept that, for now.”

“Let me teach you basic makeup today. You will need to be able to do your own away at work.”

Carly followed Sarah’s instructions as best she could. She found out it wasn’t as easy as it looked. Applying eyeliner and shadow was the hardest. It was an hour trying before she started to get acceptable results. It was work but Carly was having fun. She really wanted to be able to do her eyes like Sarah had done hers. It was about 8:30 so they broke for breakfast. Carly looked pretty good, at least as good as the average lady.

It was Dana, Randi, Mary, and Terri for breakfast. They complimented Carly on her appearance. They had omelets for breakfast today. Vanessa brought out hot tea instead of coffee for another new taste for Carly.

After breakfast it was Mary who occupied Carly’s time. For two hours she listened and talked, listened and talked. One voice exercise followed after another. Again Mary played Carly’s first and last attempt from the previous day, and the first and last from today. Mary was pleased with the results; Carly could hardly tell one from the other.

“There is a lot of difference from the first yesterday to the last today playing them first to last disguises the progress. I can’t say when, or if, you will sound completely female Carly. I believe you will, but I can’t say that with a 100% certainty. It may take one month, six months, or a year, then again next week you might make a major break through. You will start to see more people on the phone Ma'aming you. Yes ma’am, no ma’am, how can I help you ma’am. When you see that happen, that is when you will understand.”

Carly was tired and was headed to the kitchen to get a drink when she heard the chime for the front door. Without thinking she headed to the door and opened it. There stood Jessica Herman.

“Hello Jessie, come on in,” Carly replied.

Jessica came in staring at Carly knowing something wasn’t right.

“Oh shit, oh shit!” Carly said. She turned as Theresa arrived, “Better get Dana, Theresa; we will be in the library. Jessie please come with me and let me explain if I can.”

A very confused Jessica followed Carly into the library. She sat in the chair Carly indicated. She never took her eyes of Carly.

Dana arrived shortly and made all the connections she needed.

“Hello Miss Jessica. How are you?”

“I am not sure Dana. Is this who I think it is?”

“Well, I am not sure unless you indicate the supposed identity dear.”

“Jessie It is Carly now, Carly Marie Compton is what I go by now.”

“Carly as in Carlton Herman?”

“I don’t think Carlton would fit me anymore do you?”

“No, you definitely don’t look like a Carlton, but why?”

“I won’t lie to you Jessie, I have always liked you, but I need my sixty days or as many of them as I can have before the rest of the clan find out. I am becoming what you see Jessie. I know it is weird and strange, but now I need your help. I know I won’t be able to keep this secret, but I would like to present it as a fait accompli.”

“It was a shock, Carly. Carlton was the only person ever to call me Jessie. I liked you for doing it. I just couldn’t resolve what I was seeing and hearing to anybody I knew. The familial resemblance is there and your voice sounded a lot like Carlton, but you don’t look or sound like the old Carlton I knew.”

“The appearance is smoke and mirrors with a good application of makeup, a lot of silicone and glue. I can honestly say though, I really want it to be real, Jessie.”

“Well, Carly you really are stunning. If I had met you on the street I would have walked right by you and never have recognized you. If I heard you on the phone I would probably have figured it out but I would have wondered what happened to your voice.”

“I have spent 3 hours plus working with a voice coach and another five hours just practicing. My throat is a little tight now from all the work Jessie. I need to ask you to keep this between us now. I could just imagine what the others will say when they do find out.”

“Well Carly, they won’t hear it from me so you can rest that pretty head of yours. Stand up and walk back and sit for me please.”

Carly composed herself a second put her feet together in front of her, pushed her chest forward keeping her head level stood gave her best walk, turn, walk, turn and sit. She didn’t really think about it she just did it.

“My god, you look like you have been doing it all your life.”

“This is just my third day Jessie. I won’t go into why but it has just been great being Carly. What is your day like? Do you have anything planned, or can you stay for dinner Jessie.”

“I know how dressy Dana likes dinner to be, and I don’t have anything to wear. I guess I have plenty of time to go home and change.”

“I know I have something you can wear dear. You might have to put on a corset though,” Carly giggled.

Jessica looked at Carly’s waist, “Is that how you got your waist so small?”

Carly sat up a little straighter if that was possible to show off her waist, and flashed a smile at Jessica.

“I know this is hard to take Jessie, but how do you feel about it.”

“I am not that surprised Carly in a lot of ways you were like a girlfriend to me, but seeing you go from plain to a babe in three days, is a shock to my system.”

“You should see it from my side girl. I had never done anything like this. Some people I know encouraged and helped me, and voila.”

“Well they certainly did a good job.”

“You think I look good now? These are just rags, wait till you see me dressed to the nines, girl.”

Dana, seeing Carly had defused the current situation, at least for now, left them to talk.

Carly and Jessica wound up in her room. She showed Jessica all her new things. Somehow it became like high school girls checking out each other’s wardrobe. Jessica was pulling things out for Carly to model and Carly got Jessica to dress in some of her things. Jessica did need to put on a corset; Carly’s clothes were fitted tight at the waist. Jessica showed no embarrassment as Carly fastened a corset around her, and Carly showed no mercy when tightening the corset.

When Belinda, Anna and Sarah showed up the girls were in their undies between changes. Anna took Jessica to another room and started working on her hair. Belinda picked out dresses for both. Sarah started on Carly’s makeup concentrating on making her eyes, killer eyes.

Carly was dressed in an ankle length pink taffeta evening dress. It was form fitting, cowl neck, with puffed short sleeves. She wore a diamond encrusted necklace and matching bracelet. On her feet were matching pink satin pumps with 4 inch heels. Carly marveled that they had all these things ready for her arrival they had been so sure of her compliance. She was handed a small pink satin purse with the necessary accoutrements she would need if she really went out for a formal function.

The dress only was slit to slightly above the knee and it was the most confining dress she had worn yet. She could only move her knees inches and most of her movement was only by her lower legs. Randi made her practice walking some more in it, and gave her instructions for descending the stairway.

There was a knock at her door and Sarah entered. She looked like a dream in her knee length chiffon dress in a royal blue. “Your date is here Carly.”

Carly must have had a panicked expression on her face because Sarah took her hand and said, “Don’t look so worried we have him well reigned in dear.”

They left Carly’s room and found the others waiting at the head of the stairs. Jessica was simply beautiful in her beaded floor length gown of deep green. It had a deep V neckline that showed off her lovely cleavage and she was adorned with emeralds at strategic places. Five men looking very refined stood talking to Jessica and Anna. As Carly, Sarah and Randi arrived. A man stopped before each Lady and made their introductions before offering each an arm as they were escorted down the stairs. Rob was the gentleman who stood in front of Carly. He was about 6 feet tall and could have graced the cover of GQ magazine. He was handsome but he did nothing for her. She still flirted with him because she knew it was expected.

They went to a ballroom and were offered flutes of Champaign, and the couples mixed about the ball room. There were ten couples with the rest of the staff acting as wait staff. Carly’s date went to get her a refill of Champaign.

Dana approached and asked, “Are you enjoying yourself dear?”

Carly thought for a second before replying, “Yes I am. Where did these guys come from Dana?”

“Oh, these guys are hired guns, from a professional escort service, and they know better than to get out of line with anyone here tonight. I just wanted you to learn to be able to feel comfortable in situations like this in the future. You are doing so well, I doubt your date suspects. He also knows better than to make any suspicions known or to ask for another date Carly.”

Carly’s date arrived back just minutes before the dinner bell rang. He took the Champaign flute from her and escorted her to the dining room. Rob helped her with her chair and sat beside her.

The meal was served in courses and the conversation was lively. While not exactly at ease, Carly still managed to acquit herself quite admirably. Jessica sat across from Carly and they often caught each others eyes. Sarah had done a marvelous job on Jessica’s makeup, but Carly knew she had better eyes, but none of the girls here held a candle to Dana. Carly wondered where these thoughts had come from, now she was comparing her appearance to the other girls, trying to figure out who is prettiest.

Rob was charming and attentive to her, but it was easy to tell she was overtly not his type. He kept eyeing Randi’s date, across and down the table, it seemed. It is amazing what you can pick up by being attentive and using your peripheral vision. Carly found out that when not escorting pretty young damsels, Rob worked in advertising as an artist. He drew storyboards and other advertising artwork. He wasn’t a main cog in the organization but he made them look good. Carly told Rob she was an expediter for an interior design company which drew some interesting looks, as she described her job.

After dinner they retired back to the ballroom. Carly and Rob made the rounds talking with the various couples. The evening went well for her, and she found herself relaxing in her role. It was getting late, and she was going to go to work tomorrow, so she and Rob went over to each couple and made their goodbyes. Goodbyes seemed to take forever as a girl. She stopped by Jessica and her date.

“Jessie I am sorry. I am going to have to go to work tomorrow, so I really need to get to sleep. I hate to leave such gracious company.”

“I understand dear, I will drop by your room dear before I leave.” Jessica said hugging Carly, and giving her an air kiss.

Carly made her last stop at Dana. She marveled at how regal Dana appeared.

“Dana I am going to work Monday and I will need to get up early to be able to get there and function. So I will need to say good night dear.”

Dana took Carly by the arm and escorted her to the doorway, Rob by her side. The couples came by, one by one, polite hugs and handshakes were made, with polite goodbyes as they departed.

Rob escorted her to the foot of the stairs.

“Thank you Rob, I have had a wonderful evening. Take care, dear.”

“You’re welcome, Carly. I have had a great time being your date tonight.”

Carly gave Rob a peck on his cheek leaving a tell-tale lip print, and waved at Rob as she ascended the stairs.

In her room, she managed to remove her dress before Sarah arrived, and removed her shoes and stockings. Sarah supervised her skin care routine making sure she got everything right and helped her into her chemise. A knock was heard at her door. Carly put on her silk Kimono and opened the door. Jessica stood there looking still oh so pretty in her own clothes.

“Come in Jessie.”

Jessica entered Carly’s room, while Sarah retired from there, and said, “Thank you Carly for a wonderful afternoon and evening. I haven’t had such a good time in a while. You are such a gracious hostess dear.”

“Hostess?”

“Yes dear, from what I could see you were the acting hostess, and you acquitted your self quite admirably, as a hostess. You made everyone feel welcome.”

Jessica approached Carly and gave her a big hug. “Carly if there is anything you need, or if you just need a friend or a shoulder to cry on you will call me, won’t you.”

“Yes Jessie, I will call you. I am going to need all the help I can get. It would mean so much to me, if you would be there for me. I have always been quite fond of you, and it feels so good having you here now.”

Carly kissed Jessica’s cheek and released her hug on her. Jessica pulled Carly back for a second and left a kiss on her lips before leaving. It was not a lover’s kiss, not really, but it still burned into Carly’s consciousness. She dreamed of that kiss as she slept.

(to be continued)

Notes:

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