"Can I speak to you for a minute, Cindy?"
"Sure!" she said, getting up from the bed.
"Follow me to my bedroom."
"Okay."
I watched Cindy slowly follow Mrs. Garrett out of the room, and turned back to reading the Body Language book. She returned about fifteen minutes later showing signs of nervousness like she had just told a big lie.
"So, what happened?"
"Me and Mrs. Garrett had a talk about my 'time clock'."
Her what? I didn't understand one bit what the heck she was talking about. "Your what?"
"Let me explain..."
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"Are you still okay?" Mrs. Garrett asked as the two of them entered her bedroom.
"Yeah, I'm okay."
"No, you're not. You're still bothered by Blair's comment."
"Yeah … I guess I am," Cindy responded somewhat reluctantly. "Maybe she's right about me - I don't like girl stuff, and I do like to touch them. Also, I wear boy's clothing, and I can't tell you the difference between mascara and eye liner."
"Don't beat yourself over that," Mrs. Garrett chuckled.
"What if Blair is right about me being abnormal?" Cindy asked anxiously.
"Look, I was like you when I was young. I didn't have any interest in boys, and all I wanted to do was play sports and catch frogs."
"Catch frogs?"
"You would enjoy catching frogs too if you had grown up in a farm in Wisconsin where the only entertainment was listening to Grandpa Jack's wheezing laughs!"
"Oh..."
"But anyhow, the point is that we all go through stages. It's just that your time clock hasn't gone off yet."
"My time clock?"
"Yes. We all have time clocks inside of us. Some people's time clock goes off early like Blair's - too early if you ask me - and others go off much later. Your time will come."
"Well, if you shake me will it finally go off?"
"Don't be silly, you don't need to rush it," Mrs. Garrett answered gently, patting Cindy's hand and giving her a knowing wink. "It will go off, trust me."
"I need to tell you one more thing."
"What is it?"
"I'm going to enter the Harvest Queen pageant."
"Congratulations, Cindy, but do you really want to do it?" Mrs. Garrett asked in a serious tone. "Don't do it just to prove Blair wrong. That's not the way to go about it."
"No, it's not about that. I want to know what it's like to be a Harvest Queen. Please support me on this. I really want to do it."
"Hmmmm …. I'm not so sure it's a good idea." Mrs. Garrett eyed the girl in an attempt to determine whether the whole Harvest Queen thing was just an impulsive response to the older girl's bullying. The young blonde's admission about boys clothing and make-up had been bang on; she had never until that moment shown any inkling towards anything as feminine as Harvest tiaras and scepters.
"Please, Mrs. Garrett," Cindy implored her house-mother. She folded her hands in front of her chest to underscore the sincerity of the request.
"Oh, alright... But please think it over carefully."
"I already have," Cindy said hurriedly as she left the room.
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"So that's what she means by time clock. I think my clock went off when I saw Dan Rather the other day."
"Dan Rather?" Cindy asked with a disgusted look on her face. "He's old enough to be your dad!"
"Yeah, but he's charismatic, intelligent, and terribly smart!"
"I think you just pulled the plug on my time clock with that one..." she shot back, rolling her eyes and giving me another disgusted look.
"Don't worry about it. You'll meet someone who will take you breath away," I chuckled.
Cindy looked at me like I was silly. "Like who, Rex Smith?" she asked sarcastically.
"Maybe? After all, he did sing that song You Take My Breath Away," I offered, laughing even harder.
"Oh my God, that song is so fruity!" she exclaimed, giggling herself.
I stopped my merriment. "Hey, don't say something is fruity because you don't like it."
"Sorry, Ms. Sensitive Liberal," Cindy huffed.
"I just don't want you to say something that might make you look foolish," I responded, a little angry with her impertinence.
She paused for a moment, "Yeah, you're right. I should be more careful. Who knows, it might come back to bite me." "Probably sooner than you think," I thought to myself as Nancy interrupted our banter, entering the room with a piece of paper and some measuring tape in hand.
"Okay, Ms. Universe, it's time for me to measure you for your dress."
"Where's Sue Ann?" Cindy asked, getting up from the bed where she had been sitting.
"Sue Ann told me she was too busy with her homework, so she asked me to do it for you. She'll do the hemming herself."
"Oh." she lamented a bit. What struck me was the first thing that Cindy had said. Rather than offering thanks or any of the other pleasantries you'd expect in the situation she had immediately asked about Sue Ann's whereabouts. "She has got it hard," I thought, shaking my head.
"Hey, trust me, I'm just as good as Sue Ann, so let me get your measurements."
"Okay," Cindy responded somewhat reluctantly. Her body language was tense and a bit jumpy as if to say "Let's just get this over with right away!" The book makes it clear that her cues were indeed signs of haste and impatience.
Nancy began taking the measurements.
"Why are you willing to help us?" I asked as she pulled the tape measure around Cindy's waist. "I thought Blair was your best friend?"
"She is, but she needs to be taught a lesson. Also, the more attention on Cindy, the more likely me and Roger can disappear from the festival unnoticed," she finished with a girlish giggle.
"Goodness, Nancy, does your life revolve around Roger?" I asked in exasperation. Cindy rolled her eyes as well.
"Well, I do love him! Besides, I don't talk about him as often as Blair likes to talk about boys."
Nancy's comment was true, and it caused my mind to turn to the question of why Blair was so crazy about boys. "Since you're Blair's roommate," I pushed on," how often does she talk about them?"
Nancy stopped what she was doing. It was her turn to roll her eyes. "Oh God… It seems to be every time she's NOT talking about herself. I just don't get it. It's like she trying to prove something," she told us in an exasperated tone.
"Trying to prove something… as if it is some sort of forced act," I thought. This is getting very interesting. The book does talk about forced expressions - I haven't gotten to that section of the book, but I will tonight!
"I'm only crazy about one boy. Blair, on the other hand, is almost like a total nympho!"
"I see… Does it seem to be forced when she talks about boys?"
Nancy thought about it for a moment before answering. "Actually, yeah. Why? What are you getting at?"
"Oh, nothing," I said, not wanting to reveal my thoughts. Thank goodness she's as dull as a butter knife. Well, Blair, it's starting to look like you are indeed putting on an act. I stopped talking and let Nancy continue on with the measuring, as Cindy was really showing her impatience with me asking all those questions. Ten minutes later Nancy was done with her, and Cindy turned to me with a serious look on her face.
"Why were you asking all those questions about Blair?"
"I was just curious. Why?"
"You're on to something, aren't you?"
"Not really. I was just wondering why Blair is particularly nasty to you. I know Nancy and Natalie have done more things to piss her off than you have, but she's not as spiteful to them as she is to you."
"Yeah, that's true. I don't understand what she has against me."
I think I do, and it starts with the letter 'J'…
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The next day was the day of the Harvest Fair. Two hours before it was set to begin Cindy came into the room looking very anxious.
"The fair will start soon, and I need to get my hair and make-up done. Have you seen Nancy or Sue Ann?" she fretted.
"I'll look for them."
"Please do!" she entreated.
Sue Ann came in the front door just as I made my way down the stairs to look for her. She looked tired and beaten up.
"God, what a day! I had to tutor Rebecca for two hours on Pre-Algebra."
"I understand, but we only have two hours before the fair starts and Cindy needs your help with her makeup and hair."
Sue Ann turned red for a moment, but responded with an 'okay' and followed me up the stairs. As soon as she entered my room Cindy shouted "Sue Ann!" and hugged her like her life depended on it. Her face began to glow the moment she wrapped her arms around the other girl. There it is folks - the sudden change of mood when someone important arrives, the deep affectionate hug, and the joyful facial expression - all of which are signs of romantic attraction according to my book.
"Hey there. So you need some help with your makeup and hair, huh?" Sue Ann asked, her mood visibly changing for the better. She began to smile.
"Yep. I want to impress the judges and wipe that smirk off Blair's face," Cindy replied as she reluctantly let go of Sue Ann.
"So do I. I'll be right back with some make-up and other stuff for you."
She returned a moment later with a few cosmetics, a curling iron, and a brush.
"Welcome to Sue Ann's Beauty Salon. I will be your stylist, and today I will give you the Sue Ann Special!"
Cindy laughed as her hair was brushed. I also noticed that she began blushing as Sue Ann started the make-up. Sue Ann was not much better. She too was showing redness on her face. And as she was applying the foundation to Cindy it looked like she was touching the girl's cheeks as though she was caressing them. Was that part of the Sue Ann Special? Things were getting interesting…
When hair and makeup were finished the girls had some time to spare before the start of the festival. "Now, take a look in the mirror. How do you feel?"
Cindy took a look and smiled, "Great! Thanks a lot, Sue Ann!"
"You're welcome," she beamed. I noticed they exchanged that look with one other again. These two women really want each other. I wouldn't be surprised if they'd have ripped each other's clothes off if I wasn't in the room!
"Well, I've got to get going. Good luck with the Harvest contest," Sue Ann uttered, her face flushing as she started to leave the room.
"What will you be wearing, Sue Ann?"
"You'll find out when you see me," she said with a wink as she turned once again to leave.
"So, how do I look?" Cindy turned to me and asked. Her face was still red from the effect of Sue Ann's presence and touch.
"You look wonderffful." Darn it, my lisp really came out on that one!
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The 1979 Eastland Harvest Fair was just like any other harvest fair. There was lots of food, activities, crafts, and music. "Well, if you can call it music that is … I don't think I can take another second of the Bee Gees! Disco - ugh!" Just about every corner featured someone selling some sort of macramé craft. It was enough to make you wish it would disappear along with Disco! There was a kissing booth for all the boys, and it was no surprise that Blair was one of its most active participants. I took note of how she kissed, and observed how her body stiffened each time she did. Well there's a clue if there ever was one…
"Hey there babe," he said with his crooked smile.
"Greg, don't call her -" I was about to bark at him.
"Molly," she said, turning on me with a menacing glare. Her body was telling me to shut up, so I did. She returned her attention to Greg, and dismissing me with a wave of her hand responded, "don't pay her any mind."
He chuckled, "Of course not. I know how she is. How are you doing, Molly?"
"I'm fine, Greg. How are you?"
"Fine as usual, though I just had to take a break from Blair's constant yapping."
"Doesn't everyone?" Cindy replied.
Greg just laughed. "That's her, alright. Anyhow, tell me more about yourself."
According to the book Cindy gave what appeared to be a nervous blush. If she was being flirtatious she would have made eye contact and stood with her body looser. She was doing neither though. Her eye contact was wavering, and her body tense. Greg, on the other hand, was making strong eye contact. He was seriously flirting with her and obviously thought that she was flirting back, but to the informed eye it was clear that she wasn't.
"Well, I'm from Los Angeles, and I like sports, dancing, watching TV, and playing board games. My sign is Aires, I think, and I want to be a professional athlete - either a tennis player or a track and field runner."
Greg smiled. "That's great! I'm into sports myself, being a football player and all. How about we meet up after the fair?"
I could see a look of uncertainty in her eyes. She couldn't respond, so I did for her. "Um, she can't. She has to go study for that Poetry exam we have coming up. Mr. Bradley has been seriously on us about it."
"Oh, I see. Why don't we just meet up some other time then?"
"Uh… Okay." Jeez Cindy, why couldn't you just say no or make something up?
"So, what do you think about him?" she asked me as though seeking some sort of reassurance.
"It really doesn't matter what I think. It's you that he wants."
"Well, he seems nice." Ah, the old 'he seems nice' expression from a woman. You don't need to read a book to figure that one out. Basically she's saying 'he's okay as a friend but nothing more.'
"So he didn't set off your time clock, did he?" I asked bluntly. I saw no point in beating around the bush.
"Not at all, Molly, not at all," she responded with a disappointed look on her face. Her mood seemed pretty glum all of a sudden.
"Maybe he's not the one. Maybe it's another boy." I knew very well that wasn't the case, but I took it that she was still oblivious to this fact.
"Maybe so, Molly, maybe so…" she moped.
"Hey there, future Harvest Queen, how are you doing?" Tootie asked with a wide grin as her and Natalie approached. Nat clutched a macramé owl in one hand and a large blue cotton candy in the other.
"I'm not the next Harvest Queen, girls. They haven't voted yet."
"Oh come on, I bet you're a sure lock for it. I think that they'll be sick and tired of voting for Blair this year so they'll vote for you instead!" Natalie offered with enthusiasm.
"I hope that's the case," Cindy sniggered. "Thanks for your compliments. By the way, where's Sue Ann?" she asked, her eyes surveying the area. "She hasn't shown up yet."
"When we were leaving she told us that she couldn't come with us because she was still busy dressing," Natalie responded.
"She sure is taking a long time. She must be dressing for the Academy Awards or something!" Tootie said with a guffaw.
We snickered in response. We all knew that to put so much effort into your appearance for some rinky-dink thing like a Harvest Fair was quite peculiar - peculiar, that is, when your name wasn't Blair Warner!
"Well, I know that it will look nice. Anything she wears looks good on her," Cindy said unconsciously. I choked on my Tab soda. "Now if that wasn't a Freudian slip, then I don't know what is!"
"Yeah… (cough)… I think I just drank my soda too fast."
Blair wandered over before anyone had a chance to pat me on the back. "Well, well, is this supposed to be my competition?" She snorted. "This will be easier than getting Greg's phone number."
"You got Greg Hockney's phone number? Wow!" Tootie uttered in amazement.
"Of course I did. After all, he is my boyfriend. It's so easy when you're the best looking girl in school," she boasted, punctuating the remark with her trademark hair flick. It made me want to get some clippers and shave her head like they do in Boot Camp.
"Greg was flirting with Cindy just a few minutes ago," I told Blair, wanting to throw some ice into her hot pot. Much to Blair's irritation Cindy just smiled and nodded.
Blair quickly turned livid, but not as livid as I would expect for someone who is jealous. She was lacking the whole-body reaction that the book describes when someone is envious. Instead, her response was limited to her face as if it were all just an act. Oh, Blair, with all this fakery from you I bet you will do well in that Romeo and Juliet play coming up!
"What! How dare he?" She sneered like the wicked queen in Snow White.
"As far as I'm concerned, he's sick and tired of your crap," I stated to Blair as she made a show of being affronted and incredulous, shaking her head and glaring indignantly at Cindy. This girl shouldn't be here, she should be in Hollywood!
She approached Cindy and tried to intimidate her with a mean scowl. It didn't seem to work though - according to the book Cindy's body was the picture of poise and confidence. Her chest was up, her arms were folded, and she looked directly back at Blair as the egotistical girl spoke. "Cindy, not only will I win the pageant, I will keep Greg wrapped around my baby finger. Mark my word."
"Not without a fight," Cindy snarled back. She was about to add something, but Mrs. Garrett approached us before the conversation could go any further. "Girls, is this more trouble between the two of you?"
"No, Mrs. Garrett." Blair said in a rather blasé way.
"Well, let me rephrase that. Is Blair causing any trouble? Because if so," she continued, looking pointedly at the spoiled blonde, "I can still pull her out of the pageant." Blair's face blanched at the statement.
"No, Mrs. Garrett, everything's fine." Cindy affirmed, her eyes deadlocked on Blair.
"Okay then. Tootie and Natalie, I need you two to help me get the pumpkins from the station wagon."
"But, Mrs. Garrett -" whined Natalie.
"No buts. Come on now, the sooner the better." The two younger girls moaned as they followed Mrs. Garrett to the car. That left me, Cindy, and Blair standing in a circle.
Blair just scoffed at the two of us. "Well, I'll see you two at the pageant - that is, I'll look down at both of you from the podium as they crown me yet again," she finished with a smirk.
That was it! I had enough of Blair's crap. "Go to blaze, Blair! We don't care what you say, right, Cindy? Cindy…? Cindy…?"
Unfortunately, Cindy was in her own world at that time. Nothing I could say or do would snap her out of it, for her time clock hadn't simply gone off - it had exploded like a Hydrogen bomb the minute she had laid eyes on Sue Ann.