The Costume Party

Davy and I had worked all week on Sam’s costume for the party. Davy’s was simple — he was going as a caveman artist. I didn’t know he had it in him. He’d found part of a fur coat at Andy’s. He had just wrapped it around his middle and held it in place with some safety pins. He was planning to wear a hat, a bowler, also from Andy’s, and use a stick as his cane. He looked dashing when he tried it out on us Tuesday.

Sam’s costume was harder. She had her cape, it was what was going to go with it that was the hard part. If it had been me that would have been enough. But no, Sam was being difficult, dear girl, and insisting on clothes. Paint, not modest enough. A tie, too daring. Jim finally suggested, and it was accepted with some reluctance, tights. Scarlet tights. We cut out a lightning bolt shape from a cereal box, covered it with tin foil, and pinned it to her tights across her breasts. She looked adorable.

It was getting closer to summer so Jim had put aside the band jacket he’d found and settled on something a bit simpler. He’d dug up an old World War I style helmet somewhere. He cut out wings from cardboard and attached them to the helmet. Another pair of smaller wings he attached to an old pair of sneakers. He went to the hardware store and bought two cans of silver spray paint that he used on the shoes, helmet, and a pair of shorts. He was Mercury.

Bill and Jenny made themselves up as Grant Woods’ American Gothic couple. Bill found a pitchfork and was practicing his dour face. Jenny was too happy to glower, she’d been by my room that day for more trojans. She shook her head, “I don’t know how you did it with all three. Bill is a handful all by himself.”

That left Julia who was spending more and more time here. I suggested with her blonde hair and build she could be Venus. She wasn’t sure she liked the idea until Jim came out with a sheet and showed how she could use it as a toga. Sam thought a simple costume underneath would be a little less daring. She and Julia went off talking about Vogue and architecture. Sam continuously surprises me. Julia came by Friday night with her costume to show Jim, and the rest of us, but mostly Jim. She had a halter-top of muslin which was attached to a short skirt with lots of pleats. The muslin top didn’t hide too much, so Jim wasn’t complaining. The sheet was thrown loosely on top and she looked great with her sandals. Mark walked in, stood for a second, turned around and left the room. He came back with a book. “You might want to do your eyes like this,” he said.

I was starting to get impatient. “What about my costume,” I said. “No one’s said anything about my costume.” I spun around.

Sam looked up from a book and said nonchalantly, “Dear, that’s been done before.”

“Old hat,” Jim said, nodding.

“Not up to par, old girl,” Mark said. He turned to Julia. “See what I mean?”

“Stop eyeing her boobs you pervert,” I said. “I can’t believe it, you don’t like my costume?” I spun around again.

“It’s OK,” Mark said, and turned back to Julia. “I think the black eye liner with the silver sparkle stuff on your cheeks would look perfect.”

“Didn’t you go as that at our last party?” Jim asked me. “I’m sure I’ve seen you like that before.” He turned to Julia, “You look great.”

“It’s become blasé, dear,” Sam said. She went back to her book.

“I can’t believe it,” I said falling into the chair. I pulled my legs up to my chest.” You guys seemed to like me at the last party.”

“Oh, it was wonderful when we saw it for the first time,” Bill said as he and Jenny left his room. “But each time it becomes a little less —”

“Stimulating.” Jenny finished. “Oops, maybe not that much less, come on back here.”

As the door closed behind them Jim said, “They’re not going to do it again, are they?”

“It’s obscene. Stop looking at Julia’s boobs Mark.” I dropped my knees down. “I can’t believe it. What does she have that I don’t?”

Sam looked up from her book, “Clothes?”

“Well besides clothes, what does she have?” I plopped my feet on the ground and twisted my ankles. “OK, besides great breasts. You’ve oggled enough Mark, give Jim a chance.” I jumped up and walked over to Jim. “Here.” I grabbed his arm and pulled him over to Julia. “See?” I pulled Julia close to me. “Get an eyeful, Mark has.” Julia was blushing, but not backing away. I went over to the couch opposite the one Sam was on and plopped down again.

“Your breasts look all right Chastity,” Sam said, then went back to her book.

“Thanks.” I fished in the pile of books and found something good to look at. “Thanks alot.”

“You’re welcome.” Sam smiled at me.

There was a knock at the door and Jim went to get it. He came back with Davy who stopped and stared.

“Hi Davy,” I said, patting the couch. “Sam looks great.”

“Ah.”

“Come on over and set awhile.”

Sam looked up. “I think Davy is beginning to get the idea he’s in way over his head.”

“He didn’t know I was part of his caveman artist thing?” I put the book aside. “Come on, don’t be shy,” and patted the couch again.

“I’ve been modeling for him with all my clothes on, that’s how he figured it’d be done,” Sam said.

“And me with a reputation to uphold. We’re talking around him again. Here.” I got up, took Davy’s hand and led him to the couch. “You can sit here and visit with us girls or wander over to the other boys and Julia and ogle her boobs.” I patted his leg. “Oh don’t worry, that awful racket in back is Jenny and Bill at it again.”

“Don’t tell me you’re jealous,” Sam said, putting her book aside. “Would you like something to drink, Davy?”

“A little. I have to admit, a little. Here, Davy,” I twisted around and faced him. “Aren’t my breasts at least passable.”

“Ah.”

“Not even passable?” I fell back into the couch. “What will I do tomorrow? No one likes my costume. My breasts are mediocre.” I wiggled my ankles, my legs straight out.

“Here’s some wine, Davy. It looks like you need it.” Sam sat down again. “Well Davy. Here’s your model, are you ready to draw her?”

“You did check with your parents, didn’t you?” I said. “I probably shouldn’t be sitting here with you unless you checked.”

Sam nodded. “It’s all right, your parents and I say it’s OK.” She bent over and slapped my leg. “Stop it, you’re getting the poor boy distracted.”

“Oh, sorry,” I sat up.

“Davy, this is the other side of Chastity,” Sam said. “Besides the good friend who is fun to talk with, spend time in the library with, is this other Chastity who likes to be dramatic and shocking.”

“Nude, lewd and . . .” I offered.

“I don’t think he’s quite ready for that yet,” Sam laughed.

“Screwed,” I said. “Might as well get it out.”

“You’d bust otherwise,” Sam laughed. “Davy, I can see your eyes blink now and again. You’re all right aren’t you.”

“Davy, everything you’ve heard about artists and their models is true.”

“You hope,” Sam said. “Davy is breathing a bit slower now, I think he’s all right.”

“Boy I’m glad he’s not ogling Julia’s boobs, he’d just keel over.”

“My paints,” Davy said. He blinked his eyes several times, picked up the glass of wine and took a sip. “I need to get my paints.”

“Oh no, I’m not letting you get away that easy. You’re the first live one I’ve had all evening.” I reached over and grabbed his hand. It was cold. “Goodness, the poor boy is freezing. I’ll have to warm him up.” I started to chafe his fingers. “If you pass out I’ll have to do mouth to mouth.”

“Watch out Davy, she’s been known to resuscitate men by doing mouth to, well you can guess,” Sam said. She took a sip of wine. “See?” She stuck her tongue out at me, “I’ve been learning.”

I sat open mouthed, “Sam.”

“Yep, watch out Davy, she’ll drag you down to her level.”

“It’s hard to do it otherwise.”

“It’s not a pretty sight Davy,” Sam laughed. “Poor Bill back there making all that noise.” She blinked, “Still making all that noise, wow. Poor Bill was once in her clutches. A good student. A promising career ahead of him. Now look. Wallowing in the gutter.” She laughed, “Jenny’s not complaining, is she?”

“Don’t listen to her Davy.” I put my hand on his knee. He took another drink of wine, his eyes still fluttering.

“And Mark and Jim.”

“Don’t even mention those perverts.” I squeezed Davy’s knee. “I think I have the art supplies you need back in my room.”

“While Davy is still hyperventilating, I think the modeling better be done out here, dear,” Sam said rising.

“Damn. Oh well.” I twisted around and leaned back against the arm of the couch. “Draw away Davy.” I leaned forward, “No, not that way, go sit in the chair and tell me how you want me to pose.”

Sam came back with some paper and pencils. “Here Davy.” His fingers reflexively grabbed them.

We spent a pleasant evening posing, drawing, chatting, had a nice dinner then more drawing. Davy at the end was able to string phrases together as he worked. Jim and the others would look over his shoulder from time to time, look up to me and mouth, “He’s good,” and walk quietly away. Davy left that evening telling me he’d bring his paints the next afternoon.

* * *

Saturday morning we worked on Mark’s costume. He had lots of ideas, but nothing jelled until I suggested he be one of those woad painted Britons Caesar saw. He liked it, I got to do the tattoos, then Mark bathed in a blue food coloring solution. I helped him get the corners he couldn’t reach and he looked smashing. He felt a wrap of some sort was in order and did a blue piece of muslin around his waist. I didn’t have the heart to tell him it wasn’t covering him much.

That afternoon was busy with preparations for the party. Jenny, the past few weeks, had found some plants here and there which she’d kept out on the porch for sunlight. She brought them in and they filled a corner. Another corner of the front room had a table covered with candles, the room’s only light. We’d all picked up our rooms since they would be used for overflow, though I expected Jenny and Bill had plans for theirs and I had hopes for mine. Davy had let me put some of his pictures of me on my wall last night. Another went into the bathroom.

Davy came early with his paints. “You’re going to be with me, right?” he said, clutching them. I wondered how those hands could produce such beauty.

“Yep, I’m going to be the caveman artist’s model,” I said. “That hat looks good on you.” The compliment just went by him.

“Then I’d like to paint you.”

“Sure,” I said. “But don’t you need art board and brushes?”

“Nope,” Davy said. “Here.” He took my hand and led me over by the window. He set down the paints on the sill. “Stand still please.”

“Normally I don’t go like this too close to the front window. Neighbors.”

He squirted some paint onto his hand and rubbed it around with the other hand. “Burnt Sienna.” He then pressed the hand on my side.

“Oh, that tickles.”

Some more paint, then another hand print. “Turn please.”

“For someone who was gasping yesterday at the sight of me you’ve become quite forward.”

Davy wiped the paint off his hands, then used some from another tube. “Ultramarine.”

“Oh. Do you think you should be doing this if Sam’s not here? What would your parents think?” The paint was cold and pulled slightly on the skin as it dried.

“Move closer to the window please.” He filled his hand again with paint. “Sam knows. We talked last night.”

“Uh oh.” I shut my eyes as he placed a hand on my buttocks. “And?”

“She warned me not to get my feelings hurt.” Davy filled his palm with more paint. “Turn please.”

“Oh. I wouldn’t ever want to hurt your feelings Davy.” His hand was now on one breast pressing. “That feels nice.”

He wiped the paint off his hands with a rag and added more from another tube, “Vermilion,” to just his fingertips, using his other palm as a palette.

“That tickles.”

“She wanted me to realize that maybe what I wanted and you wanted would be two separate things.”

“And?” I squirmed again. “If I didn’t know you better I’d say you were being deliberately fresh.”

“I think I’ll just draw you for awhile.”

“Oh phooey.”

“I’ll love drawing you for awhile.”

“That’s better. I love being drawn by you. Here, hold still.” I leaned over and gave his cheek a kiss. “I don’t think you’ll want for models.”

“Thanks. Maybe after we get to know one another better we can consider something different.” He started to run finger dots up and down my legs.

“If you’re a virgin, that’s not a problem with me.” The dots tickled.

“I’m not a virgin really, just never done it with a woman.”

“Oh.” I touched his head and fiddled with his curls.

“Oh?”

“Not bad oh. Just oh. I’d never considered that.”

“Sam thought you hadn’t.”

“It’s OK if you don’t find me attractive, I’ll still be your friend.”

“You’re beautiful, don’t worry about that. I just need to do things a step at a time.”

“And I’m all for galloping full speed ahead. OK. You let me know if and when you want to. I’ll let you know if I’m willing. How’s that?”

“Sam said it would be OK with you. But she said something about antics.”

“Antics are when you walk into a room and I fall onto my knees and beg to fellate you.”

“That would be something, yes.”

“Or flop on the couch after you’ve been drawing me, raise my butt in the air and tell you that you can fuck my ass if you want.”

“I can see why Sam wanted to warn me. Hold still a second and spread your legs a little more.”

“You’re putting paint there, too?”

“Yep.”

“Oh, OK.”

“Antics are OK. If I don’t rush forward drooling it’s not that I don’t find you attractive. And stimulating. And exciting.”

I gasped as he did it again. “It’s just that you’re mature.”

“It won’t be easy, but it will be for the best.”

“Any idea how long?” His fingers were spotting my butt and up my side.

“Sam suggested that if I survive tonight with my dignity intact, I should have hope for doing so the next week also.”

“I’m glad she didn’t suggest I’d be easy.”

“Sam said you were easy in some ways and, what’s the proper word, difficult in others.”

“Davy, you’ve been articulate for the past five minutes while dabbing your goo on my naked body, my writhing, tempting naked body. I’m not sure you’re college material after all. Maybe you should forget college, drop out of high school and head for New York right away.”

“I’ve considered it.” His dabs were moving across my front.

“I’d miss you.”

“Sam’s known for some time how hard school was.” His dabs were circling my breasts. “I think she threw you my way to make me stay.”

“And.”

Davy looked up to me, “I’m not making any plans until the end of summer.”

“Goody.” I leaned over and gave him another kiss on the cheek. “Feel free to paint, draw, or whatever, me all summer.” Another kiss. “And maybe beyond.”

“Maybe beyond.” He put some more paint in his palm. “Please turn.”

When I turned I saw Jenny, Bill, Mark, and Jim looking at us. “My god, you’re beautiful Chastity,” Jenny said. The boys mumbled their appreciation.

“And he can talk, too,” I said. “Who ever said boys were only good for one thing.”

Sam arrived around three. Davy had finished me a while earlier and we were sitting on the couch drinking wine and looking at books.

“Goodness, Chastity.”

“I know.” I looked up and smiled. “And I’ve been a lady for hours and hours.” I reached out a glass to her, “Here’s some wine for you.”

“Thanks. I think the cape is going to be too hot to wear.” Sam opened the clasp and let it fall onto the chair.

“Sam!”

“Isn’t it neat? Davy did me this morning. He shared some of his fur for my bikini.” Sam turned around.

“I’m envious,” I said. Davy leaned back and smiled.

“Don’t be, you look fantastic in the all together.” Sam picked up a book. “Davy has become quite the caveman, hasn’t he?”

“Unnnh,” he grunted.

“With his two cave brides,” Sam said.

“Artists have more fun.”

“I hope so,” Davy said, “it’s a lot of work.”

The party went well and I was able to lure a couple of the guys into my den of perdition, though things seemed quiet in there compared to Bill and Jenny next door. “Gives new meaning to American Gothic,” I told the first one as I led him in. I’d had fun showing people that Davy had painted me even there. Everyone was awed by his art and I always seemed to see a group around him and Sam.

Davy wasn’t the second guy, though it wasn’t for lack of trying on my part. He seemed happy sitting with Sam, she held his hand most of the evening. She whispered to me it was because he fidgeted if he wasn’t doing something. Julia was often standing at the periphery looking at him in a strange, concentrated way. He wasn’t oblivious to her either. I hope she won’t be a problem.

As people were starting to leave, I pulled Davy back into my room. “Just wanted you to see that it isn’t anything to be frightened of.”

“Nice art on the walls,” Davy said.

“A special friend did those of me.”

“It’s close but not quite right yet.”

“Oh, you artists.”

“Even if you fling yourself on the bed and throw your butt in the air, I’d better be going.”

“Not even a wee bit of fellatio?”

“Not even,” Davy laughed. “The flesh is willing Chastity, the mind is not.”

“Don’t you have that backwards?” I took Davy’s hand and placed it on my breast. “It felt really nice when you painted me, I hope we’ll do it again.”

“I loved every moment.” Davy leaned down and gave me a kiss, a good one, too. “Your neighbor across the street about cut off his foot several times when he was mowing.”

“He wasn’t peeking, was he?”

“You should stand in the window more often. He got all kinds of yard work done.”

Sam poked her head in, “Ready?”

“Ready.”

“I want to hear that that bikini stays on all the way home young girl,” I said, shaking my hand at her.

“Too late.” Sam flashed her cape open and closed.

“Oh my.” I looked to Davy. “You’d better watch out.”

“Maybe I should stay here for the night,” Davy said.

“Over my, not dead, what, palpitating body, you will.” Sam looked at me. “What am I getting myself into?”

I pushed them both out the room. “If you both hold hands then you’ll only have to worry what the other pair are doing.”

“That’s a relief. See you Monday, Chastity,” Davy said.

“Sorry, not like this in school.”

“Maybe in the woods behind school during lunch,” Sam said. “See you, Chastity.” She looked at Davy. “Stop that. Only if you’re good.”