Page 14 of Her Wonderful Wonder Bell
She types in the name of the “site”, and it opens up to an image of a woman who looks like she stepped straight out of the forties. I can feel my face positively glowing.
“So now you can sort of scroll through like this and click on things that interest you to see more about them, or you can go to this magnifying glass here and type in specific words to look for. If you find something you really, really like let me know and I’ll save it.”
I learn it quickly, though I have to use a pen-like thing called a “stylus” touse the phone, as it doesn’t recognize my fingers. Apparently, it only reacts to skin, and other materials made specifically for it—not paper. Regardless, it doesn’t take long for me to select atonof things that I like. I’ll have to whittle it down when I get wherever we’re going.
When we get done, Delia shows me how to work something called a microwave. It’s incredible. While she’s on a call with her mom, I attempt to microwave an egg by myself. It goes very poorly. She told me not to put metal inside of the microwave, as it would cause a fire. She didn’t tell me thateggswould explode.
I stand staring at the open microwave with egg splattered all over inside of it.What does one use to clean the inside of a microwave? Regular soap and water? Can I get water on myself, or will that ruin me? Hmm.
“Pbft.”
Mavis stands on her hind legs, puts her front paws on the edge of the counter, and sniffs inside the messy appliance. After a few good sniffs of the eggy funk, those long, creepy legs shoot out.
“Yikes!” I jump back, giving the cant as much room as she needs to do whatever the heck she’s about to do.
Mavis pushes herself up higher with her longer legs, steadies herself on a bottom drawer with her lowest legs, and manages to work her upper body inside the microwave. I don’t really know how to feel as she slurps and munches away, wheezing happily. It’s a bit foul, but also, I like to see ladies succeed.
“How’s it going?” Delia shouts from the living room.
“Fine! I’m coming!” I shout back then scurry out of there, leaving Mavis to her dinner. Delia is lounging on her purple sofa. Seeing her triggers a smile in me like always. “So, are we going to get my new clothes tonight?”
“The place we need is closed for tonight, unfortunately. We’ll go right away tomorrow though. Speaking of tomorrow, I’m supposed to work in the afternoon.” Delia bites her lip while she’s lost in thought for a moment. “I know I’m supposed to stay away from Brigley, but I do see him at work sometimes. I don’t think Ican call in if I don’t want to draw attention to us. Or maybe that’s just paranoia. I don’t know.”
“If you’re willing to risk it, I’m okay with it. It’s up to you.” I cover my mouth as I yawn. “I think it’s gonna be an early night for me.”
“Me too. Sleep sucked last night.” Delia rubs her lower back. She does that a lot. Poor thing.
“I insist you sleep in the bed with me tonight. It’ll be more comfortable on your back. Plus, you don’t want to be out here with Mavis after she was rubbing up in all that hot egg.”
“Hot egg? How did Mavis—”
I wave my hand dismissively. “You’ll have to excuse my lack of pajamas. I have to sleep in my underwear. Can’t exactly rest in my uniform.”
“I havezeroproblem with that,” Delia says as she stands. “But we’ll make sure to add some pretty jammies to your shopping list.”
“Good. I could use a few fancy things after the day I’ve had. Can’t help but admit I enjoy feminine attire when I’m out of uniform. It seems many ladies these days dress in a more manly fashion.” I think back to some of thehalf-naked people prancing around town. “Or just wear their unmentionables outside.”
“They’re not wearing underwear, just a different style,” Delia says with a laugh. “I’ve even got a few skimpy tops myself.”
“Really?” My lips quirk up at the sides. “You’ll have to model them for me. In private.”
Right on cue, her face turns red. My grin is wide as I get to the bedroom, and I begin to undress. Delia looks everywhere but at me.
“Uh, I’m gonna go to the bathroom and get dressed,” she says as she takes her bundle of clothes and zips out the door.
Hmph.Fine then.
I finish undressing, peel back the blanket, and crawl into bed. A few moments later, Delia walks in dressed in plaid shorts and a white t-shirt. She stands in the doorway, still and wide-eyed, just looking at me. I don’t know what the big deal is. It’s not like I’m in anything fancy. We always wore boring red panties under our uniforms for good luck, and I’ve got a bra on of course. My camisole is a silly thing us girls made with the Wonder Belles logo, but nothing exciting. I did take my hair down—maybe she thinks I look sloppy. I smooth my hair and the front of my camisole self-consciously.
“Are you coming to bed or not?” I ask, patting the mattress beside me.
“I—do you want me to sleep on the sofa? It’s not a problem. You can have the bed.” She bites her lip ring and runs her fingers through her hair once again. What a nervous thing she’s turned out to be.
“Just get in.”
She climbs into bed, pulls the covers over us, and lays flat, staring at the ceiling. I fold myself onto my side so I can give her a perfectly grumpy look.
When her eyes finally dart to the side and notice me, she turns her head my way. “What? Why are you giving me that look?”
