story continued 3/31/11

Holding their breath, they heard her stop about halfway up. Teasing now over, they made terrified eye contact wondering if they were going to get caught.  

“HURRY UP YOU TWO!” she called. Then the stairs squeaked as she went back down.

Relief palpable, they released their breath. Turning to the side-by-side mirrors, the twin looked themselves over and determined what they needed to do. Jamie began profusely attacking his head again with gel while AJ grabbed a washcloth, ran it under the facet, and scrubbed at the dirt. After getting off the initial layer, AJ rinsed out the washcloth then swiped at her arms and legs and the spots remaining on her face. Jamie had finished with his hair and was watching AJ’s efforts wondering how she had managed to get so muddy.  When AJ was satisfied that she got the majority off, she threw the washcloth into the sink and stormed off in the direction of her bedroom. Out of the corner of his eyes, Jamie saw her leave and, to reciprocate for her scaring him earlier, snagged the bathroom door with his toes to shut it right behind her. It slammed closed with a crack that rattled the old-fashion twin mirrors hanging above the sinks. He paused for a millisecond to check to see if anything had fallen or broken and was relieved when he realized that nothing had. Glancing back in the mirror, he rubbed his head one last time, washed his hands, yanked the door back open, and strode down the hallway towards the stairs.  

AJ paused in the doorway to her bedroom. Dread overwhelming her as she looked at her bed and saw a frilly pink lace-embellished dress lying across the end. Along with the dress, her momma had laid out tights and the shinny white shoes that AJ only wore to church because they pinched her toes. AJ strode up to the bed then stood there glaring at the girly clothing which in AJ’s mind epitomized everything she hated.