As tired as she is, Jeannie knows she only has another week to go. She can make it. Karl’s progress so far is amazing, attested to by what she witnessed just a few hours ago. Her grandmother is a great witch and, once Jeannie learned how the spells work, she has been able to add her flavor to Karl’s adjustments. The basic idea of turning Karl into a woman was in the original plan, but turning Karl into a cliché of a woman is so much more satisfying to Jeannie.
Her grandmother was worried when she saw Karl that day at his apartment and worried even more about Jeannie’s unhinged reaction to his pleas and counteraccusations. After a long and sometimes heated discussion, Jeannie had been able to convince Granny that Karl must have had some latent feminine tendencies that are making the changes more extreme and was also able to finally show her that Jeannie’s reactions were because she could see Karl’s deceit. Jeannie knew that she was being a little disingenuous with her beloved Granny, but had convinced herself that what she is doing, overall, is stopping an evil Karl from hurting the only person she truly loves, Lisa. The ends justified the means.
Speaking of Granny, Jeannie decides to call her while Lisa is cleaning Jeannie’s bathroom, yet again. Calling, the phone picks up on the third ring. Hey, Granny. I have a concern about Lisa. I think this distraction potion is working too well. Jeannie goes on to tell Granny about how Lisa is behaving and that she just does not seem herself, and there always seems to be tension just below the surface with her. I am worried.
Granny lets her finish and then says, Yes, that can happen with a potion like this. In a sympathetic tone, Granny adds, her love for Karl must be very, very strong. It is sad to see a love like that wasted. Continuing she states thoughtfully, I am afraid if we do not stop it, it may cause her long term mental harm. When did you last give her the potion?
Jeannie’s hair bristles like an angry cat at the mention of Karl’s name in connection with Lisa, but lets the sensation pass as she answers Granny’s question. She thinks hard as all the days are running together in her tired state. I think it was Friday morning, yesterday morning, I put it in her orange juice.
Granny instructs, I do not think we should give her any more this week. What you just gave her might wear off by the race on Saturday, but I think we need to take that chance for her own good. Jeannie does not like this possibility, but knows she can always give her the potion late in the week if Lisa appears to be coming out of it. The last thing she wants is for Lisa to try to talk to Karl before the final measures are in place.
OK, Granny. I will not use the potion again, Jeannie promises. Sounds good, liebchen. Why do you not just drop off the remaining potion powder when you come over for dinner tomorrow and I will dispose of it, Granny asks.
Oh, Granny, I do not think I can make it for dinner. These spells are really taking it out of me and between that and my job, I am just exhausted. I am very sorry. Maybe later in the week? If not, then I will see you Saturday and then we can celebrate after the final deed is done, Jeannie says biting her fingernail.
Liebling, I have not seen you since we were at Karl’s, Granny says in a concerned tone. I am worried about you. I know you are tired. I can hear it in your voice. You sound so weak. Will you at least let me bring you some special broth to give you some strength? It is not magic, but it does the job.
Chuckling, Jeannie says, I will be okay, Granny. We only have a week to go.
OK, dear, but do not be surprised if you see me at your door one evening, Granny adds. Before I forget, I left tonight’s spell parchment in the sacred urn by the coven entrance as usual. I spoke to Haggy and she said they would sanctify it for you by sundown. You can pick it up any time after dark. Haggy also said she is excited to get our final account at the next full moon. She is a curious old witch and is dying to know what all these spells are for.
Thanks, Granny. You are too good, Lisa says with a wry smile. We are making a difference here and I appreciate you helping me keep Lisa and other women safe from Karl. I love you and will talk to you tomorrow.
Hanging up, Granny says, Goodbye, my sweet Jeannetta. Your mother would be so proud of you.
Standing up wearily, Jeannie walks into her bathroom just as Lisa is coming out, toilet brush in hand. Thanks, Lisa. You have been a huge help keeping up my side of the apartment while I am working this second job.
Lisa smiles and says, That is what besties do. With that Lisa gives Jeannie a peck on the cheek and leaves to go clean something else.
Touching the spot on her cheek, Jeannie thinks, Besties, indeed.
Jeannie picks up her toothbrush and paste, staring blankly into the mirror at her sallow washed out complexion as she brushes. Touching her raven black hair with her free hand, it looks limp, totally lacking the body and sheen it normally has. Leaning toward the mirror, are those gray hairs? Her eyes move from her hair to her creased forehead to the crow’s feet forming around her eyes to her drawn cheeks and deepening laugh lines and finally to, What the hell is that? At the tip of her nose is a huge pimple. She never had acne growing up, with her Italian and Spanish roots keeping her skin blemish free. It was another thing Lisa was jealous of, her great complexion. Now, she had a doozy of a pimple. God, I just have to get through this week. All this stress is taking a toll.
Blemishes aside, there is something else that Jeannie should be concerned about but is totally unaware of. What she does not realize in this moment is that even as powerful as the spells she is casting on Karl are, she is not in control of how reality conforms to them. Because she does not interact with Karl or his friends and because Lisa has been prevented from thinking about, and talking about, Karl directly, Jeannie’s perception of the new reality is incomplete. Had she not altered Granny’s original spells, the spells sanctified by the coven mistresses, this would not be the case, but her extra changes are introducing chaos that only grows with each casting. For now, Jeannie is only thinking about Lisa and getting some rest. Everything else is, in her mind, going perfectly to plan.
Karli clops down the stairs from the apartment in her cork heels, passing Fred, the same Fred from the previous week, again saying, hi, sugar pie. This time, Fred does not laugh. He sees the slim young girl and thinks to himself, How have I not met you before? Fred thinks of a clever line, but all that comes out is a meek, uh, hi. A wave over the shoulder from Karli without looking back, she walks towards the parking lot.
Karli presses the button on her key and the lights flash on her little pink Caddy XT4. Hopping in, the sensation of her leather skirt on the plush leather seats as she swings her legs in feels divine. Turning the stereo to a soft volume, her head still suffering from the hangover a little, she pulls out into traffic for the short ride to the salon. She has a few minutes to spare, but does not want to be late, so pushes her heeled foot hard on the gas accelerating up to forty five in the thirty five zone. She arrives and pulls into a reserved for Beautiful You customers spot right by the door. It is Sunday, so the salon is technically closed, but Lisa arranged with the owner to make a special appointment just for Karli.
Getting out, Karli strolls up confidently and taps on the door. Simone Thomas, the owner, waves from the back and starts towards her, unlocking the door. Karli steps in and gives Simone a quick lean in hug. Karli thanks her for having this appointment on a Sunday and Simone replies, I would do anything for Lisa. She is a doll. How is she doing? Is she not going to be here with you today?
Um, no, Lisa is not available today, Karli says, eyes averted.
Well tell her that I miss her and ask her when she is coming back in herself, Simone says cheerfully.
I will tell her that next time I see her, sweetie, Karli replies forcing a smile.
Simone then begins walking to the back saying, Give me about five minutes to get everything ready. Ragan is on the way. Once she arrives we will get started.
Sitting down in one of the vinyl upholstered chairs in the little waiting area, Karli looks briefly down at the spread of hair and fashion magazines splayed on the acrylic coffee table. Choosing one called Simple Styles for all Occasions she picks it up and thumbs through it before setting it down.
Glancing at her watch, forgetting that it does not actually tell time anymore, Karli reaches into her purse and pulls out her overthetop blinged out phone. Tapping the screen, she sees it is one forty one p.m. She flips through texts and sees one from Tank sent last night from a bar just after midnight with a picture of him surrounded by empty shot glasses. Karli giggles and responds, Hope you made it home safely, my brave Tanky man.
Karl has avoided social media entirely since the breakup with Lisa, but Karli is a little braver and starts up Facebook. She opens Karl’s page and flips through the feed quickly, looking to see if Lisa or Jeannie had posted anything. Nothing there and neither were listed among his friends. She does see a few posts from Vicky. One is about moving day asking for help getting her belongings to a new apartment and another is a coming soon teaser talking about the new promotional videos.
Simone walks up just as Karli is looking down putting her phone away and says, you ready, dear? Karli stands up and says, You better believe it, sis. Been looking forward to this all day. Simone knows Karli (and Karl). She is not Simone’s only unique client. As they start toward the chairs in the back, Simone stops her and looks at her appraisingly, did you have plastic surgery? Your face looks amazing. It was always attractive, but wow.
Karli blushes, but answers truthfully, Naw, just been watching my diet and eating the right things. I have lost some weight and I think some of it came out of my face. Thanks for the compliment though, sugar. You make a girl feel pretty. Simone is unsure, but knowing that she saw Karli only a month before, she realizes that no one can have that much work done and be completely healed this fast.
Sitting her down in a chair by the sinks, Simone says, Let’s get your hair washed. Karli says, removing her scarf, It is already washed and still damp, sweetie. Is that OK? Simone says, Yeah, sure. I may need to rewet it with some water from the spray bottle, but it should work fine. By the way, I love the smell of your shampoo. I am not familiar with it. What is the brand?
It is Just for Blonds. I thought Lisa bought it here, Karli answers.
No, I am not familiar with that one, Simone says shaking her head, but if you or Lisa remember where you got it, let me know. Pausing for a moment, Simone then continues looking at her watch, Let’s get to it. You have got a big afternoon ahead.
Looking a little coy, Karli says, Yeah, about that. I have got a couple of extra requests to add to the list if y’all can manage them. This was going to be less like a salon visit and more like a spa day. Karli was going to be pampered from head to toe.
Four hours later and five hundred fifty dollars poorer after tips, Karli walks out of the salon carrying a bag filled with cosmetics and looking quite different. Reaching out her one inch acrylic nails in OPI California Raspberry, she opens the car door, sliding her freshly waxed, bronzed, and moisturised legs into the soft leather. Touching her newly pierced lobes, small rose charms swinging gently, she thinks, Not sure how Karl will deal with all of this. Closing the door, she flips down the visor and opens the lighted mirror. She just cannot keep her eyes off her face. She hated it this morning as Karl, but as Karli, she is thrilled.
Flipping the visor back up, she decides to take a drive before the sun sets on this gorgeous afternoon. Karli needs to have some fun, she thinks. Karli is almost separate from Karl today. Normally, Karl dresses as Karli occasionally and it is a release of tension and a fun experience for him. Today, though, there really is no Karl. It is just Karli. The things Karli had done in the salon were not necessarily permanent, but they were things that Karl would have a hard time hiding, if they could be hidden, or hard time explaining if not. But that was Karl’s problem. Karli had no problems. She is free of burdens and free of inhibitions. She feels a tingle from under her gaff as she smiles wide, as happy as she thought possible.
Karli turns left out of the parking lot, singing along to Katy Perry’s Roar at the top of her voice, the hangover long gone. At first, she has no destination in mind, but soon a memory sparks and she is drawn like a magnet to a row of boutiques in the shopping district. Pulling up to a valet attendant, she hands her keys to the young kid opening her door, putting a manicured hand gently on his chest while looking at his name tag. Winking, she says, Take care of my baby, Skip.
Stepping into the closest store, a jewelry shop, Karli strolls around looking through the cases at the shiny bobbles. An older lady with a stiff demeanor walks up, saying, My name is Agnes. May I help you, miss?
Karli turns to her and says, Yes, ma’am, I am looking for a pair of special earrings. With a thin lipped smile, Agnes says, all of our earrings are special, dear. What are you looking for specifically?
Karli describes what she wants and is shown to a rotating display. These are our most popular styles and we are having a buy one get one fifty percent off sale for locals. Smiling, Karli looks at the display, slowly turning it. Yes, I have the coupon in my email. Pausing the display, Karli points. Can I look at those with the pink stones and that citrine drop pair? Agnes opens the display and places the two boxes on the glass counter case.
Each pair is beautifully packaged in its own little jewelry box. Karli picks up the first pair and examines the intricate sterling and the transparent pink amethyst stones. Turning it over she sees the three hundred fifty dollar price tag on the bottom and gasps. Karl will kill me if I buy these, she thinks. Picking up the second pair in gold with the amber citrine stones and jade bands, they are four hundred seventy five dollars. Yikes.
Even with the bogo discount, the two pairs would be six hundred fifty dollars. Karli really does love the earrings, but she cannot spend Karl’s money on them. Still, though, she cannot let go of having them just yet. Can you hold these for me? I need to walk around and think for a few minutes. Agnes nods and takes them by the register. I will hold them here, dear, Agnes says with a curt nod. Karli thanks her and asks, What time do you close?
Agnes looks at her elegant watch and says, We close in another fifty minutes. Winking, Karli says, Well, okay, then, sweetie, I will be quick.
Next door is a high end clothing store. Karli does want clothes, but has other needs to take care of first. Maybe if I go quick, I can stop here on the way back. The next retailer is another jewelry store. This one has a sign out front by a door buzzer saying by appointment only. That one is out, she says, flipping her middle finger at the door as she passes.
Finally, reaching the next storefront, she sees what she is really here for. It is a shoe store with an ornate script sign saying Le Neilleur Pour vos Pieds. Karli pulls the door open and steps in to the sounds of soft instrumental jazz and the most wonderful smell of rich leather.
An effeminate young man steps from behind a row of shoes and says, may I help you, mademoiselle? He says this, though, not with a French accent, but in a typical Florida dialect and slight lisp. Karli stifles a giggle at his presentation and says, I am looking for a pair of strappy high heeled sandals in black with some color or shiny accents.
Of course, I will be happy to help you. What size do you wear? he asks. Looking down at her cork slides, she says, these are size nines, but they seem a little big. Let us try eight and a half to see, hun.
Turning to head to the stock room, the young man hands her a pair of short ped stockings, saying in that same lispy Florida twang, I will return tout de suite. The giggle escapes Karli’s lips this time, and she puts a hand to her mouth quickly to soften it.
The young man, who she can now see by his name tag is Philipe (of course it is) brings back six boxes of shoes. Putting them down, he says, looking at your foot, I believe you are probably an eight, so I brought three styles in eight and a half and eight for you to try. Actually, these are Italian, so are European size thirty-nine point five and thirty-nine.
Philipe slips a solid black sandal with a narrow three-inch heel that buckles around the ankle in size thirty nine point five onto Karli’s stockinged feet. She twists her feet back and forth admiring the shoes and then stands up to walk. Karli is used to walking in the wide wedge heels and has never put on a skinny heel like this. Wobbly at first, she takes a few steps over to a floor mirror. Not bad, sugar, but did you bring something out with, I do not know, a little more pop?
Philippe unboxes the other two styles and asks, are either of these more to your liking? using a sweeping game show supermodel arm sweep over the two boxes. One pair is a Roman style sandal, also in all black also with a skinny three inch heel. Nice. The other is a skimpy sandal that buckles above the ankle in a four inch stiletto heel. This pair is very shiny black but with a bright pink stripe winding through the straps. Clomping back over, nearly falling, Karli points at the stilettos and says, I want to try those beauties.
Switching out the shoes, Karli is giddy with excitement. They are just perfect. Just what she wanted. Standing up again, she is truly unsteady and has to use Philipe’s shoulder initially for balance as she moves over to the mirror. Turning her foot in every direction, she says, Gorgeous. I will take them, not even looking at the price. Philipe looks at her foot and says, Mademoiselle, I think you may need to go down to the size thirty nine. I believe the reason you are so unsteady is that these are slightly too large still.
Karli looks at Philipe and says, Okay, honey, you are the shoe expert. She tries on the size thirty nines and they do feel more secure and she has a little less trouble walking. Karli is dying to wear them out of the store, but knows she has to walk back to get her Caddy and then has to walk upstairs at her apartment, so reluctantly takes them off and puts her slides back on.
Walking up to the register, Philipe scans the QR code and announces, that will be seven hundred forty five dollars and thirty four cents. Karli’s jaw drops. She cannot possibly spend that much money on a single pair of shoes. Using her best doe eyed look, she touches Philipe’s arm and says, Come on, honey, cannot you give a girl a discount? Philipe looks around to see if the manager is in sight and then says in a whisper, Okay, I will use my employee discount and give you twenty percent off. I wear the same size and they will just think I bought them for myself, winking as he says this. I just need to keep the box so I can walk out with it tonight when we close up.
Karli smiles. You are a doll. Philipe takes a key card from around his neck, scans it, and then punches in a code. A few seconds later he announces, that will be five hundred eighty seven dollars and forty seven cents. Karli chokes again. That will still be too much. But what can she do? She must have these shoes. Opening her bag, she reluctantly takes out Karl’s wallet, removes his Amex and hands it to Philipe. Philipe says, I am going to use this credit card to buy a six hundred dollar store gift card and then use that card to pay for the shoes. It is the only way I can disguise who bought them and give you the discount.
Karli, still trying to accept that she will have spent over one thousand dollars today on beauty and shoes, blankly nods. Karl would never have done that. He probably had not spent one thousand dollars on Karli, in total, in almost ten years.
It takes a few minutes to complete the transactions, partly because Philipe panics when the manager walks by and asks him if everything is OK. Finally, he finishes, puts just the shoes and gift card receipt in the bag and hands it to Karli. Setting the empty shoe box aside, he thanks her and bids her adieu. She thanks him, once again suppressing a giggle, and, still in something of a guilty daze, exits the store.
A few steps out into the fresh air, she is breathing again and has regained her calm, humming one of the jazz numbers she had just heard while standing there with Philipe. Karli passes the snooty appointment only jewelry store. As she approaches the clothing store she looks at the time on her phone. She does not have time to even stop in to look before they close. Oh, poo. And I cannot spend any more money anyway, she thinks.
Nearing the first jewelry store, Agnes is outside taking in the sale signs that had been placed on the sidewalk for the day. She sees Karli and beckons, Miss, do you want those earrings? I still have them at the register. I am about to close, but I can still ring them up for you.
Karli knows she cannot afford to buy anything else, but she loves both pairs of earrings. It will not hurt to look at them again, will it? Turning, she walks over to Agnes and says, Let me take one more peek at those lovelies. I will decide quick and let you close up. Agnes and Karli walk back in the store. There are no customers inside and some of the store lights have already been dimmed. Agnes hands the two earring boxes to Karli and says, I will be right back. Have to get the other signs and displays in.
Karli stares at the beautiful shiny objects in her hand. She wants them so badly, but knows she cannot do that to Karl. An idea occurs to her, the kind of illicit idea that had never entered Karl or Karli’s head ever before.
Adrenaline pumping, Karli waits till Agnes is at the door and then, standing with her back to the door, removes the felt covered cardboard inserts containing the earrings from their jewelry boxes and slips them into her pocketbook. Closing the now empty little jewelry boxes, she places them back on the counter. Pulling out her phone, Karli starts a loud fake conversation with some guy named Brad and begins walking, heart pounding, to the door.
No, Brad, I did not forget your mom’s birthday. I was just at the store trying to buy her some earrings. So you bought her the necklace instead? Well it is a good thing I did not buy the earrings then. She says that last part as she passes Agnes carrying in a wooden display. She waves at Agnes, points back at the counter and mouths, Thanks. Agnes gives a curt wave back and continues her closing activities.
Walking as fast as Karli dares to the valet stand, there is no one there. The attendants must be getting or parking other cars. Looking at the key rack inside the little stand, Karli sees her unmistakable pink key fob and grabs it. Walking toward the two level parking structure she starts pressing the lock button.
As she starts up the second level, she hears the two tone beep from her Cadillac. Following the beep to the valet parking only area, she sees the young man from earlier, Skip, getting into a white Lexus. She waves at him and he stands back up and starts walking toward her.
In her best damsel in distress voice Karli pleads, Skip, honey, I got an emergency call and have to go. I did not see you but saw my keys, opening her hand to show them to the attendant. Is it OK, sweetie, if I just take my car? The young man stares at the hot young woman and says, Well, we are not supposed to, but I guess it will be OK. Give me the cardboard stub attached to the ring and just follow me down so we can get out the electric gate.
Karli pulls the cardboard ticket off the ring and hands it to the attendant along with the last ten dollars of Karl’s tip money. Getting in her car, she starts up and pulls out into the parking garage lane. Following the Lexus down, Skip stops a few feet from the gate and leans out the window. Stay right behind me so we can both get out while the gate is up. Karli gives him a thumbs up and out they go.
Blowing the young man a kiss as she pulls away, her heart is still pounding. After a few blocks, she pulls into a closed bank parking lot, still breathing hard. Head in hands, she sighs. I have never stolen anything in my life. Karl has never stolen anything, either.
And I did it so easily. Raising her head, she breathes out heavily. I feel so, so, so excited. So turned on. Everyone is excited. She laughs, realizing for the first time that her cock is straining uncomfortably against the gaff, demanding relief. Karli almost gives in right then and there, but thinks better of it. I have been lucky so far, cannot push it. Turning out of the bank, she starts in the direction of home, hoping she can maintain her adrenaline buzz until she has a chance to do something with it.
As she gets within about a mile from home, Karli sees The Beachcomber Bar. No, she does not have any more money, but she does have the gift card for free drinks and dinner that Karl won at the karaoke contest. I am sure Karl would not mind if I use his winnings.
After all, my name is on the prize. As it is only a little after six p.m. and a Sunday, the parking lot is only partly full. Karli pulls into a space and opens the car door. Before getting out, she reaches into the dramatic black and yellow bag containing her new stilettos.
She knows it is a mistake since she can barely walk in them, but Karli cannot pass up showing herself off, especially since Simone and Ragan did such an awesome job with her hair and makeup.
If she is going to show off her salon treatment, she must show off her new shoes, too. If only she could wear one of her new pairs of earrings. Unfortunately, she cannot remove the current earrings until the holes have healed. Yes, she can violate the law and steal earrings, but heaven forbid she violate the rules regarding new piercings. Sighing, her cute little rose charm pair will have to do.
Switching to the new shoes, Karli swings her legs out together and starts to slide out and onto the pavement. As she does, a thought occurs to her that would never have occurred to Karl. I wonder how my makeup is holding up.
Swinging her legs back into the car, she again flips down her visor and turns on the lighted mirror.
She, not for the first time today, gasps. Staring back at her is not just a pretty woman, but a stunning and exotic one. With thinly arched eyebrows and long natural lashes, her eyes are a bright iridescent green. The subtle eye makeup brings out both the depth and color of those eyes, and Karli knows that no woman, no man could help but be captivated and drawn to her gaze.
Her petite, slightly upturned nose, now sporting a new pink amethyst stud, sits between high cheekbones and above a naturally full set of lips, colored in a matte crimson palette. The lips’ resting pose is a pout and they look like they have something to say that you will want to hear. Other than her eyes and lips, Karli is wearing very little other makeup. Her flawless skin requires almost no concealer or other tricks to look beautiful.
Karli’s new hairstyle is quite different as well. Instead of the wild mass of wavy blond hair that she entered the salon with, she now sports a center-parted, tousled wave with an inverted bob. Her now golden blond locks frame her face to bring even more emphasis to her beauty.
She has lost about half of her hair volume, mostly in the back, but somehow, when facing head-on, it actually looks fuller. The cute long in front, short in back style looks trendy, and Ragan told her it would be a very easy style to maintain and would guarantee a sexy look with minimum effort. The only downside is that this is not a style that can be converted to a boy version for work or for any other purposes.
Other than wearing a bucket hat, Karl was going to have a hard time looking like a boy until this hair grew out, or he shaved his head. The earrings and nose stud will not help, either. Below her petite chin, Karli’s neck is smooth and swanlike. Putting it plainly, from the neck up, Karli was undeniably a woman.
As Karli looks at her reflection lit by the car’s soft LED lighting, she is thrilled for herself, but also terrified for Karl. As she talked to Ragan and Simone at the salon more and more, they had such great ideas for accentuating her looks. She got caught up in the moment and kept approving the things they suggested and even added to their ideas. Karli felt bad for indulging herself this way and leaving Karl stuck with no way to function in the world as someone that could be remotely thought of as male.
At the same time, though, the truth is that from the moment Karl saw his changed face this morning, the male ship had sailed. His fantasy about growing a beard was just that, a fantasy. Nothing other than gluing on prosthetics could make this face look like a man’s again.
Karli knows that at midnight, or whenever she falls asleep, her time will be over, and Karl is the one who will wake up tomorrow and have to deal with what she has done. However, there is nothing she can do to change any of that now. Until her head hits the pillow, this is her time.
So, with that said, Karli reaches into the Beautiful You salon bag and takes out a small bottle of Black Opium perfume and applies it to her wrists and neck. She is ready to have some fun. It is Karli day, after all.
Stepping out of her Cadillac, her long bronzed legs leading the way, Karli stands up confidently on her new four-inch stilettos and saunters into the bar like she has worn them all her life. All heads turn as she passes; she softly sings her favorite Bo Burnham hit, Get your fucking hands up. Get on out of your seats. All eyes on me. All eyes on me.