Chapter 9: Naughty List

Wendy sat. Exhausted, she smiled with fierce pride at the solar surfer.

She felt wonderful! According to Jim, it was almost done! And she helped!

With a happy sigh, she rolled down her stockings. After dusting out the sawdust, she began to rub oil from her dress.

Jim watched. "Nope."

Wendy looked up. "Sorry?"

Jim shook his head. "If you're going to keep working with me, you can't keep dressing like that."

Wendy cocked her head. "Like what?"

"Like a girl." Shifting, he sat beside Wendy. He pointed to a toothy looking machine. "See that machine? It rips links and stuff. If your dress or hair gets caught in it…."

Jim swiped his hand across his neck. "Schwick!"

Wendy grabbed her head, horrified. "Oh! Oh dear. That's awful. What do I do?"

Jim considered. He plucked the side of his pants. "Got any jeans?"

Wendy shook her head. "I'm afraid not."

"Shit. Figured. Well…do you have to dress so damn…I dunno...nice?"

Wendy's eyes flared. "Must you swear?" she retorted.

Jim paused. Wendy turned, but he ducked before she could see his expression. They sat in silence as Jim massaged a wrench against his jaw.

Wendy looked nervously at the toothy machine. "What…about my hair?" she whispered, wringing the curly ends. Her hair was long. Nearly to her waist.

Jim lowered the wrench. He looked at Wendy's hair. Then, his eyes drifted to a pair of sheers.

Wendy's heart stopped. Horrified, she looked at Jim.

"Or we could braid it." he said.

Wendy gulped. "I don't know how."

"Me neither."

Wendy exhaled. She looked at the sheers. "…the bow stays?"

Jim almost smiled. He reached for the sheers. "Bow stays."

Schwick!

"You cut my hair. You cut my hair."

Jim tilted his head. "Yeah. Looks cute. Lot better." He waved a hand across the curled ends. They bounced lightly, just over Wendy's shoulders. "Don't worry. Later, I'll let you pierce my ear."

"Oh dear."

Jim tossed the sheers. He wiped his hands. "Okay…you ready?"

Still horrified, Wendy stared at the hair heaped at her feet. "Ready? Ready for what?"

Jim lifted the solar surfer. The sails sagged, heavy without sunlight. "The surfer…ready to try it out?"

Wendy looked up. "You think it will fly?" she asked in a blend of doubt and excitement.

Jim looked outside. "If we hurry. The sails will catch the sun."