Beauty And The Beach #2

The beach opening ceremonies were in full swing.  The various churches in town had committees of volunteers.  Local businesses donated their services food and prizes.  Kids spruced up their bikes and clipped playing cards on the spokes with clothes pins that made noise as they peddled.  Streamers of ribbon were tied to the handlebars.

The local Shriner club had clowns and jugglers marching in the parade.  Sunshine High School band was practicing daily on their choice of songs to play as they marched along the street from the courthouse to the boardwalk at the beach.

"I'm getting so nervous!" Rachel confessed one afternoon to Marsha.  "What if they laugh

at me?"  "There is no way they would do that!" Marsha reassured her.  "Oh, I'm not so sure

about that!" Rachel responded.  "Have you seen how some of those men act at the beach?"

"Cat calls and pointing.  I'm not feeling so good about doing this."  "Don't you dare chicken out, Rachel!  You are going to win that crown and sash that has Miss Sunshine Beach 1958 on it.  I just know it!" Marsha told her.  " By the way, have you heard that this year they are going to be awarding money and a modeling opportunity and photo shoot for McCall's Magazine to the winner of the swimsuit contest?" Marsha said. "No, I didn't!  That is great!"  Maybe I can do this after all she thought.

On Friday night Rachel spent the night at Marsha's house.  That way they could do some last minute practicing and perfecting everything.  Marsha pulled out a new tube of Maybelline  lipstick in a vibrant shade of red.  "Here I bought you this as a good luck gift!"

"Wow, thanks!"  Rachel twisted the tube to see the column of glossy red better.  Stepping up to the dresser mirror she smoothed the tip over her lips and smacked to spread it evenly.

Next she took a piece of tissue and placed it between her lips and blotted a perfect pouty kiss mark on it.  "I love the shade!   I've never worn this bright a shade before!"  she said.

Marsha approved and said it was perfect since she was going bold with the suit choice and breaking rank by showing off her unique modeling style.

"Here she comes, Miss America!" Marsha sang and they both fell on the bed laughing.

In the morning the girls were up early. They had to be ready to go no later than 9am.  " I didn't sleep a wink!" Rachel said as she yawned and stretched.  "Me either." Marsha chimed in.  They were both wanting to sleep but knew they couldn't anyway.

They had some cornflakes and read the funny paper sitting at the pink kitchen table.

The sun was coming up by then and a streak of light reflected off the handle of the frigidaire.  "I'll get cleaned up first" Marsha announced as she washed their bowls and spoons and put them back in the cupboard.  

While Marsha got her bath, Rachel gathered her clothes she would wear that day.  She had a yellow striped sundress  and a white sundress with red polka dots on the bed to choose from.  Marsha had no problem pointing to the yellow striped dress.  Everyone else she predicted would choose red and no one could pull off wearing the yellow better than Rachel.

Rachel took her time in the bathroom.  She ran the bath water and tested it with her red polished finger tips that matched the lipstick she was planning on wearing.  She shaved her legs with the Gillette razor and rich Barbasol shaving cream Marsha said she could use.

It made her legs feel sleek and smooth as silk.

The warm water helped her relax as she went over her moves in her mind.  I wonder how that crown and sash will look on a giraffe she thought.  She took a deep breath and stepped out of the tub and wrapped a towel around her slender figure.

Marsha decided on a blue sundress and pulled her hair into a pony tail with a white ribbon.

Both of them had the same white sandals to wear.  

Rachel packed her small bag with the bathing suit and sunglasses.  She brushed her hair until it sparkled and applied her mascara and lipstick then tossed them in the bag.    She twirled around for Marsha to see.  "I swear you could be on the cover of a magazine, Rachel!"  "Yeah, National Geographic!" Rachel quipped.  "Come on, cut it out!  Where is that confidence you have been working on all week?"  They grabbed their things and walked to the town square.  "We're off to the beach!" Marsha announced as they waved goodby to her parents in the kitchen.