Recession

Chapter 1
Chapter 1

"I hate it, I hate it , I hate it !" I stormed as I came home from work. My mom was watching tv with my sister and they both looked up.

"What’s wrong dear," my mother asked.

"I mean, this just sucks," I said. I graduate college, and there are like no jobs at all! I got my degree, graduated with honors, and what do I do? I’m a fucking waitress! I deserve better than this! I mean, why go to school at all? I can’t even earn enough to go out on my own. I’m such a failure mom! " I exclaimed.

"Settle down dear, it takes time. Keep going on interviews, handing out your resume’, somthing will happen," she said.

"Yeah Katie, don’t give up, you’ll get something better," Amy said. She was 15, and much more idealistic than I’ve been lately, maybe more than I’ve been ever. I sat down on the sofa with them.

"I know, but I hate my job, I never meet anyone. My high school friends, they all moved on, have better jobs, some have husbands and are working on having kids. But me? It’s all ’may I take your order sir?’ Grrr. A goddamn waitress, I can’t believe it!" I fumed.

"They’re called ’servers’ these days," Amy said.

"Server, waitress, whats the difference? They both sling hash. I should have something white collar, work in an office! And I don’t mean as a secretary! This world, it just sucks. You now mom, I wish I could start it all over. I mean, maybe if I made different choices in school, studied different things...I don’t know, something! Amy is lucky, she has all that ahead of her, she can learn from my mistakes and when she’s 22 not end up serving the blue plate special.

Mom thought for a bit. "Maybe you need a vacation of sorts, just to clear your head," she said.

"Right, like I can afford that. On my salary?" what was she thinking.

"Well, maybe not a typical vacation. Look, Katie, you say you want to ’start all over.’ Do you? Do you really? I mean, being 22 as I recall has advantages! You can go out with guys, drink legally, you are an adult. Lets say you could ’start over.’ Well, those things would be gone. I bet Amy would agree. She wants to drive, stay out with boys, and do lots of things that I would bet would make her mother cringe," mom said.

"Yeah Katie, maybe you don’t remember but its not that great being 15. I always have to answer to mom, I can’t do anything good cause I’m not old enough. I’m treated like a child, even though I feel grown up (sort of)," Amy added.

"And you’re certainly starting to look grown up," mom said. Amy is very pretty, and has nice developed breasts, about a B cup. She’s 5’4 and slender, a really beautiful girl.

"I know what you guys are saying, but boy, if I could do it all over. And what kind of pressures do you have at that age? Homework? High school boys? How hard can that be? Me, I have to plunge into the real world, hope that I can someday get a job that will actually allow me to pay rent. And guys are more serious. Or even worse, they’re not serious! I would trade any of my current ’advantages’ to, I don’t know...do it over." I said.

"Do you really mean that sweetie?" mom said.

"Yes, I do," I said.

She looked at me critically, thinking. "I might be willing to help you honey, if its what you really want. I have some friends who can help in certain aspects. You want to start over? As what, Amy’s little sister?" she asked.

My jaw dropped. "How is that possible?" I asked.

"I think with a little work, it is, but..." she hesitated.

"But what?" I asked.

"You really have to make sure that its what you want. I don’t think you should make any snap spur of the moment decisions, you should at least sleep on it. And in the morning, if you really, really think that is what you want, I’ll tell you how I think we can make it happen, and help you all I can," she said.

"I’ll help too sis," Amy said. She smiled at me. "I always wanted a little sister, I think it would be fun."

"Ok, I’ll sleep on it. Guess I’ll go to bed now. Goodnight," I said, and left them.

I went to my room and took off my wretched waitress uniform, and my bra. I took off my makeup, and examined myself in the mirror. I was only 5’1, and made up for that usually with heels, and my breasts were small. I hid that from Amy pretty well by virtue of the Wondra bra. But there was no mistaking the fact that I am 22. I put on a nightie. Yeah, starting over, as if that were possible....I’d do it...in a heartbeat...and with that, I fell asleep.

I got up in the morning and put on a robe, and went downstairs for coffee. Mom had just made some, and she sat at the table drinking it, reading the newspaper. I cleared my throat. "Morning mom," I said.

"Good morning dear, did you sleep well," she asked.

"Yeah, I guess. Look mom, about what I said last night...I’ve made my decision, and....well, if you can help me...well" I didn’t know how to say it. My mom smiled.

"I thought you would dear, and it’s ok," she hugged me. "I’ll help you," she said, kissing my forehead. "Really, one of the main issues is just of appearance, isn’t it. You need a certain kind of makeover, thats the first step. I thought you might want to do this, so I got some stuff together, out of the attic, and some of Amy’s things. For starters, I want you to take a shower. I ’ll get your things ready," she said. I went upstairs and showered. Mom was in my room when I got out. "Now Katie, like I said, if we do this, we can’t undo it. When we’re done, Katie the 22 year old waitress will be gone. You will be 13 years old. Amy will be your big sister. Is that what you want?"

"Yes, that would be fine," I said. I was actually kind of excited to start my new life.

"I have your clothes for you, here’s some underwear," she handed me an old pair of cotton panties that looked very juvenile, and a matching training vest.

"These won’t fit me mom," I said, but she opened my robe.

"I do the laundry Katie, I know you wear a padded bra. They might fit, try them on," she said. And to my amazement, they fit just fine. The training vest was a little snug, and it flattened me out even more. Mom did my hair back in a ponytail. She helped me into a short plaid skirt and a white top. She gave me a pair of flats, and I put them on. I looked in the mirror and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was like the clock had turned backwards. I looked like I was 13 years old. Mom beamed.

"Now, I need your car keys, driver’s license, social security card, credit cards...just give me your whole wallet," she said.

’Ok mom," I said, and gave them to her.

"You know, when you were 13 before, you didn’t call me ’mom’" she prodded.

"I mean, ok mommy," I obliged.

"That’s better. From here on in you are 13 years old and thats how you will be treated. Amy is a year older than you, so you have to mind her as well. I’ll work on these," she said, holding my license and cards. "I have a friend at public records, and I’m going to ask him to make a few minor changes in the dates. We’ll get you enrolled in school in the fall. You’re going into 8th grade," she smiled. At that moment Amy walked in. Without heels, she was taller than I was, and her figure much more womanly. "Say hello to your little sister Amy," mommy said. Amy hugged me.

"Hi sis," she said. "Ooooh, just look at you. You’re a little girl now. My little sister," she kissed me.

That day I spent most of the time with Amy. We rode our bikes,and she took me to meet her friends. We went to Dairy Queen and met up with some of her classmates, and there were some cute boys there. It was funny, in these clothes, with no makeup, and hanging with junior high schoolers, I was beginning to forget that I was really 22. No one paid much attention to me, but Amy had those guys wrapped around her finger. They were nice to me and all, but treated me like Amy’s kid sister. We came home and had dinner, and made popcorn and watched a movie. Then mommy called us into her room.

"Guess what girls, I found something for you to do this summer that I bet you’ll like. Remember that I thought you could use a vacation Katie? Well, I enrolled you in summer camp!" she exclaimed.

"But mommy, I don’t want to go to camp, that’s for kids," I said. Mommy looked at me curiously.

"You are only 13 Katie. Don’t worry, there will be other 13 year old girls there too," she said. "Now Amy, you are too old to be a camper, but I signed you up as a councellor in training; a CIT. Maybe she’ll be assigned to your bunk katie, wouldn’t that be great?"

"Uh yeah...great," I was beginning to wonder if I made a mistake. "Listen, I’m going to go upstaris for a bit," I said. I went to my room. Maybe I should call this off. I was staring to get a little disoriented and I definitely did not want to go to camp, I didn’t care if mommy lost her deposit. I know, I’m going to take off these kid’s things and get some real clothes on, put on my face, and tell mommy that I changed my mind. Whe I got to my room I hardly recognized it anymore. My diploma, which I had hung up was gone. There were posters of N-sync on the wall, and Britney. My college books were gone and in their place were kids books and an issue of Teen People. And in my closets, and drawers, all of my clothes were gone, replaced with children’s clothes. Mommy came in behind me.

"What are you looking for sweetheart," she asked.

"My...all my stuff. Where is it?" I almost screamed.

’Your stuff is all here. I don’t know what you’re talking about," mommy said.

`"Well, my diploma...my shoes...my bras and panties...my college books..." I said.

"You don’t have anything like that dear, you’re only 13. And you don’t wear a real bra, not yet. You’re just not developed enough yet. But maybe when you’re Amy’s age. And you have plenty of panties."

"Mommy, I don’t think I want to do this. I want to be 22 again, so can I have my real clothes please," I asked.

"You’ll be 22 in 9 years honey. I told you, you’re 13," she said. She was really serious.

"C’mon mommy. Ok, you taught me a lesson, I should have been happy with whatI had. But this is just a dress up game, we both know how old I really am. " I said.

"I know how old you are sweetheart...do you? You seem confused. Listen, if you don’t want to go to camp that’s ok, but I thought it would give you a chance to spend some time with other girls your age. But I guess there’s plenty of time for that in the fall when you go back to school." mommy said.

"No really, mommy, I changed my mind. I don’t want to go to school again, I want my old life back again," I started.

"This is your only life Katie. And as for school, I can’t keep you out, its illegal unless I want to home school you, and I don’t have the time for that. 13 year old children have to go to school. Period. I really don’t know what’s come over you, but you’re acting very childish. Sure you want to grow up faster, but that ain’t gonna happen kiddo. Now, it’s almost 10:00....time for bed dear," mommy said.

"But I’m not sleepy yet mommy," I began to say.

"You know the rules Katie, and 10:00 is your bedtime. Ok....I’ll let you slide this time, but just this once. Get ready for bed, and you can stay up an extra 1/2 hour and watch tv with Amy," she said.

"This is insane," I thought. "Fun is fun, but this is too much. Isn’t a girl allowed to change her mind? And what’s with mommy, I mean like so into it an all." I took off my top, and my little girl skirt she dressed me in. Its funny, but I sorta remember when I put them on how snug they were. They’re not snug now. I saw my reflection in the mirror. This vest really does flatten me out. Well, off it goes. I took it off and looked in my drawer for a nightie. I picked out a cute cotton shortie. As I was about to put it on I looked in the mirror again. My tits really looked smaller. I mean, they were never huge but I could swear they were less full. Maybe its from being pushed on all day by the training vest. I took off my panties. I had much less hair than I did, and my hips seemed smaller. What the hell! I put on my nightie and panties and went into Amy’s room. Amy was watching tv and glanced up for a moment.

"Hey squirt," she said absently, and went back to her program.

"Cut it out Amy," I said, getting kind of ticked off. "I already gave mommy the word, I want out of this game."

"What game is that? I don’t know what you’re talking about," she said, very convincingly I might add.

"This ’Katie’s a little girl’ game. Its getting old," I huffed.

"No one said you were a little girl," Amy said.

"You did this morning!" I exclaimed.

"Oh, THAT. Come on Katie, I was just playing with you. You’re not a little girl," she said. Finally, the voice of reason.

"I’m glad you agree with me," I started.

"13 isn’t little. Your practically grown up. You’ll be borrowing my things soon," Amy said.

"That....that’s what I mean! What is wrong with you and mommy! I’m 22, I went to college and everything..." I said.

"Are you feeling okay Katie? I mean," and she lowered her voice whispering, "you aren’t doing drugs or anything, are you?" she asked with real concern.

"No, I am not. This is just so unreal and I don’t want to play anymore..." I felt like crying. Amy got up and walked over to me. I never realized how much taller than she was than I am...and, I dunno, felt like she’s even grown more of late. Or was it that I was feeling very small. I didn’t know but I crumbled into my big sister’s arms, and she held me, and sort of rocked me telling me it was gonna be alright.

"I’m...I’m...I’m so scared Amy," I cried.

"Shhh, its ok Katie...you’re just confused, that’s all. Its just like when you were a little girl and we would watch a scary movie, and you couldn’t get to sleep and wanted to keep the lights on, and you would crawl into bed with me," She dried my tears. "Its ok, I’ll protect you. You can even sleep with me tonight if you want to," she said. I felt strangely relieved by that.

I climbed into her bed with her and she turned out the light. "Can...can you keep the hall light on, Amy?" I asked, trembling.

"Sure," she said. I fell asleep in her arms.

The next morning I got up and went to the bathroom to shower. Wow, was yesterday ever weird. Now in the light of day, I’m sure things will be back to normal I took off my clothes and got in. I started soaping myself up and noticed...my tits were all but gone, replaced by two swollen nipples. I soaped my crotch...I was bare. But...but how can that be? As I was drying off Amy came in.

"Oh, I’m sorry Katie, I thought you were done in here," she smiled, looking down at me. I felt smaller than I was yesterday...maybe....its impossible, I know...maybe I really am 13.

"I had a funny dream Amy. It was really strange. I dreamt that I was 22 and you were my little sister," I said.

Amy laughed. "That is funny shrimp," she said. "You’ll grow up soon enough," she said, looking at me. "Enjoy being a kid as long as you can. I sometimes wish I was still 12. Like you are.

"12!? I’m not 12!" I said. I couldn’t possibly be any younger.

"Ok, ok...you’re right, technically, anyway. You won’t be 12 until your birthday next month," she said.

to be continued

 

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