Cherry Red

Cherry Red 

swatches of a rainbow pallet lay spread out on his bed. Tubes of half-used lipstick desperately tried to roll away never quite making it to the edge before he could catch it. He examined each color trying to calculate what would bring out his features the best, however, no matter what choice in blush or eyeshadow his choice in lipstick was almost the same, except on the rare occasion. It was a bright Cherry Red. It was his favorite. Giving him that pop of color that screamed at those who saw him. It was beautiful and elegant with just a dash of that sex appeal he aimed for. But it wasn't how beautiful the color was, no it was far deeper of a reason to why he chose such a vibrant cosmetic choice.

As a wide-eyed child, he would watch his mother in the morning apply her make-up. It was so magical how her pretty face could be accentuated by just a bit of color. It was like she transformed into a whole other person yet she remained the same. He loved that, the magic make-up had but, as a boy, he could never wear it himself, no it was strictly for girls. but why? How come his mother or his aunt could have this beautiful transformation but he couldn't? It wasn't about vanity but the magic behind it that drew him to the art. It frustrated him it was magic he couldn't experience.

"What's the matter my starlight? you look bothered?" The memory of his mother's nurturing voice echoed in his head. It was soft and comforting. She always knew when he was upset. He didn't have to speak a word maybe he'd been that easy to read or just a 'mom thing' but he had to come clean to her. lying would do no good, she always frowned upon dishonesty.

"Mama...I," He was hesitant but just let it all out. "I want to be pretty too! but I can't because I'm a boy and we can't be pretty."
He recalled covering his face, hiding his shame and insecurity. It was silly to be so frustrated about wearing make-up but as a kid. It was a real problem he faced.

"Oh Starlight, that isn't true at all boys can be pretty too. What's this about?" Her expression looked genuinely concerned for him. That's one thing he would say. He was blessed with such a loving mother.

"The make-up. You wear it all the time mama. You look pretty with it. Aunty Fay wears it and she looks pretty too, I want to look pretty like you and aunty fay." He recalled trying to make himself as small as possible as he sat on her large bed. It was embarrassing to admit at the time. It wasn't normal for a boy to want to wear make-up after all. What would his mother say? Would she laugh at him, tell him that make-up wasn't for boys? No, far from it. She walked over to her bed. In her hands were three tubes of lipsticks.

"Okay sweetheart, pick a color." She opened both her hands and presented three colors to him. A Nude color, a soft pink and that bright cherry red lipstick.

"That one." He recalled holding the tube in his hand for the first time. It was vibrant, unlike the other two colors. It just screamed his name. He wanted that color on his face. He looked up at his mother who smile was very warm, she sat beside him taking the lipstick from his hand. "That is a lovely color, now hold still okay." She instructed and like the good child he was he kept as still as possible.

When she was finished he waited for that familiar click of the cap being placed back on the lipstick to move.
"How do I look?" He asked with a timid voice.
"You look beautiful River." She placed a kiss on his forehead but it was the pressure in his hand that took him by surprise. She pressed the closed tube of lipstick into his palm. "It's yours to keep, River sweetie don't let anyone tell you that you can't be beautiful. Make-up or no make-up. beauty comes from the heart what you have in your hand is the expression of that beauty. It isn't limited to boys or girls. As long as you are happy and kind it won't matter what you do or don't put on your face. Now, run along and get ready. I'm sure Aunt Fay would love to see how adorable you look at dinner tonight.