Madame Zelda: Trading Up....Trading Down Part 2

by Louder

Staci pulled into the driveway amidst the protests of Marsha. 'Awww C'mon. It'd be cool for us to hang at the mall for a while. It's not like we'd have to stay all day!'

'I have plenty of things that will fit you. You can wear any of my things.'

'Yeah, but I wanna get some cool stuff. Some of your stuff is OK, but shopping is like half the fun! Besides, we'll change back pretty soon and I wanna experience shopping like THIS! Ya know?'

'First off...I'd HAVE some more cool things if you would LET me! Second... You can go by yourself! It's not like I have to drive you!' Staci told her.

'Yeah....Well, maybe I have a better taste in clothes now? And I'm not sure about driving. What if a cop like pulls me over or somethin'? I mean he's not gonna believe my ID! Get ~real~!'

'I guess he wouldn't believe mine either for that matter.... here, let's trade ID's. We'd pass for each other.... now!' The two exchanged driver's licenses. 'OK, now YOU can go.... I'm going to take a nap.'

'You sure? I bet it's packed there right now!'

'It is probably IS packed. I'm REAL sure. See you after while.' Staci got out of the car and Marsha hopped over into the driver's seat.

'Hey! Don't forget your seatbelt. There's a law for that now!'

'Sheesh, ~fine~' Marsha answered as she buckled up. She then started backing out of the driveway. One crushed trash can later and she was on the road.

Staci walked inside. She sat on the couch and began rubbing her sore knee. After a couple of long sighs she picked up the phone and dialed her boyfriend Jeff.

'Hello Jeff'

'Hello...ummmmm?'

'It's me.. Staci'

'Staci? You sound kinda funny'

'I imagine I do! It worked!'

'What worked?'

'The crazy old woman really did switch my mother and me!'

'This is a joke.... Give it up! Put Staci on the line.'

'No, It IS me! It worked about as I figured it would. I told you those stories about her were true!'

'Nahhhh. I don't believe THAT. You're an ol...errr middle-aged woman and your mom is a kid. Like a teenager. Yeah, and I was born yesterday!'

'Better be careful. I bet Zelda could do that! And as far as who I am... You don't suppose anyone else knows about the quarry, do you?'

'No way!'

'Yes, ~way~!'

'So, so, so how?'

'I don't really know. Some kind of spell I guess. Magic'

'What about your mom? How's she handling it?'

'Pretty well. She's not quite the mousey thing I figured she'd be. I think she's wanting to show off a bit! She wanted to go ~shopping~. Anyway, she's gone now, so we can make some plans. The first thing is get some booze stored up for the world's biggest party as soon as I get my youth back! She'll be in for a surprise when she gets to the mall. She's going to be short a few credit cards. I'm thinking you could use a new stereo in that car of yours!'

'Cool! There's another party going on tonight. Are you gonna be able to come? We could use some more booze!'

'I can get you the booze but I don't want any of my friends to see me looking like this. I'd look so out of place. No one would recognize me anyway, I guess.... But I'd still look like somebody's mom! The main thing is to get some stuff with these credit cards. She wouldn't buy me the clothes I wanted so I'll get them myself! I'm going to spend a lot of money this week!'

'You wanna go now? I could pick you up.'

'Noooo.... Marsh.....errrrr Mom is at the mall. This has been a pretty tiring day. I'll take a nap and then see about getting you some beer later. I'll call you when I have it.'

The two exchanged their 'goodbyes' and hung up their phones.

Staci fumbled with the credit cards in her hand and wondered if this was such a good idea. She decided that she was just getting paranoid and slipped them back into her pocket. She started to get up but her knee was getting stiff. She rubbed it and then laid back down on the couch. In only a few minutes she was fast asleep.

-----

Marsha pulled into the parking lot of the mall. Normally, she would drive around and try to find a close space. Today she settled for the first spot she saw. She bounced out of the car and made her way to the entrance. She saw some boys exiting the mall who were obviously checking her out. She smiled and acted like she didn't see them. Just as they passed she took a peek over her shoulder to see them all watching her walk away.

'Come back!' one of them jokingly yelled as she entered the mall. She smiled a little more. To her, it was the first compliment of the day!

The first thing on her list was to get a new purse. She'd already rescued a few dollars and a credit card from her old purse. Besides Staci's driver's license, she didn't see much else of any use to a teenager in it. She was missing a few credit cards but figured she must've left them at home for some reason. The old purse stayed in the car. She found a sale in one of the department stores and found a new purse that she thought was cute. It was small and didn't have room for all the things that she had carried in her old one.... but that was perfect now!

After buying the purse, she noticed a group of people in one of the other departments. Being curious, she made her way to see what was up. It was a free makeover sponsored by one of the 'beauty products' companies. 'Can't beat the price!' she said to no one in particular.

'What?' a girl standing next to her asked.

'Oh, I was kinda talking to myself. Looks like a cool deal. I guess I'll get in line.'

'Yeah, my Mom's in the chair right now. They say she'll look 10 years younger when it's done.... I told her she had better go thru the line twice!'

Both girls laughed and talked as their lines slowly moved forward. The girl's mother finally finished and Marsha thought she did look a little better... kinda old looking still...but better. Finally, it was their turn to take a seat. One lady explained to them and the group about how they come to make decisions about what each person needs for their makeover while her assistants do the work.

'These girls are young enough that you probably don't think they need any makeup...and you might be right!' the lady joked 'But seriously, even teenagers can learn makeup skills that will be with them for life. First, when you're young you can get away with some more 'flirty' colors but as you age you want to be a bit more conservative in your approach. At this age, blemishes might be a problem that you would want to conceal. Older women might want to hide some fine lines or more honestly...wrinkles! .....' The lady continued speaking as the assistants worked on the girls. Their hair was brushed out. Nails were painted. Lipstick applied. Soon, they were finished.

'Well, you two certainly look good' the girl's mother told them.

'Thanks, ma'm' Marsha answered politely 'You look good too.'

'Thank you... Debbi...what do YOU think?'

'Yeah, Mom..you look great. If you looked any younger people'd think we were sisters or somethin' Debbi answered sarcastically 'And if you'd stayed up there any longer you might've needed to some Pampers!'

The girls laughed. Debbi's mother didn't think it was all that funny. She smiled politely at their humor and then told Debbi to meet her at the entrance in about an hour while she finished her shopping.

'So, you wanna hang with me while Mom shops? I just moved here not too long ago. I don't really have a lot of friends yet.' she asked Marsha.

'Sure! I wanna pick up some cool new stuff. You can help me if ya want. I could. like, use some help'

'Cool! Yeah, There's a lot of new things on sale down at this one store I saw. Follow me unless you have somewhere already in mind.'

'OK, Ya know, I'm not really up on all the coolest places for clothes in here.' Marsha answered as they headed for one of the shops.

'Here it is' Debbi announced. Marsha looked up to see nothing but clothes for young people. Short dresses. Clunky shoes. Short tops. Funky belts. Bright colors everywhere! She began imagining herself in the outfits.

'So, whata ya looking for, Marsha?'

'I dunno, something kinda....ummm, like 'revealing'' she said as her eyes caught a bright summery dress. It was a bright, almost neon green. 'Like that! Do you think it'd look OK on me?'

'Yeah, with the right stuff to set it off. Maybe a necklace.'

'Yeah?

'Yeah, well nothing fancy. A big dangly kinda necklace and some cool shoes. Maybe a bracelet too. Why dontcha try it on?'

Marsha giggled and took the dress into the dressing room. She put it on and turned around. She peered over her shoulder to see how it looked in back. She lifted her long blond hair. It seemed even longer to her now that she could fully see it. Lifting her hair, she could see her youthful shoulders and a firm rear end! The dress was even shorter than she had thought it would be. Rather than causing her to decide against the dress, though, she liked how it made her feel just a bit 'naughty'. Satisfied with her 'look' she stepped out of the dressing room for Debbi to see her.

'Tada!' she said as she appeared.

'Wow...cool look! You got it goin' on girl! Here, hold this up and let's see how it looks' she said holding out a necklace. 'Yeah.... very cool!'

Marsha smiled 'You really think it's, like, ~me~?'

'Oh yeah! I wish my mom would let me get something like that. She'd have a cow, though! Plus you've got the 'stuff' to pull it off! You got any shoes to go with it?'

'Ummm I don't think so...' she answered trying to remember Staci's collection.

Debbi found her a clunky pair of sandals and a some bracelets to accent the outfit. 'Wow... The guys will love YOU!' Debbi said as Marsha modeled the full outfit.

Marsha changed back into her...or rather... her daughter's clothes and went to the register to pay for the items.

'That'll be 177.99, Miss.' the salesperson told her.

'Here' Marsha answered handing her a credit card.

'Have you got any ID?' she asked.

'Ummmm yeah..here' Marsha said while handing her Staci's ID.

'The name is different.' The salesperson told her in a matter of fact tone.

'Yeah, it's ummm, like, Mom's credit card. She said I could use it.'

The saleswoman shook her head as if to indicate she was satisfied with the answer and continued finishing the sale. 'Here you are. Have nice day, girls'

Marsha liked being called a 'girl'...... that is what she is...a GIRL! Before her transformation, if she would have been called a girl she would have bristled. They left the store and waited at the entrance for Debbi's mother. They found a seat on one of the benches and began chatting.

'So, you got any plans for tonight?' Debbi asked.

'I dunno. I hadn't really thought about it, ya know?'

'Maybe we could do something? I could get my Mom's car and we could come back here...or somethin' '

'You really wanna?' Marsha asked.

'Yeah, I didn't have any plans. It IS Saturday! I could call you and we could do somethin'' Debbi replied.

'Sure, cool!'

Debbi's mother arrived and so the two girls exchanged phone numbers and parted.

-----

A Couple of Hours Later- -----

Staci woke up to the sound of the phone ringing.

'I got it....I got it...' Marsha excitedly yelled and ran for the phone hopping over furniture and shoes on the way.

Staci listened to one side of the conversation.

'Hello?'

'Oh, hi.. It's me'

'Whatsup, Debbi?'

'I saw 'em too...just as we were leaving they....ummmmm I'm gonna switch phones... hold on' she said as she noticed Staci listening.

'What's going on?' Staci asked.

'Nothing, I'm just talking to Debbi. Hang up for me when I get on the other phone...OK?'

Staci nodded her head 'yes' as Marsha left the room.

'OK, I got it! Hang up!' Marsha yelled from upstairs. '....I said ~OK~ I got it....Hang up....'

Staci put the phone back on the receiver. A couple of seconds later and she heard Marsha padding back down the steps. 'Just checking... I'm still on the phone' she said looking to make sure that Staci had hung up the phone. Marsha turned and padded back up the stairs and shut the bedroom door behind her.

Staci shook her head in disbelief. She spent the next couple of hours listening to the muffled sounds of giggling and talking as Marsha talked on the phone.

Madame Zelda: Trading Up....Trading Down Part 3

by Louder

Staci decided it would be a good opportunity to pick up the liquor for her boyfriend. She got in the car and drove to the closest one. She felt nervous upon entering the store, never to have been in a liquor store before. She nervously glanced at the security cameras, and worried that the man at the counter would never believe her ID. She filled a grocery cart full of beer but wasn't very brand loyal. She did pick up some extra Budweiser because she liked the frogs!

Rolling her bounty up to the counter she needn't to have worried about the ID.... The man never even asked to see it! He took her credit card and rang up the purchase without hesitation. 'Looks like somebody's gonna have a wing-ding!' He said as he loaded the items back in the cart.

'Uh yes...Yes sir... A wing-ding' she answered, still nervous.

Staci was glad to get back to the car, load all the beer onto the backseat, and get on the road. For the first few miles she kept expecting the man from the store to chase her down just to see her ID. By the time that she got home that fear had subsided. She left the beer in the car and re-entered the house.

'Good, she's finally off the phone!' Staci thought as she heard the shower running....and running...

Staci grabbed the phone and called Jeff.

'Hi Jeff. I got ~it~. ~It's~ in the car. In the backseat. Maybe you can sneak over and get it out when it's dark?'

'Why so sneaky?' he asked

'Because she's STILL my mother. She'd throw a fit if she knew I was buying beer....and the way she's acting she'd probably want some! You just get it out and quietly put it in your car. And don't let the neighbors see it! Leave it in the sacks.'

'Don't you want me to come in?'

'NO!...ummm No... You don't need to see me like this. Just get the stuff and I'll call you later, or you can call me... OK?'

'OK..sure'

Staci wanted to talk with Jeff some more but a voice came from upstairs 'Staci? Staci? Are you back? Staci?'

'I gotta go, Jeff. Talk to you later'

'~What?~' Staci yelled back at Marsha.

Soon a teenaged Marsha, wrapped only in a towel and dripping wet, made her way down the stairs.

'You're getting the carpet wet!' Staci impulsively yelled.

'Oh...sorry.... I can't find that stuff you use when you shave your legs. I wanna try it.'

'It's in my bedroom.... I thought you didn't like that stuff?' Staci asked.

'I dunno.... That was before.... Thanks' Marsha said as she padded back up the stairs.

Soon, the shower was on again! Staci wondered how much hot water would be left. She really wanted to spend some quality time with the shower massage on her knee. She wondered how much longer that girl could take in the shower!

Finally, she heard a shriek 'Oooooooooh COLD!!' And then the sound of the water shutting off. 'We're outta hot water!' Marsha whined.

'No wonder!' Staci grumbled herself '~great~'

Staci put her legs up and turned on the TV. No massaging shower for a while now! She tried MTV but it was too much to keep up with. A few more clicks and she was on CBS. She stopped there and soon put the remote down.

'Buzzzzzzzzzzzzz' The sound of the blow drier revved up. Staci upped the volume on the TV so that she could hear the dialogue.

After a while, Marsha came down the stairs. Her hair was combed conservatively behind her ears. She was wearing a pair of shorts that were mid-thigh length and a simple shirt. She was carrying three pairs of shoes. 'I can't decide... The high tops, these sandals, or these new ones?'

'What does it matter?' Staci asked.

'Debbi is coming over and we're gonna hit the mall and just hang out'

'Debbi? Who's Debbi?' Staci was confused

'She's my friend. I met her today and she's wayyyyyy cool. Her mom let's her take the car and everthing, whenever she wants it.' Marsha told her excitedly.

Staci was surprised to hear that her mom had a teenaged friend, but she was also glad that she wouldn't be here to catch Jeff when he made the beer exchange.

'So which pair?' Marsha asked again.

'Whatever you think is fine' Staci answered, totally uninterested.

'What'd you pick???' Marsha quizzed.

'It doesn't matter... If ihe sandals are comfortable, wear them'

'You think they are best? I don't care about comfort or anything... I just wanna look good for the mall. Is that what you'd wear with this outfit? Is this a cute outfit? Maybe I should change? Is it too 'old' looking?'

'MARSHA!....errr Mom, settle down. You look fine. You look like a fine upstanding young lady'

'Upstanding?' she asked with a smirk 'I'll be the most popular girl there won't I?' she said with sarcasm. Her mood seemed to instantly change.

Staci could hear the hurt in her voice. '~Great~' she thought 'Now I have to deal with my MOTHER'S teenage angst!'

Marsha put her feet up on the coffe table and started rolling the legs of her shorts up, each turn exposing a little more thigh. 'These are dumb ol' shorts anyway' she said as she worked on them.

'Marsh...errrr Mom, you look great! If you're trying to impress some boys...they'll love you! And if you just want to make some girls jealous, you're well equipped. Just be careful.... I don't want to have a little brother or sister around here! You look .... sexy'

'You think so?' she said as she let her hair fall free around her face.

-Ding Dong-

'Just a minute!' Marsha yelled as she bounded out of the chair and headed toward the door 'I'm coming!'

She opened the door to see Debbi standing there. 'Are you ready?' Debbi asked while walking on inside.

With her mood suddenly turned completely around, her voice rang with excitement 'Yip, let me grab my shoes and purse and let's hit it!'

'I guess you must be Marsha's mother? I'm Debbi. How are you doing?' Debbi said as she extended her hand out to Staci.

'Fine, thank you.... Miss.' she replied as she politely shook Debbi's hand and then said instinctively 'You girls have a good time, but be careful!'

'We will!' they answered in chorus and then laughed at the coincidence.

Staci watched the two teens leave and actually felt a tinge of worry about how her mother would do.....'It's just that she seems so ~young~' Staci thought.

---------

'So how about a change of plans?' Debbi asked.

'Whatta ya mean?' Marsha replied

'You into parties?' Debbi said.

'Is there one?' Marsha wanted to know.

'Yeah, a big one I guess. This one boy, Jeff, is supposed to have a whole truckload of beer!' Debbi answered ' All the cool guys are supposed to be there!'

'Yeah, WOW... sounds cool to me!' Marsha exclaimed. Staci decided it would be a good opportunity to pick up the liquor for her boyfriend. She got in the car and drove to the closest one. She felt nervous upon entering the store, never to have been in a liquor store before. She nervously glanced at the security cameras, and worried that the man at the counter would never believe her ID. She filled a grocery cart full of beer but wasn't very brand loyal. She did pick up some extra Budweiser because she liked the frogs!

Rolling her bounty up to the counter she needn't to have worried about the ID.... The man never even asked to see it! He took her credit card and rang up the purchase without hesitation. 'Looks like somebody's gonna have a wing-ding!' He said as he loaded the items back in the cart.

'Uh yes...Yes sir... A wing-ding' she answered, still nervous.

Staci was glad to get back to the car, load all the beer onto the backseat, and get on the road. For the first few miles she kept expecting the man from the store to chase her down just to see her ID. By the time that she got home that fear had subsided. She left the beer in the car and re-entered the house.

'Good, she's finally off the phone!' Staci thought as she heard the shower running....and running...

Staci grabbed the phone and called Jeff.

'Hi Jeff. I got ~it~. ~It's~ in the car. In the backseat. Maybe you can sneak over and get it out when it's dark?'

'Why so sneaky?' he asked

'Because she's STILL my mother. She'd throw a fit if she knew I was buying beer....and the way she's acting she'd probably want some! You just get it out and quietly put it in your car. And don't let the neighbors see it! Leave it in the sacks.'

'Don't you want me to come in?'

'NO!...ummm No... You don't need to see me like this. Just get the stuff and I'll call you later, or you can call me... OK?'

'OK..sure'

Staci wanted to talk with Jeff some more but a voice came from upstairs 'Staci? Staci? Are you back? Staci?'

'I gotta go, Jeff. Talk to you later'

'~What?~' Staci yelled back at Marsha.

Soon a teenaged Marsha, wrapped only in a towel and dripping wet, made her way down the stairs.

'You're getting the carpet wet!' Staci impulsively yelled.

'Oh...sorry.... I can't find that stuff you use when you shave your legs. I wanna try it.'

'It's in my bedroom.... I thought you didn't like that stuff?' Staci asked.

'I dunno.... That was before.... Thanks' Marsha said as she padded back up the stairs.

Soon, the shower was on again! Staci wondered how much hot water would be left. She really wanted to spend some quality time with the shower massage on her knee. She wondered how much longer that girl could take in the shower!

Finally, she heard a shriek 'Oooooooooh COLD!!' And then the sound of the water shutting off. 'We're outta hot water!' Marsha whined.

'No wonder!' Staci grumbled herself '~great~'

Staci put her legs up and turned on the TV. No massaging shower for a while now! She tried MTV but it was too much to keep up with. A few more clicks and she was on CBS. She stopped there and soon put the remote down.

'Buzzzzzzzzzzzzz' The sound of the blow drier revved up. Staci upped the volume on the TV so that she could hear the dialogue.

After a while, Marsha came down the stairs. Her hair was combed conservatively behind her ears. She was wearing a pair of shorts that were mid-thigh length and a simple shirt. She was carrying three pairs of shoes. 'I can't decide... The high tops, these sandals, or these new ones?'

'What does it matter?' Staci asked.

'Debbi is coming over and we're gonna hit the mall and just hang out'

'Debbi? Who's Debbi?' Staci was confused

'She's my friend. I met her today and she's wayyyyyy cool. Her mom let's her take the car and everthing, whenever she wants it.' Marsha told her excitedly.

Staci was surprised to hear that her mom had a teenaged friend, but she was also glad that she wouldn't be here to catch Jeff when he made the beer exchange.

'So which pair?' Marsha asked again.

'Whatever you think is fine' Staci answered, totally uninterested.

'What'd you pick???' Marsha quizzed.

'It doesn't matter... If ihe sandals are comfortable, wear them'

'You think they are best? I don't care about comfort or anything... I just wanna look good for the mall. Is that what you'd wear with this outfit? Is this a cute outfit? Maybe I should change? Is it too 'old' looking?'

'MARSHA!....errr Mom, settle down. You look fine. You look like a fine upstanding young lady'

'Upstanding?' she asked with a smirk 'I'll be the most popular girl there won't I?' she said with sarcasm. Her mood seemed to instantly change.

Staci could hear the hurt in her voice. '~Great~' she thought 'Now I have to deal with my MOTHER'S teenage angst!'

Marsha put her feet up on the coffe table and started rolling the legs of her shorts up, each turn exposing a little more thigh. 'These are dumb ol' shorts anyway' she said as she worked on them.

'Marsh...errrr Mom, you look great! If you're trying to impress some boys...they'll love you! And if you just want to make some girls jealous, you're well equipped. Just be careful.... I don't want to have a little brother or sister around here! You look .... sexy'

'You think so?' she said as she let her hair fall free around her face.

-Ding Dong-

'Just a minute!' Marsha yelled as she bounded out of the chair and headed toward the door 'I'm coming!'

She opened the door to see Debbi standing there. 'Are you ready?' Debbi asked while walking on inside.

With her mood suddenly turned completely around, her voice rang with excitement 'Yip, let me grab my shoes and purse and let's hit it!'

'I guess you must be Marsha's mother? I'm Debbi. How are you doing?' Debbi said as she extended her hand out to Staci.

'Fine, thank you.... Miss.' she replied as she politely shook Debbi's hand and then said instinctively 'You girls have a good time, but be careful!'

'We will!' they answered in chorus and then laughed at the coincidence.

Staci watched the two teens leave and actually felt a tinge of worry about how her mother would do.....'It's just that she seems so ~young~' Staci thought.

---------

'So how about a change of plans?' Debbi asked.

'Whatta ya mean?' Marsha replied

'You into parties?' Debbi said.

'Is there one?' Marsha wanted to know.

'Yeah, a big one I guess. This one boy, Jeff, is supposed to have a whole truckload of beer!' Debbi answered ' All the cool guys are supposed to be there!'

'Yeah, WOW... sounds cool to me!' Marsha exclaimed.

Staci knew from the relative quiet of the house that Marsha was not there. No blasting stereo...No TV.... all quiet!

'Uhhhh I don't want to get her in trouble. Maybe she stepped out for a bit since I was late?' Debbi finally said hoping not to cause any more trouble for Marsha.

Staci tried in vain to get Debbi to give her some information, or even a clue, about where Marsha might be. No such luck! She dejectedly hung up the phone after getting Debbi to promise to call if she hears from Marsha.

The rest of the morning was spent waiting.... followed by the better part of the afternoon! Staci alternated between pacing to the window to check outside and sitting and staring at the telephone. She had started out thinking that Marsha had probably ran an errand.... then decided she must be with a boy.....then imagined her kidnapped!

Her mind raced thinking about what must've happened- A stranger knocking on the door to use the phone or something.....Marsha being so trusting and innocent, inviting him in....then he would drug her and lock her in the trunk of his car! She wanted to call the police but she realized they would think she is crazy! The worry only built until she heard....

'Whatcha doin'?'

'Marsha!' Staci yelled as she leapt out of her chair and gave her a big hug 'Where have you been???? I've been worried sick!'

'Sheesh, I told you Debbi and me were going to the lake!'

Suddenly, Staci's mood changed 'Sooo what did you do at the lake?' she asked in a halting voice.

'Nothin'.... Just hung out, ya know?'

'~Marsha~...Debbi called for you to tell you she was running late and you weren't here!?'

'She ~did~?' Marsha's voice trailed off.

'So just where were you?'

'Ummm....it's none of your business!'

'Listen, young lady! It ......errrrrrrr' A long sigh later and she continued 'Damn it! You're right.... It's just that you seem so ~young~ and I feel like I have to protect you. You worried me! I've been thinking horrible thoughts about what could've happened to you!'

'Get ~real~! Like, I'm some scared little thing! As IF! I've got a life too, ya know!'

'But, look at you! Dressed like THAT...!' Staci said. 'There's all kinds of evil people out there!'

Marsha stood there barefoot, wearing only a T-shirt for a cover up, and looked at Staci increduously. 'Puh......Lease! Give it up! I'm gonna go upstairs!'

Staci watched Marsha leave the room. As the Marsha made her way up the steps, Staci could see that she was wearing a thong. Her thong!

Staci wondered what she could say to get through to her. She only wanted what was right for her. If she was only a little more mature she'd understand, Staci felt.

After a short while, Marsha re-appeared wearing only cut-offs and a T-shirt. She had brushed her hair out and pulled it back into a pony-tail.

'Marsha, sit down for moment... Please' Staci asked.

'What ~now~? Are you gonna, like, ground me or somethin'? Get off it!'

'No, I just want to talk to you. Maybe make a deal.... What do you think about going to Madame Zelda tomorrow and trading back?'

'TOMORROW? But I thought this was for a week! Tomorrow's not FAIR! Tomorrow, what kinda deal's that?'

Staci realized she hadn't gotten everything that she had planned on buying with Marsha's credit cards, but it didn't seem as important now.... or even like the right thing to be doing! 'I just thought maybe you'd had enough? And I really worry about you....'

'No...No, No, No! I have like all kinds of plans for this week! You said this was for me and now you wanna take it away....already? That's not fair! Why are you being this way to me? Why? It's only for a week....' Tears started forming in Marsha's eyes. Slowly a tear rolled down her cheek.

'It was just a thought. We can wait until the weekend...Don't cry....'

-RING RING-

The phone was a welcome interuption. Staci quickly grabbed it while Marsha wiped the tears from her eyes.

Marsha listened intently to Staci talking on the phone.

'Hello?

'Yes, she's back, Debbi, but I don't think she can talk right....' Staci didn't get to finish the sentence.

'Is that Debbi?' Marsha asked excitedly 'Let me have it! I've just gotta tell her something!'

Staci handed her the phone, surprised at how sudden her mood had swung once again.

'Debbi?... I'm gonna get on the other phone! Hold on.' She handed the phone to Staci 'Hang this up for me when I pickup...Okay?'

Staci nodded and took the reciever and watched Marsha dart up the stairs, taking two at a time!

'I got it now...You can hang up..... Hang it up.... I GOT IT!' she yelled from upstairs.

Staci put the phone back on the hook. The next thing she heard was the din of the radio drowning out any chance of her heaing any part of the girl's converstion.

Madame Zelda: Trading Up.... Trading Down PT.6

by Louder

After what seemed like forever, Marsha finally re-emerged from her bedroom.

'Me and Debbi's going out tonight. Don't wait up for me' Marsha said as she ran out the door.

'But......' Staci yelled, but was too late. She saw Marsha running down the sidewalk and soon out of view. Staci didn't like all the mystery. It was beginning to worry her. Her formerly responsible mother was now unpredictable and terribly inconsiderate. Staci couldn't believe that she would run out the door without telling her where she was going to be! Staci decided to kill some time and take her mind off of Marsha by cleaning the house. It was the perfect opportunity to try out the new vacuum!

The downstairs didn't require much work. Some dusting and straightening and it was quickly finished. She then moved upstairs. Upon entering Marsha's room she saw what looked like a disaster area! Clothing littered the floor. In one spot would be a shoe with its mate no where nearby. A few 'teen' magazine's were strewn about. Some of them had pictures removed. Others had ads circled. The phone cord was stretched to its limit and the phone was lying on the un-made bed. Staci started picking up the clothing and matching shoes and socks with their mates. Most of the clothing was hers.... although she could never wear it now in her current 'condition'! Marsha had grabbed most of Staci's summer clothing and brought it to her own room. Short tops ....cut-offs.... Tank tops.... T-shirts.... all could be found on the floor or piled in the chair. Staci saw that Marsha had taken her favorite jeans and cut the knees out and then had bleached them. She was a little peeved that Marsha had 'ruined' a perfectly good pair of jeans! She then opened the closet to see that Marsha had shoved all her 'old' shoes and clothing into the corner. A few short dresses of Staci's hung in their place along with a few items that she had never seen before. Staci shook her head in disgust and began cleaning and straightening the room.

After cleaning Marsha's room she moved on to her own room. It was in fairly good shape. The few items of clothing that she had 'borrowed' from Marsha were neatly folded on her bureau. Upon opening her own closet (Something that she had not had a reason to do since the 'Trade') she could see where Marsha had hap-hazardly rummaged through her things! She didn't mind Marsha wearing her young clothing but wished that she could have been more respectful and neat with them.

After cleaning all the rooms and thoroughly cleaning the shower, Staci could only watch TV and wait for Marsha's return. In only a short while in front of the TV, Staci was fast asleep. At around 1 AM Staci was awakened by the lights of a car pulling out of the driveway. She squinted to make out the car but couldn't. The one thing she could tell was that it wasn't Debbi's car! She closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep as Marsha gingerly entered the room. It was obvious that Marsha was being extra quiet.

'ohhhh I thought I heard someone....' Staci said pretending to just wake up. 'How was your evening?'

'It was cool.... We had a great time....'

'Did Debbi bring you home?'

'Ummmmm yeah errrr uhhhhh, like, what is this... 20 questions? Geez! Gimme a break! I'm home...Look...Safe and Sound! I' ve not been, like, raped or murdered or anything!'

Staci bristled. She could tell that Marsha was avoiding the subject, but she knew she didn't have right to 'question' her mother's motives. Even if her mother was now younger than her! Still, she was worried about her.... 'Marsha, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to know about your evening. We never really talk anymore....'

'Yeah, welllll I seem to remember, like, this one girl, Staci, that never wanted to talk to her ~mother~. So now, like, you wanna be best friends or somethin? I only have a few days left and I don't wanna be hangin' out with some old..... errrr ya know!'

'But, it would mean so much to me! We could spend tomorrow together. Talk, get to know each other better.'

'Geeeez.... Like, we really have anything in common? As if! Me and Debbi have plans tomorrow afternoon anyway!'

'How about in the morning then?' Staci asked hopefully.

'Ummmm I dunno.... Ummmm I kinda wanted to sleep in.... '

'You could still sleep in, and we could have lunch. I'll get you up at 10 so you can get ready.'

'TEN? YUCK! I said I was going to sleep in!'

'That IS sleeping in!'

'OK...Yeah...whatever.... I'm gonna crash...Later'

Marsha kicked off her shoes and trekked up the stairs to her room.

Staci felt good to spending some time with Marsha. Although she had much more she had planned on buying with Marsha's credit card, it didn't seem like such a good idea anymore. She also hadn't spoken with Jeff in a while. It just didn't seem as important anymore. She started making plans for her and Marsha's lunch the next morning when a screaming teenaged voice sliced throught the air.....

'HEYYYYYYYY....My room!!!! You've been in my room! Where's all my stuff???? You don't have a right to be in here!!!! I HATE you!...' The door slammed and Staci could hear sobbing coming from the room.

She walked upstairs and stopped outside the room. 'I just straightened things a bit. I didn't go through any of your personal stuff' She knocked on the door. 'Mom? Marsha? I won't do it again.... I promise. I'm sorry. I didn't think....Is it OK?'

Sobbing, Marsha answered 'Just leave me alone!'

'OK, I'm sorry. Really I am. I'll see you in the morning, Hon' Staci recoiled as soon as the words came out of her mouth. She had just called her mother 'Hon'!

Staci, once again was up bright and early. She got herself ready and did her best to make her 39 year old body look its best. As soon as the clock read 10 AM she knocked on Marsha's door to get her up.

'What? Go away!' Marsha sleepily grumbled 'It's ~too~ early!'

'Come on. Get up sleepy-head' Staci said sweetly. 'You don't want to be late getting back do you?'

The door slowly opened and Marsh stood there, hair disheveled, barefoot, and wearing only a T-shirt. 'Do we have to do this?' she said as she yawned.

'It's important to ME. Now, hurry up and get ready! Please!'

'Oh, OK....' Marsha replied hesitantly. 'I'll be down in like a minute.' After MANY minutes, Marsha came down the stairs. 'I guess I'm ready.... Let's get this over with'

Staci looked her over. Marsha had on cut-offs and a tank top. 'Is THAT what you're wearing? I thought we'd go somewhere nice.'

'Get real. I don't even wanna do ~this~. This is fine for wherever we go...'sides, I don't wanna go to one of those fancy places with all those, like, stuffy old people!'

'I'm sorry, we'll go wherever you want. Let's get in the car. Time is 'a wastin'!'

'OOOoooh....'

'What?'

'The car.... It's so yucky! Debbi's mom has got a really cool car with T-tops and stuff. It's got a killer stereo and everything. This one is so...~boring~. Maybe we can get a cab?'

'No. This car will be fine. It will get us where we want to go. It's a lot safer than a car with T-tops too! Hop in.'

The two got in the car. Marsha immediately slid down in the seat and put her feet up on the dash.

'Do you ~have~ to sit like that?'

'Like what?'

'It's not very lady-like....that's all'

'~Whatever~ let's just go' Marsha said as she turned her head sideways and made a face.

Madame Zelda: Trading Up.... Trading Down PT.7

by Louder

'So, won't this rig go any faster?' Marsha asked impatiently.

'This is a perfectly comfortable speed' Staci told her.

'~Comfortable~ like a horse and buggy...' Marsha replied under breath.

'What?'

'~Nothing~' Marsha answered dryily.

'So where do ~you~ want to go, Marsha....errrr Mom?'

'It doesn't matter. Wherever, but would please stop calling me mom? It ~feels~ so strange! It kinda, like, ruins the fantasy...Know what I mean?'

'I'm sorry.... It's just so hard for me too! What do you think about that little cafe downtown? You want to go there?'

'Ummm that place is kinda boring...'

'You used to always want to go there???'

'Why not Pizza Hut?'

'Pizza Hut? When did you start liking Pizza?'

'That's mine and Debbi's favorite place! It's worlds better than that 'Homestyle Cafe' place.'

'If pizza sounds good to you, I guess I can deal with it.'

---

Staci carefully drove to the nearest Pizza Hut and the waitress found them a table. Marsha ordered a cola while Staci opted for iced tea. As Staci looked over the menu and tried to find a low calorie item she felt a whoosh of air and a paper hit her. She looked up from the menu to see Marsha giggling. Marsha had blown the wrapper of her straw at Staci.

'Good shot, Mommmmerrrr.... Marsha'

'I'm the ~best~' she laughed.

Staci had a hard time finding anything on the menu that wasn't too spicy or too fattening. Marsha continued fidgeting while she waited on her to make up her mind. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the window and used the opportunity to 'fluff' her hair. Impatiently, she started drumming her drinking straw on the table. 'C'mon....You know I don't have, like, all day!'

Staci opted for a salad.

'Salad? I'm gonna get in on the pizza buffet!' Marsha told her.

Once they were both back at the table were their meals, Staci started talking. 'So, is being a teenager harder the second time around?'

'Huh? Oh...... I dunno...'

'I'm kinda looking forward to being a teenager again. I know that!' Staci said.

'It sure is easier shopping for clothes when you're, like, 17! There's all kinds of cute stuff.' Marsha stated.

'So what about 'boys'?'

Marsha dropped her fork 'Whatya mean?'

'I don't know. Do teenage boys turn you on? Do you feel too old for them even though you look 17? What's it feel like?'

'I'm not sure that's any of your bees wax! You sure are nosy.... Geez!'

'Marsha..... have you been with a teenage boy?' Staci asked, sensing that her mother was hiding that fact! 'Is that where you've been slipping off to?'

Marsha laughed at the suggestion 'A teenage boy?... Nope! You think I should?'

'I wasn't saying that.....' 'Ya know, That boyfriend of yours is kinda cute....'

'Jeff? Hands off!'

'Well, it's not like he's getting any off of ~you~ .....~mom~'

'Cut it out....that's not funny! Let's change the subject.'

'So you don't like it when the tables are, like, turned....do ya?'

'Well, you ARE my mother' Staci told her 'It really doesn't seem proper to talk about my love life'

The conversation turned to lighter 'girl talk' and pretty soon Marsha was ready to leave. They left a tip at the table and exited the building.

'We need to hurry. I gotta call Debbi'

'Hurry? You want to drive?' Staci asked sarcastically.

'Sure! I just hope no one sees me driving this stupid thing. I'd just die if one of my friends, like, saw me!..... So how do I adjust this seat?'

'Ummm Do you have to? I really have it where I like it.'

'Like you can't change it back' Marsha replied as she started pulling levers. The seat quickly sprung back.... 'Oooops...wrong way!' she said as she tried again to pull the seat up.

The trip home was uneventful, and quite a bit faster.

'Thanks for going with me, Marsha' Staci told her.

'No probs'

'I think that experience will really help our relationship when we trade back this weekend' Staci added.

'Uhhhh about trading back this weekend..... Why don't we wait until after the weekend?'

Staci was shocked. She had wanted to trade earlier and staying 39 for any more time than she had to was more than she could stand. 'I, I, I don't think so. I really think ~we~ need to end this 'trade' this weekend'

'We? Maybe YOU do, but I have life too. I wanna tell Debbi goodbye. She's like my bestest friend. I can't just disappear.'

'You could start telling her goodbye today....'

'NO! We're going to the lake today. I don't wanna spoil our day! We can talk, like, later. I gotta call Debbi and tell her I'm home'

Marsha ran upstairs and called Debbi. She picked out one of Staci's 2 piece bathing suits for the lake while the two talked.

'So, what did you and your mom talk about?' Debbi asked.

'She got pretty nosey. She goes 'Have you got some teen boy friend' and I like go 'what?' and then she goes 'you've been slipping off, ya know'.... Geez 101 question time....' Marsha continued on with the conversation while Staci took a little trip.

----

Staci pulled up at Madame Zelda's house. She used the large 'knocker' on the door. Zelda slowly opened the door.

'Ahhhhh Staci! Good to see you. I trust you are pleased with your 'trade'?'

'Madame Zelda.... Things aren't quite as I thought. Mom....errrr Marsha is just so young. I mean she is really immature. Her mood swings...'

'That IS a teenager dear. I'm sure you were the same way.' Zelda replied.

'Yeah, and I'm ready to trade back...But she's talking like she wants to stay young for a few more days. I don't know if I can handle it. Can't you just reverse the spell?'

'Oh sorry, Dear.... But I told you, with this spell you both must want to trade back and be here at the same time.'

'But what about a different spell? Just make us our real ages. Surely you could do that?'

'That is not how it works. I told you when you came here how you would need to reverse it!'

'Are you saying you can't....or you WON'T?'

'Don't they both mean the same thing to you?' Zelda snipped.

'You knew this would happen! You hid this from me!' Staci yelled.

'You haven't exactly been up front with me either....' Zelda told her.

'How do you mean?' Staci quizzed.

'The credit cards? The beer? You didn't want the spell for your mother's benefit...you wanted it for your own selfish reasons!'

'You bitch! You bitch! You tricked me.... You knew all along what was going on and what was going to happen, yet you did this anyway! You're going to change us back or I'll choke you to death...you bitch!' Staci yelled as she ran toward Madame Zelda. She lunged out at her throat but before she could reach her, Zelda seemed to move back. Then Staci fell on her face. An overwhelming urge to cry washed over her. She raised her hand up to wipe away the forming tears and saw the empty sleeve of her shirt dangling off her smaller arm.

'You made me wittle.... Make me big girl!' the three year old demanded.

'Do you see my power? As I told you...when your mother wants to trade back, that is when you'll trade back. Not before! Now, if you promise to be good I'll make you 39 again.....otherwise I could make you a sniveling baby or maybe a wrinkled old woman? It's up to you little girl'

'I be good girl....' she answered dejectedly. Suddenly, she found herself growing. In a matter of seconds she was her 39 year old self. 'So how do I get her here.... Can't you help me?' she cried.

'That would be 'your' problem.' Zelda angrily answered.

Madame Zelda: Trading Up.... Trading Down PT8

by Louder

Defeated, Staci returned home. She now completely understood that lying had been the wrong thing to do. All she could do was hope that Marsha would be reasonable and trade back when the time was up. Upon arriving home she could see that Marsha was again gone. The 'home-body' lifestyle that the 39 year old Marsha had lived was now replaced by a girl who was always out and about.

Staci once again found herself waiting for Marsha to return home. The sun had long since disappeared and darkness had fallen. One more night after this one and it would be time for Staci and Marsha to trade back. Staci only hoped that she could find some trace of maturity still residing somewhere inside Marsha, and that she could somehow reason with her.

Staci was startled by the sound of the door opening.

'I didn't hear you drive up?' Staci asked upon seeing Marsha closing the door.

'Oh Ummmm.... I.... Uhhhhh.... You must not've been listening' Marsha replied.

Staci wondered if she could have failed to hear Debbi's car..... 'Is my hearing starting to fail?' she wondered.

It was clear that Marsha had spent the whole afternoon in the sun. The sun had lightened her already light blond hair.

'How was the lake?'

'Cool...Way cool! We were on the boat, like, all afternoon. We should get a boat of our own so we could go anytime we feel like it. I even rode a jet-ski! WOW!'

'I hope you wore a life jacket'

'Oh Puh-lease!! Sheeesh!'

Marsha kicked off her shoes and headed upstairs. Soon, the now familiar 'boom' of Marsha's new favorite radio station was rattling the floor. Staci didn't think 'now' was a good time to try and convince Marsha to trade back as planned rather than waiting any longer. Staci didn't want to spend another day in her 39 year old body. Everything hurt! She didn't have the energy to do anything! 'Only one more day.... that'll be it.... She'll just ~have~ to agree!' Staci thought.

------

The next morning found Staci up bright and early. Marsha, again, had slept in. Marsha padded into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of juice. She joined Staci at the table.

'Marsha, this is the last day of our trade...you know? Tomorrow is when we're supposed to trade back. I'll sure be glad.....'

'What?!!!? Tomorrow? I thought we decided to wait until, like, AFTER the weekend?'

'No, ~you~ mentioned it, but I never agreed. I still want to do it tomorrow'

'That's not fair! You promised! You're just thinking about yourself! You never consider ME! I don't wanna do it tomorrow!'

'I think it's best to do it tomorrow. Please don't argue!'

'Why are you being this way? C'mon....What's a couple of more days? What can that, like, hurt?'

'Think for a minute.... You ~are~ MY mother! Your emotions are just all mixed up. As soon as we trade back, you'll be really glad. You're just like on a roller coaster right now.... one minute your up and the next you're down!'

'Only 'cuz you make me that way!'

'Listen to yourself. Do you really think you are being 'responsible'? Try to reason this all out. I want my mother back! I NEED my mother back!'

Marsha seemed to reflect on that part of the conversation. 'Ok, I'll think about it....' She finally said as she got up from the table and padded back out of the kitchen.

'Please do...' Staci told her before she left ear-shot.

Marsha spent the day lounging around the backyard soaking