Second Date

Chapter 16: Converse Sneakers Are Most Improper

Chapter 16: Converse Sneakers Are Most Improper

"Pan." Jim nudged "Close your mouth."

Peter blinked. He blinked again. He shook his head, clearing the stars from his eyes.

Wendy looked...different. Edna Mode had magically donned her in a midnight blue sundress, of course with a bow. It was simple enough: knee length, shoulder straps, solid color, and snug waistline. If Peter saw the dress on a hanger, he wouldn't have looked twice. But on Wendy...

Peter looked down. He was levitating. Peter couldn't describe it, but looking at dressed-up Wendy was analogous to inhaling her magic lips. It blew balloons in his chest, making him excited and nervous at the same time.

Peter returned to Wendy. He was surprised. She looked scared.

And Wendy was scared. Terrified. She was terrified of the night's proceedings. She was terrified that Peter had not yet commented on her appearance, favorably or not. And she was terrified that Peter looked so...so...so...grownup.

Yes (the horrors) grownup! Because Peter Pan - that rascal Peter Pan - was in a suit. True, he wore bright green converse sneakers, and had a red-feathered fedora instead of a tie, but Peter Pan was wearing a suit. And it was extremely becoming.

Suddenly, Wendy was quite shy. It was as if she were meeting Peter Pan for the first time. Recoiling, Wendy looked worriedly to her mother. Mrs. Darling smiled. Encouragingly, she made a little dip indicating that Wendy should not forgo etiquette.

Wendy squeezed her skirt. It was shorter than she was accustomed. Still, she attempted to curtsy.

"..Hello. Peter."

Peter opened his mouth. Something unintelligible spilled out.

Wendy blinked, awash with nervousness. "What?"

"Repeat!" Flynn hissed at Peter. "This time try English instead of Caveman."

Peter gulped. Then he remembered. Abruptly Peter stooped for the last cardboard box stashed under the canapé.

"Here!" Peter shoved the box at Wendy. "Here! For you!"

"Oh." Wendy stumbled. "Oh Peter you shouldn't have - "

"Open it." He drew her to a chair. Dumbly, he pointed at the box. "Open it. Open it."

"He's sinking." said Flynn, holding Rapunzel's waist. "And he's sinking fast."

"Shh!' Rapunzel whispered. "Shh! Look at them! This is so cute! Merida! Jim! Are you watching this? Aren't they so cute?"

Merida and Jim were not watching. They were busy exchanging mixed CDs, comparing hipster glasses, and hating on Edna Mode.

Wendy unknotted the ribbon. Captain Hook and her father investigated from behind.

"What's this now?" Mr. Darling inspected over Wendy's shoulder. "Better not be a confounded whatcha-ma-goo! Had best be right and proper! I won't stand for water pistols or dead animals - "

"George, dear."

"Well I won't Mary! You know what type of household I run! So what is it Boy?" Mr. Darling leaned. "Flowers? Chocolates? Corsage?"

Wendy opened the box. She smiled at Peter. "Shoes."

"Shoes?" said Mr. Darling.

"Shoes?" said Captain Hook.

"Shoes?" said Flynn, just to be topical.

Peter nodded. "Sneakers." he corrected, pulling out a pair of converses. Edna Mode had designed them especially for Wendy - blue, purple, and pink with galaxy print.

"They're just like mine, see?" Peter extended his foot. "Except, mine are green. They're sneaker shoes. And...they're for you."

Peter set the shoes on Wendy's lap. "Do...you like them?"

"Those are boy's shoes!" Mr. Darling rounded Wendy's chair. "Converse sneakers? Most improper! Mary, dear! Don't you agree?"

"Well they are loud, aren't they?" Mrs. Darling tried to be kind. "Lovely, but loud. Wendy my darling. Wouldn't you rather wear your slippers -?"

"No." Wendy unlaced a sneaker. "No, I love them! I've never owned a pair of sneakers before! And just look at the fabric - painted with all those stars. Just like the night sky! Oh they're lovely. What did you call them, again?"

Peter smiled. He helped Wendy don the sneaker. "Converse."

"Converse. Converse. Oh Peter thank you! I - "

Wendy stood. She rocked, alternating from heel to toe. Then, with a little hop, she twirled and curtsied. "They're wonderful! How do I look?"

Peter grinned. "Cute."

Mr. Darling grunted.

"I mean." Peter glanced at Flynn. "Very professional."

Flynn gave a thumbs up.

"Well." Jim and Merida edged for the exit. "Not that his hasn't been fun, but uh...Mickey Mouse wants us all at the Magic Kingdom gates. So he can get rid of our magic. So maybe we all better - "

"-go." finished Merida. "Go and get this adventure started!"

"Right." Mr. Darling squared. "Now. Listen to me, you two - "

"Wendy -" Mrs. Darling flocked over like mother bird. "Take this cardigan my darling! Don't talk to strangers and remember not to drink water from public fountains! Oh you both look darling! Simply darling! And Peter, I do hope we'll see you again?"

"-Mary!"

"Perhaps for dinner?" Mrs. Darling patted Peter's hand. "Or ice cream after a show? You and Wendy have a performance soon. And since Captain Hook is also in the performance, you and Wendy will be able to go out for ice cream during park hours! So long as Captain Hook accompanies! I believe those are the terms of the contract - "

"Mary!" huffed Mr. Darling. "If you don't mind! Eh hem! Now Wendy - "

"Yes Father?"

Mr. Darling paused. He suddenly realized - his little girl was going on her first date.

"Well. Be a good girl, then." A little less rigidly, Mr. Darling rubbed Wendy's hair. "Captain Hook is here if you need him. And I shall be waiting, here when you return."

"Thank you Father." Wendy said. "I'm sure we'll have a lovely time."

"Indeed. And now..."

Mr. Darling pointed at Peter. "You, Boy. No funny business."

"Don't worry, Sir." Peter took Wendy's hand. "She's safe with me!"

"Oh, certainly." Captain Hook swept between them. "That is why they hired me. So -- Good tidings, Lord and Lady Darling. Farethewell, I bid you good night. And now...my little children..."

Captain Hook ushered them along.

"...shall we?"

The metal hook pricked Peter's back. Peter shifted. Then leaning forward, he winked at Wendy.

"Oh yes, Chaperone Codfish. We shall."