Janice is treated like a teen
'Welcome everyone, to our Assertiveness Workshop. This is Janice, a new member. Would you like to say why you're here?' Charles asked.
'Err, OK. I'm here to learn, to be, err, more assertive, and less compliant,' she shyly spoke.
An older man was looking at her with interest, when she admitted to being compliant. He looked like trouble, so she would have to watch herself with him.
'What brought you here, I mean, was there a bad experience that convinced you to improve your attitude?' Roberto asked.
'Well, yes, I guess so. I was on vacation a last week. A bunch of adolescents bumped into me, and tripped me into the pool, where I lost my top. It was highly embarrassing, and of course I was angry with them. I should have done something about it. Instead, I felt foolish, and that it was my fault. I didn't do anything, or say anything, so they treated me as an easy target. I let things get terribly out of hand,' she said.
'You let a bunch of young guys take advantage of you?' Andrew eagerly asked.
'Yes. Err, not exactly, something like that,' she shyly spoke.
It was humiliating admitting to what he was suggesting. Too late now to take it back, as they would think she was covering up a dark secret. Although it was more complicated, it was somewhat true. The grin on his face revealed what he was thinking. The image of those rowdy teenage boys came to mind. The idea of them taking advantage of her, left her moist, and very self-conscious.
Janice knew it hadn't just got out of hand, the vacation was a complete disaster. Since they arrived home, Bernard, her husband, wasn't talking to her, and she wasn't talking to him. For once, she was trying hard not to capitulate to him. She was hoping this group might help her keep up the resolve to defy him.
***
Janice was fetching the sun cream for her husband, Bernard, from the hotel room, when it happened. It was one of those small mistakes that easily occur, only she allowed it to escalate out of control. They'd had words over forgetting the sun cream, so she hurried back to the pool, wanting to keep him in a good mood.
Hurrying around a corner of a poolside building, she bumped into a group of rowdy teenagers. In surprise, she backed into one of the hotel entertainers.
'Sorry, miss,' she automatically said.
The girl was obviously younger than her, yet she deferred to the tall, well built girl. It was because she wore an entertainers uniform, a sign of authority, and the forceful way she spoke.
'You've just made it. Come on everyone, in the pool,' Helen loudly demanded.
Before Janice could separate herself from the group of eighteen-year-olds, she was nudged, barged, and finally tripped into the pool, to land with an ungainly splash.
'Help!' she gurgled, spitting a mouthful of chlorinated water. 'I can't swim,' she screeched in panic.
'Stand up, stupid,' a girl jeered.
Janice stood up, and immediately squatted down in the water. The top had come loose, and a most dreadful nightmare became real. Her little breasts were uncovered! Although short, she had a perfect body, except her small breasts, which filled her with shame. She scrabbled around in the water, catching sight of the top, only to lose it again, as the others scrabbled for the ball.
There was no way she could possibly climb out without the bikini top. She was in the pool among uncaring adolescents, being shoved around. They were all younger, yet bigger than her, so she kept out of their way, to avoid being drowned. It was something to be considered, as an alternative to being shamefully discovered.
Older people were watching them playing, from poolside loungers. Being seen by them, and her husband, would be terribly embarrassing, so she kept low.
The team girl blew a whistle for attention. 'Everyone, out of the water. Quickly!'
Janice was reluctant. She looked over at Bernard, face down on a lounger, burning. Damn! She needed his help, and badly so. There was no way she could call him, and bring attention to herself.
As soon as they were married he took over her life, organising everything she did. She never went to work from college, and when they moved closer to his new office, she lost contact with friends. It had been easier to give in, and let him do everything for her, until she hardly made any decisions at all. It was the reason she put up with wearing that padded bikini top, just to keep him happy.
She let out a whimper as her arm was grabbed, and she was pulled from the pool.
'Come on girl. Where's your top? Silly thing! Don't worry, I've got spare clothing in the club room,' Helen glibly said.
The entertainments girl had mistaken her for one of the group of teenagers, which wasn't unusual, especially as she was dressed in just a pair of brief shorts. Although she was twenty-six, she would be turned away from a bar, partly from only being five-four, but mainly because of a youthful complexion, with a baby face look.
Janice clutched her chest while being pulled along by the annoyingly enthusiastic girl. There was little choice, as the big strong girl had a vice like grip. She was in a daze of anguish.
There was no way she could walk over to Bernard, or even back to the room, revealing her body to ridicule. Nothing else was in her mind except covering up her small breasts. At least she'd been promised a top. Janice meekly followed, which had always been a bad habit.
They were not alone in the club house. The kids were making a racket in the changing room. Helen had the lucky job of looking after sullen teenagers, though at the moment they were boisterous. Janice could hear the guys in the showers calling to the girls, and one brave girl, or hussy, answering them.
'Not in there please. Can I get dressed out here, miss,' Janice meekly asked.
It was embarrassing letting the girl think she was a youngster, but it was a way of getting changed away from that rowdy group. Janice was small and waif like, with a personality to match. Unlike some short people she didn't have a loud voice, or a forceful personality. She kept a low profile, not wishing to be noticed.
The thought of joining those big teenagers in the changing room, brought back bad memories of high school.
'No need to be afraid of the big kids, I'm here,' Helen assured her.
Janice was miffed to be mistaken for a teen, even though she was used to it. It would be very embarrassing to admit she was a married woman, after losing her top when playing with those kids. They were around eighteen, and it was annoying that this stupid girl thought she was younger than them.
Helen sat down and pulled Janice in front of her. 'Best get those wet shorts off.'
Janice became aware of the new cotton shorts. They had shrunk! They were clinging to her like a second skin. She hadn't considered them at all, while consumed with fear over losing the top. Looking over her shoulder she checked everyone was busy in the showers.
'Don't worry girl, they won't bother you,' Helen said, in a condescending tone.
