Part 8
At that point, Jamie’s mother insisted he go stand with Bobby so that she could take more pictures. Both of them blushed brightly as she snapped photos of the boys in their coordinated outfits. Susan Padgett appreciated how sweet the “little couple” looked together, but she also began to imagine how much more adorable Jamie would look in a dress. Not for the first time this afternoon, she felt she had missed an opportunity.
“Well, that concludes today’s book club, ladies. I hope you enjoyed yourself” Mrs. Green announced. She added, Bobby and I look forward to hosting you again in a couple of weeks!”
One of the other ladies, Mrs. Abigail Thomas, asked in surprise, “Oh, is Bobby going to join us again next time?” Mrs. Thomas was the mother of another boy in the same class as Bobby and Jamie.
“Certainly,” Mrs. Green replied. “Because of all the problems he’s caused lately, Bobby will be joining us as a ‘junior hostess’ for another six months at the very least. The trouble he got into last time was just the tip of the iceberg!” She added, “Besides, I didn’t go to all this effort for just one day!” She smiled expectantly at her feminized teenager as she spoke. Bobby was crestfallen as he clasped his daintily gloved hands in front of him, but he managed to force a weak smile. He already knew he faced months of petticoating in his immediate future. “As of now, his petticoating sessions are generally limited to his time at home and at these book club meetings,” she noted, “and I also found a teacher who has accepted him into her girls’ ballet class, so he’ll start those lessons next week!” She added, “and of course I’ll need to take him shopping soon too so we can pick up some additional items for his wardrobe!”
Addressing Bobby directly, she asked cheerfully, “Won’t it be fun to pick out some more pretty things to wear, dear?”
“Yes Ma’am,” Bobby replied in a soft voice as his face continued to blaze.
Jamie thought Bobby looked incredibly dispirited as he just stood there meekly in his party dress. As Mrs. Green discussed her intentions so openly and matter-of-factly, Jamie was dumbfounded at the awfulness of Bobby’s plight. He also fretted even more about his own precarious situation.
Mrs. Green continued, “that’s the extent of his Petticoat Time… for now.” With a hint of warning in her voice, she continued, “Bobby is keenly aware, however, that things can change in a heartbeat if he starts to backslide or fails to show the proper enthusiasm. If I need to implement ‘Fulltime Petticoating’ to get the desired results, then so be it!”
“Proper enthusiasm?” Mrs. Thomas inquired, somewhat perplexed. “Do you mean to say that he is actually eager for his petticoats and dresses?”
Mrs. Green chuckled slightly, “Oh no, of course not… at least not yet anyway.” She added, “perhaps ‘motivated’ is a more accurate word.” She went on to explain, “proper petticoating involves clearly defined stages. With Bobby, as I alluded to earlier, we zipped right through the first two stages of Denial and then Defiance in just a few days.” With a satisfied smile, she added, “again, I was… adamant. Bobby quickly understood that fighting the process would only make things worse for him in the end!” Looking with satisfaction at her sissified son, she went on, “now Bobby is well into the Compliance stage. Although it’s obvious he still detests his petticoating, he now obeys promptly when his Petticoat Time starts! He’s dropped practically all traces of resistance or recalcitrance. Of course, I make sure to promptly address the occasional misstep or any lingering sign of willfulness! I’m happy to say that Bobby is rapidly learning the value of compliance and acquiescence!”
Mrs. Thomas and all the other ladies seemed amazed to hear how detailed Mrs. Green’s petticoating methods were, but Bobby’s mother was not yet done: “After a sustained period of strict and comprehensive petticoating, Bobby will eventually reach the Acceptance stage. In that stage, his aversion to the process will subside, and he will accept his sissification as part of his normal reality. There’s no doubt I will get him there… it's only a matter of time and effort!”
Mrs. Green paused for a moment, and then she continued, “Unfortunately, however, the Acceptance stage is as far as many petticoated boys ever get. Still, with enough persistence and close supervision, I am optimistic Bobby will at some point blossom into the Appreciation stage. This is the culmination of the ‘Petticoating Journey.’ At this point, he will come to treasure the structure and security his Petticoat Time provides him, and he will eagerly seek to expand it on his volition. He will crave it! He will long for the peace of mind and clarity he feels when he’s wearing his dresses. He will feel true gratitude for the entire experience. If I can successfully guide Bobby to the Appreciation stage, then perhaps we will have other decisions to make, but you get the general idea.”
“My goodness!” Mrs. Thomas exclaimed in admiration, “I had no idea!”
“The methods are tried and true… it’s just a matter of persevering and staying the course!” Mrs. Green replied confidently.
Hearing all this laid out in such detail, Jamie was aghast as he realized the full extent of what Bobby’s mother had planned for him and how far she was prepared to go. He shuddered at the prospect. How could Bobby just stand there and take it!?! He looked back over at Bobby, and he was struck by how timid Bobby looked. It seemed obvious that Bobby had already surrendered.
Next, he was rudely surprised when he heard his own mother make an announcement to the group. The look on her face made it clear she was absolutely enthralled with Mrs. Green’s zealous new approach to youth discipline! With barely contained enthusiasm, she blurted out, “Jamie will also be joining us again next time!” He felt his own face heat up in embarrassment as she added ominously, “and if he’s not careful, he may find himself in a frock too!” Jamie was horrified now, and he fidgeted nervously in his own delicate lace gloves and feminine apron. His heart thumped faster, and the unwanted pressure in his pants worsened!
Mrs. Thomas spoke again, “Well you’ve certainly convinced me! I’m going to bring my son Jason with me to our next meeting too. It’s no secret that Jason could stand to improve his behavior, and it might be helpful for him to see what could happen if he doesn’t shape up!” she said. Then, with a gesture toward Bobby, she said with admiration, “I applaud the way you’ve brought this one to heel!”
Jamie’s spirits sank as he realized the danger that loomed before him. Right then and there, he concluded that he had to remain on his absolute best behavior to avoid a fate like Bobby’s. Going forward, he resolved to avoid even the tiniest hint of trouble. He wouldn’t give his mother any reason to pursue a similar path!
Susan Padgett admired her smartly dressed teenager in his girlish apron and gloves, and she reached a slightly different conclusion. Come hell or high water, Jamie would most definitely be wearing his own adorable dress at the next book club! If he somehow managed to avoid any misbehavior in the coming days, then she’d just have to invent an excuse. She’d already begun to rationalize that it wasn’t fair for Bobby to be punished alone while Jamie got off scot-free. After all, he had been a willing accomplice in their escapades last time even if he hadn’t initiated them.
In any event, it was decided. Diane Green’s last comments had sealed the deal. Susan Padgett thought back to the scolding she had given Jamie a couple of weeks ago and giggled. Bobby Green had indeed jumped off a figurative “bridge” of sorts, and now she would ensure Jamie jumped right after him! By the time the week was over, Jamie would follow his sissified classmate into childishly cute dresses and petticoats of his very own! Very soon, Jamie Padgett would embark on his own petticoating journey.
As she studied her embarrassed 13-year-old, she smiled as she saw the trace of Bobby’s pink lip gloss still lingering on Jamie’s cheek. It made her think that a dainty pink party dress would be the right place to start! And perhaps some lovely tights as well! She quickly became enamored with that idea, and she found herself eager to start shopping! She also noted with satisfaction that Jamie’s hair was quite a bit longer than Bobby’s. That opened up so many delightful possibilities! She would need some help, of course, but now she had no doubt that Diane, Daphne and the other book club members would be eager to assist with another “petticoating project!”
Meanwhile, Jamie continued to blush and stew. He was oblivious to the fact that his future, like Bobby’s, was already set. Jamie was so consumed in his own thoughts that he never even heard the question his mother quietly asked Mrs. Green, “Diane, do you suppose I could get the name of that ballet teacher?”
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Topic: Jamie and the Book Club (Read 7879 times)
