Back in the car, Terry, Tina, and Mrs. Jameson began the short drive to Girl Bear Camp. Terry silently looked at the packages surrounding him. One contained a Little Mermaid sleeping bag and matching backpack, In the other were clothes from the "GS Uniform Shop" that he was afraid to look at. He was about to brave it anyway until his mother began talking.
"After seeing how cute you look, Terry, now I'm really sorry that I couldn't get you any Daisy Bear uniforms."
"Awwwwwwww....," interrupted Tina as she opened up the uniform catalog and read aloud, "Daisy Girl Bears are 5 or 6 years old or are in kindergarten or first grade---that sure sounds like Terry."
"I know," agreed Mrs. Jameson, "but he's just too big for his britches. So he'll just have to be a Taffy Bear and pretend he's '6-8 years old, or are in first, second, or third grade' like the book said. Show him the catalog, Tina, he'll still get to wear some very cute outfits. Those six I circled will be the one's he'll be wearing for the summer."
"Here's the sixth uniform, he'll look great in that.Ooooh, and I just love Terry's new bathing suit." giggled Tina as she pulled it out of the bag and waved the soft, stretchy one-piece in his face. Tears were welling up in his eyes at the thought of having to wear that and the rest of the clothes in public. His mother looked on at his discomfort with appproval, and was grateful that she had found the perfect "reform school" for her soon-to-be delicate delinqent.
"Show him the other bag, Tina," added Mrs. Jameson, "and help him pack them into his new backpack. Tina was more than happy to comply, and couldn't keep from giggling as she opened the packages. The panties were heavy cotton girls briefs with lace around the legs and waist. They reminded her of the training panties she wore as she was being potty trained. The matching cami-tees with the little bow at the neckline were just as babyish. Tina could just imagine how the other girls would react to having someone looking so immature in their midst. She then thought of her own plans and asked her mom about the camp program.
"Yes, Tina, you got into the "future olympians" program. You'll be doing all kinds of sports and exercises. TThe director said by the time you're done you'll be able to make any team you want at school."
"Am I in that program, too?" asked Terry, hopefully. Except for the clothes, that didn't sound too bad, and he could then stay in shape to keep his place on the football team in the fall.
"Sorry, Terry." answered his mom, "That program is booked up a year in advance and is only for junior and senior girl Bears, not Taffy Bears."
"What program is he in, Mom?" asked Tina, who totally enjoyed watching his face drop and his bullying days come to an end.
"The Taffy Bear Homemeaker and Jewelry Jamboree." answered Mrs. Jameson with a smile. She'll be learning to cook and sew and babysit. Let me read the brochure to you while we're at this stoplight: '...finish your stay with a week full of art that you can wear! Learn to make handmade beads, hemp macramé, awesome barrettes, unique paper-mache bracelets, and a treasure box to put all your treasures in.' Won't that be great, Terry?"
As they drove through the gates of Girl Bear Camp, Terry looked at the swarms of girls everywhere. With his haircut and the new clothes, as well as Tina's new authority; he was beginning to think that the reform school might have been better.