Jared's visit couldn't have come at a better time. Despite several days of protesting having to dress as a girl any longer (since his summer vacation sentence was over), Terry's bravado melted as soon as the doorbell rang and he was soon scurrying back to Tina's bedroom, stealing glances through the window at the front stoop where the tall, muscular boy and several equally intimidating friends milled about. He heard them laugh when Tina told them Terry wasn't allowed outside, and as they walked away he heard them say how much they were looking forward to seeing him at school and football practice.
"Since you're already in here," Tina said as she walked into her room, "you can put on your outfit for the day. It's on the bed and Mom will be home soon."
Terry's look soured as he glanced at the bed. He didn't want to stay in the pink and yellw flannel jammies (especially since his mom made him go to the restaraunt in them---bunny slippers, too---last week when he dallied about and refused to put on the sundress tina had given him. At least this wasn't a dress, he though as he picked up the cream colored stirrup pants and pale blue t-shirt. After putting on his white knee-high, cable knit socks, he slid on the pants and then the keds loafers, feeling the cloth bunching in his shoe and the pants clinging tightly to his legs and bottom.
There mom was, waiting in the car when he walked out of the room. Tina smiled and started to say something, but decided to let her new baby sister learn for himself. She let him out first and as she locked the door she giggled at the sight of his full-cut girls panties with the tiny, purple-flower polka dots clearly visible beneath the thin, stretchy pants. Running to the car, she was anxious to hear what her mom had to say. It would be a long drive to the restaraunt, since she always went where no one knew them---unless Terry acted up, of course, then they might well dine at the neighborhood eateries where their friends hung out.
"You were right, Tina." said Mrs. Jameson, "Eastview was very happy to get TWO new students."
"Oh goody, Mommy." interrupted Terry, so happy to escape what his fellow "gangstas" had in store back at the high school; that he was unaware of his increasingly juvenile speech or the type of school he'd be attending.
"I'm glad you're as excited as we are, Terry." said his somewhat surprised mother. "Did Tina tell you about Eastview?"
"No Mommy," answered Terry, "but it doesn't matter. I'd do anything to get away from McKinley High."
"Yes," answered the unwitting boy as he thought of Jared and the last fairy to get beaten up at school, a beating he'd cheered on as one of the toughs in Jared's clique. "ANYTHING! I said I'd start over and do better if I got a second chance."
"That's music to my ears," beamed his mother, "but remember I'll hold you to it!"
"And I'll help!" added Tina with every intention of doing so, emphasizing the point by fussing over her brothers girlish outfit and even tucking the flimsy cotton t-shirt into the waistband of the stirrup pants. She remembered doing that when she was four or five and trying to be like her Daddy, before he started drinking so much and running around with the barmaids and then he ran away forever. She learned then not to be like her daddy, and now she'd help Terry learn the same lessons.
"We're going to Aunt Peggy's for dinner tonight. She's so happy that you got into Eastview she wanted to celebrate.!"
"Great, I can't wait to see Rachel and Kathy."
"Me, too." said Terry with a good deal less enthusiasm. Aunt Peg had never liked him much, and when Uncle Red wasn't around (which was alot since he was in the Navy) she didn't seem to like having boys around at all. His two cousins were his age and a year older, and he was never nice to them, always pulling pranks and teasing them. He just hoped they were more forgiving than he's have been.
Mrs. Jameson had told her sister all about Terry's brush with the law, the punishment she'd devised, and how well it had worked. Peggy had begged her to bring him so she could see for herself, but couldn't bring herself to further humiliate her son. But that was before Jared returned and convinced her to never let Terry follow his path again. As she pulled into the driveway, she was a bit surprised by all the cars, but knew when Peggy wanted to celebrate, she went all out. Tina would love it, but she wondered how the other guest of honor would react.