Well, thanks to GreatAmericanAuthor, I'm continuing this story. I had originally stopped it. I hope thought that you are all jumping in you seats as you read this. Anyway, reviews are the only way I know that this story's worth posting. I need to know what you think. Now, here's the fourth chapter!
Chapter 4
The father's day cookout turned out to be a big hit. The girls had laid back in the pool, conversing about any subject or matter that appeared in their heads, sunbathed, and had been in the family badminton semi-finals. Only Eric, Bridget, George and Carmen's team had been able to beat them. When the food was finally taken of the grill, the girls had delighted in delicious cheeseburgers and hot dogs and for dessert they had the richest chocolate cake that any of them had ever tasted. Once everyone's stomach was thoroughly filled, the fathers were presented with their gifts, ranging from very complex electrical shavers to gift cards to Home Depot. Laughs, as well as many grateful comments, were shared. Everybody was having a wonderful time, save two people: Tiffany and Samantha. Tiffany felt nothing for the holiday since she had never known what it was like to have a father, the celebration however, did rekindle once buried feelings. She knew that she had to have had a father at one time. She wondered what he looked like, how old he was, what his name was. Instead of felling depressed, her head buzzed with questions. Samantha on the other hand looked absolutely devastated. Tiffany glanced over at her friend. Her face was full of pain and sadness. When Tiffany looked closer, she could see unshed tears in her eyes. She laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Are you going to be alright, Sam?" Samantha nodded and wiped away the tears that had managed to escape due to the movement. Tiffany didn't believe a word of it. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, "Samantha responded stuffily, "but I do think that I'm going to stay in the house for a little while." "I can't rightly blame you," Tiffany said and followed Samantha as she got up.
They retreated into the house and, after setting into the couch busied themselves by watching the six o'clock news, which, of course didn't excite them too much, but it did keep their minds of unpleasant thoughts. After about twenty minutes of the weather and robbery news, Amy and Delia entered the living room. The sudden noise startled the other two, who apparently weren't paying attention to the broadcast but caught up in their own thoughts.
"There you two are," Amy said. "We've been looking for you. You sneaked right out of the yard."
"What do you want?" Samantha asked. "Our parents are saying we need to get dressed." The girls had been active in their now dry bathing suits for several hours now, but Samantha and tiffany hardly thought it was necessary to change.
"Why," questioned Tiffany "all we're doing is riding to my grandmother's house."
"That's not what they decided." Delia answered referring to their parents.
"What? Do you mean the sleepover is off?" Samantha exclaimed, looking away from the television and to her friends with a newfound alertness in her voice. Delia shook her head no and watched relief flood into the faces of her friends seated the couch.
"Oh, we're still going to have it, but they want to go to the father's day extravaganza at the recreational center first. There's going to be a dance, games and crafts. It sounds fun to me," Delia finished with Amy nodding.
Tiffany shrugged with her usual neutral feelings about the holiday celebrations. Samantha hid her true feelings behind the best convincing smile that she could muster, with Tiffany flashing knowing glances in her direction. She wondered if she was able to fool her friend with her smile. She had notice over the past weeks that both Delia and Amy were very precise when it came to detecting someone's feelings. Samantha inwardly couldn't believe what the adults had decided on. Wasn't a cookout enough? It had definitely been enough to take a tool on her feelings. She didn't know how much more of a constant reminder of her parent vacancy she could take. She had promised herself that she wouldn't cry today, but as the day had pressed on, the possibility of sticking to her words became increasingly slim. With an inward sigh, Samantha followed her friends out to the cars to retrieve the clothing, then into a room to change. Samantha sincerely hoped that the next activity of the day would bring more happiness than the previous one.
Samantha had to admit that despite the unremarkable building the Father's day extravaganza was supposed to be located in, the celebration did look rather fun. She, Amy, Delia, and Tiffany gazed out the windows of Carmen's minivan. Competitive games were sill going on outside the building, though the setting sun threatened to set within the hour. The many families participating didn't seem to take notice of the dimming light, and they continued to vigorously play in games such as capture the flag, and bobbing for apples, as if daring the sun to ruin their fun. There were stands selling surgery treats and an inflatable slide and jumping arena that would undoubtedly catch Robert's and Jason's eyes. The girls' view of the gaming area became distant as the car turned and began to crunch down the gravel driveway toward the parking lot, which was located at the left side of the entrance. At the back of the Recreational center, Samantha noted a nice little play ground area, complete with a swing set, that, differing from many that she had encountered before, had unknotted chains and were fully in tact., beautiful ivy grew up the walls and wild flower grew nearby, giving the dilapidated building some much need beauty. Samantha debated in her mind what would be more thrilling: the extravaganza or sitting alone I the peaceful area before her. The girls heard Carmen shift the van into park.
"Alright," she said, joyfully, "everybody out." The sound of seatbelts unclicking came next as well as the slamming of doors. Samantha was unusually quiet as her friends debated what to do first, since the dance didn't start until eight.
"What would you like to do first, Sam?" she asked. Samantha smiled despite her mood. "I've always loved tree-legged races."
"Well, come on then, and lets get in line for it." The girls circled around tot he from on the building and found the line with little difficulty due to the excessive amount of people.
"Who should be on who's team?" Amy questioned as the girls got in line behind two blonde girls around a year or so younger. They were silent for a few moments, trying to think of a way to split up the group. Amy came up with the first suggestion. "How about the oldest pair up, that's Sam and me and then you two on a team?" Samantha didn't have a problem with them teams, but the younger two did.
"That's not very fair though," Delia replied. "Of course it's not," Tiffany continued. "You two are both taller than us." "Only by a hair." Samantha responded measuring herself and Delia with her hand. "Yes, but Amy's like ahead taller than all of us," Delia retorted, "we needed to even it out some."
"You decided, then Delia," Amy said not wanting the argument to continue any further. Delia thought for a second and spoke, "How about the oldest and the youngest pair up, that you would be you and tiffany. Then the two in the middle, me and Samantha could be on a team." The girls nodded in agreement. "It sounds good to me," Amy and Samantha chorused.
A few minutes passed with silence from the group as they watched the other competitors race, and before they knew it, they were at the front of the line. "Gook luck" Tiffany said to the other team as she and Amy took their rope and got to their spot at the starting line. "Come on," Samantha said to Delia, "we won't need their luck." Once every team had the rope securely tied around their legs a man who looked to be barely out of his teenage years and unhappy about working at the extravaganza sighed and repeated the instructions for the umpteenth time. "You will start when I blow the whistle and will run all the way down to the orange cones, circle them, and the first team back to the starting line wins."
"What do we get if we win?" asked a little boy on the team next to Samantha and Delia. the man glanced down disdainfully at the child. "Bragging rights," he responded simply. Samantha couldn't help but giggle. "Alright," he said, preparing to begin. "Ready…" "We'll have our tied leg first," Amy spoke to Tiffany without taking her eyes of her destination, the orange cone. "After our fist few steps everything should fall into rhythm." "Get set…" "Let's just focus on getting tot he cone without falling," Delia said quietly. "Go!"
The whistle sounded and the race began. There were five teams including the two the friends made. For the first few moments of the race, it was neck to neck but that quickly changed with the falling of the two blond girls, who had stood in front of them in line. Samantha and Delia weren't paying attention to the other competitors but to their feet while they muttered to each other, "One, two. One, two. One, two." By doing this they managed to keep up with one another, though it slowed their pace down considerable. The other teams who rather sloppily and clumsily brought up third and second place, were not that of Amy's and tiffany's but the other teams made up of strangers. Amy and tiffany had the lead by far, but it was purely because of Amy, who ran almost at a sprint. Poor tiffany was practically being dragged from behind nearly on all fours, attempting to keep up with her friend's pace. They were just beginning to round the cone when Tiffany gave in and fell to the ground, jerking Amy to a halt.
"Tiff, you need to get up," Amy said hastily, urging her friend to get up quickly before the other teams gained on them.
"You need to stop dragging me then." Tiffany retorted between gasping for air. "You're giving me grass stains." "Alright, I will" Amy responded but before she could urge her friend to get up further, the team with the little boy on it rounded the cone and took first place.
The home stretch was the closest point in the race. Every team, even the two blonde girls that had such a hard time balancing, were neck to neck. Each face set in determination to win, but sadly on the girls' part, both their teams lost. Amy and Tiffany had been towards the back of the team since their fall, but Samantha and Delia were very close to the little boy's team, who had won by a split second. While the two boys were celebrating and the two teams panting, the girls were untying their legs.
"Well, that's that," Tiffany said rather disappointedly as she rubbed her leg that was both sore and burnt. Amy, who would have rather had a root canal than loose any sporting event, no matter how small, was glaring at the winning pair, who, the other girls inwardly agreed, were taking advantage or their bragging rights.
"I can't believe we lost to a runt," she muttered darkly. "He can't be any older than eight years old."
Delia sighed and folded her arms in a tired gesture. She and the rest of her friends would never hear the end of the complaints if she didn't remedy the situation. "Amy, you're the best sports player I know, but you really need to learn some sportsmanship."
She hated to insult on e of her best friends but she also felt she needed to voice her opinion as well. Otherwise she would have to deal with Amy's attitude all night, even through the sleepover, which wasn't a very appealing alternative. Amy simply shrugged in answer. She couldn't defend herself since she knew Delia was correct. She dared not admit it aloud, though. Delia then glanced at her watch. "Come on guys," she said, as if her previous conversation never existed, "We have twenty minutes to spare before the dance starts, and the inflatable slide is calling my name!" the eagerly followed.
The time flew by for them and before they knew it the dace was ready to begin. The whole family stood in line with their tickets and when they got to the door handed them to the teenager at the desk. They were admitted in and walked eagerly through the double doors. The lard dance room had been decorated with very colorful streamers, signs, and other various things to indicate Father's day. There were strobe lights, and even a disco ball. Refreshments, consisting of an assortment of cookies and sparkling punch , were served in the left corner, where Amy and Samantha presently stood, drinking their punch while multi colored lights danced over them, trying to imitate the wild moves of the people in the surrounding area. The girls glanced at each of their family members. Their grandparents hardly moved while their parents were doing ridiculous dances. The girls couldn't help but be slightly embarrassed.
"It's a wonder that our parents ever made it through school dances with their dignity still intact," Amy muttered. Samantha couldn't help but agree. Their gazes then turned to their friends. Tiffany and Delia were hopelessly trying to dance to the country music that was playing. They laughed at each other's pathetic movements, and the two at the refreshment table giggled as Tiffany "galloped" over to them, pretending to ride an invisible horse as the song ended with Delia hard on her heels.
"so when are you two going to actually start to boogie again?" Tiffany asked. "You've already missed too songs." "Yeah," Delia continued raising her voice over the music that was now starting up again, "It's not much fun dancing with only one other person. We feel out of place,"
Tiffany recognized the next song. "Come on," she said as she grabbed Samantha's and Amy's hands and commenced to dragging them across the dance floor, barely having time to dump their drinks in the trash can, "the electric slide is playing." Samantha didn't mind taking a break from her punch for this song. It was one of her favorite group dancing songs, but Amy just stood there while her three friends jumped into the line of people who were dancing immediately following their movements, so all were in sync.
"How you do dance to it?" she finally asked. "You don't know the electric slide?" Delia said, incredulously. Amy shook her head. "Here, get in line and I'll teach you." Amy did as requested. 'Okay," Delia began, "you take three steps on you right foot, and then from there, you take three more steps on you left…" Amy picked up the movements very quickly and, before she knew it, she was dancing as if she had always know the Electirc slide.
After that song ended Smashmouth could be heard through the speakers singing, "I'm a believer!" They danced along to this as well, making up hilarious movements, and singing along feeling nearly as pathetic as their parents. After that, other fun pieces such as Big and Rich, a conga line and the Mocarina, played. All four girls were having so much fun, even Samantha whom had completely forgotten what day it was until the song stopped and the DJ's voice could be heard over the microphone. "Alright, I hop you like that blast from the past with the mocarina. Next we're going to quite things down. This song is for the fathers and their daughters."
The music slowed down considerable as the song began. Samantha's heart immediately sank. She glanced over at Tiffany, whose face had fallen to a frown as well. Amy danced and Delia gave them a pained look; obviously feeling for their friends.
"Would you like us to stay with you?" Delia asked. Tiffany and Samantha shook their heads. "No," Samantha answered. Delia looked at her as if to say, Are you sure, but before she could reply Eric and George came for them and whisked them away. The remaining two glaned around the dance floor. Even Lena, Tibby Bridget and Carment were dancing witht heir fathers.
"Come on," tiffany said, upon seeing the frown on Samantha's face increase. "Let's go sit down."
They trudged over to the concession table and sat down in plastic chairs beside it. Samantha sighed as she listed to the song, her heart very heavy with grief. Her eyes began to involuntarily fill with tears and she blinked them back furiously.
Tiffany looked at her friend with concern "Would you like something to eat or drink?" she asked, trying to keep the conversation going so her friend wouldn't cry.
Samantha shook her head, barely registering what her friend was saying. Her mind was racing though all the times she had spent with her father, wondering why her mother was making her suffer like this, and why in the world she wasn't consoling her. Samantha listened to the son as the man over the speakers began to sing that even when he died he would never forget his daughter. This proved too much for Samantha. She choked on a sob and began to cry Tiffany laid a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder.
"I miss him, Tiff." Samantha replied through the tricking tears. "Yes, I know-" "No, you don't know. At least you don't remember a thing about you father, and had memories that seem to kill you when he dies. At least your father is still alive." Samantha interrupted through her sobs. "Why did my mother put me though this. I wish I had just stayed at home. "We'll get through this," Tiffany replied to Samantha. Not far from where Samantha and Tiffany sat, Carmen noticed her daughter while dancing with her step-dad, David.
"Hey, Dad." Carmen said to David, "Mind if I check on Sam? She doesn't seem to be doing ok."
David nodded, "of course." With that David let go of Carmens hand and she walked over to Samantha.
"Samantha are you ok?" Carmen asked. Samntha lifter her head and wiped her tears. "what do you think?" she replied in an irratated voice. "Oh, Sam-" Carmen took a seat besidde her and attempted to hug her daughter. Samantha was reluctant and then pulled away. "I woulnd't esad if you would have let me stay hom. I never really wanted to come. if I'm sad it's your fault because you made me come." Samantha replied and turned away.
Carmen sighed, "I'm sorry, I know you didn't want to come, and I'm sorry I put you through this. We both lost someone we love and we'll always miss him, but it's no use moping." Samantha looked at her mother with critical eyes "come on, we can get some Ben and Jerry's on the way home. I'm sure that will make you feel better." With the last comment a relieved smile crept up on Samantha's face. "But I still miss him." She replied. "I know honey. I do too." Samantha fell in the Carmen's arms and cried for some time.
Carmen looked over at Tiffany and Samantha. "Would you girls like to go home early?" she asked both of the girls were grateful and immediately agreed. Carmen went over to Delia and Amy, who also agreed to leave with Carmen and Alice. They all got into the van and headed back to start the sleep over.
Amy, Delia, Tiffany, and Samantha sat in Katherine's bedroom, already dressed in their pajamas, with their sleeping bags sprawled out over the floor, munching on popcorn. They had been entertaining themselves by playing Truth or dare for the last thirty minutes.
"Alright," Delia said, "it's my turn…" she looked around and glanced at each of her friends, tying to decide who she would pick. "Tiffany, truth or dare."
"Umm, truth." She responded. "Who would you date, and why?"
"And it can't be a celebrity," Amy piped in. "It has to be someone you personally know."
Tiffany sighed. "Umm," her eyes rolled skyward in concentration. "Well, there is this boy I go to horseback riding with," she finally admitted.
"What's his name?" Samantha asked teasingly.
"His name is Tommy, and I guess I would go out with him because I've know him for five years and he one of my best friends." The other three nodded, satisfied with their answer.
"Okay," Tiffany said. "Truth or dare, Amy?" They waited while Amy chewed and swallowed the popcorn she presently had in her mouth, "Dare."
Tiffany grinned. She knew Amy would pick dare and she already had a good one figured out. "I dare you to go kiss the mannequin it the attic upstairs."
The other girls laughed at the request. Eager to see Amy do the dare, they picked up a flashlight and headed up to the attic. "It sure is dark." Delia said.
"You're not scared…are you" Samantha teasingly questioned. Delia confidently shook her head. "I was just making a statement."
The four of them continued to walk up until they reached the attic door. Tiffany turned the knob and pushed it open as it squeaked due to the lack of use. Samantha who was holding the flashing moved the light around in the attic to see where the mannequin was.
"There," Tiffany said pointing to the right corner." "Come on Amy. Do your dare," Samantha said as Amy took the lead and each followed behind.
"Watch out for this box," Amy said stepping over it. Everyone heard her except Delia who was looking about the room. "Oh!" she exclaimed, tripping over the box, and coming down with a thud.
"Delia are you ok?" Tiffany asked immediately.
"Yeah, this box was in the way." She replied. Samantha also came over to Tiffany's side leaving Amy to do her dare unseen. "Guys! What are you doing? I did the dare and-"
"Shhh," Samantha said and motioned her to come over.
"Look…this box has our parents names on it," Tiffany said pointing to the names Lena, Bridget, Carmen, and Tibby. Samantha smiled and reached to open the flaps to the box when she was stopped.
"Sam!" Delia exclaimed. Samantha let go of the flaps and looked at her friend, "What Delia?" she replied a little annoyed.
"I don't think that we should meddle in our parents' things." She answered back.
"Come on Delia, it wouldn't hurt to see what's inside." Amy said.
Delia was desperate and turned to Tiffany. "Hey, Tiff, what do you think? Should we open the box?"
Tiffany just shrugged, "I don't care, really."
"What about you, Amy?" Samantha asked. Amy just smiled. "I'm curious myself as to what's inside." Delia's shoulders fell down in defeat, while Samantha gently opened the box flaps, revealing a sheet of paper that lay on the top.
"It's rules" Amy exclaimed.
"Yes, but to what?" Samantha said as she scanned the paper. "Seems to be rules for some sort of pants and a sisterhood."
"Boy our parent's sure weren't very creative…the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. It's kind of pathetic." Tiffany said still neutral about the whole situation.
"Oh, Sam…enough. You saw what was inside, now put it back and we can get back to our game." Delia replied, and reached for the piece of paper.
"Hold you horses. We can maybe get a glimpse of these pants. Besides, who wants to return to a silly old game when we've made a real discovery?" Samantha put the paper behind her and out of Delia's reach.
"Please, let's just respect our parent's stuff and leave it alone."
Amy then reached in the box and pulled out something in plastic. Samantha immediately turned around and watched as Amy uncovered the item that was sure enough the pants.
"Guys! Please, put it back. If our parents found out they'd he furious!" Delia responded and snatched the pants from Amy.
"Come on…are you going to be the "goody-goody?" Samantha asked.
"We can at least try them on. They're really nice pants." Amy said.
They pleaded with her until Tiffany interrupted. "Delia, no offence, but please give them the pants; their "pleases" are giving me a headache! Besides it wouldn't hurt to try them on."
"Let's go!" Amy said. Delia, also tired of the argument, threw the pants to Samantha and they headed downstairs.
"You try them on, Amy, they'll probably fit you, and I don't want to humiliate myself, if they turn out to be too tight on me." Samantha said, and shoved Amy and the pants into the bathroom. A few minutes passed and Amy stepped out. The pants were flattering on her, except for one thing….they were a little short for her legs
"Not bad." Tiffany commented.
"Really?" Amy questioned. "Then why don't you try it on next?"
Before Tiffany could object she was in the bathroom to put the pants on. For Tiffany they were great. Nothing fancy, just you typical nice pants. They were just a little big around her waist. "No need to unbutton these pants. I could slip these on with no problem." She said and when she took of the pants they were handed to Delia, who painfully did as her friends told her. Everyone "ohhed," and "awwed," when she came out.
"They're great…but they are a little long on you." Sam said.
"I could find a way to deal with it," Delia responded, "but I still think that we're not doing the right thing by taking our mother's stuff. They found the pants, it came to them…not us."
"Actually they did… in a box." Amy replied. Samantha just smiled.
"What are you smiling about?" Delia asked inquisitively.
"Well, it's just that you think our parents will get angry with us just because we took a pair of pants. Our parents will be thrilled to know we're continuing the Sisterhood and the life of these pants." Samantha replied. Delia didn't say a word because she, herself, was enjoying these pants and slowly giving in to the idea of seeing them.
When Delia came back out, Samantha was handed the pants. Samantha went into the bathroom, and hoped these pants were magic, so that they wouldn't be so tight. To her surprised they weren't extremely tight like she thought they would be.
"It looks good, but it would be even better if they weren't so tight." Samantha said as all the others nodded.
"Well, then lets head back to Katherine's room." Amy said, leading the way. They all sat down in the circle to observe the rules of the pants.
"Ok," Samantha said pulling out the rules. "Rule number one…you must never wash the pants." With that everyone made a sour face and "eewd."
"Who thought up such and awful rule?" Amy exclaimed.
"No way that rule is staying!" Samantha said.
"I don't think we should change any of their rules. They founded this Sisterhood and we shouldn't break it." Delia vituperated to all her friends.
"Well, we can't wear pants that smell of sweat, dirt and who knows what else. I wish we had washed them before we put them on." Amy commented.
"We at least have to wash them once so they're fresh…then we can stick to the rule." Samantha said trying to compromise with Delia who eventually gave in.
"Ok, next rule." Sam said, "You must never double cuff the Pants."
"Well, if we're keeping the Pants, we need to have an exception for Delia." Amy said, "But only for her."
"You could tuck it under so it isn't as tacky." Tiffany suggested. Delia agreed and the next rule was read, "You must never say the word "phat" or think 'I'm fat'"
"That's fine by me." Tiffany said. Everyone else agreed and continued on.
"You must never let a boy take of the Pants." Sam said. "I don't think there will be a problem with that." Delia exclaimed.
"I agree." Amy said. "I don't think that it will ever apply to us." Tiffany said as she grabbed some more popcorn.
"Next, you must not pick you nose while wearing the Pants." Samantha read and laughed. Her laugh was followed by more from her friends.
"They must really be weird to worry about picking noses," Tiffany replied.
"Well if that isn't the lamest rule, then I don't know what is!" Samantha cried out. When the girls had finally calmed down, Samantha read the next rule. "Upon our reunion, you must follow the proper procedures for documenting your time in the Pants."
"What's the procedure?" Tiffany asked.
"Hold on…below it says it. On the left leg of the Pants write the most exciting place you have been to while wearing the Pants. On the right leg of the Pants, write the most important thing that has happened toy you while wearing the Pants."
"That explains the writings here," Tiffany said, pointing out the words scribbled in the legs.
"Who's Kostos?" Delia asked.
Dunno, why would any of us care?" Samantha said.
"You might care; look at what one of our parent's wrote," Delia replied pointing to the writing that said, "Seeing all of Kostos"
"Someone's getting in trouble when they find out," Samantha jokingly said. Everyone laughed.
"Well, if we keep this rule, we have to have our own place to write," Amy replied.
"We can write on the inside," Tiffany suggested as she grabbed herself some popcorn and munched on it.
"That sounds good. What's the next rule?" Amy asked.
"Okay…you must write to your sisters throughout the summer, no matter how much fun you are having without them."
"Cool, it'll be fun writing letters," Delia chimed in, almost forgetting how much she had objected to this before.
"We already have each others' addresses, so we're set to go," Amy said.
"Okay, that's settled. The next rule is that you must pass the Pants according to the specifications set down by the Sisterhood. Failure to do so will result in severe spanking upon our reunion."
"So then if we're keeping them, who's getting them first?" Tiffany asked.
"I would like to have them for my first day of school," Samantha replied. "Then Tiffany could go next since we found the Pants in her house."
"Delia could go next," Amy said. "And then I'll go last."
When that was settled they moved on to the next rule. "You must not wear the Pants with a tucked in shirt and belt." They all agreed but had to make an exception for Samantha who had to go a school where she had to tuck in her shirt and wear a belt. When they were done, they moved on to the last rule for the Sisterhood.
"Last rule," Samantha said, " Remember Pants equals love. Love you pals, love yourself."
"I believe that this will be the best summer I will ever have," Delia replied, scooping up the last bit of popcorn, picking up seeds as well. Everyone nodded in agreement and wrote their additions to the rules on another sheet of paper.
"It's too bad that the Pants don't fit perfectly," Amy said with a yawn.
Just then, Samantha's eyes widened with excitement. "Well, think. The Pants fit all of our mothers, so if we acted like them, they might fit us."
"Well, I could try painting a picture for my mother," Delia replied after some thought. "She would appreciate that."
"And I could try to enjoy soccer more," Amy replied with a twinge of guilt.
"And I could play tennis with my mother," Samantha chimed in. "I could make a video for my mother, since she's a techno geek," Tiffany declared.
"We could also call ourselves by our mothers' names when we're around the Pants," Samantha suggested. Everyone smiled and agreed. When that was done, they all snuggled into their sleeping bags for the last time.
"Goodnight Tibby, Bridget, and Lena," Samantha said as she turned off the light on the nightstand.
"Goodnight, Carmen," they answered in unison. Finally they laid their heads down and closed their eyes to sleep with the hopes of this being their best summer ever.
OH, and if you're wondering I reposted my chapters and made some grammatical changes. Anyway, PLEASE review, review, review.