PARENT TRAP

Chapter 1...Camp Walden's surprises

A tale of two hearts, intertwined in destiny now thanks to the actions during one night on board the Queen Elizabeth 2, crossing the Atlantic under a cold but moonlit night. The two in question had just married, after a whirl-wind romance of which the crescendo was to take place that night on that very ship. By the time the sun had settled they were man and wife, so happy and very much in deep passionate love. Despite the marriage occurring on a ship in the middle of Atlantic during early January the warmth of love radiating from them was enough to keep them warm even on deck. That night the creation of two people would occur and with it the seeds of this story were sown.

Camp Walden

It was a very sunny day, with it being early in the morning the lake had a eerie orange tint to it but there was no doubting that it was very peaceful indeed. Not for long though, As just a few hours later, from all over the country and indeed from abroad buses arrived through the tall wooden gates, packed with girls were arriving at Camp Walden, a girls camp with a great reputation and scenic settings.

Lined up near the big trees on the left side of the buses were all the camp members. As the coaches opened girls, and one lone boy came running out while the bus drivers, the only males in sight bar the boy tossed the bags out of the buses, with scant regard of what may be in them and it wasn't long before, despite the best efforts of the camp staff pandemonium broke out though with so many girls running about this was hardly surprising.

It would take the camps leader, Marva Kulp senior to finally settle things down. Marva was in her late sixties, five and a half feet tall, and wearing khaki shorts with a camp Walden top, something that would eventually be issued to every camp member. Talking loudly was never going to be enough with a bunch of excitable girls, all aged between 10-13, so to get their attention she talks through a Bullhorn. Next to her stands her daughter and first lieutenant, Marva Junior., just under six feet, tanned and humourless with glasses and a fairly strict nature.

Marva SR. (into bull-horn) Good morning, ladies and welcome to Camp Walden. I'm Marva, your Camp Director and this is my daughter and right hand man, Marva, Jr. Girls, please find your duffels as quickly as possible, we've got a big, big day ahead of us. Marva,'bunk assignments, if you please.

With that Marva Senior steps down and heads down from the little pedestal which boosted her small height and starts to watch the crowd, helping to give directions to those girls that needed while trying not to be deafened by her daughters barking orders on the bullhorn next to her.

All the Duffels where being pilled, or rather thrown by the camp members into a large heap. Beneath it, a girl, Hallie Parker sits waiting for her duffel to be thrown. Sure enough after ten minutes of sitting, doing nothing finally her duffel, yellow with black strips is dumped on top of the mountain by one of the camp Walden's and with that she springs into life, jumping up as fast as she can in order to get the bag before the next load is tossed over the top

Hallie (to herself)
okay, found my duffel…

It was a short lived burst of exciting as no sooner had she found her duffel, the next hoard of bags where flung recklessly into the pile, causing her duffel to by piled underneath the new lot.
now the question is, how do I get it out?

Trying to find a way of getting her duffel out she walks around the side of the large mass. Hallie wears overalls, a baseball cap which is white and that says Girls Rule, sunglasses, and a sweat-shirt tied around her waist. Her ears, are pierced, her hair is short and red, she wears bright red high tops and metallic blue nail polish. After walking around 180 degrees, finally Hallie spots one of the black handles though under the mass of the other bags it was never going to be a easy job for anyone, yet alone someone of the build of Hallie, who while not massively skinny, was on the slender side in terms of build.

Okay, I can do it.

With this Hallie, with both hands grabs the yellow bag and with all her strength strains against the pile, which by now was almost as tall as her anyway making a perfect place to lean against when getting a bag out though to no avail.

Okay, no I can't.

Her face turned slightly red, to much to mask the slight sense of embarrassment that her strength wasn't enough to get the duffel out. Behind Hallie another girl, called Zoe arrived with her duffel from the bus, obviously watching as Hallie struggles with her oversized bag containing many things.

Zoe: You must be new.

Hallie: How can you tell?

Zoe: You didn't know to grab your duffel before the apes tossed it into the heap. I would say you need some serious help.

Hallie: Thanks. it's the big yellow one.

With that the two girls both grab the duffel and start to yank but not before being distracted by yet another girl, called Nicole grabbing her own duffel from a equal depth of Hallie's but with minimal effort due to her bigger frame. Naturally this grabs the attention of the two girls who after trying to get the duffel out for a few seconds give up due to how well it was buried.

Hallie: Now that's my kind of woman.

Zoe: (cupping her hands around her mouth) Hey! Tie-Dye girl!

It certainly gained the attention of Nicole who turns round to hear who it was that was calling her. Nicole is a ten year-old in a tie-dye T-shirt, with beads in her hair. Hallie quickly pleads for help, in the worry that her duffel will be pilled under another mass of bags which would no doubt be the case as more buses arrived.

Hallie: Would you mind giving me a hand? My duffels the yellow one, way in there.

How could Nicole turn down such a charming young lady such as Hallie, well she couldn't and so she walks round the heap and with one large powerful tug at the handles rips out the item in question while taking a brief but sneaky look at her tag stating where Hallie had come from, which was California.

Nicole: (reading name-tag on Hallie's duffel)Hey, you're from California?

Hallie quickly gives a nod in the way of Zoe knowing what question was about to come up, they always did on trips abroad, though this camp was in the USA, in Maine, it was still so far away it might as well have been a different country.

Zoe: You are? Do you live in Hollywood?

Nicole: Do you like live next door to a movie star?

Sure enough that was the question she had been expecting to answer on this trip and a smile spread onto Hallie's face and soon enough she was laughing, not at them but at the question.

Hallie: What are you two, Lucy and Ethel? I've never even been to Hollywood. I live in Napa, that's in Northern California, and I live next door to a vineyard.

Showing off their lack of knowledge of anything out of the area Zoe and Nicole both turn to each other, in wonder of what a vineyard was, afterall, their homes weren't exactly in areas renown for such places.

Zoe: A whatyard?

Hallie: A vineyard. It's where you grow grapes to make wine. That's what we do, me and my Dad, we own a vineyard.

Any attention to this conversation was soon lost as Hallie's attention turned to Marva Jr who after what seemed for ever to call out the camps members names got to Hallie's.

Marva JR.: (yells from bull-horn) Parker, Hallie...

Hallie: (yells back) Yo! Right here!

Marva JR.: Arapaho! Bunk eleven!

Another moment of delight showed on Hallie's face as Zoe's hand sticks out into a high five position and Hallie jumps down from the pile she stood on to hear the announcement, walking with her two new mates towards her bunk.

Hallie: So, either of you by any chance know how to play poker?

Both Nicole and Zoe both shake their heads in tandem telling Hallie as much as she needs to know.

No: That's a shame. So, tell me, how much cash did you guys bring with you this summer?

As the girls continue to walk towards their bunk a Limousine pulls around the corner towards the main mess hall, bibbing to the three girls as they rather slowly move along. The car pulls up close to the exit and Out steps a Butler with a very posh English accent typical of that you'd expect to hear with someone very well off, he had perfect posture, elegant black suit with a black tie as well, extremely proper demeanour. His name is Martin. Behind him from the back seats comes another person, this time a young lady, very elegant and dressed as if she was going to go to a posh party. She too was eleven years old, her name is Annie James. Her hair is perfectly neat, with her red hair extending right down her back.

Martin: Well, here we are - Camp Walden For Girls...We travelled six thousand miles for... this?

While Martin wasn't that impressed, afterall it was just a wood and some housing facilities, Annie was completely different, looking around the large camp trying to take it in, afterall she would be here for a while. Martin unloads her three cases from the car and gives Annie the smaller one.

Annie: It's rather picturesque, wouldn't you say?

Martin: I don't know if that's precisely the term I would use.

An oncoming beehardly makes Martin feel any better about this place however his heart is in the right place. Infact the bee and Martin's response gives a smile out of Annie, who was by now very clearly excited about this place and the prospect of being about for a while. Martin quickly takes the small case from Annie and place sit next to himself, while withdrawing a small black note-book with a list from Annie's mother who was obviously still over in England, it was Annie's first real independence away from her close family.

Martin: So, lets review, your Mother's list, shall we?

Once more a weak smile appears on Annie's face, while she was still young and having a mom that really cared was great, she was eleven and there was hardly going to be any danger and for reminders, well she was old enough to remember for herself. Still, she wasn't going to just blank the worries of her mother, and so for the sake of Martin as well as she pays great attention as the list is read out.

Vitamins?

Annie: Check.

Martin: Minerals?

Annie: Check.

Martin: List of daily intake of fruits and vegetables?

Annie: Check. Check.

Martin stops from his list reading to look at the slender girl, curious as to the need of two checks.

Check for fruits, check for vegetables. Go on.

Martin: Herbal teas, sugarless candy, sun block, lip balm, insect repellent, umbrella, stationary, stamps, fountain pen, flashlight, batteries, photos of your mother, grandfather and of course...Your trusty butler, me!

Annie Got it all, I think.

Annie's smiled once more at the end of the list, looking at martin in a rather curious way, wondering why the butler was searching down his suit for.

Martin: Oh, and here's a little something from your Grandfather, a brand new deck of cards. Maybe you'll find someone on this continent who can actually whip your tush at poker.

Annie: I doubt it but thanks. And thanks for bringing me, Martin.

Annie continues to smile, excited by her new deck of poker cards as she was usually very good at it. She certainly appreciated the pack of poker cards she got and also was thankful for Martin making the long journey with her from England. Martin however is less masking over his emotions and he suddenly verges to crying as the emotion of leaving little Annie on her own in this place was over-whelming. Both he and Annie quickly dive towards each other in a loving embrace. Eventually after a few seconds they let go into holding hands as Martin regains his dignity after over-coming the brief outpour of emotions.

Martin: And remember, if you change your mind and want me to pick you up at the end of camp, I'm only a phone-call away.

Annie: I'll be fine. See you in eight weeks, Marty ol' pal.

Martin: Eight weeks it is, Queen of my Heart.

Out pops Martin's hand into a handshake position and once more a smile spreads across Annie's face as she knows what is about to come up. She raises her hand to Martin into the handshake and sets off the secret handshake moves, with involves many types of high-fives, both from the air and from the side before diving down with hands Hi-fiving with palms of the two friends to the backs of each other making the slight slap easier to do. As they reach the bottom them do a classic butt bump twice into each others hips before shimming around each other and concluding the whole sequence in another handshake, once again perfectly executed by the pair. As it comes to an end Martin resumes his proper Butler like activates and heads back to the limousine.

Martin: Tud-aloo

Annie: Tud-aloo

And with that Martin gives a brief wave before turning his back and heading towards the limo

Martin: Airport please

Martin shuts the door of the limousine and the driver drives off. Behind Annie arrives Marva Jr, just finished her duties of calling out peoples names and bunk locations, though at least she had ditched her bullhorn that deafened everyone earlier but at least she still had her check-list, with just one name missing.

Marva JR.: Annie James?

Annie: Yes, hello. I apologize if I'm late. My plane was fogged in leaving Heathrow. You know how London is in June.

Marva JR.:
Can't say that I do. Never been to jolly 01- England but never-the-less, mllady, welcome to the U.S. of A. and what we like to think of as the most beautiful spot on God's green earth - Camp Walden.

Marva turns to Annie, clearly a little surprised at just how Eccentric this lady was, while Marva stares for a second or two at Annie, out of curiosity more then anything before taking a deep breath of fresh air.

Oh, jeez, a bug flew up my nose.

With that she suddenly starts to jump about in a frantic effort to remove the parasite from her nose, smacking it as hard as she can, breathing through her nose as fast as possible and generally going crazy, while poor old Annie could only look on, trying hard not to grin at the sight of the manic woman though it was a failure as she gave a cheeky smile while turning away from her. She then quickly turns back to Marva, still doing abit of a dance in a 'put-on' serious face.

Annie Are you all right?

Marva JR. Oh sure. Just one of the hazards of camp life. You have a little shnoz ... You'll be fine.

With this honker, you got problems.

She was still slapping her nose when she sees Annie's three large cases, as well as the little one resting next to Annie.

Okey-dokey, let's get this show on the road.

Annie: Can you manage?

Marva JR.: Manage? Uh, sure... Suppose I can... Why not?

Taking her focus away from Annie Marva heads towards the three cases as Annie steps out of the way and picks up the first case and tucks it under her arm, then the second in her left hand and other two in her right hand and clumsily picks herself up and points to the general direction of the bunk and Annie follows Marva closely, though rather shyly.

Marva JR.: I know this sounds weird, but ... have we met before?

Annie: Met before? No, no, I don't think so.

Marva turns her head round to take another little stare at Annie, positive she has seen her before though if she says not then no reason not believe the girl. Before turning her head round though she losses her balance as her right leg falls into a short hole in the ground causing her to fall over very awkwardly, Annie was sharp though and puts her body in Marva's way to stop her from totally falling over an making a mess of all of her personal belongings.

I'm positive I'd remember you.

They continued on down the wood-chipped pathway till reaching the bunk that Annie was staying the eight weeks in, though Marva was by now a wreck after carrying Annie's belongings, her arms felt like they were about to rip off. Still she continued for a little longer and leads Annie up the small set of wooden stairs.

Marva JR.: Showers are to your right. Rec room's to your left. Mess hall's straight ahead. Chow's at seven, twelve-fifteen and six-thirty. Mother gives five demerits for being tardy, so don't be.

Marva quickly uses her own body weight to push the door open, so much so that the door slams against the wall shocking everyone inside who was still unpacking having only recently arrived themselves, and helps Annie by sticking her leg in the doors way while carefully still balancing her cases in her arms and Annie politely walks through the door as it swings behind her as Marva lets go of the door letting it swing the other way.

Marva JR.: New arrival, girls. Name's James.

In the left hand side of the room sat a girl, completely finished packing and playing her gameboy looks up, her name is Jackie with long black hair.

Jackie Your name's James?

Marva JR.
Annie James. Just arrived from London, England.

Finally the sheer weight of Annie's suitcases became to much for Marva's arms and she rushes to the only empty bed, the second one in from the doorway and dumps them down with a large thud once again shocking the kids, though all their screams do is cause Marva to look around. Certainly Annie had everyone's attention now thanks to Marva and she rather innocently stood just inside the cabin, everyone seemed to be waiting for the classic posh England accent, she was certainly dressed for it She slowly heads towards the empty bed that her cases were on, warily watching the gaze of the others.

Annie: Yes, ma'am, just arrived this morning, which is actually tonight for me, which makes this tomorrow morning, which... makes me a ' bit jet-lagged...This bed mine?

Marva JR.:
Yep. Has to be made every morning right after reveille. Mother's a stickler for neatness, so remember to police your area daily. Now, change into your uniform, James, chow's at thirteen hundred.and Mother gives five demerits...

Another girl, Crosby who had freckles and blond hair noticed Annie after listening to a song blasting out from her walkman. She looked at Annie then gave a brief introductionary smile and Annie being the polite girl she was responded with her own brief grin. Before Marva finishes her sentence Annie interrupts, remembering what was said earlier

Annie: For being tardy. I remember.
But thank you for reminding me, Ma'am.

Marva JR: Quite welcome, James.
Introduce yourself, ladies. Be sociable.

She turns round then heads up the little gangway between the beds. On the floor was a sneaker wrapper and with Marva being as accident prone as she was it was inevitable. She trips over it and flies towards the door trying as hard as she can to dodge the door however to avail and into the door she goes falling over and rolling down the stairs. Annie turns to the others who were already laughing and finally after holding her laughter for the entire time bursts out, as mass laughter outbreaks in the cabin as Marva regains her standing and walks away, grumpy at being laughed at.

Crosby: How scary is it that that woman's in charge?