The Girl He Could Be - Final Part One

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Carol wasn’t going to let her be late, and she was up at five, much to her husband’s disappointment, only to find Tina already done in the shower and in the process of doing her hair, the way she had shown her yesterday.

Tim remarked, "They don’t care what it looks like, they’ll style it the way they want as soon as we get there." He still wasn’t going to go out of the house with it a mess. 

"I just couldn’t wait to finish your new dress. After you called yesterday, I thought you might like to wear it today, so I got it ready for you." Carol rushed back to her room and took it off the dummy. She was so excited about showing it to Tina.

It looked just like the pattern. Carol helped him slip it over his slip. It was long-sleeved with padded shoulders. The pattern of the colors made him look even slimmer than he really was, and the flowing skirt swung with his every move. "It’s beautiful. I love it." Tim did one of the turns he had learned and tossed his hair.

Carol couldn’t have been happier, seeing her this way. Tina had fifteen minutes to spare, and she wanted her to have some breakfast before she left.

"I’m too nervous to eat," Tim told her as he paced around the kitchen in his black heels. "Young lady, you will sit down and eat something! You’re going to have a very busy day, and you’ll thank me for it later. 

Now sit yourself down at that table." She was cute about it, and he knew there was no point in arguing with her. He was learning that when she said something, she meant it. She had, after all, raised three boys. Julie was right on time, and Tim was ready. He rushed out the door when Julie pulled into the driveway.

"Nice dress." Julie was impressed by the way she always dressed well.

Tim appreciated the compliment. "Thanks, my Mom and I made it."

"You sew?" Another surprise.

"Well, she’s teaching me."

"Very nice, Tina."

Some of the girls were late, and it was almost six thirty when they pulled out and headed for Tampa. Julie drove Tina and three of the other girls in her car. They beat the van and were already upstairs getting their hair done when the others arrived.

The show started at nine o’clock with the older girls, in casual wear, serving coffee, tea, and pastries to the milling crowd of buyers. Each girl wore a tag telling the name of the designer and the outfit number. 

The buyers made pleasant conversation with him as he carried his tray of pastries, serving them. Each time his tray was empty, he had to rush back for a new tray and change his outfit. This went on until ten thirty, when the formal show started. 

There were at least two dozen designers there with their spring lines being presented so it meant a lot of changes for the girls. They intermixed the age groups so there was no time for any particular group to get a break. The full range of school clothes took the first half of the day and Tim made five different trips on the runway.

He was scared to death as he waited backstage for his first turn. It wasn’t until he stepped out on the long runway that he remembered the little trick that Julie had taught him. "As you walk out on the stage, just picture each person you see with no clothes on." It saved him and made it easier to smile. By his third trip, he was more relaxed and started having fun. 

He was glad that he didn’t have to go out on stage alone. There were always one or two girls with him. Tim got to know many of the girls backstage. Almost everyone was nervous, and that helped ease his tension. The girls tended to associate with their own age group, and that carried through the lunch break. 

It was a short break between when they removed their latest outfit and had to get ready for their next one.

The buyers were back at three, and the second half began. Dresses and formal wear were the agenda for the afternoon. Tim modeled three dresses and went back for another change to find the woman who helped him had a prom gown ready for him. The pink, sleek-fitting, handkerchief lace prom dress fit him perfectly. 

He wore a matching lace-trimmed bolero jacket that covered the delicate spaghetti straps. It only took the hairdresser a few moments to pull his hair up on his head and affix the white accessory piece to hold it all in place. Only a few soft curls hung down on the sides and back of his head.

Tim had almost gotten comfortable doing runway, but when he stepped out this time, he was alone. Smiling, with white teeth showing, he took a deep breath and proceeded out the fifty-foot walk. 

He remembered everything Julie had drummed into his head as he started out. As he executed a turn and removed the little jacket at the end of the runway, the polite applause became more vigorous. 

They had applauded before when he modeled other things, but he was alone this time. He assumed it was always for the clothes or the other girls. This time it was for him, in his gown, just him, and it was loud and enthusiastic.

Tim felt good, and it showed in his smile and the bounce of his step.

Julie wasn’t the only one who noticed how well Tina was doing. She was very proud of her. 

The next gown was much shorter but also figure flattering down to his waist. It was a white strapless dress and had a double-tiered lace skirt. They left his hair the same, only changing the accent piece to pink. He had to change his stockings to white and his shoes to match the gown. 

The applause was equally gratifying as he walked the long runway alone again. Tim was not nearly as nervous this time.

That was his last tour, and as much as he had begun to enjoy it, he was relieved. Other girls started to gather backstage as they finished. The applause Tim received didn’t go unnoticed by them either. 

They congratulated each other. The girls, from all over the Southeast, finally had a chance to get to know each other. They relaxed in the clothes they had last modeled as the designers and buyers conducted business.

Julie wasn’t part of that business, but she was busy with other things. New faces, fresh young models, started new careers with shows like this one, and there were people here for that specific purpose. This was the crowd that the different modeling agencies’ representatives were dealing with now, Julie among them.

The girls backstage were not burdened with that knowledge. The agencies knew that it would have made them that much more nervous.

It was almost eight o’clock before the girls could leave. Buyers wanted a second look at some of the fashions, and the girls hurried to oblige them. Tim had made three trips back on stage before he was through.

Tim rode back with Julie and the other three girls she had come with that morning. They were all good friends by now. They had been acquaintances in school and at the mall, but now that the competition was over, they could relax and just be friends. Tim was the last one to be dropped off. "You did beautifully today."

"Thank you, Julie. I was scared to death at first. If I hadn’t been for you, I wouldn’t have been able to do it." Tim gave her a hug in the cramped little car. 

"You did it, Tina, not me. I told you that you were special." Julie liked her all the more because of her modesty. "Tomorrow you get to sleep late. I wouldn’t be here to pick you up until eight, and we can do it all over again, for the public."

Tim actually looked forward to it. "Great, I’ll be ready." It wasn’t so scary anymore now that he’d experienced what it was like.

Tim was content to stay home. Once he was home and the hectic pace was behind him, he just wanted to relax. 

He was more exhausted than he ever remembered being in his life. Tim remembered to tell Mrs. Brown, "Everyone loved my new dress, Mom." Carol was pleased to hear it. "We’re going to have a lot of fun making you new clothes together."

Nancy was out with Jeff, and his brother was over at a friend’s house for the night. Mr. Brown was watching a basketball game with his buddies at one of their neighbors’ houses. He wouldn’t be home till late.

He called Patty and got her Mom. When he asked for Patty and she told him she was out with Bob, Tim told her that it was Tina calling and he couldn’t get off the phone for twenty minutes. This woman, whom he had never even met, certainly knew a lot about Tina and wanted to know every detail of her experience today.

Mrs. Brown finally rescued Tim from her, and he was grateful. When she finally got off the phone, Tim changed into a pair of leggings and a big T-shirt, and they both settled in front of the television to relax. It was already ten o’clock and Tim fell asleep before Mrs. Brown. Jeff woke them both when he came in and sent them off to their beds. The next morning, it was a good thing that Carol woke her. Tina was still sound asleep at seven.

Tim had to rush, but he was ready on time, and he had even had time for the breakfast that Mrs. Brown had made him.

He didn’t have enough time to fix his hair the way he wanted. He gathered it in a big white banana clip. He wore his red mini skirt and matching oversized Henley top, pulling the long sleeves up to his elbows.

Julie was on time too, and she was about to beep her horn when the front door flew open and Tina came rushing out. "Don’t tell me you and your Mom made that, too." Tim just smiled. "Maas Brothers, $59.99. Good morning, Julie." 

"Well, you’re full of energy this morning. Good morning to you, too. No big date last night, to celebrate?"

"I had a big date with my bed. I was beat. Besides, there’s no guy in my life now." And there wasn’t going to be, he said to himself.

Julie backed out of the driveway and headed for the mall.

"I’m surprised, a pretty young girl like you should have lots of boys chasing after her," Tim told her part of the story of Tina. "I just moved here two weeks ago, and I’ve already had one bad experience with a guy that someone, I thought was my friend, set me up with. I think I’ll just be happy to be alone for a while."

"Sensible girl." Julie really liked her, and now she finds out she’s smart too. "Are you all ready for today?"

"I can’t wait." Tim was ready. Yesterday had been a real treat for him, and today should be even better. He wondered to himself what Julie would say if she knew who was really in the car with her.

Everyone was on time today, and they left immediately for Tampa. It was hectic but not as bad as yesterday. There was no coffee and pastry to be served, and the whole show would take place in the morning. 

Tim didn’t even give a thought to the beauty contest in the afternoon. He wouldn’t be part of that for long, if at all. They would wear the same outfits today, as they wore yesterday, and that was fine with him.

At least there would be no surprises.

Tim was shocked when he stepped from behind the curtain in his first outfit. He spotted Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Watkins first. As he walked out on the runway, he spotted the others. 

They stood in a group off to the left of the two women and started to applaud as he started down the runway with two other girls. Jeff and Nancy were there with Patty and Bob. Sandy, Janet, and Arleen were clapping as hard as they could. Brad was standing behind them, applauding too. 

Even Pam and Sue were there with Jim and Randy. They didn’t look as enthused as the others. There were others applauding, too. Tim imagined it was the family and friends of the girls on the runway with him.

Tim wouldn’t have cared if Pam and Sue hadn’t bothered coming. He didn’t lose his cool and acted as professionally as he could. He couldn’t resist a wink at Mrs. Brown as she took his picture. The music was lively, and he moved with it.

They stayed through the whole show. Tim felt a little funny when he modeled the two gowns and heard cat calls as he gracefully glided down the runway and back. Fortunately, he wasn’t the only girl who got them.

The show was over at eleven thirty, and the girls were told they could go and grab a bite to eat, but they should be back at twelve thirty. "The beauty contest starts at one." 

Tim had his fun, it was a wonderful experience, but he didn’t think he would come back. Mrs. Brown and the others changed his mind for him. Even Brad had his say, "You’re as pretty as any girl out there, prettier. You have to go back."

It was what Nancy said that made him decide to stay. She caught him off to the side. 

"Tina, you just have to do it. Just think, if you don’t, you’ll always wonder." 

She was right, and now that he had made up his mind, he was going to try his best. The girls would come out in casual wear, bathing suits, and gowns. The casual wear and gowns were no problem, but the bathing suit part bothered him.

It was time to go backstage and pick out what they would wear. The designers were part of the show too, so the girls had their pick from all the fashions. Since the girls were not getting paid for modeling their fashions, it was the designers’ way of saying thanks. What Tim didn’t know was that Julie had not gone to lunch when everyone else did. 

She spent the time picking out the three outfits that she wanted her protégé to wear. Julie felt she knew Tina’s tastes well enough to know what she’d like, but she also wanted to be sure to grab the most eye-catching outfits she could before everyone else got a chance to go through the racks of clothes. She was waiting for Tina backstage.

"Hi Julie, what’s up?" Tina hadn’t seen her since early in the show.

"I just thought you might like a little help." July held up the outfits. Tim looked over to see all the other girls fighting to get the outfits they wanted. It was a melee. "When did you pick out those?"

Julie smiled a clever smile. "While everyone was out to lunch?" The first outfit was casual, and it did look great on him, even though he had to admit it. The response from the audience was very good too. Julie had picked out a white clingy knit skimpy mini dress that showed his curves as he strutted down the runway to the beat of a popular song. The music was right, the dress was right, and he felt good wearing it.

The bathing suit competition was next, and Julie rearranged the schedule so that Tina wouldn’t go out until near the end. She knew what worked in these situations. Tim and Julie spent a few private moments backstage before it was his turn, then she rushed Tina out at the last second.

He was scared, but she reassured him, "Just do it the way we talked about, Tina." The curtain was pulled back for him, and he stepped up to the stage. The music had a fast beat, and he went with the rhythm. 

Not stopping, and strutting until he was halfway down the runway, he started into what was almost a strip tease act as he removed the print top and matching sarong to reveal the tiny little white string bikini. 

"Don’t think about what you’re wearing, think about the moves, the smile, and the flip of your hair that you’ve gotten so good at." He remembered Julie’s words, and while it wasn’t easy, he followed her instructions to the letter. Tim couldn’t bring himself to look at Mrs. Brown or Mrs. Watkins, but he had to see Nancy and Patty’s reaction.

They were amazed. "Is that really Tina?" Jeff asked. Nancy didn’t answer; she was in shock. Patty had a similar reaction, but it didn’t stop any of them from applauding as loudly as they could.

Brad yelled, "Go, Tina!" As she strutted back to the main stage to stand with the other girls.

He was proud of her.

They all were. Pam was jealous of the attention he was getting. The loud applause didn’t come from just his friends, and it didn’t stop when she joined the other girls, all lined up on stage. It took a moment or two to die down. Tim couldn’t believe the effect he’d had on the audience.

Julie was proud of herself for the idea and of Tina for having the nerve to follow it through.

Her nerve and delivery would get her far.

Julie had warned her she might get a little razzing from the other girls, but not to worry about it.

She was right about the razing, and Tim felt a little guilty about the little piece of showmanship they threw in, but he could live with it. He had survived much worse razing in the past.

Again, with the pull she had, Julie got Tina’s spot for the finale moved to near the end, too. "No tricks this time. I want you to go out there and look as sweet and demure as you can. We’ve practiced this, and I know you can do it. Just walk to the beat of the music. 

As you get back near the main stage, stop, and just look back over your shoulder, flip your hair, and give that little hometown girl smile of yours. They’ll be expecting you to do something, and they’ll react. Hold it for as long as they applaud. Don’t join the other girls until it stops. Understand?" "I understand, Julie. This will be easy after what I did in the bathing suit competition."

It was simple, and the gown she had picked out for her didn’t hurt her performance either. Tim was smiling as the curtain was pulled back for him for the third time, as his name was announced. 

He stepped out on stage in the bright red gown. The delicate spaghetti straps held up the shimmering satin gown that flowed smoothly down past his narrow waist, clinging lightly to his small hips and down to just past his knees. The slit in the front came up to a point just below his thigh.

The large crowd was quiet at first, as Julie told him they’d be, but when he stopped on his return up the runway, the reaction was deafening as he turned his head, flipped his hair, and smiled. He thought the applause would never stop, and his neck hurt. He hung there, per Julie’s instructions, until their hands hurt from clapping, then he joined the other girls to wait for the results.

Julie was thrilled as she watched from backstage. She executed it perfectly, even better than she had hoped. She hadn’t told Tina, but it could have gone either way. They would either love it or hate it. She and Tina had been fortunate.

Nancy and Patty couldn’t get over the performance. "Did you see how she did that?" "Of course I saw. I was standing right next to you with my mouth open too." Patty was really impressed. "That’s some school she went to."

"She was fantastic." Sue was shaking her head in disbelief. Jim and Randy were sharing their reaction to Tina’s performance with Jeff, Bob, and Brad.

"I thought she was shy."

"So did I, she doesn’t act like that at home."

"She’s so hot."

"What did you think of that routine and that bathing suit?" "She’s really beautiful." Brad had only one thought on his mind, and he hoped he could beat the other guys to her once they found out about this. "She’s going to be the most popular girl in school."

Carol didn’t exactly approve of the part with the bathing sui,t but she loved the rest. "Wasn’t she fantastic?" She asked Jenette.

"I was really impressed. Where did she learn to do that?"

Carol raised her eyebrows as if questioning, "Charm school?" The girls just stood there, anxiously awaiting the results. Tim didn’t think for a second that he had a chance when he agreed to go ahead with this, but now he wondered. Maybe he might come in third or fourth. 

He did get a lot of applause. He had to keep in mind that it wasn’t the audience that was doing the judging, but the heads of the different modeling agencies that were here with their girls. Tim looked down at the row of them sitting in front of the stage. 

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, our judges have made their decisions." From the side of the stage walked the organizer of the event, and as he approached center stage, the audience hushed. "It was not an easy decision for them. All the girls presented themselves beautifully. 

I will announce the winner and three runners-up. We have wonderful prizes for each of the girls." He stepped to the side of the runway. 

"As I announce their names, I would like the young ladies to step forward and take one last walk down our runway. I will begin with the third runner-up."

The girls waited nervously as he opened the envelope and read, "Tracy Holmes." A beautiful blonde, about three girls to Tim’s left, stepped forward with tears in her eyes. Tim and the girls applauded her along with the audience. Tim wondered if he still had a chance. He thought that might have been his place. They handed her a bouquet of roses as she started down the runway.

"Tracy will receive a one-thousand-dollar wardrobe from the designer of her choice and a year’s free membership to Bally's Health Club." Again, the crowd applauded. "Our second runner up is.

Miss Arleen Bodet." A girl on his right stepped forward and took her walk, roses in her arms, and she was also in tears.

"Arleen will receive a two-thousand-dollar wardrobe by the designer of her choice, and she will also receive a year’s membership to Bally's Health Club." Only two spots left. It would have been nic,e but he did have fun. His only chance was gone. "Miss Patricia Gentil is our first runner up, Patricia." 

A tall girl from the second row stepped down on Tim’s right and proudly walked down the runway with the bouquet she was handed. "Patricia’s prize is a two-thousand-dollar wardrobe and a thousand-dollar college scholarship.

She will also receive a two-year free membership to Bally's Health Club." "And now for our winner. As I said earlier, it was very difficult for our esteemed judges to decide which girl deserved the honor. 

Our winner will receive a two-thousand-dollar wardrobe from each of three designers of her choice. 

She will also receive a five-thousand-dollar college scholarship and finally a three-year membership to Bally's Health Club. Without any further ado, I would like to be the first to congratulate Miss Tina Brown." Tim didn’t hear anything after that. 

The applause was too loud. His knees went weak, and if it wasn’t for the girls on either side of him, he might have fallen. It took a few seconds for him to compose himself and be able to walk. The woman brought the large bouquet of roses to him, and she set a rhinestone crown on his head. The girls around him hugged and congratulated him. 

The walk down the runway was not nearly as graceful as he had done earlier; he could barely see through his tears. He looked out and saw Nancy, Patty, and his friends. Most of the women and girls were crying right along with him as they applauded. The guys, particularly Brad, couldn’t seem to applaud enough.

Camera flashes came from everywhere. They nearly blinded him. Tim could not believe what was happening to him.

When Tim returned to the main stage and the applause began to quiet down, Tina was asked to say a few words. Tim had no idea what to say. 

He winged it as best he could: "I just want to say that if it weren’t for my good friends, I wouldn’t be up on this stage today." Tim looked down at Nancy and Patty and smiled through his tears. He looked back over his shoulder and saw Julie standing backstage. 

"I would especially like to thank Julie for all her patience and help." There were pictures to be taken for the newspapers and several short interviews. 

"People will want to know about the girl who won here today, Tina. Just tell us a little about yourself." Tim asked that Nancy, Patty, San,dy and Mrs. Brown be allowed to join him during the interviews. 

It helped to bolster his courage, and he knew that it would thrill them. Julie joined them too, and when the interviews were finished, she took Tina and Mrs. Brown aside. "Tina, I hope you enjoyed today."

Tim looked at her. "I certainly did."

"I have some wonderful news. The agency has received no less than a dozen requests, between yesterday and today, for you to do modeling work. You, young lady, appear to have been launched into a modeling career."

Julie had spoen, extensivey, to a few of the client,s and they were interested in long term contracts. She and Tina would have to sit and discuss all the offers at length. "Do you think that you could set aside some time on Monday to meet with me in my office in Clearwater?" Julie quickly added, addressed to the woman Tina had proudly introduced as his mother. "I’ll ask that you join us also, of course."

"We’ll be there." Carol was so excited for Tina.

"They want me?" Tim couldn’t believe everything that had happened to him today. "Why?"

"I keep trying to tell you, Tina, you’ve got something special." Julie reminded the modest girl.

"I wouldn’t have won if it weren’t for you, Julie."

Tim was really in turmoil now. His fantasy was becoming a reality, but it could fall apart at any moment. There were major problems with continuing this charade. He knew he would keep his figure for a while, but there was no telling when what was tucked up inside him would reappear. When it did, he would be in real trouble.