Chapter 3 By Stanman63 Synopsis:What exactly happened to the students and faculty of Augusta High School, Bigg's Manufacturing and Erin's Cyclery after Drew and his friends went back home to Warsop at the end of the Cultural Exchange Program? This story will attempt to answer those questions. |
From http://maddybell.com/Grottoes5.html
As Jessica was leaving, her phone rang, "Jessica Bell speaking. who is calling please?" she asked after she'd punched the speaker-phone button. ['Is this about Drew by any chance?']
"Jess, this is Erin of Erin's Cyclery. I wanted to talk to you about a certain visitor who went to Atlanta with me if you don't mind. I am sure that you will need my information all too soon," she said seriously. ['Drew, you were quite the gentleman to have endured being Gaby because of those Walters' girls, but now thy will have hell to pay for their mischief.']
['I was right! Erin should have plenty of fodder for burying those girls for their treatment of Drew, and the other Augusta students involved are too blame as well.] "Sure Erin, I'm heading home now. Want to meet at Jack's Diner? He has a private room we can use if you prefer."
"Neh! We have nothing to hide. Why not get in the corner booth by the kitchen? That way we can talk without being overheard, and we can keep an eye out for the Walters girls too."
"Are you going to ride your bike? It's Wednesday you know," she chuckled. ['That Gaby/Drew became a Local Legend what with all of the victories over the Grottoes Express.']
"Yeah, why not? We just got through with our riding for the day, but I'm in my truck. It's TOO cold to ride now," she giggled. ['Good thing I'm wearing thick tights under my skins or I'd be frozen.']
"Knowing Jack, when he sees YOU in your skins, he'll give you a free coffee. He dotes on you girl!" ['He is so sweet on Erin, yet won't make a move because he wants to give her space after divorcing that cad Eugene who left with that trollop Becky.']
"I know Jess, but I'm NOT ready for anything or anyone yet. But when I am, he'll be the first one. He was my date to the Senior Prom," she sighed. ['I should have married Jack instead of Eugene, but he won because Jack had no job, nor a way to support me.']
Then they hung up and Jess went to change into her thermal underwear and jeans with red sweater and thick socks and riding boots. As she locked up, she grabbed a wool cap and started her Chevy Blazer. She kept her Blazer in peak condition because she knew that winters in Grottoes could turn bitter cold and dump snow that nobody without skis, snowshoes, or a four-wheel drive could manage.
As she pulled into Jack's Diner, she saw Erin pull in in her rusty pick up. She often wondered why Erin never did anything about it. All that she did was basic maintenance when needed.
"This spring, I'll get the school's Auto Shop to overhaul that hunk of junk you drive. You ought to have done it already, but put it off because of the Student Exchange Program. Well, no more procrastinating for you," Jess declared as she met the cycle-kit wearing Erin. ['She may not like it, but she's gonna get her truck fixed.']
"Knowing you, you'll have a loaner ready for me. I love that old truck, I inherited it from my dad when he died," she sighed. ['It was the only brand new thing he ever bought. Guess it's time to fix it up now.']
Jess placed her hand upon Erin's shoulder, "I know, your dad was a very good man who would be proud of what you've done with the house and converting his old building into your business." ['Frank left her a legacy that she has turned into her own legacy.']
"Yeah, he kept a bunch of old junk machines there to tinker with. When cancer claimed him, he told me to sell the stuff and open my business. He even put it in his Will and sold the junk to Diane's dad. That's why we're so close now. We've both lost our dad," she sighed. ['Thanks daddy for believing in me.']
"Well, come on! I'm treating you to your favorite pot roast dinner for meeting with me. It's too bad that Sandy won't be here, she would love seeing you like that." ['Erin never sees those who dote on her.']
"Oh? And why is that? I thought that she likes guys."
"Oh she does, she just wishes that she could wear that outfit and get away with it."
"I don't see why she can't."
"Her dad. He still sees trouble if she shows off her figure."
"Well, in his way, he's protecting her even though he can't let his bigotry go."
Then the were at the door where Frank opened the door, "Welcome Ladies to my most humble abode. Where do you Princesses wish to be seated?"
"Corner booth by the kitchen please kind Sir," giggled Erin. ]'Looks like Jess is right Frank DOES dote on me.']
"This way, please follow me." ['Erin looks super in her racing skins. I'd join her team, but I am afraid that she'll say 'NO' to me.']
"Frank, it's clearly evident that you like me. Have you ever thought about joining the Grottoes Express? You don't have to race, there are some there just to bike locally." [' I wonder if he'll bite.']
"Erin, I was afraid that with our past, that you'd deny me membership."
"I'd NEVER do that! You are a good man and friend. I'm truly sorry that you took so long to tell me. I guess that that Exchange Program has helped in this."
"Yeah, I'd of loved to go to Atlanta with you, but didn't feel that it was right."
"Well, next Wednesday, come to my shop in you kit and bring your bike then."
"I have neither," he sighed.
"Then come tomorrow and get your kit and look into a bike. You might even want one from Diana."
"OK Erin, what will you two have to drink?"
"I'll have the Diet Cola."
"Me too."
"OK, dinner will be here shortly."
The ladies sat down in the booth and saw the Walters' girls with their friends.
"Jess, I don't know what the school is planning to do about them, but those two were instrumental in forcing Drew to be Gaby all the time while he was here. I know that they think that it was harmless, but Drew could have been grievously hurt because of them. I want to see them finally pay for their stupidity."
"Quite frankly Erin, I totally agree. I saw what grief that Dan caused Em, now I want to be sure that such shenanigans NEVER happen again!"
"Why was he so against Em?"
"Back in Warsop, Em is Rhod."
"You mean to tell me that THAT girl is a boy under all of that makeup?"
"Yes, and pairing Em with Sandy worked out quite well. Sandy seems to now have a daddy that loves her now."
"Well, I won't spill the beans about Em. If Mister Jones was to find out, he'd have a fit," Erin giggled.
"Good, because Sandy would pay the price. Do you think that Diana would want to help us?"
"Definitely! She knows that Gaby is Drew and she doesn't like those girls very much."
"You think that she'd want to join us?"
"Yes, and a few members of Grottoes Express. That wunderkin certainly impressed the team."
Then Erin called Diana and got the ball rolling on punishing the Walters' girls.
From http://maddybell.com/Grottoes5.html
To Be Continued...