Living the Dream, part 20
By; Malissa Madison
When Erika, Tiffany, Danny and Donnie returned from their run I told
Erika to hurry and shower because we had an early appointment.
"Momma do we have to go?" asked Rachel, A worried look in her eyes.
I reached out and took her chin between my thumb and finger, looking
directly into her eyes. "Yes and you especially now that you are fully
active. Now hurry up. I think it's Denise's first time and she needs her
sisters there for moral support. Besides you, are due for a checkup, now
go get ready."
She frowned and hurried to her room. after breakfast I told Donnie I was
taking the older girls with me to my appointment.
Erika told Denise what to expect, or rather what she thought she should
expect, on the way there.
Dr Roberts took me first then Erika, because Rachel was suddenly shy.
"Well now these are pretty," he said to Erika as he examined her breasts.
"Are you taking care of them, keeping them clean?"
"Yes Sir, just like the guy said to," she answered.
"I see your navel healed up nicely," he commented as I leaned over and
raised my eyes seeing the bar bells through her perky little nipples.
I said nothing, then it was Rachel's turn and she traded places with
Erika in the waiting room.
On a hunch I said, "I'll wait outside. Rachel he needs to know about your
activities," Then went to sit with Erika and Denise.
"Erika, when did you get your new Jewelry?" I asked her and she blushed.
"You knew about it Momma, Rachel said you signed the permission slip."
"Oh," I feigned remembering. "Yeah, I forgot."
"Will you go in with me?" asked Denise when it was her turn. I stood and
held her hand as we passed Rachel in the doorway.
Her exam took longer, but Dr Roberts was gentle and understanding. "It's
up to your Momma since you are only thirteen, but I think it might be a
good idea if we start you on birth control, it will help regulate your
periods."
"It's your choice Honey," I told her. "Sophie was on them when she was
your age."
"You have so many more choices these days," I told her. In the end she
chose a three month shot.
As we were getting in the car I said, "It's Denise's turn to ride
shotgun."
"Momma, please say something, scream at me, yell at me. Tell me what a
bad daughter I am," Rachel sobbed in the back seat after the subject of
the pierced nipples still failed to come up after ten minutes in the car.
"For what honey?"
"You know Momma, I, I forged your signature on mine and Erika's
permission slips."
"You what?!! Rachel, oh god Momma, I thought you knew," Erika said.
"Well obviously it was something very important to you both or you
wouldn't have gone through with it," I waited only a second before I
continued. "Does your Daddy know, or your Momma Sophie?"
"No Momma," they answered.
As I turned down the street behind the Mall, Rachel began to get nervous.
"Let me guess, you had that nice young man at Kaleidoscope do it for
you."
"Yes Momma, the same one who did our Navels that you already knew about,"
answered Rachel. I had asked Sophie to take them after they'd asked me
while I was in the hospital.
As I pulled up in front of the well-known Head Shop, Rachel got even more
nervous. "Please don't get him fired Momma, it wasn't his fault."
"Now who said anything about getting him fired. Come along, let's see if
there's anything your sister might like."
"You mean I can get mine done too?"
"Of course you can, or you can just sit with your sisters and watch while
I get mine done." They all looked shocked.
We browsed around and I found some very pretty ones that I liked.
"May I help you find something?" asked the girl behind the counter.
"Yes, is Kiwi working today?"
"Yes he is, are you needing some piercing done?"
"Yes, Nipples and Navel," I answered her with a warm smile. "Denise have
you decided yet?"
"My Navel definitely, and I'm not so sure about my umm, Nipples yet." She
blushed.
I saw a very pretty Navel piercing with Diamonds. "Do you happen to have
four of these?"
"Oh yes but those aren't for the initial piercing, it has to heal first."
"That's alright, we'll still take them for later."
"I actually have Six of them, Ma'am," I was thinking to myself, 'she must
know there are two more at home.'
"Hold on a minute," I called Sophie.
"Hey Sis, I'm at Kaleidoscope evening things out between the girls. Do
you still want to get your Navel and nipples done?"
"Oh my good heavens, you're not doing this when your hormonal are you?"
"No, do you want it or not?"
"I'll be there in half an hour."
"Ok hold on and let me call someone else." I called May's parents and
explained to them what was going on.
"It's up to her of course, but if she wants it and you trust the piercer
she has our permission. You can use that power of attorney if you need
to."
"Sophie, ask May to come along with you."
"I'll take all Six, and I think I'll have the Bar Bells. Denise, have you
decided yet?"
She blushed, "Yes Momma. I like those little rings there," she pointed to
a pair of pretty rings with rhinestones beads.
"We'll take those and we have two more family members coming to get
theirs done, so whatever they want as well."
Sophie and May pulled in as he finished up the guy that was ahead of us.
Kiwi was happy to see us, "Is everything alright? No infections?" he
asked.
"Yes everything is fine. We've decided to give you a bit more business
today if that's ok," I smiled.
"But of course I always like making money. What is it we're doing?"
"Nipples, Navel and Hood." I turned to Denise. "What would you like
Honey?"
"Ummm, the same," she blushed.
"How old are you sweetheart?" he frowned.
"Thirteen," she answered honestly.
"Sorry, the Hood will have to wait until you're Sixteen. But we can do
the rest for you."
"Oh," she giggled. "Yeah I better wait for that one."
Sophie and May quickly picked out what they wanted. And he began with me.
Damn the Navel hurt worse than I thought it would. And I was so
preoccupied with it that I didn't realize he'd finished my nipples until
it was over and he was twisting the little ball in the ring through my
hood. He talked nonstop as he worked, Keeping everyone relaxed. Denise
had a few tears until he covered hers with the bandage to keep them from
getting pulled or irritated by her clothes.
May and Sophie were next. And afterwards I gave him a huge tip and
thanked him.
At home I winced as Donnie hugged me. "What took so long is everything
ok?"
"Yes it is, I'm sorry we worried you, but I was just evening things up a
bit between the girls."
"Evening things up?"
"Come along and I'll show you, Sophie, you coming?" I walked to our room.
His eyes lit up and he swallowed hard when he saw my piercings, then he
saw Sophie's as well.
"I didn't go quite as far as Malissa did," she said. "And it's a good
thing I got the twins weaned."
"So when can I play with them?" He was excited.
"You have to be gentle, but it will be six months before they are
completely healed," I told him. "Then you can do all kinds of things with
them."
"Wait, you said evening things out between the girls," he said.
"Rachel and Erika snuck out and got their Nipples done right after we
gave them permission to get their Navels pierced. And no you are not
going to punish them. Not unless you plan to punish Me too."
"And Me," added Sophie throwing out her chest. "Ouch, gotta remember not
to do that in this bra," she giggled.
"So how far did Denise go?"
"As far as they did. And I called to make sure it was ok before I let May
get hers done as well."
"You, my loves, are pushovers," he said grinning ear to ear.
"Tell me you wouldn't have done the same thing."
He didn't answer, he just kissed us both and said, "I trust your
judgment."
"Here you get to wrap these for Christmas," I handed him the jewelry
boxes. "They already know about them though. Except for May. She wasn't
there when I bought them."
"Margie called to ask if you still wanted to go shopping," he said.
I giggled, "I forgot, I better call and let her know we'll be there."
We met up at McDaniel Bridal Boutique, and she was showing us her dress.
I noticed she kept looking at the more expensive ones.
"Margie, would you let me do something for you, please?"
"What do you want to do?"
I waved to Lori the sales girl, "Do me a favor and remove the price tags
from the dresses. Then I'm going to insist on Margie here picking out
what she really wants."
"You, No that's too much," Margie insisted.
"Margie, please let me do this. Please?"
"I can't ask you to do that."
"You aren't asking, I'm insisting," I told her. "You are going to be my
Daughters Sister in law. Which means you are like a daughter to me.
Besides, I always get my way."
In the end we'd found the perfect dress, and Brides Maids dresses. Then
all the accessories that went with them.
Rachel giggled looking at a wedding dress. "Can I get this for
Halloween?" she asked holding up a Maternity Wedding Gown.
"After last night, I think it would be a scream," Erika said.
May and Denise got brides made dresses to match. Then we got Erika a
Tuxedo and a cane stick.
"You know that dress Rachel picked out looks just like the one from
'Carrie'," pointed out Margie.
I realized now what the girls were planning as they looked over novelties
in the costume shop. "Yes but Carrie wasn't knocked up," I said.
They had the fake blood the rubber knives, and everything to make a gory
wedding party.
"I gotta have pictures," Margie said.
I promised her pictures, then made her promise not to worry about what
I'd spent on the wedding so far.
Back at school on Monday I met with the other Sisterhood Seniors, and we
made out the invitations. They elected me to deliver the ones to the
Academy.
During our Automotive maintenance class I excused myself while they did
their written test.
Gretchen had gathered all the Cadets on the list, and I handed out the
invitations. Then explained they should wear a Bikini under their Dress
Uniforms, which they were to change into right after the Halloween party.
They weren't told anything about the Sisterhood, nor did the invitation
mention it by name. only that the Colonel, Donnie and Gretchen knew and
Approved.
The busses began arriving at dinner time on Thursday, and the party was
in full swing by dark with the little kids, both students as well as
preschoolers getting to go door to door in the dorms and have a separate
party from the rest of us.
Sherry went as a Fairy Princess, and Tiffany wore Camouflage, she
giggled. "I couldn't help it Mommy I had to go Commando tonight."
We all giggled, then Erika leaned over and whispered, "Going Commando
means you aren't wearing any panties."
She blushed. "Oh! No wonder everyone keeps looking at me funny when I say
that," she giggled.
I stood back with Donnie and took pictures as our girls emerged. Rachel
as a pregnant Vampire Bride, and May and Denise as her bloody Brides
Maids. Erika had added a wide Dracula collar to the Tuxedo, and Vampire
teeth.
Donnie and I danced every slow dance together, both of us wishing Sophie
was there.
"I wish I knew what she was wearing," he said. "Cin is parked next to
Julie."
Just before the party broke up Miss Karen said, "Someone would like a
word with you outside." She shook her head no at Donnie.
I saw her standing between the two cars, her hand caressing the fenders.
Then I saw Sophie, she was standing beside Cin's front fender.
She looked up as the figure turned around and my heart stopped for a
second before I realized it wasn't really her. But I was happy just the
same, she was the one who'd given me Julie, at least I thought she was.
"You've come a long way since I saw you last Malissa. And I see you've
taken good care of her. What did you finally name her?" I could tell she
already knew.
"Miss Julie Newmar," I answered with a proud smile. "You've always been
my inspiration, and she inspires me to excel."
"So, I hear you have three Daughters of your own, who will be joining the
Sisterhood tonight."
"Three and a God Daughter, Ma'am."
Reaching out she touched my tummy. "And you are the first of the
Sisterhood to undergo the new procedure and so you will not be partaking
of the Bubbly tonight?"
"I'll have one flute Ma'am, but it will be nonalcoholic."
"You know don't you that I've followed you these last few years," said an
unmistakable voice behind me. A voice I recognized from all her movies.
"Oh My God, it really is you." I felt light headed as I turned to face my
Idol.
"I brought someone else along I thought you might like to meet," turning
she motioned toward one of the waiting busses. "Come on out Vita."
"It's been so long since I made that movie, but of course My co-stars
chickened out on us," she said, but they were there in their male forms
right behind Miss Vita.
We hugged and then hugging the others I said, "I hope you know you'll
always be Auntie Noxi to me." And we all laughed.
"I'm looking forward to meeting your daughters tonight. They certainly
have become beautiful young women."
We talked and I told her all about my girls, and about my Accident in
Bambi's car, which not surprising she knew about as well. And teaching my
two oldest to drive.
"Those were some fancy moves you pulled during that last race Dear. I'm
glad to see the damage wasn't as bad as it looked."
"Well it turns out that after that race was over, he went on a little
grand theft auto spree. He's doing hard time now," I informed them.
"Momma, who are you, Oh my god, oh my god in heaven," Rachel began as her
sisters just stood mouths open in disbelief. "Miss Vita Boehem in the
flesh, and the totally awesome Julie Newmar."
"I wondered why Cat Woman didn't compete for any awards tonight," giggled
Erika. "But then it wasn't really a costume was it? It really was you out
there on the dance floor."
"Guilty young Lady." She turned to me then. "I noticed how pretty your
other two are. And I'll bet, Tiffany? Yes, She'll be following Erika into
the Academy. She looked so cute in her little Rambina costume."
"Rambina?" Erika asked.
"The female version of Rambo," I said.
"That's a better description than Energizer Bunny on Steroids," Rachel
and Denise giggled.
We got ready to head in for the party. "Vita, would you go bring me
Trickster?" she turned to Sophie. "I think someone else would like to go
to the party don't you?"
Sophie got Flora out of her car handing her to Rachel, as Vita brought
out another pet skunk to my Heroin. I wasn't surprised when Miss Myra
showed up with Sir Pew.
"Remember, Best behavior or no gold fish tonight," she told him.
I giggled. "Now I know where Flora got her taste for Gold fish," Rachel
had taken to buying feeder fish to give her as treats. "Where are the
Kits?" I asked.
"Tiff, and Sherry are babysitting. Of course I had to bring Tank along
too," Sophie explained.
"Did you get to see your Babies? You big handsome Daddy," Rachel fussed.
"Babies? Really?"
"Yes Ma'am, would you like one when they're old enough?" offered Rachel.
"Are there any little girls left that aren't already spoken for? I think
Trickster might like to have a little girlfriend."
"We still have two Girls that need a home," Rachel said. "And they get
their first shots next week." She scratched Trickster under his chin then
smiled. "Such pretty Blue Eyes. I know just the Little lady for you, she
has blue eyes too."
As we filed inside, people took in everything, there were a lot of gasps
and OMG's.
Then everyone with a sisterhood pin began to gather in or around the
pool, still in school uniform.
"As your names are called please come to the diving board to receive your
pins. Then you will step to the end of the board and be immersed into the
waters of Sisterhood," Miss Clara said.
"Rachel let me hold Flora for you," Sophie reached for her.
"Crap I forgot to add Denise's name to the list," I whispered.
"I took care of it," Sophie said and I breathed my relief.
I moved forward in the water to welcome Rachel as she swam toward us. I
wasn't surprised to find Momma there as well.
Giggling she said, "I think there are a lot of heels on the bottom of the
pool."
Most of the girls had worn heels with ankle straps. But the Cadets had
worn the dress pumps which came off when they hit the water. "Erika
Pierce," I watched as she took a bouncing step out onto the board then,
holding her uniform skirt down she plunged into the water.
When she came up she had both heels in her hands, smiling. "Welcome to
the Sisterhood," we told her pulling her into our arms.
Denise was surprised to hear her name called, She was among the Honorary
Second Sisters. I wasn't surprised to see both Candy and Rhonda take the
plunge as well, or Crystal's sister, Dawn step out to jump into the
water.
We were soon joined by China and Delilah, who kept crying tears of joy at
being accepted. She'd accepted her Fathers honorary pin, since he wasn't
able to be there. Even Donnie was inducted into the honorary Sisterhood.
As they were leaving for the Academy, Erika reminded me that she had
Weekend Duty. It would be strange not having her home on the weekend.
Most of the people had cleared out, and I looked over to see the Colonel
and Miss Clara standing together.
He lifted her hand and slipped the ring on her finger before she could
say anything. Then he kissed her lips. "I won't accept anything less than
a yes, Love. Not this time."
"Yes she accepts Daddy," Miss Karen said. "Isn't that right Momma?"
"Yes," she answered. Then found herself swept off her feet.
"Girls, I'm taking advantage of the Guest room tonight," he said.
Giggling Karen said, "Sorry Daddy but it's occupied. You'll have to use
Momma's bed."
To which Miss Clara smiled. "My girls have planned this out I believe."
I walked Denise back toward her dorm when I saw the three skunks racing
across the lawn playing together. When Flora lead the way through the pet
door I looked up to see Rachel receive a kiss on the cheek, then my
heroin knelt and kissed my other two daughters.
"Please call me when little Rachel is ready, I'll come to the house and
pick her up in person," she kissed the little skunk then picked up
Trickster. "Such a wonderful family you have Malissa," She kissed my
cheek and Denise's then her driver was there to take her to the Airport.
The next morning they let breakfast run long, then started the lunches
early. Since there were no classes people began to get ready for the
weekend. We saw Dawn and Crystal sitting by themselves talking. When they
saw me they smiled and said, "Thank you for helping us find each other
again."
Winking I said, "You know since you've joined the ranks of the
sisterhood, I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't find more help in
getting that bracelet off sooner than graduation."
"What do you mean?" Dawn asked. And I motioned Porsche over.
"So when's the new freedom date?" I asked her.
"Thanksgiving day." She smiled and giggled. "Have you met Michelle Grey?"
"You're one of Rachel's roommates right?"
"Yes Ma'am," she carried herself the same way Porsche and Laura did. And
I was trying to place her mother when the woman came over with Laura.
"Hi, Maddie Grey, I'm pleased to finally meet you," She said holding out
her hand. "I was going to introduce myself last night but you seemed to
have a full plate entertaining Miss Newmar."
I liked Maddie, she was up front and honest, just like Laura. "I remember
when Dave first told me about you. Of course he had other reasons at the
time."
"You know my Daddy?"
"We used to work together a lot, I think he was more interested in
finding out if it was just coincidence that we shared a name at the
time."
"I thought your last name was Grey, not Madison."
"Up until two summers ago it was Madison Moore, I changed it for security
reasons. When Dave told me that he had granddaughters in school here I
made a rather large contribution to get Michelle assigned to Rachel's
room. She and Kiki Ferris divert attention away from her. Besides they
can do things with computers that most here could only dream of."
"Wait, you're that person the FBI questioned Daddy about," I giggled.
Then hugged her.
"Yes it was a case of mistaken identity, but it pushed me into making the
change sooner than expected. And I got to meet my lovely Daughter
Michelle," she said. "I hear Rachel is pretty good with cars like her
mother," Maddie said.
"I prefer Momma but yes she is getting pretty good. I could never begin
to understand Fuel injected systems the way she and her friends Kiki and
Brandy do," I admitted. "Now give me anything with a Carburetor and we're
talking."
We laughed and then Laura showed up. "I'm glad you and Michelle made it
back in time. And I saw where Miss Carver was finally set free. You
should have called me though I'd have been happy to help."
We were pretty much by ourselves at this point and Maddie said, "Thanks
but you need time to yourself. Besides Miss Pierce has done a great job
learning the programs to keep Michelle up to speed on her school work.
And we've discovered that Identical non-related identities are a lot more
frequent than previously predicted."
"Then I know you are going to let me help next time," Laura said.
"Actually I need your help now. I have added three full time Associates,
but they need training. Waters, Tiffany and Martin, Justine. Carver,
Denise is taking a little break before she starts her training" She said
it as if she was giving out a resume'.
"Those weren't identical twins you were with last night?"
"No and they can't go across the pond until the new year. So I'm going to
need a bit of help with their driving skills. Do you know anyone, or
anywhere we could practice that?" she said, and I knew it for what it
was. Bait, but I took it anyway with a smile that said I knew it too.
"Rachel, Sweetheart do you have your laptop with you?"
"Yes Momma, always," she giggled.
"Show Maddie the new programs you have, and see if Kiki and Brandi could
come over here," I said.
"Kiki, do you have the driving courses laid out on your laptop?" Rachel
asked.
"Brandi does, Show her Sis,"
Giggling Brandi said, "This is the newest thing in Street Racing. Each
driver links their GPS with my laptop then I program the course. It
downloads to all the linked units. And even acts as the starting flag
once all the GPS' have acknowledged full download," She giggled wickedly.
"I can even change the course as it happens. We don't have to worry about
putting out spotters or anything because my pc records each drivers turns
etc."
Even I was interested, it was new to me as well.
"Now that's one hell of a teaching tool. Have you tried it out yet?"
asked Maddie.
Brandi handed her a Card. "Come by the shop tonight. I have nine cars
lined up to see if they can out drive a GPS," The card read, 'Fender
Skirts, Not Just Flirts' and had the Mustang Logo printed on it of a girl
in a very short skirt bent over the fender as her panties gave the
briefest view.
"Can you tweak my Audi while we're there?" asked Porsche.
"Actually Rachel has the newest Audi Updates,"
"Now all we need is someone who can do Windshields," Maddie commented.
Then I saw what Kiki brought up on her laptop.
"We do specialized work." I saw the specs for Ballistic glass and
wondered if she'd been talking to Jay.
I made a mental note never to piss off Maddie Grey, but still I liked her
a hell of a lot more than I liked most people. She was fighting for a
cause with a small sanctioned international group made up of mostly
Transgendered women. And her Daughter Michelle was part of that group. I
wondered if Porsche and Mercedes were going to become part of it as well.
We were temporarily interrupted as Miss Clara and Karen joined us.
"Erika, I see you are doing well at MMA," she commented. "It's so
wonderful to see you all here together. But if you'd excuse me I need to
speak to Ms Grey about something."
"Sure Ma'am," I answered.
"Miss Clara, if it's related to my work I don't think it will be harmful
for everyone here to know about it. Rachel already knows far more than
most people and I wouldn't want her, Momma to get concerned."
"Very well then, in that case," she was handed a folder by Karen. "Miss
Valerie sent me some interesting pictures and information about a student
in her school who, for all reason could possibly be another Identical to
one here."
Maddie opened the folder and then handed the picture to Michelle. Who
looked at the photo then looked up at Tiffany in surprise. "Molly
McFadden," she put the information into her laptop. Pulling up the finger
print file for the girl, all the girls who had been in Orphanages had
been finger and DNA printed as part of a new requirement to help identify
them if they were ever kidnapped.
She then pulled up Tiffany's. "No not quiet, it's close, but not as close
as most that we've dealt with," Then another set of prints and photo
appeared. "Taylor Doe, age Eight, Jenkins Oklahoma. 99.735% match," She
confirmed.
We talked a bit while Michelle hurried to her dorm to grab her overnight
bag. And I was introduced to Tiffany Waters and Justine.
"My husband and children are going to be joining me here in the Midwest,"
Tiffany said. "Just as soon as he can get a transfer to one of the local
police agencies. But we don't want some huge place like St Louis or
Kansas City."
I took out my cell phone and called John Andrews.
"Uncle John? Malissa."
"Well hello Sweetheart, how are you?"
"I'm fine uncle John, I was calling to find out if that opening for an
investigator was still available. I know of someone that might be
interested in transferring."
"Oh, sorry we have filled it already, but if you give me the name we'll
keep it just in case," he told me. "But Detective Waters looks really
promising."
"Waters? From West Virginia?" I asked looking up at Tiffany a smile on my
face.
"Yes we were just getting ready to set up the interview. He's flying in
this afternoon with his Son and Daughter. Do you know him?"
"I just met his wife, I think you've found your new Detective."
We left early heading home for the weekend. Tiffany and Sherry went to
the park up the road to visit with some new kids in the neighborhood that
we saw on our way to the house. there weren't many kids their age so when
they saw some it was natural that they wanted to meet them. Of course the
area was still just beginning to grow with new houses being added into it
each month. It had been pretty exclusive before, mostly older couples
with very few houses on even larger lots.
But as the community began to grow the older couples had sold out and
moved away. I wasn't surprised that Daddy had bought most of the
properties though.
I saw that the boy and girl were still there when I dropped them off on
my way to see how Rachel was doing at the new car shop, I'd dropped her
off as we passed.
As we started home I asked my younger girls about the new kids. They told
me their names and ages. And that they were hoping to get to play in the
park the next day, but they'd actually met them the weekend before.
"Momma Sophie said it's ok if they come to the house to play though."
"Of course it's ok, as long as it's ok with their parents," I told them.
I figured it would be good for them to have at least one boy their own
age to interact with as they grew up.
The next day I was sitting with Sophie when the girls came rushing in
past us to Tiffany's room.
"Who's that?" I asked Sophie.
"Oh that's The new girls that live on the other side of the park," she
said.
"I thought it was a boy and a girl," I confided. Just before we heard the
muffled conversation.
"Hurry before my Momma's wonder why we just ran past."
"Yeah, here this skirt will look pretty with that Top. Let Megan fix your
hair while I find you some shoes," I heard Tiffany say.
"Can I try some Mascara again, it was lots of fun yesterday when we did
it at school."
"Sure but we'll have to wait until we go out to the playhouse to do your
nails," Tiffany told Kelli.
"I wish I could run around the neighborhood in my own clothes," one of
the two new girls complained. "Mommy and Daddy say it isn't safe though."
"You just wait till they meet our Momma's and Daddy, Kelli. I bet they
change their minds," Sherry told her.
When they came back through they stopped long enough to introduce the new
kids. Sophie and I said nothing about knowing Kelli's secret, we wanted
her to tell us on her own. She looked so precious carrying the doll that
she had borrowed from Sherry, and the clothes along with her actions
screamed little girl.
When the doorbell rang Donnie answered it then lead their parents into
the front room.
"Hi, I hope our Daughter and Son haven't been too big a burden today,"
began the woman.
"No you have wonderful children, they're playing in the family room with
our girls," I said just as they started through toward Tiffany's room
again.
Kelli stopped suddenly, shock and fear both spreading across her face
seeing her parents there.
"Mommy, I, I can explain," she began.
"Kelli, oh crap. Ummm, We're sorry," her father began.
"Oh it's fine. We certainly understand. And it's perfectly ok for her to
be a girl."
"You know about her?" asked her parents.
"Kind of hard to miss when a little boy runs through in front of you then
reemerges as a very pretty girl carrying a doll," I said. "She reminds me
of myself at her age, only I didn't have understanding parents at the
time."
"You knew I'm not a real girl?"
"Kelli, you are as real to me as any other pretty little girl in this
house. and you are welcome here any time, you don't have to hide it from
us."
We were sitting talking about everything when Rachel came in leading
Stacy and four more little girls and another woman.
I was surprised to discover Stacy was now teaching full time, and even
more surprised that the other woman was Kelli's teacher, and she was all
for Kelli being a girl. Then we found out that her youngest daughter
Jamie was like Kelli. Wanting to be a girl. Her teen daughter made
friends with Rachel, May and Denise and they disappeared into Rachel's
room to listen to music and probably talk about boys.
"Marcy, I should probably warn you that Rachel and May are both
Transgendered," I told her.
"May? Oh," giggled Stacy. "Where's Erika today? I haven't met her yet."
"Erika is a Platoon Sergeant at MMA, and she pulled weekend Duty since
they are in charge of the girls that went there after they closed down
Wild Wood," I informed her.
Marcy didn't seem concerned, and then later when they all left to get
ready for Trick or Treating I saw the relief in her eyes to know she had
so many other parents who could give her advice and understanding as her
own child grew up.
I was awakened the next morning by Jennifer and Daphne as they
frantically rang the doorbell at four AM. Followed by Donnie and Sophie I
went to let them in. as they stepped through the door the first thing I
saw was the toddler Daphne carried on her hip. The child hid his face
against her breasts in fear.
"Jen, Daphne, where did you find this little one?" I asked.
"Malissa we need your help, this is Rico, his mother is passed out cold
in the back of the car," Jennifer said.
"We, we found her passed out next to the car when we were leaving the
party but she won't wake up," Daphne said frantically
"She took her son to the party?" Sophie asked astonished.
"No she wasn't at the party, she, She works out of her car in the alley,"
Daphne blushed. "I'm really scared for her though, she's barely
breathing."
Donnie was past us in an instant rushing to the car. He pulled the back
door open and then checked her pulse.
"Jennifer help me get her up, we have to get her moving," he said pulling
one arm up over his shoulder. "Oh Fuck, Malissa call an ambulance. Tell
them it's an OD. We don't know what," He held her limp body up, then
Jennifer was there helping him. as I frantically relayed the information
to the 911 operator.
"What do I do Donnie?" Daphne asked.
"Get Rico inside and keep him warm, Sophie you go with her," he looked at
Jennifer. "We have to try to get her walking, and keep her moving until
the ambulance gets here. What's her name? and don't tell me you don't
know."
"Tawny, we went to school with her last year."
"Tawny, wake up girl." He slapped her cheek and got a slight moan. Her
feet moved trying to get under her for support.
"That's it come on," He slapped her again, and I could tell he was hating
having to do it. "If you don't wake up I'll have to slap you again," Her
feet moved a bit more as they walked with her between them out onto the
lawn.
"Tawny, don't do this to Rico. He needs you," pleaded Jennifer. She
slapped her other cheek harder than Donnie had.
Ri, Urrrrrrrgggggggggggggggg uuuhhhhhhhh blarrrrrfffffffffffffff." She
began heaving up her guts on the lawn, and went limp.
"Oh no you don't, you aren't out of this yet," Donnie said forcing her to
stay on her feet as we heard the ambulance growing closer.
"Momma, what's going on?" asked Rachel.
Every few seconds they had to stop as her body was wracked with dry
heaves.
"Keep Tank and Flora in the house Honey you don't want them getting into
that mess she just threw up on the lawn."
"Who is it? what happened?" Denise and May were asking having been
awakened by the commotion.
The ambulance turned onto our street heading for our house and I saw
Momma and Daddy's lights come on. Followed instantly by my parents, all
four of them running out across the yard toward us.
For the first time I realized I had actually counted Mai Ling as a
permanent part of our family.
The ambulance attendants took over and Donnie lead them to where she'd
initially thrown up. I heard something about a Tox Screen, and
Barbiturates, and unknown needle tracks. And then a cop was there
scraping the barf into a plastic baggy.
"I'm going with her," Jenny said.
"Sorry young lady not enough room in here, maybe your Daddy can drive
you," He shined a little pin light in her eyes. "I mean that, you've had
a bit much to drink yourself."
"I'll drive you," Daddy said.
"Malissa, where is Daphne?" asked Momma.
"She's in the house with Tawny's baby," I told her as my three Momma's
followed me inside.
"Is, is she going to be ok?" Daphne wanted to know.
"They don't know yet they just left. God I hope so," Donnie said. "I'm
going to talk to my Dad and see how he can help, I'll be back for
breakfast."
Momma and Darla were busy checking Rico for any signs that he would need
medical treatment.
"He needs a good bath and most likely a good hot meal," Mai Ling added
her assessment. "He is nearly starved. I know what will help fastest."
She headed straight into the kitchen and began making something for him.
It was almost two hours later before Daddy finally called to say that she
would recover, but she still had a long stretch to go before they would
release her from the hospital.
Daddy was paying for her to be admitted to a Rehab Clinic. Then he said
he had already talked to Judge Ferris and that Jenny and Daphne were
going to be appointed as Rico's guardians until she was released.
"Which means young ladies, no more partying and he stays with Grandma
while you are at school," Momma told them. "And that means you," she
cradled Daphne's chin in the palm of her hand. "Get to have a bit of real
experience before you get yourself knocked up to give us a grandchild of
your own," She kissed her softly as she passed the toddler to her.
Her nose wrinkled. "Ewww, what's that smell?"
Sophie and I both laughed as Momma said, "Your first dirty diaper
sweetheart," And Daphne looked at Sophie and I for some sign that we'd
pitch in.
"Come on, Come with me, I show you how it is done," replied Mai Ling.
But Daphne gave Jennifer a sideways look, then bit her lip looking back
at Momma.
"I know that look Daphne, how late are you?" Momma asked her.
"Jennie?" Daphne asked in a frightened voice.
"She's only like six weeks late Momma, but she isn't showing any
symptoms," answered Jennifer. "And the sticks are all negative."
"Which ones have you used?"
"The ones from the dollar store, less chance of someone we know finding
out."
Sophie got up and went into our bathroom, then returned with a box of
three tests. She traded Daphne and took Rico to the babies room to change
him, while Daphne went to our bathroom to pee on the first stick.
When Daddy finally got there twenty minutes later he was followed by
Donnie who kissed Sophie and I, then went to use the bathroom saying he'd
had a lot of coffee. When he came out he was holding the stick, a curious
smile on his face.
"Sophie? is there something you want to tell me?" he asked.
"Oh god," Daphne blushed beat red grabbing for the test stick. But he
pulled it back out of her reach.
"Daphne? I do believe you're blushing. Now how did this happen?" he
asked.
"Donnie stop teasing her and let her have it," I told him.
But he handed the stick to Daddy instead. Who looked at it then began to
smile broadly. Holding out his arms to her he said, "Come her Baby Girl,"
She hurried into his arms.
"You aren't disappointed in me?" She asked still half afraid of his
answer.
"I am not now, nor have I ever been disappointed in you. But I will
insist on the two of you having at least a Civil Union Marriage."
"C, can I take Jennifer's name for my own?" she asked.
"Sweetheart, You ask the sweetest questions. And the answer is yes you
certainly may."
As if she'd already known what Daddy was going to ask for Momma had
slipped out the back door and gone home before Daddy had arrived. Now she
came in through the kitchen and quietly slipped something into Daddy's
hand.
It was the beautiful Diamond surrounded heart with the letter 'V' inlaid
in Platinum. As he fastened the delicate chain around her neck he said,
"This belonged to my Great Grandmother, who passed it to my grandmother,
who passed it to my Mother. Who took Jennifer's Mother to court to get it
back."
"And now I pass it to you Sweetheart," said Momma happily.
I'd seen Momma wear it on special occasions. But when Daphne had come to
live with us, after her parents found out about her and Jennifer, Momma
had put it away for when it could be passed on to Daphne in hopes that
she would take the Vandine name.
I called Connie and told her to get her butt over to our house, we were
celebrating a special occasion. Daddy and Donnie took over the kitchen
making pancakes as fast as everyone could eat them.
I was on my third stack when I heard Sophie giggling. Turning I looked at
her. "What's so funny?"
"We're almost out of Salsa, I'll pick up a case tomorrow at the store."
I suddenly realized she wasn't the only one watching me eat, then
realized I'd been putting Salsa on my pancakes. But damn it tasted good.
"Still not as freaky as peppers and ice cream," I said. but even Becca
giggled and said, "yuh huh, freaky deaky Mommy," Then giggled again.
I hugged her tightly, kissing her on the nose. "Is that a good Freaky
Deaky or a bad one?" she just giggled and spooned more Salsa on my
pancakes.
I felt my stomach lurch and hurried to set Becca on the floor, as I
started my mad dash to the sink.
"Ewww, gross Momma. We wash dishes in there," complained Rachel at the
back door. But then she hugged me and motioned to the corner of my mouth.
When I'd wiped it clean she kissed my cheek. "I love you, you know that
right?"
I raised an eyebrow at her. "Yes Baby I know that, so why did you ask?"
"Can Greg drive my car to school this week?"
"That is a question for your Daddy, don't you think?"
She turned around and looked at Donnie, her face contorting into the most
pitiful puppy dog plea as she said, "Daddy Please?"
"Just a minute let me think about it," he answered. But I knew he was
going to say yes. He took out his cell phone and sent a couple of texts,
then asked her. "Who's the goose? And what is he driving?"
"He's a little Nerdy creep with a '76' Firebird, and a huge chip on his
shoulder, and he said I drive like a pregnant cow on roller skates
Daddy."
"In that case, No," he turned and walked out of the room, and the rest of
the family just stood and watched him in silence.
Rachel ran to her room crying and slammed the door.
"Donnie? Why did you say no?" I asked him in his office.
He motioned me over to the computer where he was pulling up a name search
on the internet. Then showed me the text he'd gotten from Jay.
The goose was a dirty driver, even worse than the bastard from my last
race. I saw his stats downloading, in every race he'd been in at least
one if not more people had died in accidents he'd caused. And he'd
singled her out, for a challenge.
"Donnie, you know what you're saying no means to her?"
"It means we get to keep her alive. She's never raced against anyone like
this Malissa. She wouldn't stand a chance as new as she is to Rat Racing.
And the bastard is coming after one of my daughters," The way he said it
I knew there was a history there I didn't know about.
"You know he isn't going to stop. So what are you going to do?"
Instead of answering he called Jay. "Listen I need a huge favor, I'm
putting you on speaker so Malissa can hear us ok?"
"Donnie, listen man. If he's going after Malissa she can handle herself."
"He isn't going after Malissa, he's going after Rachel."
"What do you need? Just say it, I'm there," Jay promised.
"I need the Widow Maker. He isn't walking away from this one Jay. Just
let everyone know where and when."
"You got it we'll all be there, and we'll be ready."
"Donnie, who is he?" I asked.
"A ghost from the past. But do me a favor. Don't mention a word of this
to my parents or Bambi. Please."
"Ok, but I still don't understand."
"I forget that you never got to meet Silas. He was Sarah's twin," Donnie
didn't say anything else, but I could feel the hurt inside him that the
memory dredged up.
I pulled him into my arms letting him cry silently until there was a soft
knock on the door.
She didn't wait for anyone to reply, she just walked on in, closing the
door behind her.
Taking in his tear stained face Bambi began to put things together. "He's
back isn't he? Is that who challenged Rachel?"
"Bambi, stay out of this," He told his sister.
"No way, he killed one us. I'm not staying out of it," she waited for a
reaction but got none. "You know he won't show up if she isn't there."
Donnie's head snapped up. "I will not use my daughter for bait!"
"All she has to do is be there Donnie, you know how he is, his ego will
do the rest."
"Ok she can be there, but you and her are both staying out of it."
"Sure Bro," she hugged him and got up to leave. When she opened the door
Rachel was standing there.
"Daddy, please. I can't back down, not now."
"You aren't backing down, I'm sorry I just needed some time to think."
She launched herself into his arms. "Thank you Daddy, I'll make you proud
you'll see."
Donnie shook his head at me. "Go get ready ok? Let Momma Sophie help you.
You're going to want to change out tires. That thing has Goodyear's on
it, and no daughter of mine is going to race with subpar tires."
After she left I said, "You know she can't find a decent tire shop on a
Sunday," But then I already knew the answer to that, the truck stop.
Later in the garage Denise asked. "Momma what are you doing?"
"Checking over your Daddy's car. I don't want him having any problems
later today."
"How serious is this race?"
May and Rachel both came over and sat down at the bench. "I've never met
this guy before," I told them. "But your Daddy and Bambi have. He killed
your Uncle Silas in a race. From what I know he hasn't raced anyone that
didn't end in somebody getting killed. So the best we can do is trust
Daddy ok?"
"Ok Momma," her hands were sweating, and she looked at them as if she was
being betrayed by them. "I'm sorry Momma I don't mean to be so nervous."
"Baby if you weren't nervous I wouldn't be letting you get behind the
wheel," Her head shot up in surprise.
I looked at both May and Denise. "Not a word to anyone, understand?"
"Yes Momma," they all echoed.
Rachel ran her hand across Red Pony's fender, I could see her excitement.
They'd been doing window tinting at the shop and I'd let them tint Julies
windows. Unless you were standing next to her you couldn't see in. Red
Pony's were just as dark.
"Denise, Pinky Swear," May held out her pinky.
"Why do we have to pinky swear? Not that I would say anything."
"Rachel, get in Julie and adjust the seat and mirrors," I told her.
"Momma?"
"If push comes to shove Julie will protect you more than the Pony. She's
also lower to the ground, and handles the curves a lot better."
"You mean?"
"I have no idea what you are suggesting young lady. But I trust you'll do
what you have too. this family is not going to get beaten in this race.
And we are not going to lose anyone else either."
Sophie came into the garage. "Denise, can you give me a hand please," She
headed over to Cinderella.
"I already changed them Sis," I told her referring to the plugs, points
and condenser. "Rachel, when you start off don't mess with first. You
have enough horsepower to rip through second and third from a
standstill."
"Malissa, should you be talking about this in front of Denise?" Sophie
asked.
"She's riding with you to call turns. May is Rachel's shotgun," I
informed her. "So you two need to get busy teaching Denise what she needs
to know."
I went back to work on the goat. I didn't like the unexplained vibration
I'd heard on the trip home, worse I could see it shaking the rear
spoiler. I was determined to find it.
"Why isn't Momma driving Julie?" Denise asked.
"I don't know, but I think it's because she's pregnant," Rachel said. "It
isn't like her not to drive."
Momma showed up with Connie and Jennie, followed closely by Darla and Mai
Ling.
"Connie, Jennie, I'm glad you came. I need a huge favor and not one word
to Donnie," that got raised eyebrows from everyone. "I need one of you to
haul Danny, Tiffany and Sherry for me after Donnie leaves. Momma we need
you to watch the rest for Sophie," I was sliding out from under the goat
on the creeper when my hand caught something.
I slid back under it. "Someone hand me a light."
There it was, the enclosed drive line had a friction bubble. "Son of a
bitch," I said then started looking at the rest of it. I found another
one on the rear axle. "Fuck me to tears," I shoved the light out ahead of
me.
"What is it Momma?" Rachel asked.
"Drive lines warped, and so is the driver's side axle. That's where he's
getting all the vibration."
We heard the sound of the learner car pulling into the driveway followed
by Jay's flatbed wrecker.
Donnie rushed out through the kitchen door. "It's here," was all he said.
Pam got out of the learner car and came into the garage as I was cleaning
the grease off my hands.
"So that's the Widow Maker," I hugged her as I walked out with my sisters
and three older daughters right behind me.
"I never saw anything like it Malissa. Jay said Donnie built most of it
though."
It was Pontiac Judge, or J model. Under the hood was a 454 with a Blower.
From where I stood looking at it still on the flatbed I could see the
undercarriage modifications. The beefed up suspension. Even the steel
reinforced frame was extended out to attach to both front and rear
bumpers.
This wasn't just a racing car, it was made for a demolition derby. The
front windshield had been replaced with expanded steel mesh. There was no
glass anywhere other than the rearview mirrors and headlights that were
also protected by a modified brush guard.
Smiling Donnie turned to me. "Did you find that vibration, Love?"
I tried to smile back, a sudden unease creeping up my spine. "Yeah and it
isn't good. The Goat isn't going to race any time soon. I'm surprised you
made it home."
"That bad?" he tried but failed to pull off a nonchalant chuckle.
"Daddy the drive line and the left axle is warped. They're eating holes
in the casings," Rachel said.
"That bad huh?"
"Since I can't exactly drive this beast up there, I'll ride up with Jay.
You guys catch up on the way ok?"
I threw my arms around his neck. "You better fucking wait for us. You
hear me?"
"I will if he will."
"Jay?"
"Sorry I can't promise anything. Silas was my best friend, he taught me
to drive."
As I stood in the driveway watching as they reached the corner I saw
Bambi waiting at the intersection. I started to feel a bit better as I
began hurrying to get everything loaded up.
Twenty minutes later the feeling of dread hit hard.
"Malissa, Malissa, telephone," Momma said bring the cordless to me.
"Who is it?" I didn't feel like talking to anyone.
I looked up and saw tears in Momma's eyes. "It's Bernice, Honey."
"Hello?"
"Malissa, we need you to come to the hospital. There's been an accident."
"How bad is he hurt?" I asked knowing who it had to be.
"Pretty bad but the doctors say they'll make it."
"They, you mean Donnie and Jay?"
"Him too, is your sister Pam there?" his Aunt Bernice asked.
"Who else?"
"Bambi, they got side swiped or something. Bambi's car got pushed under
the wrecker."
"What hospital" she told me and I jumped into the car with Pam. Sophie
and the girls had already left ten minutes before.
Fifteen miles out on the interstate Sophie and the girls passed the
accident. But there were too many Semi's blocking the view of the
wreckage. They kept going not knowing what had happened.
"Cinderella, Julie," I started calling for them on the radio.
"Princess, who's in Julie and Cinderella?" asked someone I'd never heard
before. If it had been someone we knew they would have shortened it to
Cin.
I switched down to channel five knowing Bernice was monitoring it.
"Trooper B. I need you."
"Trooper B's at the hospital. This is this is 294 how can I help you?"
"Are you familiar with Cinderella and Julie Newmar?"
"Yeah they just passed me."
"Stop them, I don't care how. Just stop them please. Tell them Prince
Charming is in the hospital."
"Oh Shit," I heard as the sound of Sirens began to wail.
If I hadn't been so worried about everyone else I would have been
officially impressed by my sisters newly acquired driving skills.
Bernice's cruiser was at the curb in front of us as we started to get
out. She came running out almost passing us in her haste.
"Malissa, go inside. he's in surgery now but he's going to need you
there."
"Bernice, where are you going?"
She hesitated, and in that moment of hesitation I heard all I needed to
hear.
"294, I have a hostile situation. I need backup now. In pursuit of three
vehicles. One Red Firebird, and two Barracuda's."
"Pam, Go," I was hot on Bernice's heals as we both piled into her
cruiser.
"What's going on," I asked.
"Harvey tried to pull over Sophie and I guess Rachel, but that Firebird
sideswiped him then rammed Sophie from behind. He had paint transfer from
Bambi's car."
She switched on her other radios. "Listen let the cops handle it," Sophie
was trying to talk reason into Rachel.
"He tried to hurt you Momma," Rachel was crying.
"Rachel, it's Momma. Let him go. Let the cops have him."
"No Momma, he'll get away."
I could hear a helicopter in the background.
On another radio I heard. "Where the hell did that kid learn to fucking
drive," "Just stay close we got a reception up ahead," "That's the
Lieutenants Grandniece."
"Pull over kid, he's got nowhere to run to. Look in your rearview mirror,
let us handle it. Please."
"Rachel I can't keep up, Cin's got some problems. Let them finish him
off."
"They'll let him off. He'll get a year or two and he'll be right back
again."
"Rachel, listen to me," Bernice said finally getting on her radio. "He
won't get away this time, the lab just confirmed his paint transfers.
He'll be lucky if he gets a chance to surrender," There was dead silence.
"Put it in reverse kid and back away. Please you don't want to be here
for this."
"Chopper one, going blind. We'll follow the kid, make sure both cars get
headed back ok."
Bernice pulled off to the side of the road. Her hands shaking on the
wheel.
"What's going on?" I asked her.
"Justice," she looked at me. "We couldn't ever pin him for the deaths
during the races. But we have paint transfers from a few officers cars
who died in pursuit of him."
I'd heard about what happened to cop killers, but never believed it. No
fancy smooth talking lawyer was going to get him off. He'd never even see
the inside of a jail, just a meat wagon.
As we sat with Bernice in the waiting room the story broke on the news. A
fleeing felon wanted in five states in conjunction with twenty eight
deaths. Plus the deaths of four police officers had been cornered on a
side road where he decided to shoot it out with the state police.
A feeling of calm washed over me as the surgeon came out to say Donnie
would be just fine, Bambi would need a bit more time to recover and Jay
was awake and asking for his wife.
Turning my head I looked at pam who just smiled at me, her eyes saying
she understood now how I could love someone so much.
My cell phone began to ring, looking at it I saw it was Erika.
"Momma, Aunt Bambi's car is on the news and so is uncle Jays wrecker. Are
they ok? What happened? Is that why Daddy and Greg haven't gotten here
yet?"
"Erika, your Daddy's in the hospital, he was riding with your uncle Jay.
But everyone's going to be ok. We'll be up there tomorrow, and I'll talk
to the Colonel," I told her.
"It was him wasn't it Momma, that guy that shot it out with the cops? The
news said he ran two cars off the road."
"Yes Sweetie," I said.
"Momma what aren't you telling me? is he the guy that challenged Rachel?"
she asked. "She called me after daddy said no. his car looked like she
described it."
"Yes it was him, he pushed your Aunt Bambi under the Wrecker, then went
after Rachel. But she's ok."
We talked for a bit until my cell phone was almost out of battery. Then I
let her call and talk to Donnie after he woke up.
When we finally got home Sophie surveyed the damages to Cin. "All
superficial and cosmetic. I can't understand why she's got problems."
Rachel was checking the oil on Julie. "She's almost a half quart low
Momma, I was driving her pretty hard," She popped the hood on Cin and
pulled the stick.
I knew something was wrong when she dropped to the floor of the garage.
She lay there shaking her head. And I asked how bad it was.
"We need a butt load of kitty litter. Momma I'm sorry but there's oil
everywhere," she told Sophie.
We both looked and then she said, "At least I'll have a baby sitter while
I do the work."
We stopped at the hospital the next morning before heading up to school.
Everyone was doing well toward full recoveries. Bambi was going to be
there at least a week but Jay and Donnie were getting out the following
day.
No one said a word to Rachel as she pulled the Pony up to the main gate
to drop off Greg. I think even the State troopers were turning a blind
eye to her driving without a license now.
It was when we got to our own school that she got attention. It started
with Curtis at the gate.
"I'm sorry Miss Pierce, I can't allow you to drive this vehicle onto the
premises. It doesn't have a parking permit."
"But, but it's been here before," she stated. "And it has a visitors
permit," she quickly pointed out.
"Ahh, so it does," he pulled something out of his pocket and I recognized
a glass scraper as he reached inside and ran the razorblade under the
little decal.
"W, why Curtis. I never did anything bad here," she was on the verge of
tears.
Retracting the blade he put the scraper and the old decal into his pocket
as I stood there in shock.
"I always wanted to do that," he said with a grin. "I also always wanted
to do this," He reached in through the open window and smoothed his hand
across the upper corner. When it came away there was a fresh new full
parking permit. The temporary had been in the lower corner and had
required the driver to stop to allow the guard at the gate to identify
it. the new one was larger and brightly colored, easily identified at a
distance.
His phone rang, and still not raising the pole barrier he answered it
before returning. "Miss Pierce please proceed to your Dorm I think
someone is waiting for you."
I followed slowly as we threaded our way to her dorms parking lot.
Students and classmates lined the sidewalks waving as she passed. Then a
familiar figure stood at one of the vacant spaces motioning for her to
turn in.
Miss Clara, Karen and Miss Myra were there along with the two school
driving instructors.
"Rachel Honey, I took the liberty of contacting a few friends on your
behalf," Miss Clara said. "You will get your beauty sleep tonight, and
then in the morning after breakfast you will take a special test."
"But I'm not old enough for the advanced drivers incentive," Rachel said
in disbelief.
"Rachel, My name is Tabitha Collins. Might we go to your dorm room to
talk?"
"Girls," I said the others. Go on to your rooms, I'll be there in a bit,"
I told May and Denise as they lead Sherry and Tiffany toward their own
dorms.
In Rachel's room we got down to the point.
"Rachel you fall into a very special category. You are bright talented
and very, very good behind the wheel. More importantly there are a huge
number of law enforcement officers in this state who have given
recommendations that you be given special considerations. Not just you
but your sister Erika as well."
"What kind of considerations, Ma'am?"
"Tabitha is the instructor for MMA," informed Janet, the head instructor
for our school. In the morning we will leave here in your car to go pick
up your sister. At which time Tabitha and I will trade places. I will
evaluate Erika's driving, while Tabitha evaluates Yours. When we get to
the State headquarters you will both take a special version of the
written test before being issued your licenses."
"That is unless your Momma objects." I hadn't seen the new speaker, but
when I looked up I recognized who she was. Lt. Col. Dianna Moss, of the
State Police, the second highest ranking police official in the state.
I assured her that neither I nor her other Momma or Daddy had any
objections. So long as they were subjected to the same rules as any other
licensed driver on the road. Then asked why they were being given this
special consideration.
"Because not one of the officers we've spoken with on their behalf didn't
ask for it. they in fact stated they would turn a blind eye to their
driving if they were seen behind the wheel outside of a race," Tabitha
stated matter of factly. "And we cannot have officers refusing to uphold
the law now can we?"
"Oh, Absolutely not," I agreed.