"Hello. Can I help you?"
"Who do I see if I want to buy this place?"
"You want to buy this dump?"
"My friends and I met here," Bee explained.
"You took a class here?"
"Not exactly. My friends, Tibby, Lena, Carmen and I met while we were still in the womb. Our mothers took the prenatal aerobics class here and met each other twenty one years ago."
She nodded, "and how does a twenty year old girl come into enough money that she feels like she has enough to buy a failing aerobics studio?"
"I have held the high paying job I have had for two years now. My name is Bridget Vreeland. I am a professional women's soccer player. Our team won the Olympics this year. I signed up with a couple of sponsors so I have the money that I need," Bee began to get angry at the old lady, "Why am I telling you this?"
"I admire your spunk Miss Bridget," the lady began, "I have owned this studio for over thirty years, and I haven't found anyone right to sell this place to. Until now. My name is Gilda Radcliff."
"Its a pleasure," Bee gasped, finding out that there actually was a Gilda.
"The pleasure is mine."
"Then if it is your pleasure, I have a confession to make. For years, atleast six, maybe even more, my friends and I have been breaking into your studio twice during the summer. Its where we began, and so it is a fitting place for us to start each summer."
"So that was YOU. You think I didn't notice?" the woman laughed, "You must think I'm a fool."
Bridget shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, blushing, "This place means a lot to us. How much are you asking?"
"Not nearly as much as I paid for it. 200,000."
"I can get that much, or get a loan for it."
"Good. I like you."
"Thanks. I already have the perfect name for it: 'Gilda's Sisterhood Fitness Center'."
"You're going to keep my name in it?" Gilda asked in awe.
"Of course. I'm going to try to keep it as similar as possible. I just have to modernize a few things," Bridget smiled.
"You are the right person for the job Bridget. You love this place as much as I do."
"You can call me Bee," Bee replied warmly.
"Bee," Gilda smiled.
"It might take me a few months to start getting it back together. I'm still in college. But I have a vision!" exclaied Bee.
"And you'll be able to get the building looking like new?"
"I redid my grandma's attic four years ago. Its décor was non-existant. I think I can handle this. I might have to hire some of the work out, but this place with shine!"
Gilda smiled at Bee's enthusiasm, "I'll call the realtor and he can draw up the paperwork. Can I get your address and phone number?"
"I'll be going back to school soon, so it will be best if we get this done as soon as possible. I'll give you both my school and home information just in case. I'll be away with the friends I was telling you about this weekend."
"Aren't you the busy one? You think you will have time for 'Gilda's Sisterhood Fitness Center'?"
"The winter break will be completely devoted to this baby, and usually, I have a lot more time during the summer. I'm planning on closing it from the winter to the summer, then in a year's time, around the time Tibs, Len, Carma and I would normally break in, we'll be open for business. I'd like it if you would stay and manage the establishment until it closes for the repairs."
"I wanted to buy a retirement condo in Florida with the money I get from selling this place, but since I like ya so much. I will stay until November."
"Great. I'll be looking forward to hearing from you."
"It was wonderful to meet you Bee. You'll do this place proud."
"Thank you. Have a good day."
"You too. Say hello to those friends of yours."
"I will."
"I have something for you," Gilda went under her desk, and took out a key, "Now you don't have to break in anymore," she smiled.
"But I haven't done anything for you yet. I haven't paid anyone anything! Why do you want to do this?"
"You hoodlums haven't stolen anything yet. What is there to steal? I have talked to you for long enough to trust you."
Bee smiled widely, "Thank you," she took the key, "I can't wait to tell the others!" she squealed, and ran out of the aerobics studio.
Bee dialed them up on her cell phone when she got into the car. She called Carmen first, "Hey. When's Gilda's again?" knowing very well what the answer is.
"You're home? You're home!" Carmen exclaimed, "Five days. We're meeting there at midnight as always. Then the next morning we're going to go to the beach house."
"And when does Tibby get home?"
"Her plane arrives at seven pm tomorrow. We're going to go get her."
"Can I drive?"
"No."
"I want to give you guys a surprise and I'm not sure I can wait almost a week."
"And you have to drive?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"Because if I didn't, it would ruin the surprise!"
"If everyone else agrees, you can drive home. Just don't kill us in the process."
"I resent that! I get into one accident during drivers' ed, a minor one at that, and you haunt me with it the rest of my life?"
"Yeah."
"I haven't crashed in four years! And I didn't do any damage to the car either."
"Lets go out," Carmen changed the subject.
"Where?"
"Anywhere. I just need to see you and Lena. I feel like I've been in the house watching Ryan for way to long. Mom and David just got home."
"Okay."
"Len and I will pick you up in about fifteen minutes."
"Is she there?"
"No, but I just know she isn't doing anything more important than hanging out with us. I'm gonna call her. See you in a few."
"Bye"
Bee realized at that point that as much as she had missed her sisterhood throughout the entire year and summer, she missed Eric just as much right then. She wanted to call him, but she knew she wouldn't have enough time to say what she wanted to say to him.
True to form, Carmen and Lena arrived about twenty-five minutes after the phone call had finished. They went out to lunch, and just all around hung out. It was good to be back.
