A/n – thank you to those who reviewed. This part will only last for a couple more chapters and then the third instalment will arrive. I hope you enjoy.
I awoke the next morning to find mother's little darling Edward, the ugly hairless dog snoring its ugly head off at the foot of my bed.
Day three in this hell hole I thought bitterly as I threw the covers off of me and onto the poor unsuspecting dog.
I guess its not his fault he's ugly I decided as I looked down at him sleeping away as if he didn't have a care in the world.
Lucky bastard!
"Juliette!" my mother called from the other side of the door.
Why does she always have to use my full name?
"Yes?" I called back.
"We must hurry, your coach is arriving shortly" she informed me.
Well its about time!
I tried to keep my excitement in check.
"Okay" I called back trying to use my best monotonous voice.
I literally bounced off of my bed startling Edward who gave me one of those filthy looks dogs can do before he promptly went back to sleep.
I quickly jumped into the shower and was done in record time, a first for me since I absolutely love my showers.
Opening my closet I ignored the masses of ugly, preppy skirts and blouses and opted for a simple pair of black pants and a blouse that wasn't too preppy but it wasn't too sloppy. That should keep mother happy without compromising to Coach Bombay what it was really like for me here.
"Ah good you're dressed" my mother burst into my room without knocking.
She had on enough make up to keep Elizabeth Arden in business forever. Her perfume was absolutely overpowering. I remembered she wore Chanel No. 5 on most occasions.
I didn't answer, instead I just nodded as I straightened the blankets on my bed earning me another dirty look from Edward.
My mother picked the rat-dog up and cradled it in her arms.
"I wasn't aware Edward slept in here" her bright red lips pouted.
"Neither was I until I woke up" I replied with my back to her rolling my eyes as I straightened my pillows.
"Is he bothering you?" my mother actually had the compassion to ask me such a question.
Break out the bells, it appears she has a heart after all!
"Not really" I replied truthfully. The dog didn't really bother me.
"Good because I can keep him out if you don't want him in here" she continued to surprise me with her incredibly good mood.
The sound of the doorbell cut her off.
"That must be Mr Bombay!" she announced excitedly.
I tried my hardest not to answer with 'no duh'.
Wow that expression reminds me so much of Fulton, especially when he said it to Dwayne at the unveiling of the "Team USA Wheaties Box".
I hated my photo. I looked terrible and Connie looked fantastic, as always.
"Come on Juliette" my mother grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the room.
Okay, game time.
Bombay stood in our serving room looking around but not touching anything. He had on a navy blue business suit and his hair slicked back.
I guess he was back to being a Wolf 'the Dentist' Stansson clone.
As long as it made a good impression on my parents then I didn't care.
"Julie, nice to see you again" he greeted me as I walked into the room with my mother behind me.
"Hi Coach!" I replied smiling to let him know I was eager about Eden Hall.
"Mrs Gaffney I assume? Hello, I'm Gordon Bombay, I was Julie's coach during the Goodwill Games" Bombay held a hand out.
"Charmed" my mother replied with a smile coming from her carefully lined scarlet lips.
Oh man she was laying it on thick, and not just her makeup.
"Is Mr Gaffney joining us?" Bombay asked.
Never in a million years would he be joining us. I bet he was out playing golf with one of his business associates or kissing the latest multi-million dollar client's ass.
"I'm afraid Mr Gaffney is in a meeting all day" my mother replied not doing a very good job of keeping the bitterness out of her voice.
Sheesh you'd think she'd be used to my father's ways by now. I know I was.
"Well then lets get to business shall we?" Bombay took charge.
We sat down circling around a large coffee table.
Bombay proceeded to pull out a fancy looking folder from his briefcase.
"I'm unaware if Julie's mentioned this to you already, but the reason I am here is that Eden Hall Academy in Minnesota, a very fine private school, has offered each and every one of the Team USA Ducks full athletic scholarships to attend their school" Bombay started.
My mother turned to me "No I'm afraid Juliette didn't mention any of this"
Bombay glanced at me.
"And I ask why you didn't mention this to me at all?" my mother asked me with a raised eyebrow.
I knew this would come up and I had an answer prepared.
"I wanted it to be a nice surprise" I answered with a smile.
"And what a nice surprise it is too" my mother is putting on an act for Bombay's benefit.
She knows damn well why I didn't say anything earlier.
"I have here some information on the school, and Julie's scholarship contract which Julie will need to sign along with a parent or guardian" Bombay pulled out a few sheets of paper and a brochure of Eden Hall.
I dared to sneak a look at the brochure. It featured some glossy photos of carefully manicured gardens, immaculately dressed preppies and some of the faculty.
Oh yeah it was Preppsville, USA. Adam Banks' dream!
"Very nice" my mother pretended to pour over the photos.
"A conference to formally introduce the Ducks to the Eden Hall Alumni will be held the Friday before school starts and an assembly to introduce the Ducks to the students will be held on the morning of their first day the following Monday. You are welcome to attend both of course" Bombay was using his charm.
I wonder what Miss Mackay would think of this.
"Sound very appealing" she replied.
I had to wonder whether Bombay could detect the fakeness in her voice. I know I could and it was giving me a headache.
"So Julie, what do you think?" Bombay asked for my input.
"It looks great and I'll get to play hockey and go to school" I said suddenly realising that I might not get a shot on the ice if Bombay was coaching. He was still wrapped up in using Goldberg and the original Ducks.
"I've seen your transcripts from your Junior High, I anticipate you will have no trouble getting into the advance classes" Bombay tried the academic approach.
I must have looked horrified because he added.
"Oh don't worry, we're also looking at getting Ken and Adam in too so you won't be all by yourself" he explained.
"Great" I replied throwing on a smile for his benefit.
"Well I'll leave this here for you and Mr Gaffney to peruse and I'll be in touch sometime next week. The scholarships need to be signed and sent in before the 14th" he stood up and collected his briefcase from the table.
"I'll remember that, and thank you so much for stopping by. Maine must be awfully out of your way" my mother stood up as well.
"Oh its no problem at all, I've already been to Florida, Texas and California. After this it'll be Chicago and we'll be all set" Bombay explained.
"You're going to see Portman now?" I blurted out.
"Yes that's right, then its back to Minnesota to see the rest of the team" Bombay smiled.
Wow he actually put the out of town Ducks ahead of Charlie! Wonders never cease.
"Tell them I say hi" I told him, hoping to show my mother that I actually do get along with the team.
"Will do, I know they'll be looking forward to seeing you again" Bombay replied.
I could have kissed him for that comment. It showed my mother that the relationship was two sided. They liked me just as much as I liked them.
"Well have a safe flight Mr Bombay" my mother walked him to the front door.
"Please call me Gordon" Bombay was still using the charm.
"I really hope to see Julie at Eden Hall in the new school year" Bombay made his closing argument before waving farewell and getting into his rental car.
My mother maintained her smile until he was out of sight.
She closed the door with a bang and made her way over to me.
"You're not going" she said with a glare before trudging up the stairs. Stomping her Jimmy Choo's the entire way.