AND LOVE CHAP 151
Construction II
ON THE SHORE
Gregg, TXT
GW to JR: private talk w U & Ed?
JR: call in 5
GW: K
RING
"Gregg here, Jamie?"
"Yup, Eddie and I in the office."
"I don't care if you two are in the jacuzzi! Alone?"
"Yes, smarty. What's up?"
"What would you think if I used Cassie's upcoming grad present for her next driving lesson?"
"Wow, we don't want her to tumble to what's coming." Eddie stipulates.
"I absolutely agree. I can do this so she believes the car is just another loaner."
"A Porsche loaner?" Jamie is incredulous.
"Yes! We do it all the time."
"Really?"
"Yes, really." Gregg reassures them.
Jamie and Eddie look at each other, they are dubious. Eddie speaks for them, "We would rather not take the chance. But if you are sure that you can pull it off . . . go ahead."
"Ok, I am confident. Annie and I will do this."
"Annie?"
"Yes, Gregg will be teaching Cassie to pass cars on the road. I will be driving the car to pass. We've done this many times," Annie explained.
Jamie and Eddie nod to each other. They realize how blessed they are to have friends like them.
SATURDAY
Cassie is pumped! Josh wants desperately to participate; Gregg has vetoed that. Both 'kids' understand.
10:00 Gregg drives up in the loaner car that Cassie will be driving today. She has never seen a car this beautiful; a bronze 4-door Porsche. She and Josh stand, hand-in-hand, gazing with open mouths.
"Ready to go girl?" Gregg exclaims as he gets out.
"This is a loaner?" Cassie is awed.
"Yup, we get all kinds to use. This is rare though. A 4-door is rare in itself. I thought you wouldn't mind; is it ok with you?" He looks doubtful.
"No . . . I mean yeah. Perfect."
"Now, we're going to learn to pass a slower moving car on the highway. Aunt Annie will be driving that car, so there will be no surprises. Ready?"
"Yup," she leans into Josh for a good luck kiss.
"Be safe, and careful," he sends her off with that kiss.
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ON THE ROAD
She drives east on the island. At a stop sign, Annie turns right and now is on the highway in front of Cassie.
Annie drives a steady 45 MPH; the speed limit is 55.
"Now Cass, stay a respectable distance behind; look for a straight patch of road; when there are no oncoming cars, accelerate, pass her quickly and move back into your lane. When passing you often need to exceed the posted limit. That's ok; just drop back as soon as possible."
1st PASS: You moved back into your lane too quickly. You almost cut her off, understand?
CR: Yes, this is scary!
GW: It is, it will become old hat.
CR: Really?
GW: It will. Remember, my negative comments are meant to help.
CR: I know, thanks.
2nd PASS: Smoother, but a car came out of nowhere, causing her to brake and dip in behind Annie.
CR: SHIT! Oops, sorry. Can we take a break, uncle Gregg.
GW: Yes, see that wide spot up ahead, pull off onto the right shoulder . . . good. Now, parking brake and emergency flashers.
They sit; she is trembling. Gregg squeezes her shoulder; soon Annie comes back and parks in front of them. Cassie lowers her window as Annie approaches.
"Get out Cassie, I want to tell you something," Annie declares.
Cass is terrified. She gets out and goes around to the non-traffic side of the car. Annie stands in front of her, placing her hands on her shoulders.
"Look at me." Annie is scowling.
She does, trembling.
"Cassandra, that was great!" Her aunt is now smiling. Gregg is hiding a grin.
"It was? I was terrified!"
"Yes, you handled that duck and cover beautifully. I bet your uncle hadn't taught you that yet."
"No . . . that what?"
"Duck and cover. What to do when something unexpected is coming right at you. Cassie, you have very good instincts. Trust them!"
Annie turns to Gregg, "We have a keeper here."
"Yes, we do!"
They both give Cass a big hug.
BACK HOME
"Mom, dad! You wouldn't believe what happened." She bounds into the house; Josh gets to her first. He gets the 1st hug and kiss.
She tells them all about her lesson. Gregg and Annie confirm. All are proud of her.
Jamie and Eddie are relieved that she doesn't suspect anything, regarding the car.
So far.
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FAMILY CONFERENCE
"We have two things to talk about," Mom starts. "First, you recall when the animals were out of the pasture?"
"Yes! If I had been here, I would have been a nervous wreck!" Mary Rose exploded.
Jamie and Eddie nod.
Dad goes on; "Well, they were down by the shore of the Long Island sound. And we didn't know it, but Betsy was in heat."
"Heat? What's that?" Patrick wonders.
"She was ready to get pregnant," mom mutters.
The girls snicker. Mom and dad give them the eye.
"Did Hero do his job?" Mal giggles.
"What's his job?" AJ is puzzled.
His sisters collapse in laughter.
"I told you we shouldn't have started this way," Eddie huffs at Jamie.
He glares at her.
Mom picks up the story. "Our vet has seen Betsy and confirmed that she is pregnant."
"WHAT! We are going to have a foal?" Mary Rose jumps up and starts to dance for joy.
"What's a foal?" AJ whispers to his brother.
"I don't know." Pat whispers back.
While MR dances, dad fills his sons in; "A foal is a baby horse, boys."
"Oh," they both mutter.
"I get to watch Betsy all through her pregnancy, right?"
"Yes, Mary Rose! I'm excited too!" Mom agrees.
"I think we've lost her."
"This next item will get her back."
"Yeah."
"What's next, Cassie asks.
"Our suggested protocol for sleeping in the barn loft," dad announces.*
"YES! Finally. We haven't used it yet," Mary Rose is back. "What is it?"
"Here we go," mom starts. "Save questions until the end."
Loft sleeping only Monday-Friday,
Each family member can sleep in the loft 1 night per week,
Mom controls reservations,
Only couples may use the queen bedroom,
Max of 2 people per night,
More during a friend's sleepover, if mom approves,
Any mess, i.e. food, must be cleaned up before leaving in the morning,
If mom or dad deem the cleanliness not acceptable, that person will lose loft privileges for 1 month,
Lights out at 10 PM M-Th, 12 PM Friday,
If mom or dad can hear your music from the house, IT IS TOO LOUD,
If the music bothers the animals, IT IS TOO LOUD,
You must stay in the house, with the family, until homework is done, and after prayer circle. We still are A FAMILY!
ENJOY!
"Well, what do you think?" Mom asks.
"Why no Saturday or Sunday?" Mal wonders.
"No Saturday because we all need to be rested and looking good for church Sunday morning. No Sunday because Monday starts the school week." Dad explains.
"Now during school breaks or summer vacation, we will relax those night rules," Mom adds.
"Ok, that'll work." Cassie thinks.
All agree. Mary Rose is 1st at mom's side.
Next are Patrick and AJ. "Can we sleep in the barn together, please?"
"Yes, boys. You may."
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TBC
Barn loft configuration: a queen bedroom, locking. A sleeping room with 2 bunk beds. A common area with big screen TV and stereo. A bathroom with shower. A kitchenette with microwave and small fridge; stocked with soft drinks. A variety of seating in the common area, including a fold-out sleeper couch.