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A Gaby FanFic by PB
Chapter 2
The next day, Drew returned to school after the Christmas break. At noon, he joined the rest of the gang as they headed to the cafeteria after what was a routine Tuesday morning of sets, except for Mr. Wood's meeting of the exchange students. As they stood in the food line, Maddy noticed how quiet Drew was.
“You really don't mind ... do you, darling ... being Gaby for our display at the cheer competition?” Maddy whispered as she tightly held onto one of Drew's arms.
“Huh?” Drew was thinking of other things.
“Duh! …The ‘Virginia State Cheerleading and Dance Championship' Miss C said we'll be performing at!” Maddy enthused.
“Yeah … how could I forget? … I didn't really have a choice ... did I?” he unenthusiastically replied in a quiet voice.
“I love you ...” Maddy softly cooed.
“Who do you mean when you say that?” Drew quietly asked.
“Drew ... Gaby ... does it matter? ... I love you,” Maddy whispered and gave a loving squeeze to Drew's arm as they made ready to select their food.
“Burger an' chips ... please,” Drew ordered.
“Just chips for me, please,” Maddy piped in.
Once they got their drinks, Drew and Maddy joined the others at a table and spent the lunch period talking about the upcoming visit to America. The win by the Sherwood Forester's at the East England Cheerleading Championships last month had injected a renewed enthusiasm into the team.
As they headed back to their homeform to begin their afternoon sets, Drew started to head off to the office explaining to the others that he had to go to another meeting, this time with Mr. Woods and his dad.
“Hi, kiddo! ... Are you ready for this?” Dave asked as Gaby approached him outside the main office.
“Yeah,” Gaby acknowledged.
Together, they entered the office and announced their presence. After a short wait Gail showed them into the headmaster's office. As they entered, they saw that Mrs. Johnston was already waiting with Mr. Woods, along with Miss Cowlishaw.
“Drew ... Mr. Bond ... do come in and take a seat,” Mr. Woods offered while indicating two empty office chairs. “You know Miss Cowlishaw? … Along with Mr. Pilling, they will be the escorts for the exchange visit to America … Miss Cowlishaw will also serve as our exchange liaison with the Americans. I must apologize for Mr. Pilling's absence, he's teaching at the moment … but Miss Cowlishaw will fill him in.”
Following the introductions, the headmaster turned to Dave and asked, “This is your meeting ... what can we do for you?”
“There are actually two reasons I asked for this meeting. The first has to do with Drew and the second has to do with the upcoming visit to America,” Dave began in the strong business-like voice of someone who's chaired many such meetings. As he paused to collect his thought, all eyes seemed to bore into him. Finally he began, his voice noticeably less assured.
“Umm ... I don't know quite how to put this ... it's rather delicate ... but there has been ... umm ... a change ... to Drew's medical status and we (nodding to Gaby) … felt that the escorts for the trip should have this information if ever a medical emergency arose … as well as both you (addressing Mr. Woods) and Mrs. Johnston because of your positions in the school.”
“Dad? ... Can I tell them?” Gaby asked. After getting a nod from her father, Gaby again recounted her story from the first blackouts she experienced after cycling, last September and concluding with the medical testing and her recent decision based on the results of those tests.
Once Gaby was finished, Dave produced copies of Dr. Sanwari's letter confirming everything that Gaby had said and handed a copy to Mr. Woods. After reading it, Mr. Woods then passed it to Mrs. Johnston, instructing her to include it in Drew's academic file. Dave also handed a second copy to Miss Cowlishaw, to be included with the documentation she was carrying for each of the students on the trip.
After all three staff members had read the letter over they looked at Dave and Gaby in silence, clearly stunned by the news.
“Let me get this straight ... Drew is really a girl and no one knew until now? ... How was that possible?” Mr. Woods asked, eventually breaking the silence.
“Things didn't become evident until Drew started to develop what they refer to as secondary female characteristics with the onset of puberty,” Dave replied with a renewed confidence.
“Has Gaby had an MRI done?” inquired Mrs. Johnston, eager to show off any medical knowledge she possessed.
“Not as yet ... we'll be scheduling one sometime after the kids return from the States,” Dave explained.
“Does this mean...” Miss C started to say as she turned and addressed Gaby.
“That only Gaby will be on the trip? ... Maybe … I'd like to give ‘Drew' a final fling and let ‘Gaby' return to Warsop College ... but ... it all depends on the Walters... are they expecting Drew or Gaby?” Gaby offered.
“I'd like to ask everyone here that until I choose to reveal the truth about Gaby, nothing has changed ... please think of me still as Drew ... only the family... except for Mum and Maddy ... know of my decision … an' we'd like to keep it that way for now,” Gaby mentioned. She looked at each of the gathered staff members as they nodded their agreement.
“Gaby ... I assume that will be your name?” Mrs. Johnston stated more as a fact than a question, as she scribbled some notes in the margin of her copy of Dr. Sanwari's letter.
“Yes, miss ... short for Gabrielle,” Gaby agreed.
Turning to Mr. Woods, Gaby pointedly asked the one unspoken question. “Sir ... you haven't said anything ... an' no one's really mentioned it … but ... I know it won't be easy telling the school an' all ... but ... will you let ‘Gaby' come back to Warsop College?”
After a thoughtful pause, Mr. Woods replied in a quiet and caring tone of voice, “Of course you can ... without question. I'm sure that together … you … my staff … and I … will be able to overcome any obstacle you may encounter.”
“Thank you, sir!” Gaby enthused.
“That about cover it?” Dave asked his youngest.
“For me …but you haven't mentioned anything about Mum.”
“I was coming to that,” Dave replied as he turned to face Mr. Woods.
“The second thing I wanted to cover ... is Jenny … and how that may affect both my girls during their trip to America,” Dave continued.
“We all know of Jenny leaving you … but how does that affect your children?” Mr. Woods inquired.
“She wanted to keep it quiet …but as you must know...” Dave soberly began. He went on to explain her leaving was all a ruse to hide a truth and that she was now back home with Stage IV cervical cancer.
“Thus far, radiation hasn't worked and she's now to be assessed for possible surgery as a last effort ... otherwise she's been only given months,” Dave explained as he tried hard not to show emotion.
Gaby looked at her father with watered eyes as he addressed all those gathered in the room. Mrs. Johnston paid strict attention to what Dave had to say, all the time closely watching Gaby's reactions to what was said.
“What I want to ask is that ... God forbid … if things ... take a turn ....” Dave began with a shaky voice.
“Would you like to take a small break to gather yourself, Dave?” Mr. Woods pressed.
“No thanks ... I'll be fine,” Dave quietly replied. In a stronger voice, he continued, ( SIGH ) “If things take a turn for the worse ... I'd like to have Jules and Gaby … sent home immediately ... and at her mother's request, I'd like to have their cousin ... Maddy Peters accompany them.”
“Certainly ... just call me anytime, day or night and I'll get a hold of either Miss Cowlishaw or Miss Bell,” Mr. Woods stated. “I trust you still have my home phone number from when Jenny was at the school?”
“Yes, thanks,” Dave confirmed.
As the meeting broke up, Gaby approached Miss C as she headed out the door.
“Miss ... a word, please?” Gaby asked.
“Certainly … what is it?” Fran quietly asked.
“I've also decided that I'm leaving the Sherwood Foresters,” Gaby quietly revealed to Miss Cowlishaw.
“When? ... What about the competition?” As she thought back to the day she had the Sherwood Foresters in a meeting with Mr. Woods, Miss C had a revelation. “There was a reason you weren't exactly enthusiastic about Gaby having to make an appearance when I told the squad about the competition … you'd already decided to leave ... hadn't you?”
Miss C saw in Gaby's face that she'd reached the correct conclusion. Without giving Gaby a chance to respond, Fran continued in a softer tone, “You realise that the Foresters really need you ... don't you? ... You're our best … and the other girls look up to you.”
“Thanks Miss,” a blushing Gaby replied. In a more serious tone, she added, “I promised you that I'd be there for our exhibition at the competition ... an' I will ... but just for that one routine … after that? … I'm gone!”
“Ever since Dr. Sanwari first told me and dad what he thought, I'd been thinking about how I felt about being Gaby ... I also thought about how much more complicated things will get once I decided to remain as Gaby ... then there's Mum's cancer an' all ... somehow cheering has slipped on my list of priorities,” Gaby confided.
“You telling me you always knew you'd remain Gaby?” Fran asked.
“I knew as soon as I first heard Dr. Sanwari suggest I was intersexed,” Gaby revealed.
“I understand ... especially with what you and your father just talked about … I'll be very sorry to see you go,” Fran whispered. “Have you told the rest of the team about leaving?”
“No ... I figured to tell them after the competition,” Gaby allowed.
“Speaking of secrets … I haven't told the others yet so please don't say anything … but we're not doing just an exhibition routine at the competition ... Miss Bell has entered us in the actual competition!” Miss C whispered by Gaby's ear. “After that win you girls managed at Peterborough … I really think we have a chance.”
“Wow! … Competing against the Americans?” an impressed Gaby whispered. “You know this won't change things … I still intend to stop cheering ... after…”
“Unfortunately I have to return to sets ... but thank you for telling me,” Fran quietly replied. As she left, she gave Gaby's hand a reassuring squeeze. She felt bad as she saw the disappointment in Fran's eyes as they parted, but it had to be said.
“Daddy? ... Can we do something for Mum before Jules and I have to go?” Gaby asked as they stood in the corridor outside the office door.
“Any ideas, kiddo?” Dave asked.
“A fancy dinner ... take her somewhere nice!” Gaby quietly enthused.
Dave thought that was an excellent idea and set the time for either that evening or the following evening, depending on how active Jenny was. Either way, Dave would have to get her to rest that afternoon while he made plans.
That evening, they had to change their plans as Jenny was worn out from sneaking some time on the turbo. As a result, Dave carted her off to bed and an early night. The girls decided to busy themselves with packing for the trip but first Jules had to make a phone call.
Dave agreed with the girls that they'd stand a much better chance of getting a straight answer from Debbie than if Gaby talked with Brit. After what seemed like a long time, and with continuous prompting and off-stage hints by Dave and Gaby, Jules finally got around to discussing the reason for the call with Debbie. Some time later, Jules got off the phone.
“Well? … Who's going?” Dave anxiously inquired.
“Gaby,” Jules responded. “Debbie had to wait until she was alone, but she told me that Brit and her never told their ‘rents about Drew when they got back. By the time they plucked up the courage to do so ... thanks to Brit's photos … their parents were firmly convinced I had a sister … so they never mentioned it … Deb said something about wanting to see their next birthday! Brit even schemed with Maddy to make sure Gaby shows up … an' Mr. Walters even finished Deb's new bedroom for us!“ As an afterthought, Jules added, “If it means anything, Gabs … Deb told me to tell you her mum thinks you're very pretty.”
(sigh) “So much for Drew going,” Gaby sarcastically lamented.
“Look at it this way, Sis … Gaby gets to go to America!” Jules cheerfully replied as both girls headed upstairs to their rooms to begin packing. Once up in Gaby's room, Jules gave her sister her first real lesson in the proper way to pack.
They even spent time selecting what Gaby would wear for traveling. Since she would need to arrive in the US, Gaby had to leave the UK, but as Drew. Great care was used to select loose clothing that would hide her breastforms.
After Gaby modelled several combinations from all of Gaby's clothes, they selected an androgynous look of jeans, boots that could pass for boy's shoes when worn under the jeans and an oversized bulky sweater. Drew's slightly oversized leather jacket and a knitted scarf provided the finishing touches. Their plan called for Jules to get Gaby's bag from her luggage once they arrived in Washington and give it to her sister. Gaby would then apply her make-up before they arrived in Grottoes.
When the siblings got home from school the next day, they found their dad coming back down the stairs after putting their mum to bed. Dave explained that although Jenny had a good day, he had to tell her their plans in order to get her to take a nap so that she might stay up for the evening.
After a light tea, Gaby ran upstairs to shower and get ready for her mum's evening, while Jules washed up and leaving their dad to make all the necessary arrangements.
Hearing Jules return to her room, Gaby snuck over to her door and softly whispered, “Jules ... can I come in?”
As Jules opened the door expecting to see Drew, she saw Gaby standing there in her blue silk, lace-trimmed robe. Holding the door open, Jules stood back to let her enter.
“Gaby? “ a surprised Jules replied as she shut her door.
“Sh-h-h-h ... I thought I'd surprise Mum! ... Besides, you know Drew isn't one for dressing up!” Gaby softly answered.
“Since when?” Jules smirked as Gaby walked past her and sat on her bed.
“Fun-eee ... now you gonna help me or not?” Gaby hissed.
“Wotcha need?” Jules inquired.
“Can you do my nails?” Gaby asked, producing her dark pink nail colour.
“Going all out … eh, Sis? ... C'mon, let's see those feet ... what about school tomorrow? ... You know ... your fingers?” Jules pointed out.
“I thought I'd clean them before bed tonight,” Gaby replied.
“You better! … It'd be all you need if you showed up wearing nail polish!” Jules exclaimed. “Better let me double check you get all of it, before you turn in … ok?”
“Ok…”
As Gaby sat on Jules' bed and put a foot in her sister's lap, her robe fell open affording Jules a glimpse of Gaby's panties.
“It's only dinner, Sis…” Jules seductively remarked.
“Maddy says sometimes a girl just likes to feel like a girl!” Gaby cooed.
“Yeah … I know what you mean,” Jules thoughtfully replied.
When she had finished, Gaby asked her to check the coast was clear before she ran to her own room to finish getting ready.
“Hurrry up, Drew … your dad's waiting!” Jenny called up the stairs for Drew to hurry and finish getting ready.
“You look really pretty, Mum,” Gaby casually stated as she descended the stairs. She saw her mother standing at the bottom of the stairs and looking very fit and well rested. Expecting to see Drew coming down the stairs, she turned and saw Gaby instead.
“Gaby? … You … look … very pretty … yourself,” a surprised Jenny replied.
Dave, who was standing beside her, smiled and agreed with his wife. Turning to Jules, he commented, “All three of my ladies look lovely, tonight … car's waiting ... shall we?” Dave helped each with their coats then stood aside while they walked out to the car. After locking up, he slipped behind the wheel and turned the key.
A couple of hours later, the Bond family left Salvatore's and were walking back to the car when Dave commented, “Just have to pick up Maddy, then we can go home to enjoy what's left of the evening.” Dave was going to say ‘last evening together' but under the circumstances, he refrained.
“Why we picking up Maddy?” Jules inquired.
“Your aunt and uncle are taking a room in Manchester later tonight because Uncle John has an early flight to Japan, tomorrow morning. We've agreed to take Maddy for the night and drive her to the school tomorrow,” Dave explained.
Once they arrived at the Peter's residence, John loaded Maddy's case in the car. After saying good-bye to her parents, Maddy joined the two Bond girls in the back.
Maddy was visibly surprised to see Gaby as she got into the car. When discreetly asked, Gaby whispered “Later...” A scant few minutes later, they pulled up in front of their own house.
“A thoroughly enjoyable evening … and with such lovely company!” Jenny enthused as she moved to open the car door.
“Thank Gaby … it was her idea,” Dave replied as he turned to get out of the car.
“Thank you, darling … I had a lovely evening … and I enjoyed seeing Gaby … you didn't mind?” Jenny cooed as she hugged Gaby.
“This time … Gaby was my choice … for you,” Gaby softly replied as she tightly held her mother once they were out of the car.
Dave let Jenny unlock the front door while he grabbed Maddy's luggage from the boot of the car.
“You kids go on upstairs and make sure you have everything you need for tomorrow morning, out and ready. I don't want to be searching for things at 4 AM!” Dave stated as they walked into the house.
While the three girls bounded up the stairs to their rooms, Dave proceeded to make the tea while Jenny went to relax on the couch.
“Ok … I'm ready! … Let's get you packed!” Maddy enthused as she ran into Drew's room.
“It's done! … Jules helped me last night … see?” Gaby indicated her soft-sided suitcase on the floor beside her dresser.
“Oh...” Maddy quietly replied, her disappointment evident. ”Well … like Uncle Dave said … let's go through it an' make sure you've got everything!”
Gaby observed just how quick Maddy could be as she crossed over to the piece of luggage and snatched it up. Gaby knew what was coming, so she let Maddy go through the motions.
Once Maddy had it opened, she began searching through the neatly folded clothes like a frenzied custom agent, but as she realised all the clothes were Gaby's, she noticeably slowed her search until she stopped looking altogether and straightened up.
“Surprised to find only Gaby's stuff?” Gaby softly asked as she stood behind Maddy and gently held her shoulders. “You …weren't … gonna … tell … me … were you?”
“Tell you what? ... I don't know what you're talking about!” Mad sounded like the little child caught in the act by her parents. She stiffened as Gaby turned her around to face her.
“Please, Mad … don't lie to me … not now,” Gaby softly urged. “I know everything … Dad and I wondered … considering how Deb and Brit left … so Jules talked to Debbie last night to find out just who the Walters expected to get off the plane.” As the colour drained from Maddy's cheeks, Gaby sat her down on the edge of the bed.
“I also know you an' Brit planned to make sure Drew didn't show-up … ‘cause their ‘rents are expecting two sisters … so between that and the cheer competition … I'm Gaby, 24/7 … that an' because Mum and Dad say we hafta go.” As Gaby stood in front of her girlfriend, Maddy stared straight ahead at Gaby's chest.
Seeing no acknowledgment from a shocked Maddy of what she was saying, Gaby continued in a calming tone, “I know Brit asked you last November to make sure only Gaby came on the trip … that's why all the interest in helping me pack … wasn't it? … In fact you were going to find a reason to pack for me …. Isn't that what you told Brit?… Why? … I mean … why didn't you just tell me?
Maddy sheepishly looked up into Gaby's face and with moist eyes, tearfully admitted, “If I told you back then … ( sniff ) what would you have done? …Tell Mr. Woods so he could sort it out an' end up getting Brit and Deb into trouble? ... Maybe drop you from the exchange program? … Or maybe you'd decide not to go? … ( sniff ) … What about the rest of us? … The ‘gang' … ( sniff ) an' the Sherwood Foresters? … What about me? … ( sniff )… I didn't want to go alone … not when you could be with me … I love you...”
Maddy's voice faded as Gaby took her by the hands and stood her up to receive a long hug. Locked in a tight embrace, with her eyes closed and her head resting on Gaby's shoulder, Maddy whispered, “I'm sorry, darling … I'm sorry … forgive me?”
“You'll have to settle being with Gaby for the next six weeks ... is that ok?” Gaby knowingly asked.
(to be continued)
PB 19.02.08 © 2008
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