Diane had even worked with George, from the local paint and body shop, to build a spray booth, in an adjoining building. He sent a hotshot kid named Jason Beckley to do the painting. His artwork on the frames really rocked.

Everybody was working hard at Biggs Fabrication. Her high school interns, Samuel, Janice and William, were doing great. They were eager students and became an important part of the company.

Thomas, her lawyer, had called after looking at her books, suggested that she incorporate rather than form a partnership. He suggested that Diane make Cal a twenty-nine percent shareholder, Derek a fifteen percent shareholder and Sally a five percent shareholder in Biggs Fabrication. In Biggs Bikes he suggested Derek a twenty percent shareholder, Little Timmy a twenty percent shareholder and Sally a five percent shareholder. They would both be under Diane Biggs Fabrication Inc. that was wholly owned by Diane. All the current corporate assets were under Diane Biggs Fabrication.

The corporate structure, left Diane fully in control of both the fabrication unit and the bike building unit, at the same time Cal, Sally and Timmy, who had been with her father when he founded Biggs Fabrication, were taken care of. Diane would be president, Cal would be vice-president and Sally would be the corporation's secretary.

Thomas said he would present the plan and letters of incorporation, at their company meeting this Monday.

The bottom line would be, a little less money at the current levels for Diane and more for her friends. Her taxes would be less; she was assured though, that her college courses might be charged off as a business expense.

On the College front, Diane was cracking the books; Jessica and Derek were tutoring Diane, getting her ready for her to retake her SAT's. They were all harsh taskmasters, but Derek found a really good computer program for SAT tutoring. Diane worked six hours a day at Biggs Bikes and studied three hours a day. It had been nearly two years since she had graduated, but everything was coming back to her. Her worst subject was English, and her best was both Math and Science. Jessica suggested that she get with Sandy to bone up on her English.

Samuel, Derek and Thomas had done their work on the cycling club. They had contacted the Virginia Cycling Federation and they would be contacted by one of their members on starting the club. Janice had put the word out on campus and there was a lot of interest expressed in the club. Erin took the idea to the chamber of Commerce and they agreed to help sponsor the club.

Diane had even received several letters from the British Embassy; one from the Ambassador, thanking her for setting up the ride, one from Jacquie, thanking Diane for the bike and one from John Haverhand, thanking her for everything and wanting to hear from her.

Diane got up from her seat and paid her Bill. She was looking forward to this weekend, Sandy and Em would be coming over for dinner at her place. She had shopped carefully and found some good meatless recipes for their diner, since Em was a vegetarian. Now it was all up to Diane, to see if she could prepare them as well as the TV chefs.

Diane arrived at her shop by seven, an hour and a half early for her even, but got right to work. She and Tim had left two bikes prepped for wielding. Diane got right to work. She had noticed that her fabrications skills had improved, since she was working so close to Tim. He was a perfectionist, just like she was. She had the front triangle all but finished, on the first bike, when Tim showed up. He got to work knocking out the front forks for both bikes. They had both bikes ready for Janice to begin prepping for paint, by lunch.

Tim retrieved plans for two more bikes, hot off of Derek's laser printer. Diane left him to layout, cut the tube and begin the prep work for the bikes. Diane took off, seeing the weather and road conditions had improved enough for her to get a two hour ride in.

Diane headed north up US 340 and carefully warmed up, spending extra time in the cool air to loosen up. Once she felt right she pushed hard turning up Spotswood Trail. The mountains were really beautiful this time of the year. She had gotten a new cyclometer that kept up with her heart rate and she was learning to use that to pace herself, keeping her heart rate at a certain level. She found that she could use it to keep herself in a fast groove. She turned onto Skyline drive and decided to ride it all the way down to US. 53 back to US 340, coming back to Grottoes from the south.

It was starting to get a lot colder as she got to Waynesborough and took the turn back to Grottoes. She had been worried that she had bit off more than she could chew. She finally rolled back into Grottoes, thoroughly exhausted, but feeling very good about her time.

Back home Diane ate and drank as many carbs as she could tolerate, before taking a nice hot bath. She enjoyed the nice hot soak, it relaxed all her muscles. When the tub started to chill, after being reheated twice with warm water, Diane reluctantly got out.

She concentrated on her skin care; this weather could be hell on skin if you didn't take care of it. The lotions and creams, the girls helped her pick out, really made her skin so soft and nice to touch.

Diane dressed in a house dress, that was a little more feminine than what she was use to. She would have just dressed in a T and pants just weeks ago, but she was really getting to like this feminine new Diane.

Diane called Sandy to make sure everything was still on for Saturday.

“Hello Sandy, Diane here. How are you two doing?”

“Ok Diane. Em and I are just finishing up our homework and getting ready to head over to the house for dinner.”

“Great. I found some good recipes I wanted to try out for tomorrow. They are all meatless, but they looked so good when the guy on TV cooked them. You two can be my guinea pigs tomorrow.”

“Oh, you're playing the Mad Scientist then, I see.”

“Yep, I'm going to turn ya'll into my mind controlled slaves,” Diane said, giggling.

“Yes Mistress Diane. What time shall we come over?”

“Anytime you two are comfortable. I have some movies on DVD or we can watch satellite, or play games on my Xbox.”

“Ok, Diane, we'll be over sometime after Em gets through with her dance class.”

“Oh that is great Sandy. How does she like the class?”

“She seems to have made an impression on everybody there Diane, She really likes it.”

“Sandy, can I ask you a favor?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“I am retaking my SAT's, and I need some help on the English part. I have a little over five weeks before the tests. I know you are busy, but would you possibly be able to help me out a bit.”

“Sure no problem, I will be glad to help.”

“Ok Sandy, I'll see ya'll tomorrow then, girl.”

“Ok Diane, we're looking forward to it.”

Diane hung up the phone and started her prep work on tomorrow's meal. She wanted to slow cook the spaghetti sauce and the butternut squash soup, so she planned to start cooking them just after breakfast. She got all the veggies chopped, along with the tofu and she set them to marinate in the fridge overnight.

She then cracked open the books, Jessica brought her and fell asleep studying.

The next morning was too cold and windy for a serious ride, so Diane just did an hour long aerobics tape. Dressed in a leotard, tights and trunks, Diane got to working out. It was a high energy tape and Diane pushed herself hard. Her body and movements had become more fluid and graceful since she had started the tapes.

She had worked up quite a sweat, by the time the tape ended. A quick shower, a light breakfast and then she started her cooking.

Her kitchen was soon filled with the smell of the spices, as the sauce began to simmer in the slow cooker and the soup slowly cooked. She lowered the heat and began working on a veggie platter, for them to nibble on. She finished by preparing an apple crumb cobbler for dessert.

Everything ready and the time getting late, Diane started getting ready. Diane worked her hair with a curling iron, until she was happy with it and started on her face. She was starting to get pretty good with her makeup and had even started reading all the ladies' magazines for tips. She looked pretty good, she thought, when she finished. Diane finished with a strapless push up bra, a light blue silky peasants blouse, tan pantyhose, a tight blue mini skirt and some high heeled pumps, that matched the outfit. She put on some dangle earrings, necklace, bangles and rings. She stood before her full length mirror and thought her dad would've hit the roof seeing her dressed like this, but his little girl, had really grown up.

Looking at the clock, she saw that she probably didn't have much time left, so she went to the kitchen, stirred everything and started a kettle boiling. She also started the pot boiling for the spaghetti, but she wouldn't add the spaghetti till the girls got there. She set up the tea service and placed a selection of fine English teas, by the pot.

Diane only had to wait about fifteen minutes, before her doorbell rang. She opened the door and saw Sandy and Em.

“Well hello girls, come on in and get out of the cold.”

“Hi, Diane. Wow you look great, I didn't know it would be a dress up dinner,” Sandy said, giving Diane a hug.

Em looked at Diane and had a big smile on her face. “You do look great Diane.”

“Well I decided, that even though I spend most of my time in work clothes or coveralls, it doesn't mean I have to go around looking like a guy, all the time.” Diane said helping the girls with their coats.

“That's really good Diane, you really would knock em down dead at a dance, or at school, looking like that.” Sandy said.

“Ok girls, do you want to talk first, or have dinner first, I have some movies for later, or we can play Xbox?”

“Let's eat, dancing takes a lot of me and the food smells wonderful,” Em said.

“Well Em, I got the water boiling and some tea set out. Have at it girl. First, we have a Golden Butternut Squash soup, some spaghetti and meatless sauce, and Apple Crum Cobbler for dessert.”

Diane went into the kitchen. Em followed her; she fawned over the selections of tea that was there. Diane checked the sauce, while Sandy helped by serving the soup and putting the garlic bread on the table. Em served the tea as they sat to eat. The three of them enjoyed working together, getting the food to the table and chatting.

“Oh Diane, this soup is wonderful,” Em said enthusiastically.”

“Thank you Em, just a recipe I picked up watching Emeril on TV,”

“Who?”

“Emeril, he is one of those crazy Italian chefs on TV?”

“Oh, ok,” Em said, still a little foggy about who Emeril was.

“It is good Diane. I need to tell the cook at the Diner, about this,” Sandy said giggling.

As they finished, Sandy and Em cleared the soup bowls, Diane started the pasta cooking, she watched it carefully, removing it from the burner and pouring it into a colander, when it was done. She dished out three plates of spaghetti and covered it with her sauce. Sandy took two plates to the dinner table and Diane carried her own.

Em really seemed to enjoy the meal. It is so hard at times to find a good meatless meal and this one was very good.

“Hmmmm… that smells heavenly Diane,” Em said.

“I hope it tastes as good as it smells, Em,” Sandy said.

“Hey, this isn't really bad,” Diane said, as she tasted the sauce.

“Bad. I would say it is great,” Sandy added.

“Great, more like brill, Diane.”

“So, you are going to start college Diane?” Sandy asked.

“Yes, either this summer, or fall, at U of V, I plan on studying mechanical engineering Sandy. I figure it will be good for my business.”

“U of V?” Em asked.

“Yes, that is University of Virginia, Em. They have a campus down at Charlottesville, just down the road. Are you thinking about college, Sandy?”

“Well, that depends, I would love too, but there are some expenses, I may face, that would delay that Diane,” Sandy said pensively.

Em looked at Sandy, she knew what she was talking about and wished that there was some way to help her, but she was only a kid.

“I thought your father made pretty good money?” Diane asked, wishing she would have kept her mouth shut, as soon as she said it. “Never mind Sandy, I shouldn't have said that.”

Sandy did look a little sad, but she gave Diane a big smile anyway, “He does but… we'll see what happens.”

“So Em, how do you like America?” Diane asked, changing the subject.

“I was a little worried at first, but I really love it. Sandy is such a sweet girl, I'm glad I came. Her Brother, Kevin, is so adorable too; I even let him beat me at video games sometimes.”

“You play video games, that's good, I have quite a few too.”

They finished their pasta and Diane asked, “Anybody have room for dessert?”

“Sure,” Sandy said.

“A little I guess.”

“Ok, here it comes.” Diane fetched three small bowls of warm cobbler, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on them.

“You are going to spoil us, Diane,” Sandy said.

“You've got that right Sandy,” Em added.

“Well, that is what you do with friends. I've always had a lot of people that I am friendly with, but not a lot of truly close friends. Since my father died, I've been in sort of a shell; I'm just now crawling out of that shell. I like both of you kids, Sandy, Em.”

The girls had a big group hug right then. After the hug broke, Diane asked, “Video games or movies.”

“Games first,” Em shrieked, and giggled.

Diane led them to her computer/TV room, where she kept all that stuff. Em rummaged through the games and selected one, while Diane turned the TV on. Sandy played Em first, but was no competition for Em.

“Dang Em, what do you do in England, just play games?”

“Yes, but we do a lot of other things too. Your turn to be a victim Diane,” Em said.

“Ok, but you have to go easy on us olds, Em.”

Diane was good, but Em could be brutal at the games. Finally Diane got to play Sandy. They were closer matched and Diane let Sandy win, by making a small error. They played several more rounds and were having the time of their lives.

“I wish I could see England,” Sandy quipped.

“I wish you could've come instead of Dan, Sandy. It would have been great, the two of us together.”

“I have a slide show Brit put together Em of their time in England, you could show Sandy.”

“That would be great Diane.” Em said.

Diane booted her computer up and loaded the program and let Em take over. Em was delighted to add narration to the slide show and help identify the people and scenes shown. Sandy was fascinated by all the pictures of the English sights, Drew's racing and pictures of the group.

Em squirmed a little as she saw the picture, she was glad Sandy could see the pictures of Rhod, but was scared of saying too much in front of Diane. She nudged Sandy when Rhod's picture showed.

“That is Rhod, he is my cousin. Too bad though, he had an accident just before the group came over and couldn't make it. I am glad though that I got to come in his place.” Em said

Brit had done an excellent job of documenting the English trip with pictures. The pictures vividly brought back the memories they captured.

Towards the end of the show, Diane got up, “I am going to the kitchen, and I have a veggie tray and some Diet cokes.”

Em cycled through the last slides of the show as Diane went to the kitchen. The last slide had shown a picture of Drew as Drew, Drew being Gaby and Maddy. Em tried to cycle through that picture, but Sandy caught a good look at it.

“Those kids could be identical triplets Em,” Sandy said.

“Yes they could,” Em said hoping Sandy didn't figure out that two of those kids just happened to be Drew. It is really hard to pick Gaby out from Maddy at times.”

“I just loved that slide show Em,” Sandy said.

“Yeah it is nice, it reminds me of home though and that my Mum is all alone, I miss her. This is the farthest I have ever been from my Mum.”

“I envy you Em; you seem to have a really nice tight group around you. They seem to support you however you are. That is really unusual, if you know what I mean,” Sandy said softly after assuring herself that Diane was still in the kitchen. It made her a little sad as she thought about her condition.

“I love those kids Sandy, they are a great bunch.”

Diane returned with the veggies and they began snacking on them. Sandy got up to go to the restroom, leaving Diane alone with Em.

“You know about Drew don't you Diane?”

Diane was clearly embarrassed to be put on the spot like this, “Ah… yes I do, I have known since I got this slide show Em. I like Drew though; she or he is a good kid. I won't cause her any problems.”

“Thank you, Diane. She is a good kid.”

They sat down on a couch, as Diane started one of her favorite movies. They had a grand time watching and giggling at the movie.

Finally it was getting late, so Sandy and Em made their excuses to leave.

“I really loved having both of you over, and if either of you ever need anything, just call me. I love you both.”

“Thank you Diane, if you cook like that all the time, I may have to move in with you,” Sandy said joking.

“Yeah Diane, I had lots of fun and I really enjoyed it here.”

The girls hugged and then parted.

On the drive home Sandy turned to Em, “I like Diane, Em.”

“She is one nice girl, Sandy.”

“Yes she is, Em.” .

To be continued

Paula Dillon 01.03.06 © 2006
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