Eight
I sure didn't look ten dressed like this, I looked like a too big for a toddler, toddler! It fit in with my pretend identity though. This subterfuge would sure place the others at a disadvantage. They wouldn't worry about a little kid with a mental problem overhearing what they were saying to each other. I bet the Bond family will get a big laugh when they meet me!
Well, the Bond family turns out to be Jenny, Gaby, and Granny.
The party had been designed around giving Jenny Bond exposure to anyone interested that were well connected in the cycle world. That is, those that were looking to hopefully expand the popularity of cycling and hence their businesses in their respective countries.
It turns out that the Americans and Canadians were the ones that turned up and they both were very serious about signing both Jenny and her daughter Gaby for advertising campaigns to promote women's and girl's cycling.
The popularity of the two female Bond cycle champions in America and Canada was amazing! What they didn't know was that Jenny and Gaby had no interest in adding even more activities to their already very busy schedules. This was just one more event they could've done without. Gaby was excited though, she was told Lance had sent a few things along for her.
Drew was the one who wanted to be here though, but once again things just didn't work out that way. Gaby looked great though as did his mum and his Gran. They mingled and did the finger food thing as Gaby found herself confronted by this little girl who was far smarter than she would have ever guessed.
Their meeting was innocent enough as the little girl had everyone chuckling as she gushed over them both and asked for autographs. Jenny always having a supply of pictures along just for this purpose was happy to oblige this giggling little thing. Gran, Jenny and Gaby had been filled in on the history of this little brain and when she latched onto Gaby that was that.
It was when Angel had dragged Gaby to a secluded corner that she whispered her true purpose and Gaby turned white as a ghost! Angel led Gaby outside and Gaby sat down a little heavily as Angel stood in front of her and let her knowledge of Drew/Gaby be known. She also told Gaby who she really was and proved it to her with her Sentinel photo ID and her passport.
They talked for a long time until Gran came to fetch them because a few well known politicians showed up to grab the chance a free publicity. The American and Canadian ambassadors were among the list as well as a few prominent German politicos. They wanted to meet Gaby, but Gaby wasn't in any shape to meet anyone and Gran sprang into action as only Gran could.
It took Gran only ten minutes of listening to Angel before she truly understood why Gaby was stood there lost in her own mind trying to decide what to do. Gran made sure that Gaby was listening as she told her that nothing would be decided until all three of them sat down after the dinner and there was nothing to get so upset about. (Even though there was.)
The mention of food sent Gaby's tummy too making grumbles and groans. Food always did have a way of getting through either Gaby or Drew! They made their way inside and after more introductions and photo taking it was time for dinner.
Gaby's eyes grew huge as she saw the entire length of the huge dining room along one wall was filled with different kinds of foods with serving people waiting to serve portions as she walked along nodding to this and that. Jenny just rolled her eyes as Gran chuckled seeing the mound of food that was being collected on Gaby's large dinner plate.
Everyone was finally seated and WW made the toast. People began to dig in when everyone heard a phone begin to ring. It rang a bit loudly and everyone was looking around to see who the numbskull was that forgot to turn their phone off during and occasion such as this.
It was weird as Gaby seemed to think that it was actually coming from the center of the table. Not only that, but it seemed to be coming from inside the table! WW shouted.
“Everybody Down” as he and his family hit the floor automatically. Since Angel had insisted to be seated next to Gaby none of the family was close enough to get to her in the initial dive to the floor. The ambassadors were the only other ones to respond quickly as Jenny, Gran and Gaby just looked at each other when the bomb went off.
The news media were all over the story and before anyone could contact Mr. Bond he had seen it on the TV. Jules came bustling in a few minutes later and found her father in shock just staring at the TV. The phone was ringing and ringing, she had to answer it.
Aunt Carol found them both on the couch, hugging each other close, both just staring at the TV with silent tears streaming down their faces.
The ambassadors were the targets along with WW and his family of course. The terrorists claimed another victory for Islam and nations mourned.
When the media caught on that Gaby was dead and no Drew ever appeared a new Big Story caught every ones attention. Drew finally received what he had wanted all along, recognition for his achievements. Not the way he would have wanted it of course, but Gaby was exposed as the imposter and Drew, thanks to the Sentinel, was given all the accolades a boy could ever hope to have!
But, the Gaby was remembered as well for on Drew's headstone the epitaph read.
“Son, Daughter, Brother, Sister, Drew, Gaby, both loved, both lived, now rest forever in God's Embrace”
The End
Angel O'Hare 18.03.09 ©2009 All rights reserved.
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