A Gaby FanFic
The first thing I have to do is to publicly thank Angharad, KarenJ and last, but certainly not least, Jillian, for all their efforts to decipher my scribbles. It was also their encouragement that gave me the courage to submit this to Maddy, in the first place.
I also extend a warm ‘thank you' to Maddy, for creating this ‘universe' and giving my mind a place to occasionally wander.
Four
Back at the hotel parking lot, Jenny removed the key from the ignition and the girls started to unload the van.
“It's now seven. I think we should consider getting some food before long. Anyone else feel the same?” Jenny asked the whole group while she glanced at Carol. The whole group quickly agreed that food was a priority.
Before they headed to their respective rooms, it was unanimously decided that they'd all meet in the lobby at eight-thirty, but first they all wanted to get the sand out of their swimsuits and towels – not to mention have a shower.
Some time later Gaby answered the door to their room and let Maddy in. Kristen was drying her hair so rather than fight with the sound of the blow drier; Maddy just walked in and flopped down onto Gaby's bed. As Gaby returned and joined her on the bed, Maddy noticed how quiet and preoccupied Gabs appeared.
Cuddling up to her favourite girl, Maddy commented, “Penny for your thoughts, darling.”
“(sigh) … I think I really need to talk this over with you and Mum.” Gaby intoned.
“Ok, I'll go get her … or would you rather wait until later?” Maddy stood up as if to leave.
Holding onto Maddy's hand, Gaby looked up at her with a blank look and said, “Might as well do it now.”
Jenny was ‘killing time' as she looked over the individual stats for the tour on her laptop when Maddy came into their room and asked her to come over to speak with Gaby. After closing down her laptop, both women walked into Gaby's room where Kristen and Gaby were sitting on the edge of their beds, talking. Maddy overheard Kristen asking Gaby if she should go elsewhere for a while.
“Might as well stay Kris. You guys will learn about this discussion, anyhow.”
Gaby moved over to the couch with Maddy and Kristen stayed on her bed, while Jenny took one of the chairs in the room. Gabs directed her comments at her Mum, but at the same time held Maddy's hand tightly and often looked at her for a reaction.
She was worried about what would happen to her cycling if she took a two-year break to go to university and wanted her Mum's advice on whether it would be better to turn pro after the Jr. World's, or to first get her degree and a teaching certificate.
Jenny realised she had to try to discuss both sides of the equations, fairly and let Gaby know her options – not the easiest thing to do, considering. Gaby's Mum sat back and looked off into space for a moment and then the three of them carefully examined the facts.
First they looked closely at Gaby's academic choice and possible careers. Jenny acknowledged that Gaby could have both her degree and teaching certificate, possibly even be teaching by the time Maddy graduates. Then they weighed that against what may well happen if she returned to cycling after a two-year break and had to acknowledge a ‘return' might never happen, with Jenny using herself as an example.
Then they looked at Gaby's prospects for turning pro and the earning potential she could realistically bring in, assuming she stayed with her existing sponsorship contracts. Jenny pointed out that if Gaby were to get the Women's Jr. World Champion title, that would increase her net worth when pro team's looked at her. Jenny reminded her daughter, that according to the UCI stats available to the team, it was very possible for Gaby to earn the title.
Once she heard what Jenny had said, Kristen finally spoke up. Seated cross-legged on her bed, she looked over at Gaby and quite seriously stated, “Girl … you'd be crazy if you don't do it.”
After thinking it over for a time, Gaby decided in her own mind that she would turn pro and continue with her cycling. Finally she looked at Maddy and revealed her decision. Jenny told Gaby if she still wished to get her degree, she could always do the same course online in the ‘off season'. It will take longer, but she'll still have her cycling and an income.
Jenny asked, “You all right with that Gaby?” She desperately wanted some reassurance from Gaby this is what she wanted to do and not what others wanted her to do.
Gaby looked at her Mum, then back to Maddy and replied, “I am … but I think we should ask Maddy what she thinks.”
“It's your life … so it should be your decision.” Maddy quietly replied, all the while tightly holding onto Gaby's hand.
“It's our future, Maddy … yours and mine … so I want to hear what you say.” As the words left Gaby's mouth, she tenderly wiped a tear off Maddy's cheek and gave her a reassuring kiss on the lips. When they parted, Maddy finally managed a quiet reply to Gaby's question.
“Turn ‘pro', darling … your Mum's right ... we might not get this chance again.” Gaby couldn't say whether it was Maddy's answer or her use of ‘we', but she knew she choked back a few tears of her own as she squeezed Maddy's hand.
Gaby noticed this exchange also visibly affected her Mum. Getting up off the couch, Gaby went over to Jenny and gave her a hug.
“Thanks, Mum” That was all she could manage to whisper in Jenny's ear.
As Gaby wrapped her arms around her Mum, Jenny closed her eyes and just held on. This was exactly the same decision she had to make, years ago – only now it involved Gaby and Maddy.
Tears threatened Jenny, as yet again her thoughts went back to how she had manipulated her own family to get the life she thought she wanted and the devastating effect her actions had on those she loved. Maybe it was these feelings of guilt that caused Jenny's emotions to well up, but everything just seemed to come at her - all at once and at ‘warp' speed. I'm so sorry…
It was ironic, the one she probably hurt the most with her selfishness, was Drew. She recalled how she saw it in his eyes on the few occasions she spent any time with him … or rather with Gaby. Yet she realised that it's precisely because of that hurt and her love for Maddy, that Gaby involved Maddy in this decision.
In hindsight, Jenny knew she should've done the same with Dave and the family, when she first signed with Team Apollinaris. In her mind, she now realised she'd destroyed lives and trusts because she chose not to trust those that loved her.
At that moment Jenny decided that as frightful as it was, her cancer was a much needed ‘reality check'. In too many ways to count, it re-united the family and brought them closer than ever before. As a little girl, Jenny remembered her own Mum oft told her “God works in mysterious ways”. On that point, she agreed. It seemed strange thing to thank Him for her cancer, but she did just that.
Jen felt more than a few tears run down her cheek as she relived past events. As she held Gaby in her arms, Jenny's embrace tightened with each painful memory.
After she broke the hug with Gaby, Jenny instinctively motioned Maddy to come over. As Maddy wrapped her arms around her, Jen gave Maddy a peck on the cheek and whispered something in her ear while the two tightly held each other.
Jenny finally gathered herself and as a parting gesture, verified the decision with Gaby and placed a call to Dave. Dave then, eventually contacted the University of Bremen to have Gaby's admission cancelled and he also got her paid tuition refunded by the time the team returned home.
Incredibly in what seemed like a very short time after Jenny initially contacted Dave, George called and offered his heartfelt congratulations to Gaby for her decision and promised a contract would be waiting upon her return.
As Jenny got up, she walked over to the two girls, gave Gaby a peck on the forehead and retired back to her room to get her purse. On the way out of the door, she asked the girls to meet her at the elevator, so they could join the others in the lobby. They still had to eat!
After the three girls freshened their make-up, they grabbed their team jackets and purses. As they got ready to leave, Maddy noticed that Kristen seemed quiet and thought that somehow Gaby and her were responsible. Kristen noticed the concerned look on Maddy's face and immediately went over to assure her nothing they did had upset her.
“Nothing's wrong, Mad … we're still friends an' I still expect that invite to your wedding!” She tried to be a little upbeat, but continued saying, “I somehow got the impression that what happened here was a bit more than a discussion about Gaby turning ‘pro', wasn't it?”
Maddy felt the tears coming back as Kristen gave her a hug. Kris had not only understood that what she had witnessed had more emotion and reached far deeper than just what was said on the surface; she too was very moved by it all.
“See you two kids at the elevator.” Kristen started for the door, trying to sound her normal, cheerful self.
As Kris passed Gaby to go out the door, Gaby pulled Maddy aside and whispered, “What did Mum say to you, Mad?”
Maddy took Gaby‘s hands in hers and then quietly told Gaby, “Your Mum told me how happy she and your dad are for us ... and … I'm to take good care of ‘her baby'.”
They both looked deep into each other's eyes as Maddy continued, “ … I promised her I would, for the rest of my life.”
Then Maddy quietly added, “I told her that after all we've been through, my love for you is too strong to do otherwise.” She put her arms around Gaby and gave her a long, passionate kiss.
“… Now that's a ‘Kodak moment'.” The girls quickly broke their embrace upon hearing Kristen's voice. They both looked towards the door and saw Kris posed in the entrance hall to the room with a big grin on her face.
“Ladies … the elevator?” She asked, standing to one side and motioning the two girls, through.
Since it was Gaby's turn to carry the room pass, she double-checked her purse after being reminded both she and Kristen almost walked out of the room without it, the last time. Upon finding it, she paraphrased an old ad slogan for a credit card.
“The room pass … don't leave the hotel without it!” The three friends burst into laughter as they exited the room.
As they arrived at the elevator, the door opened and revealed Carol standing there. As Gaby held the door, looking for her Mum, Kristen told her that Jenny had already gone down to the lobby. Joining the others in the elevator car, the three girls told Carol how glad they were that she accepted Jenny's offer to join the team for dinner. A few moments later, the doors opened to the lobby and they joined the rest of the team.
Mindful of the time, Jenny asked the desk clerk to recommend somewhere close-by to eat and after a short walk, the girls found themselves at Gretzky's Sport's Bar. Once they ordered their meals, Gaby got everyone's attention at the table.
Trying to sound serious, she started by saying, “Guys … I've got a bit of an announcement to make.” Gaby paused to ensure she got their attention and was amused when she saw one or two eyebrows shoot up in anticipation.
Looking briefly at Maddy, she continued, “ … an' no, we're not married … yet!” That announcement brought a chorus of groans from her team mates. Maddy blushed a deep red.
Gaby noticed a rather perplexed look quickly cross their guest's face and realised Carol's confusion. Being a member of Team Canada, she wouldn't know about the engagement of Maddy and Gaby.
She continued, “I've thought about this quite a bit an' tonight I finally talked it over with Maddy and Mum … At the completion of the tour, I'm turning ‘pro' an' signing with Team Apollinaris.”
Congratulations came from everyone at the table. However, Jenny noticed from their faces, that Gaby's decision had some impact on the rest of the team and wondered if they too would have similar thoughts by the time they returned to Germany.
The next morning when the team went for breakfast, they found hotel restaurant was packed with the departing cyclists. Despite the horde of departing cyclists, they were packed, checked out and back to the airport, all in good time. Once the plane was loaded, they all bid good-bye to Ron and boarded for their flight west to Vancouver.
Their aircraft's departure from Pearson International required them to head east before turning towards their destination. This afforded the team a last look at Toronto in the morning summer sun, as they over flew the city. As Gaby turned in her seat and peered out the window, with Maddy, Gaby knew in her mind that they'd both be back.
When they reached cruising altitude, Jenny went up to the front of the cabin to begin her short brief on Vancouver's races, while Judith passed out some drinks from the plane's kitchenette. For no apparent reason, all eyes turned towards Gaby and Maddy amidst spontaneous fits of giggling from Gaby's three team mates. Both girls noticeably blushed as Maddy clutched Gaby's arm and attempted to bury her face in Gab's shoulder. Even Jenny was hard pressed to maintain any semblance of ‘the serious Team Director' upon seeing the reaction of the two.
After she managed to achieve some kind of decorum for this team meeting, Jenny started her talk.
“The race venue is Vancouver's Stanley Park. It's probably the prettiest course you girls will find yourself riding, but keep focused on the job at hand. You can sight-see after the race, Ok?”
Looking directly at Gaby, Jenny continued, “A 9 Km individual time trial will be run in the morning.” Shifting her gaze back to the entire team Jen added “Followed by a 75 Km race, in the afternoon.”
She explained the road race would be five laps of 15 Km on a two-lane road that ran around the circumference of the park. The time trial would be run along the Seawall, a bicycle/foot path that follows the winding shoreline of Stanley Park.
What followed was a full briefing on the courses, the geography of the park and the expected competition for each race. It was pointed out that parts of the road race were winding and that the whole park was heavily forested. She added that they could use this to their advantage if they were in a breakaway. Jenny also mentioned that once the team was on the ground, they would have the opportunity to tour both courses, in the park. There was speculation that it might once again end in a sprint.
Then to stress the point, Jenny exclaimed, “Again … work for Kristen … she's the key for this course!”
Jen added, almost as an afterthought, “We'll be using the van as the team support vehicle for the race but the path running along the seawall wasn't designed for full-sized cars. Therefore, for the time trial we'll be supplied with two of those elongated ‘electric carts' you see in airports. Hans will take one and I'll take Maddy in the other. That way, we can follow two of you, on the course, simultaneously. Hans … Maddy? I'll leave you two to work what we need to carry on the carts for the time trial.”
Before she returned to her seat, Jenny summed up by saying, “Tonight, before dinner, we'll tour both the park and the Seawall to see what we're up against, then we'll have the usual team meeting back at the hotel … any questions? … Complaints? … No? … Well then, I guess all that remains is to relax for the rest of the flight.”
“Honey? … Back in Toronto … you realise we were about a fifteen minute walk from legally getting married at City Hall?” Maddy cooed.
“I kinda fancy a church wedding … don't you?” Gaby quietly replied.
“hmmmmm … an' I know just the church… if they'll let us get married there.” Maddy whispered to Gaby, as she snuggled up against her intended's shoulder.
“Do I get a hint?” Gaby whispered back.
“… Your ‘Town Church'.” Maddy looked up at Gaby and softly kissed her on the lips, then laid her head back on Gaby's shoulder. ( giggle )
“You want to get married in Bad Neuenahr?” Gaby softly asked, giving Maddy's shoulder a squeeze.
“… Uh-huh”.
The wedding dreams of the two girls were interrupted by Kristen's rummaging through the DVD collection. Seems the rest of the girls decided now was a good time for an in-flight movie.
“Find something suitable we can all enjoy … including Hans.” Jenny reminded Kristen.
“What about this? … It's got something for everybody.” Kristen held up a selection for the rest to see and approve.
Obviously she was pleased at her selection and when all agreed, she put it on. Nina and Judith were just passing out drinks and a few bags of ‘nuked' popcorn, when the title appeared on the 40” screen – ‘ Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' . The flight passed quickly with everyone enjoying the movie. As the closing credits appeared on the screen, they were accompanied by the Bryan Adams tune, ‘Everything I Do (I Do For You)'.
Kristen came up and knelt down beside Gaby's seat. “… ‘Your' song, right guys? ” Kristen quietly asked as Maddy closed her eyes, snuggled closer to Gaby and started to quietly sing along with the track.
Gaby nodded as she used her free hand to hold and squeeze Kristen's hand. As Kris went back to her seat, the voices of the two girls could just barely be heard as they softly sang along. Jenny let it play until the very end, before putting the movie away.
“You two have lovely voices.” Jenny whispered as she went past. Her comment caused both girls to blush and sit up a bit straighter in their seats. They weren't aware the others heard them.
Shortly after they cleaned up the cabin, the team was informed to prepare for landing at Vancouver International. As all eyes peered out the windows to get their first glimpse of the city, Jenny pointed out Stanley Park, when it came into view.
They were quick to get on the ground and just as quick to taxi past the large passenger terminals and directly to the corporate airpark. Once again, the now familiar van/trailer and driver met the plane. By now Hans and Maddy had the unloading routine down pat and in relatively quick time they were starting on their way to the hotel, via Stanley Park.
As they toured the planned racecourse, they made note of the all the geographic features that would figure in any team strategy. As the van pulled back into the parking lot at the main entrance to the park, the team exited the van and found themselves being shown to one of the two ‘electric carts' assigned to the team. The park authorities had closed the Seawall to the public for the afternoon, to allow the various teams personal inspection of the course.
Again, the girls noted the features of the proposed time trial course. The things that stood out in their tour were the twisting nature of the south shore line, the width of the bicycle path; the rock face that was on the park side of the path for a portion of the south course and of course the ‘ledge' or lack thereof when riding a bike at speed, that separated the bicycle path from the vertical edge of the seawall and the water. Like the racecourse, one couldn't escape the dense ‘forest' of old growth trees, park side! These were all definitely factors that would limit the speed of the competitors.
Back at the hotel, the team decided that they'd all ‘dress' for dinner as a chance to escape their ‘denim uniforms'. Hans appeared in dress slacks and a shirt. For the ladies, mini skirts replaced the usual jeans and ‘heels' replaced the trainers. Partly because they had them and partly because it was a ‘kewl' statement of team identity, all the girls decided they'd wear the ‘feathered' earrings they got back at the Tyendinaga Reserve, in addition to their team jackets. Even Jenny joined in the ‘team spirit' and wore a pair of her earrings from the Trading Post. As Maddy observed, Kat's ‘Indian look' was spreading.
Conversation at dinner evolved into the team meeting Jenny had planned for later in the evening. In any case, combined with Jenny's talk on the plane and their tour of Stanley Park, it wasn't long before they hammered out a plan for the next day's race and time trial. In place of Jenny's planned meeting and considering they were all dressed up, the girls adjourned to the hotel's dance club for a couple of hours, before calling it a day.
Next morning, the girls went to breakfast wearing tracksuits over their ‘skins' and then it was a quick drive to Stanley Park. Maddy and Hans quickly unloaded the special Time Trial bikes from the trailer, along with the aerodynamic helmets – each one equipped with a radio receiver to allow communication between the following support vehicle and the rider. In addition, they unloaded two spare time trial bikes, one for each ‘electric cart'. To complete the inventory for each cart, they also carried a spare front and rear wheel, first aid kit, walkie-talkie as well as things not normally associated with a bike race. Since this was being run along the waterfront, they also carried a beach towel, blanket, life ring and a length of rope.
Jenny had returned with their individual start times. Out of sixty riders, Judith was to start in the 30 th spot, Nina in the 48 th position, Kristen in the 55 th position and finally Gaby – dead last. It meant that they had some time to prepare, before they actually rode and that they had two strong time-trialers on the team. Since there was a two-minute interval between individual starts and a three-minute interval between the last two start times, it meant a two hour wait before Gaby actually started the course from the time the first rider was started.
The ‘Beep … beep … beep' of the countdown, followed by the gentle pressure of the starter's hand on her back, sent Judith down the shallow ramp of the starting podium and onto the course. A few seconds behind her, Hans pulled out in his cart, staying behind her but keeping her in sight. From the radio on the seat beside him, he was able to hear then relay the times of the riders ahead of her to Judith. At the first checkpoint just after Brockton Point, she checked in with the third best time of the day. She completed the run with a time of 33.30, putting her temporarily in fourth place.
By the time Judith finished her ride, Nina was preparing to go – probably already on the start podium. Hans relayed Judith's critique of the course to Jenny who, having the luxury of another body with her, had Maddy relay the information to Nina after she was on the course. During this time, Hans quickly drove back the short distance from the finish at ‘Second Beach' to the start at Coal Harbour to get ready to follow Kristen on her ride.
As Nina raced through the first checkpoint, she recorded the best time of the day, by .023 of a second. About mid-way between Brockton Point and the second checkpoint at the inlet for Beaver Lake, Nina blew her front tire. She rubbed the seawall ledge while negotiating a sweeping turn, but managed to retain control of the bike. Thankfully, she stayed on the bike path and didn't go over the Seawall's ledge, ending up in the water.
Jenny quickly pulled the ‘electric cart' up behind Nina. Maddy had the wheel changed and Nina back on the course in a matter of seconds, but she'd already lost her lead. Crossing through the second checkpoint Maddy relayed to Nina, that she had slipped to tenth position. By the time Nina crossed the finish line, she managed to re-gain three spots, but was still seventh with a time of 34.11. Jenny had only a few minutes to get back to track Gaby.
Kristen was already well onto the course and through the forth checkpoint at Third Beach, where she recorded the second best time of the day. She completed the course after dropping down to third with a time of 33.13 and an average speed of 41.25kph or 27.5mph.
‘Beep … beep … beep' and Trisha from Team Exxon, Gaby's closest rival in the overall tour standings, was off on her run. Seconds after Jenny pulled into her start position Gaby rode up onto the start podium to await her three-minute countdown.
‘Beep … beep … beep' and Gaby was off with Jenny in hot pursuit. From her radio contact, Jenny learned Trish passed through the first checkpoint with the third best time of the day. Maddy promptly relayed Trish's time to Gaby as she neared Brockton Point.
Gaby started her ride at a blistering pace. She entered all the tight turns leading to the first checkpoint the same way, by staying on the outer edge. As Gaby exited each turn, she crossed over to ride the inside shoulder of the turn. At times she came very close to the rock face that formed some of the Park's edge to the bike path, but in this manner she was able to maintain her speed through the individual turns. As a result, she was 3.24 seconds better than the previous best time recorded at the first checkpoint.
With the sharpest series of turns behind her, Gaby upped the pace, making Jenny speed up just to maintain the gap. When Gaby passed through the third checkpoint at Prospect Point Lookout, she had slipped back to third position, but only by .22 of a second. By the fourth checkpoint at Third Beach, she was .011 of a second behind Trisha for first place. Gaby knew there was only one sharp turn left then a relatively clear run to the finish at Second Beach. As she crossed the finish line, she'd clocked the best time of the day at 32.14. Her computer told her she averaged 42kph or 28mph. Gaby learned Trisha finished with a 32.20.
As soon as Jenny stopped the cart, Maddy was out and headed for Gaby. Maddy found her girl and totally disregarding the people standing around, she threw her arms around Gaby's neck and gave her a quick kiss. As Jenny took the bike, Mad directed Gaby to a bench for one of “Maddy's patented leg rubs”. That was a real treat for Gaby as she realized she's not had one for the past few years and as a result, she enjoyed every moment of it!
Hans soon had the van at the finish line and together with Maddy, loaded up the trailer with all the team's equipment. Following a hearty lunch back in town, it was back out to Stanley Park for the two PM start of the 75 Km race through the park's road system.
Starting at the Park's main entrance, all sixty cyclists were moving towards Brockton Point at a relaxed pace and it continued like that, for the first couple of laps. Due to the width of the double-lanes of the road, the peloton was strung out over a longer distance than one would usually expect. Only slight movement was evident in the peloton with everyone becoming accustomed to the course. However starting deep within the peloton, Gaby gradually moved the team up towards the front over the course of the first few laps.
By the beginning of the third lap the team was close to the front of the peloton and Gaby felt things had remained status quo long enough. From behind Gaby, Nina watched for her signal, a very subtle nod that could easily be taken for just a normal head movement caused by shifting a rider's weight and finally she saw it.
Nina exploded in a burst of speed that brought her from behind Gaby and out, way in front of the main group. A member of Team Exxon and Team Canada immediately broke away and chased her down, but not before the damage was done.
The ruse worked in that the duel breakaway attempts startled a complacent peloton and caused a void in which the remaining three girls in the team were able to use to launch themselves clear of the main body. As they passed the initial breakaway, the three became six. It worked far better than they planned as the entire team was involved in the breakaway!
Initially out of the saddles to power themselves away from the peloton, they soon opened a forty second gap between them and the main group. Once the breakaway group hit the first bend in the road after the break, they sat down and assumed the classic aerodynamic crouched position, taking them through the turn.
Riding in single file, the group of six started performing ‘piano' – the regular rotation of cyclists at the front, providing ‘drafting' for the others, thus easing the workload for the group. With the course heavily forested on both sides of the road, they knew that as long as they stayed a bend or two ahead of the main group, they remained hidden from the direct view of the peloton. After they cleared Prospect Point Lookout, the breakaway group still enjoyed an almost one full minute lead over the main peloton.
However, everybody in the group knew that until they reached the main entrance to the park and began another lap, the roads were relatively straight with only gentle curves in which to hide from the others. Also, this second half of the course was much faster than the winding first half of the course. This meant the main body had a chance to close any gaps. Rounding Ferguson Point, Judith looked over her right shoulder and back along the bending shoreline, to see the lead riders of the main peloton riding by Siwash Rock.
As Kristen rode past her to take her turn at the front, Judith suggested that she up the pace a bit. Judith's computer showed her she was already cruising along at 38kph. The result of her suggestion was that they successfully held their position through the ‘feed' now set up at the park entrance and maintained it well into the fourth lap!
After the peloton rounded Brockton Point, the breakaway group became aware of a second breakaway group from the peloton, chasing them down. It wasn't until the original six entered the twisting roads leading to Prospect Point Lookout, that the second group of nine came within sight; and when the six slowed to negotiate the sharp turn at Prospect Point Lookout the two groups joined as one. Even now, they enjoyed an almost two minute lead over the peloton. Heading down the long open road going back to the park entrance and the last lap, Kristen recalled Jenny's prediction of a sprint.
They did lose about a half-minute of that lead once the peloton hit the open road but as soon as they passed the park entrance for the bell lap and started into the winding section of the course that approached Brockton Point, the breakaway group was able to make up some of the lost time.
As Kristen commented later, “The course was pretty fast, but it had its speed bumps in the form of a couple of winding sections around Brockton Point and Prospect Point Lookout.”
On the final half of the course, there were no less than seven breakaway attempts, four of them initiated by Team Apollinaris. The net result was that the breakaway group lost five riders and of the nine that remained, Kristen noted four were very good sprinters. Once the group turned onto the final 2 KM run along the Lost Lagoon, to the park entrance, the breakaway attempts became more serious in nature.
At the 100m marker Gaby had the team quickly spread out across the road and launch into a full sprint. This effectively triggered a stampede and it soon became clear who the real sprinters were. After all was said and done, it was Kristen by a wheel! Gaby, Judith and Nina finished in 5 th , 7 th and 8 th respectively.
Hans and Maddy were quick to wipe down the bikes and pack everything up, while the girls used the time to cool down. As Hans raised the trailer's ramp, Jenny ushered Maddy and the girls into the van for their ride back to the hotel. Jenny also decided they were to make use of the hotel pool and sauna facilities, before dinner. That proved to be a very popular decision.
A bit more than two hours later they were all back in their rooms, changed and ready to meet for dinner. As Jenny was finishing her make-up, Maddy answered a knock at their hotel room's door. Gaby greeted her fiancée, entered the room and walked up to where her Mum was seated.
“ Mum, can I ask you something?” Gaby asked.
Jenny turned and looked at her daughter. “I'm your mother, honey … you know you can talk to me about anything that's bothering you.”
Gaby gently grasped Maddy's hand and pulled her closer, then asked her Mum, “Do you know if Mad and I can get married at the ‘Town Church'?”
“Is that where you want to get married?” Jenny replied, addressing the two girls.
“Uh huh … Mad's idea, but I like it … they have to marry us don't they? …It's legal an' everything.”
“Why worry about it now, after all you and Maddy have said it won't happen until she's finished university.” Jenny glanced at Maddy as she spoke.
“Still, it'd be nice to know if we're going to be planning a church wedding or something smaller at City Hall, wouldn't it?” Gaby replied.
“I suppose you're right … but remember dear, although same-sex marriages are legal it just means the Federal Government made it legal and City Hall has no choice but to marry you. However as I understand it, an individual church does have that choice.” Jenny explained.
Jen continued as she tried to reassure both girls, “Don't you girls worry about it now … ok? … I believe the senior of the two vicars is Reverend Albrecht … we'll make some inquiries when we get back … now let's meet the others for dinner!”
Both girls gave Jenny a hug before all three left the room for dinner and their last night in Canada … for now.
To be continued:
PB 03.12.06 © 2006