Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. (C) Copyright 2003. M.C. All Rights Reserved. All Reproduction for fee or profit forbidden. Copies of my stories can be downloaded from: </files/Authors/MikeC/> Send all comments and suggestions to MikeC@NSpace.net ============= Amanda 01 Part 2 This short story is based on the characters from my series 'James' and runs parallel to the main story, at approximately the same time frame as chapters 65-70. "Good morning ladies!" Chuck grinned at the girls sprawled out on the living-room floor, littered with notes around them. Anna had been watching over Brenda's shoulders at the plant's floor plan and now jumped up to hug him. "Good morning Grandpa. Did you sleep well?" "Very well, yes! Thank you!" He laughed and swung her around. "It's a great morning indeed!" He was greeted by Brenda and Amanda, who looked at him in some frustration. "We were trying to get breakfast but we ran into problems." Brenda started. "Yeah, we can't find anything to COOK!" Amanda added. "And if it weren't for Anna, we couldn't even start the coffee!" "What were you trying to make?" Chuck asked. "Something simple, like pancakes!" Amanda explained, "But you know you don't have any pancake mix?" Chuck laughed, "Of course I have! You just have to make it yourselves!" He took them in the kitchen and showed them the gallon bins along a back wall. "Start with 3 cups of flour - we have whole wheat, oat and potato, so you can mix and match your own; just don't use the semolina here, it's for pasta and is heavy and chewy." He watched as they took one cup of each variety. "Then three tablespoons of this baking powder, three teaspoons of sugar, plus a pinch of salt, and... viola! Pancake mix!" They combined the ingredients in a large bowl. "Easy, isn't it?" "So far so good." Amanda said, "As you can tell, we don't do much cooking - Sara does most of it for us." "Never too late to learn! I didn't get started 'til I was forty! I found it challenging at first but basically, it's just chemistry. Get the basic formulas down and you can start experimenting!" He helped them measure out the milk and beat in the eggs, and added that to the mixture. "But sometimes there are tricks to be learned - like not to make the batter too smooth, just get rid of the bigger lumps, otherwise it won't be as fluffy." While the girls excitedly ladled batter on the buttered griddle and watched it turn into golden flapjacks, Chuck chopped up fresh fruits and added sausages and eggs to their fare. "This is so great!" Amanda grinned as they polished off the meal along with Maple Syrup from Vermont, "We can do breakfast every morning!" "I'm afraid not." Chuck laughed, "Maria will be back tomorrow and she'd be devastated if she could not prepare all the meals." They cleared the dishes and Chuck invited Amanda to see his cars while Brenda and Anna finished their report. Chuck led her to the Mercedes SUV, but Amanda was looking intently at 'Jackie' under her tarpaulin cover. "You like old cars?" Chuck asked, gently removing the heavy canvas to show her his green 2+2 sportscar. "It's a thirty-year-old E-type Jaguar." "It's... it's beautiful!" Amanda breathed, marveling at the long sleek hood lines and the unbridled power suggested by the gleaming chrome and sinuous curves. "Jackie has been with me since I cashed out of the Marines. I paid $1800 for her but that was a half year's pay back then. With a new business to run, we, Helene and I, often went hungry to keep gas in her." He caressed her flanks, "But she's never let us down... Have you, my friend?" "Can I look under the hood?" Amanda looked beseechingly at him. "That, young lady, is most definitely NOT a hood!" Chuck sniffed disdainfully, "It must always be referred to as a BONNET!" "Oh, sorry!" She laughed, "Can I look under the bonnet then, please?" Then, as Chuck pulled on the releases, "Oh, it opens from the back, like James' BMW!" A small intake of breath, "It's HUGE!" "Yeah, it's a 326cid V-12!" Chuck smiled, "Powering a 3500lb aluminum chassis!" "May I?" She reached in, rapping her knuckles on the manifold casing, "Wow! Overhead cams, and aluminum..." She smiled at Chuck, "I didn't know they had it back then!" She looked at the gleaming metal that filled the engine cavity. "Thirty years... and spotless! Geez, I'm sure glad I didn't smudge it up!" She wriggled her fingers and nodded at the sign stating, 'You must wash your hands before touching the Engine'. "Besides the shine, are there other reasons for that?" "It's more than just a joke about how fastidious the English are about their cars. The underlying reason is that the electricals in these cars are mostly made by Lucas, who is notorious for being finicky and unreliable. Any grease or dirt would only serve to degrade its service further. "There are volumes written about the Lucas legacy; the most famous being the reason the English like their beer warm - because of refrigerators made by Lucas; and then there's the famous Lucas Law, 'there shall always be at least one system or sub-system of components which is entirely non-functional, and cannot be repaired except on a semi-permanent or semi-functional basis.'" Chuck laughed and shook his head, adding. "You obviously know your way around a car engine too - have you done work on them?" "A little - I've been doing the maintenance on our cars and we've just rebuilt a couple of the original VW Beetle engines with the Stromberg distributors... But I've not seen an ignition system quite as complex as this!" She stopped at Chuck's warm smile. "You know, I'm getting so used to being impressed by the expertise you and your friends possess that I can't even feel surprised! But now, how would you like to go for a ride?" The happy shriek that Amanda produced was impressive in itself, and Chuck was amazed to find himself sharing her wide grin - Amanda's abrupt change from cool competence to youthful exuberance was a rare and welcome addition to his life. "The V-12 was the third and last incarnation of the E-type production run," Chuck related as he drove them through the compound. "And British Leyland, Jaguar's then-owner, relented with the American left-hand drive, along with air-conditioning..." He chuckled, "Which, unfortunately, was also Lucas manufactured." There was no more talk as Chuck revved the engine, allowing the tachometer to crowd the red-line before upshifting. Both of them seemed to revel in the joyous rush of power as Chuck took them effortlessly through the winding roads. "Why do you gas the engine before you shift?" Amanda asked as they reached a relatively straight stretch of road. "Doesn't that harm the engine?" "No," Chuck replied, again impressed that she noticed the fraction of a second when he touched the accelerator before shifting into gear. "It's called double-clutching; I pop into neutral, then 'blip' the engine to equalize the speed with the transmission shaft before dropping into gear. This makes the shifting much smoother and saves a tremendous amount of wear and tear on the clutch..." He smiled at Amanda, "Which you may not appreciate if you're used to driving automatics." "Actually I learned on James' car, which is a manual, and I've always preferred that to an automatic." They reached a series of curves and Chuck slowed, "It is also possible to combine double-clutching with braking in something called Heel-and-Toe, because you keep the heel of your right foot on the accelerator as you step on the brakes with the toes, leaving your left foot free for the clutch. It takes even more coordination and I haven't done it for too long to try it now." Chuck took the next straight section to show Amanda double-clutched shifting, sharing in her growing excitement as she watched and picked up on his technique. He pulled over, "Would you care to take over...?" "Me?" Amanda blinked, "Really? YES! Of course I care to!" Smiling, Chuck eased out the door as his young friend ran around the car. "Thank you Chuck! I'll be careful with Jackie!" She said breathlessly as she buckled herself in and adjusted the mirrors. Chuck watched quietly as Amanda spent a few minutes experimenting with the longer shift and the heavier clutch. Finally, after verifying with him the functions of the row of identical switches on the front panel, she declared herself ready. "You've made me much more comfortable about letting you drive." He smiled. "I like to know what I'm doing, that's all." Amanda remarked as she added gas and slowly pulled away. "I would've taken more time but the engine was starting to get a little too warm." Amanda shifted through the transmission a few times before attempting to double-clutch, a smile growing on her face as she figured out the timing and the touch. Chuck could feel her confidence and skills growing as he watched. "You really like machinery, don't you?" Chuck remarked. "Not just that - I FEEL for them." She paused as she judged for the exact split second before upshifting with a snap of her wrist, her foot nudging the clutch pedal with a soft caress. "Most people don't see the car as a complex piece of equipment, and as such, it is full of compromises. Like what we were talking about before; having to work the engine more - to double-clutch in order to spare the transmission, others things too, like the fact that power increases with rpm, yet the mechanicals suffer from it, or that engines benefit from higher compression, but at the cost of increased pollutants. At slower speeds, efficiency and over-heating become a problem. And even if the car is not running, oil and gasoline deteriorate and the tires even get flat spots." She smiled briefly at Chuck, "Then there are owners who never think to give their cars a tune-up and then they feel betrayed when their cars don't start and run perfectly day in, day out, year in and year out!" "You're right, too bad they don't give a simple mechanics' course when people go for their drivers licenses!" A pause, then he added, "You're enjoying this aren't you?" "Yeah... Who wouldn't? But I can feel her... her need to uncage her power - and, without electronics and regulators and limiters to tell me what I can't do - it's up close and personal." She grinned. They topped a rise and before them was a multilane highway, already crowded with cars heading South. "Best we turn back here - that's the weekend traffic bound for Disney." Chuck said as he pointed out MGM's hotels and the famous spires of Cinderella's 'Neuschwanstein' castle. "And if we head due west from here, in 2 hours we'll be on the Gulf, in Homosassa," Chuck continued, "Home to the Manatees and 75 degrees year round. It was our favorite, and Helene and I and Deanna..." He smiled sadly and sighed. "We should go some day." Amanda nodded. "Yes, Anna would like that..." Chuck became silent, wrapped up in his thoughts, as Amanda concentrated on learning more about the amazing car. Even after she pulled up into the garage, Amanda sat in Jackie, caressing her steering wheel. Chuck smiled and said slowly, "Amanda, if it's alright, I'd like to give Jackie to you." He stopped her shocked protests and continued, "In the last hour you've shown me that you ARE good, but more than that; you respect Jackie and the engineering that went into her; you coddle and coax everything from her. You and Jackie make a team, and I don't think I should keep you two apart." "Oh! Chuck!" She sobbed as she hugged him, "I don't know what to say... But thank you!" "Thank YOU my dear! Just watching you has brought back such nice memories! Tell you what - Anna and I will bring Jackie up for the opening and leave her for you then." "Oh! Then I have to call Celeste and get a place ready!" Amanda jumped out and rushed back into the house, with Chuck following at a more sedate pace, still smiling and chucking. "You gave Jackie to Amanda?" Brenda asked from where she and the others were crowded around the phone. "Yes, as I told Amanda, Jackie needs someone who will let her run free." He shook his head, "I've had my priorities screwed up for so long..." "But it's not too late!" Brenda held him softly, "You just have to spend more time..." "You're right," Chuck smiled, "It's not too late at all, and right now, my priority is to spend time with my lovely Anna..." He laughed, gathering his granddaughter in, "Along with all our new friends!" = = = "Deanna lives in a nice neighborhood!" Brenda commented as Amanda drove them down a tree-lined street along a small canal. There were signs around proclaiming a golf course as well. "I've never been here." Anna answered, looking around her. "Look, that must be it!" She pointed at a large steel-hulled boat, "That's one of hers." "Yep, this is the address." Amanda agreed, as she rolled slowly past the 36' boat and turned up a driveway across from the waterway. At the top of a circular drive was a spacious backsplit finished in white stucco. There, Deanna, in a blue summer dress, stood waiting for them. She stared at them as Amanda pulled up to the front of the house, "Th-that's Dad's Jackie!" She sputtered, pointing at the car. "Eh, Jackie, Shmackie!" Amanda shrugged, "It was just sitting there, so I took it!" "Hi Mom!" Anna jumped out and hugged her. "Does your Grandfather know you took his car?" "Hi, I'm Amanda." Amanda offered her hand, then glanced back at the street, "I think I heard some police sirens, but they were way behind us..." She turned and shood Brenda out of the car as she started snapping the tonneau cover in place. "Don't worry Mom," Anna laughed, "Jackie is Amanda's now - Grandpa gave it to her!" "For real?" Deanna said in amazement, then hugged Anna warmly, "Ah, that's a relief, for a minute I was worried I'd be charged with Grand Theft Auto along with kidnapping!" "How are you Deanna?" Brenda asked after giving her a kiss, "I see you've made the acquaintance of my sweetheart Amanda here." "I'm glad you could all come." Deanna smiled, "Come on in - I have lunch ready." Deanna led them past the sitting room with a stone fireplace, down a few steps to a sunken dining room, through the kitchen and out to a screened patio, overlooking a half size pool and an immaculate lawn. Deanna had laid out a feast for them; cold cuts, cheese and an entire standing rib roast. "Are you expecting an army to feed?" Asked Anna. Deanna laughed, "Well, it's not all for you - my husband is a believer in the Atkins Plan and so we always have lots of meat around." "Mom, your husband, is he here?" Anna asked in a small voice. "No, Larry's out..." Deanna pointed at the large expanse of grass beyond the pool, "These lots back into the Queens Harbour Golf course and he should be somewhere around the 8th right now." "Another golf nut!" Amanda supplied. "What else does, er, Larry do?" Anna asked. "Larry's also a very successful Oral Surgeon - a Dentist." Deanna answered. "He works Tuesday to Saturday, then Monday he goes to the clinic for emergencies and walk-ins. So Sunday's his day to unwind." "It doesn't sound like you guys get to spend a lot of time together!" "Oh, we do. Sunday is usually our day." She hugged Anna to her, "But today I get to spend it with my BABY!" She grinned and kissed Anna. "Go ahead, help yourselves to the food!" She urged as she started slicing the roast beef. "You know, James would love a meal like this!" Teased Anna. "Yeah." Brenda sighed, "Except he's too far away..." "Deanna, did you make this?" And, at her nod, "Can we get the recipe? I'd like to try and make it for him." Amanda said. "It's quite easy. Start roasting at 500F and turn it down to 275F after half an hour. This ensures the outside gets brown and the meat stays juicy and pink, even after refrigeration. I can write it down for you before you go." She looked at them, "What is your relationship with James? I sense a bit more than a working relationship." "Kelly calls them the 'James Gang,'" laughed Anna, "And Todd says they're his harem." "He's kinda right." Brenda blushed, "I mean like there's eight of us and James is the only guy." "So you just work together, then..." "We do everything together." Amanda said quietly. "Really? Doesn't that cause problems?" "No, not at all." Amanda smiled, "Why not come up and see for yourself, like this weekend?" "Yeah!" Brenda jumped in, "So we can properly thank you for the use of your boat!" "This weekend...? It's your Grand Opening, isn't it? I'll have to check..." "Oh, you can leave the business and Larry for that long, can't you? And Anna's gonna be there too!" "A few days would be fine, I suppose!" "Oh, please come! I'll be there Friday!" Anna begged, clutching her arm. "Oh, alright!" Deanna smiled and could not resisting giving Anna a hug and a kiss. "It's time I took a little vacation too!" "Oh, it'll be so cool!" Anna leaned against her, "We can go swimming and maybe they can take us flying!" "OK, that's a deal!" Deanna grinned, "Now eat your lunch!" "Yes Mother..." They replied together. For a while they ate in silence, with just smiles passed between Mother and Daughter, then Deanna asked, "Is Dad going to be there too?" "Yes," Brenda nodded, "But he'll be very busy with Jules - they've been discussing a takeover of the largest pleasure boat company here on the East Coast." Deanna sat and looked at her for a long time, "You mean the James Gang is involved with InterCoastal as well?" "Well, we gambled that there'd be a positive reaction with some of the work we did for them..." "Where does Chuck fit in?" "That was a straight stock-swap with Regan shares. Chuck now holds 17% of I/C, which means he'll be a shoo-in for their board." "And Regan?" "Chuck, as Anna's guardian, holds 49% of Regan." Brenda stated. "Wow! You guys sure are something!" Deanna smiled, "I know I shouldn't say this, but didn't you pay a bit too much for 51% of Regan?" "We were using the earlier valuation for I/C," Brenda shrugged, "But Deanna, in this case, it's not how much we paid - it's what we can make it worth that's the important thing! Look at it this way, we're sure that we can keep Regan growing; and with Chuck on I/C's board, we're certain their shares can double in value in four years!" "That's well and good for you young folks!" Deanna laughed, "But I'm afraid I'm too old and set in my ways to risk something like that!" "Deanna," Amanda said, "What makes you think you're old? Nicole - she's one of us, and she's your age!" "Yes Mom! Anyone can do it! Grandpa even said this morning that he'd had his priorities screwed up too long!" "No way, your Grandfather said 'Screwed up?'" "Yes - if he can change, anybody can!" "You've got a point there!" Nodded Deanna. "Yes!" Anna laughed. "Then he gave Jackie to Amanda!" "I don't think I could ever get over that!" Brenda took her hand, "What he was saying was that each of us has time for only so many things. What's the point in keeping Jackie under tarps when all she needs is someone like Amanda who'll give her the freedom she deserves?" "That's... awfully deep." Deanna smiled at Brenda, "Let me mull on it a bit." "Mom, does Larry know? about me, I mean." "Yes, hon, I've told him that I had you, but not who or where you are." She sighed, "He's been such a gentleman and never pushed - even when I told him I didn't want any more children..." "Why?" "Partially because of YOU, my darling. I had hoped for a day... this day - when we could be reunited, and having other children seemed so... unfair to you!" "Oh Mom!" Anna hugged her, "I love you!" "I love you too, my baby!" They sniffled a bit, then Anna asked, quietly, "What about my real father?" For a long while Deanna said nothing, then she started rocking Anna in her arms, "Alan..." She sighed, "He moved out West and they seemed happy. Last heard they had another girl..." She looked at Anna, tears falling from her eyes, "He named her Alanna..." Suddenly Anna dug in her pocket and pulled out an old envelope. It was yellowed and dog-eared, and it was addressed, in a big bold print, to 'My Beautiful Child'. Anna opened it and inside was a folded piece of paper, creased and torn with age. Deanna took it in shaking hands, "I left it for you, my Beautiful Child, hoping you'd understand that I had not abandoned you." She looked up, eyes far away, "Beautiful Child... that was what Alan called me too..." She let out a shuddering breath, "And it was also the name of a song by Stevie Nicks, so it became the mantra of my life, with you, with Alan..." She gently opened the sheet, with its dozens of little hearts and the lines, "I'm not a child anymore - I'm tall enough To reach for the stars. I'm old enough To love you from afar. Sleepless child There is so little time. Your eyes say yes But you don't say yes... I wish that you were mine." ============= (C) Copyright 2003. M.C. All Rights Reserved. All Reproduction for fee or profit forbidden. Copies of my stories can be downloaded from: </files/Authors/MikeC/> Send all comments and suggestions to MikeC@NSpace.net