After the tryouts, and saying goodbye to her new friends, Drew drove over to Callie's. The look that Sabrina had given her worried Drew a bit, and she wanted to put some distance between them, fast.

Using Uncle Dave's term, she realized pulling Sabrina in for the dance at the last minute had been a Tactical Error... But how could she have known?

She didn't even bother to shower, and tried to leave right away, saying she had somewhere else to be. She decided she'll just freshen up at Callie's.

Before she got away completely, though, Coach Stoeger gave them all a little pep talk. She told them that they all fared well, and they were all ninety-nine percent sure to be part of next school year's team. She was so excited that she said their dancing gave her new ideas for new cheers and routines.

"So, Coach, will you still recruit more girls?" Alice asked.

"Well," Stoeger said, "I have to allow anyone who wants to try a shot, but I really doubt it if any other girls can beat your performances today.

"And, Drew!"

"Yeah, Coach?"

"No more shaking your fanny at the fans, okay?"

Everyone laughed.

They broke up then - the Jayvees to the showers, the coach to her office, and Drew to her car.

"Drew!" Sabrina called, but Drew didn't hear her and drove away.

Sabrina watched her as her little blue car disappeared around a bend, and she stood in the gym's doorway, disappointed.

"Don't worry, Bree," Savannah said. You'll see her again." She put a companionable arm around Sabrina's shoulders.

"I guess..." Sabrina said, still looking at the corner where Drew's car disappeared into.

"She sure is something, huh?" Savannah said.

-----

"So, how were the tryouts?" Callie said as Drew came in and gave her a hug.

"Pretty good. Callie? Can I use your shower?"

"Huh? Sure, but..."

"Tell you later, but right now I just want to freshen up and get out of these sweaty cheer clothes."

"'Kay..."

Drew rushed into Callie's shower and locked the door.

"Wonder what's wrong?" Iola said.

Callie shrugged and went back to the couch. The coffee table was strewn with books. The two were busy cramming for Monday's exams.

After a short fifteen minutes, Drew came out of the bath, wearing a very loose cutoff tee over a bikini-style string bra, cutoff denim shorts so abbreviated they were almost like panties, and her tennis shoes sans socks. It was the usual, relaxed, comfy style that Drew always wore around their house on weekends, except for the short-short cutoffs and the hidden gaff (wearing something in relatively-thick denim helped hide stuff, yet wearing shorts gave her the appearance that she wasn't trying to hide anything at the same time. Besides, she thought she looked good in them).

She sat down between her friends, comically scrunching herself between the two, and continued toweling her hair dry.

"So..." Iola began tentatively and putting down the book she was studying.

"The tryouts went okay," Drew said. "Coach said it was almost a sure thing that all of us are in. The routine you guys made up for me really wowed 'em."

"Almost?" Callie asked.

Drew explained that the coach videotaped them so that she could show it to a couple of other coaches before making any final decisions. "So she's gonna have to let us know."

She finished toweling her hair and brought out a comb. Callie took it and started combing out the tangles in her short hair.

"So how did the coach like the routine?"

"Like I said, it wowed 'em," she giggled.

She told them about the entire thing, blow-by-blow, from the time she arrived in school until the end. The two hung on her every word, and she didn't leave out any detail. Well, not all the details... she found herself leaving out the dance with Sabrina - she wasn't so clear as to why she did. She knew it was a kind of lie - a lie of omission.

Callie asked why she didn't shower in the gym when they finished. Drew said she was in a hurry to get here. And as she was telling the lie, she had to wonder why she lied for a second time.

When Callie's Aunt Arlene arrived, Iola and Drew made their excuses.

After a final hug from Callie, Drew drove away and brought Iola to her house. It wasn't really a long drive, so Iola was home in fifteen minutes or so.

As she drove away, she had a bit of time to think things over.

"This might get complicated," she thought to herself, and considered not pushing through with becoming a cheerleader. Drew felt she really did good, however. Coach Stoeger would have to admit that she did her best, so that satisfied her requirement. But the coach didn't require that she push through with things, leaving the final decision to her.

As she stared at the passing trees, Drew thought about all the fun she had. Sure, it was difficult, but it was fun as well. She never thought it could be. But should she continue on with this? It wasn't about fears of being discovered she wasn't completely a girl – she was confident that she wouldn't be found out. Could it be about her fear of being pigeonholed? She knew what non-cheerleaders thought about cheerleaders, unfair as that might be.

But she thought of Iola and Callie. No one thought of them like that. But she didn't know them before she arrived - maybe they were toning down their thing for her sake. She thought that over as she drove up their house's driveway and parked Tiger in the garage beside her dad's BMW.

She sat there inside the car and thought that one through.

No, she decided - Callie and Iola were genuine. And if her two best friends could still be themselves, then she could be a cheerleader, too, and still be, and be thought of, as herself instead of the stereotypical sexually-promiscuous, backstabbing, attention-hungry dumb-blonde cheerleader.

But, if she did, what did that mean for her? Was she so far removed from being Andy that it was okay to be a cheerleader? With pompoms, short skirt and varsity sweater?

She looked into the rearview and saw her reflection. She remembered what she felt after she got her haircut and didn't need the wig anymore, how free she was, how comfortable in her own skin.

And she finally realized what had changed that day. Nothing. Except for the fact that she knew that she was still who she was inside regardless of her outside. Whether in her female persona or male persona - she was still who she was. And her dad felt the same way about her. That was all that mattered to her, and everything else was beside the point.

"Screw it!" she said aloud. She wanted to be a cheerleader now, so she'd do it. And to hell with everyone else.

She got her stuff, got out of Tiger and went into the house.

-----

Things were winding down in school as the end of the school year approached. Most were in the middle of getting ready for finals, except for Drew.

Like some high schools, hers had an exemption policy that allowed certain students from ninth grade onwards to be exempted from finals. The criteria for exemptions were simple - spring semester course grades of ninety (or A) or above, no more than three absences, and no conduct grade lower than satisfactory. Drew was one of a very few in the Eleventh Grade that were exempted from all finals. Some of the more... status-conscious parents pointed out that Drew only transferred to the school recently, making her ineligible, and there were kids (i.e. their kids) that were more deserving of exemptions. But the truth of it was that she was indeed eligible, and the school officials were just following the rules when they announced the exemptions.

If they knew that this would happen, the more convenient thing for the officials would have been to not have given her the exemption in the first place. But it was too late now. To take it back would mean losing face. So they decided to stick it out, explain the rules to the protesting parents, and tell them that they were welcome to file a complaint. The thing was, Principal Weatherby explained to them, the Nances didn't mind if Drew took the exams. Drew, being a transferee, couldn't really damage her class standing for the year much by doing poorly in the exams so they were not really forcing the issue one way or the other. And, she explained further, there really were no quotas for exemptions from finals, and the other parents' children were not deprived of anything one way or the other.

"And imagine what people's impressions of you would be if you did file complaints," Principal Weatherby said to these... "concerned" parents in her private one-on-one meetings with each of them. "And the status of your kids would be the same regardless of whether your complaints are upheld or not."

That did the trick.

-----

Aside from the exams, for whatever classes there were that week, Drew was also given special dispensation not to come in, as were any other exempted students.

As for her friends, for most of their classes, Callie's and Iola's class and test scores had been more than okay this term, so they also had a few individual exam exemptions as well - a first for both of them, and they knew they all owed it to Drew.

Most of their exam exemptions were in the afternoons, making them ideal time for more cramming. But the last exams of the week were the easier ones, and they planned to spend their Thursday and Friday afternoons with Drew instead.

As for Drew - Drew being Drew, she planned to use her free time for shopping, and to continue her "investigation."

She woke up late on Monday. Late for her, that is - it was seven in the morning.

Yawning and stretching, she shook herself and luxuriated in the feeling that she didn't need to rush. She absentmindedly ran her hands over her sides, marveling at how sensuous lingerie was.

There were some sounds coming from downstairs. It was her dad preparing breakfast. This reminded her that it was her dad's first day back at work. Getting the dressing gown that was draped over the chair in front of her dresser, she put it on, rushed to the bathroom, washed her face and ran a brush through her short hair. She was about to rush downstairs when she caught sight of herself in the mirror. The dressing gown was too flimsy for her dad's sensibilities, and she didn't want him to blow a gasket.

Going back to the bathroom, she got her bathrobe and put it over the gown. It was a shorty girl's bathrobe, but it was lots more acceptable than the gown.

"Hi, Pop," she said as she traipsed into the kitchen, and gave her dad a peck on the cheek.

"Hey, kid," he said. "What're you doing up? Don't you have the week off?"

"Yeah, but I wanted to see you off for your first day. One of those eggs have my name on it?"

"Sure," he said. He wore an apron over his brand-new, expensive shirt. He pecked her back on the forehead as he broke another egg into the pan and took out a couple more strips of bacon. Drew replaced the bread in the toaster as the ones inside popped up, and brought the bacon, juice, coffee, marmalade, salt & pepper, mustard and ketchup (her dad always had his eggs with mustard and ketchup) to the table. Her dad came and put her egg and the just-cooked bacon in front of her (the yolk deftly removed).

It was a well-practiced routine between them now. Without Marie they had had to learn to fend for themselves. It was routine, familiar, and oddly comforting. Drew liked it. Family.

"So," her dad said, "what do you have planned for today?"

She picked up a strip of bacon and munched on it. "I don't really know. Bum around, I guess."

"Well, why don't you pass by my office later. I can show you around, and we can have a late lunch?"

Drew giggled. "Do you even know your way around your office?"

Carson gave her a raised eyebrow. "You don't think so?"

"Ummm, yeah?"

Carson grinned. "Well, you're right." And they both dissolved into laughter.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

-----

"Drew?" Carson said as he walked into his little "office" - the little room underneath the stairs outfitted with a desk, desktop computer, printer, filing cabinet and portable music player. Drew was inside playing some kind of computer game.

"What is that," he said. "Angry Birds? Candy Crush?"

"Ha-ha," she answered sarcastically. "It's an RPG called World of Darkness. I'm playing with some kids from Australia."

"Sounds grim. Can you help me with this?" He was having trouble with his tie.

"Sure." Drew got up and knotted her dad's tie. She stepped back. "There... Whoa! You're looking good. That one of the new suits?"

"Thanks, kid. Yeah."

Drew inhaled. "You smell nice, too. Are you dressing up for someone? You've probably got a girl stashed in the building or something," she giggled.

"Drew!"

"Maybe a cute secretary or something? Hmmm?"

Carson was a little uncomfortable with Drew's flirty behavior. It might be in character if Drew was a real girl, but... Carson decided not to let it bother him too much and played along.

"Well, then, if you're so curious, you should come over for lunch and meet Alice, then."

"Well, then, if I must, I must."

"It's a date, then." He gave Drew a kiss on the cheek, picked up his fancy new briefcase and headed out.

"Bye, Pop."

-----

After Carson left, Drew went back to her game, but didn't like playing too much anymore. Because of this, her avatar got decimated, and she signed off after a while. She thought about lunch. It would be the first time she'd be seen over there...

She decided to go back upstairs and finish her morning routine, and, afterwards, found herself in front of her mirror. She wanted an outfit that befitted the daughter of one of the company's top officers - something conservative and officey. But after fifteen minutes of rifling through her clothes, she couldn't find any that quite fit the bill. Hmmm... She called up her dad on his new direct office telephone number. Eventually, he picked up.

"Honey, I'm a little busy at the moment..." her father responded. Obviously, his phone had caller ID. The echoing, tinny sound told her she was on speakerphone.

Drew heard her dad's tone and giggled. He was clearly preoccupied with more important things, and her calling him in such an inopportune time was such a cliché situation - the spoiled rich girl who needs attention from her father.

She decided to have some fun with her dad.

"But Fatherrrr...." she whined, playing up to her unseen audience.

Carson hurriedly picked up the phone. "Drewww..." he said warningly, "what are you doing?"

Drew giggled again. "I'm sorry, Pop. I couldn't resist."

He laughed as well, "Your little gimmick won't work, Kid. No one here but Alice and I."

"Awww..."

"But, really, Drew, I'm super-busy..."

"It's nothing really important, Pop. I'll make it quick. I was just looking through my wardrobe and I can't find anything appropriate to wear for having lunch with my father at his new office."

"Drew, why is this impor-"

"To make a good impression with your bosses, and all. You know?"

"Why is..."

"You know!"

There was a short pause as Carson thought it through.

Obviously, Drew wasn't being one hundred percent direct. But why was she being circumspect about...

So, it has something to do with the "plan," he concluded. And she couldn't say anything out loud. They had talked a lot about recorders, about people overhearing. So it was just Drew following the "plan."

Making a good impression... Drew was always looking at the long view. He supposed making a good impression was needed for the long term. Although she could have decided on this on her own. So why... Carson thought it through again and concluded that it was Drew's way of letting him know. He was supposed to show her off. Establish face recall and such. Ahhh.

"Absolutely, Honey," Carson said, mindful of his secretary in the room. "You do what you think is right."

"So no reservations about..."

"Go ahead - splurge. You can afford it." Thinking it was now safe to do so, he turned on the speaker and put the handset down.

Hearing the clunk, Drew knew she was on the speakerphone again. She went back into her act.

"But, Fatherrr...." she whined. "What if I need more moneyyyy!"

Carson sighed theatrically, playing along, but Drew knew he was grinning.

"All right, all right!" Carson replied. "Feel free to use my charge card. But I'll be checking later!"

"Okayyyy..."

"Oh, say hi to Alice. Alice is my new secretary."

"Hiii!!!"

Carson's matronly secretary smiled at that and leaned down to speak into the phone's mic.

"Good morning, Ms. Nance. I'm Alice. I'm sure we'll get to know each other real well."

"Oooh! You sound so sexy!"

At that, Alice couldn't help but laugh.

Carson sighed. "Okay, Drew, we really have to go now."

"Okay, Daddy! Byyye! Bye, Alice!"

Carson finally clicked off and sighed. "So," he said. "That was my daughter, Drew."

Alice laughed. "Come on, Boss. She can't really be like that."

"Well, you're right - she's not. It's just a game she plays with new people. You can meet her later. She's coming by - we're having lunch." He gestured to the pile of case file folders they were going through. At the moment, Alice was helping Carson review his current portfolio, to see where they were at the moment. "Back to work."

"I'll be sure to be around, then. Oh! Better make it a late lunch, Boss. Mr. Tate's assistant called to say he'd be passing by later with some of the division heads."

"What! Mr. Tate himself? The president of the company?"

Alice grinned. "Ah, no, sir."

"Whew! Thank God! Don't scare me like that, Alice."

"Actually," she smirked, "it's Mr. Tate, Senior - the chairman of the board of the company, and the head of the Tate Group."

Carson looked at her, slack-jawed.

"But I'm pretty sure Mr. Tate, Junior will be with him, too, plus all the division heads of all the divisions of all three companies... ummm, what's wrong? Mr. Nance? Boss? You all right?"

-----

Now that she'd been given carte blanche, Drew got excited, picked her fanciest shopping outfit and started getting ready.

She locked up the house, jumped into Tiger and drove towards Manhattan. Thinking of where to buy her outfit, she went on to Fifth. She had half a mind to go to either Barneys, Henri Bendel or Saks, but decided to go a place a little lower key. What really decided it for her was spotting a parking space near one of the department stores.

After parking, she walked over to the building, took an escalator to the appropriate section and tapped one of the sales girls on the shoulder. She explained to the chic store clerk what the occasion was, and the fact that she didn't have much time. But the girl listened politely and quickly decided what to pick for her.

In the end, they picked a black Calvin Klein Women's Single Button Suit Jacket. It was a slim business-like jacket that featured high peaked lapels and a center back vent. The girl matched it with a Calvin Klein Women's Straight-Fit Suit Skirt with a concealed back zipper.

For her top, the girl picked an Allegra K Women's Point Collar Long Sleeve Button Down Ruched Shirt. The girl said it was what they called a career shirt. It was a single-breasted blouse that featured long sleeves, a point collar and a ruched front.

Drew wanted to wear her current bra with the outfit, but the girl insisted that she get a silk bustier bra top. The structured silhouette would look great half glimpsed under the shirt, and the thin straps would perch at the edge of her shoulders so the straps wouldn't be seen at all through the jacket.

As a final touch, the girl picked a red Nine West Women's "Jealouseye" dress pump. They featured three-and-a-half inch heels, pointed toes, light padding, overlaps at toe and heel, and sculpted vamps with little leather string bows. Drew thought the bows made them look cute so she agreed to the shoes right away.

The price of the whole outfit didn't even reach five hundred, but when the clerk ran Carson's card through the machine and saw the credit limit, she couldn't help but mentally kick herself - they could have gone through the even more expensive brands. Drew's age threw her off, but the expensive casual attire, expensively cut hair and expensive watch should have clued her in.

Still, she didn't change her demeanor, and just gave Drew a card declaring her Drew's and Carson's "personal shopper" for next time. "My name's Lisa," she said. "Look for me when you need help with anything."

It wasn't a total loss, though, because, before leaving, Drew picked up a nice, Marino Orlandi Italian leather girl's designer sling backpack. It was almost a thousand, but Drew didn't even flinch.

She asked if she could change into her new outfit at the store and make her lunch date. The girl took out all the tags and brought her to the nearest changing room.

"Where's lunch anyway?" the clerk asked through the changing room door.

"I don't know yet. I'm meeting my dad at his office in Manhattan first, at the Tate Center?"

"That's not too far away. You have time to spare."

Drew came out wearing her new ensemble.

"Well," the girl said, "you look like a very nice and clean cut young executive! Dad will be impressed."

"Thanks a lot, Lisa! See you later!"

The girl put her clothes in shopping bags and her shoes in the NineWest shoebox, gave her the tags stapled to her receipt, and escorted her out so the store detectives wouldn't bother her. "So, will we see you again?"

"Totally, and thanks!"

As she was riding down the escalator, a bunch of girls were riding up in the escalator opposite hers. They were talking loudly. When she was still Andy, that would have irritated her a lot, but she'd experienced a sea change about such things ever since she started living as Drew.

The one in the lead was a simply gorgeous redhead “Hey, Nikki!” she called down. “Make sure Danny doesn’t sneak away! The whole point of this trip is to get some stage outfits for June, Betsy, Fallon and her. If we don’t, Mrs. Piper will never forgive me.”

A blonde girl near the bottom had yet another redhead in a headlock. Given how they were both giggling, Drew realized they were just playing.

“No prob, Danielle. I got her, and I’m never letting her go.” And then she gave the redhead in her arms butterfly kisses.

“Ewww! Nikki, quit it!”

Drew smiled at their antics.

“Oi!” Yet another redhead exclaimed. “You guys behave. You’re making a scene.”

“Sorry, Fallon,” the girl, Dannie was it? Dannie responded.

They were almost parallel to her now. Drew casually looked over and was surprised to see that Dannie was a twin of that other girl, Danielle. Cool.

“Hi,” Dannie said when she saw Drew looking at her.

“Hi, Dannie,” Drew said. She embarrassedly smiled at the girl.

“Do I know you?”

“Ahh, no.” Drew shrugged. “I’m Drew.”

“Hi, Drew. Funny, I have a friend named Drew, too.”

Drew grinned and nodded. “Well, have fun shopping.”

She made a face. “Clearly, you haven’t met my sister.”

Drew giggled and waved bye-bye.

“What a funny girl,” Drew said. Her good mood was just reinforced and she jauntily stepped off the escalator. “Three redheads at the same time. Well, that’s unusual.”

Drew stepped out to on the sidewalk, went over to Tiger and drove the short distance over to her dad's building. After parking, she transferred all the stuff in her bag into her new designer backpack, freshened up her make-up and lightly spritzed perfume all over the new clothes to get rid of the new-clothes department-store smell. She put up Tiger's convertible canvas top, locked her up, walked on over to Tate Center, and into Reception.

It was a busy building, with lots of people in fancy office attire walking quickly and purposefully. But though she was, by far, the youngest there, she didn't feel that she stood out too much. Thank goodness for the new outfit.

"Hi," Drew said to the girl at the reception desk. "I'm here to visit my dad. Carson Nance?"

"Oh, yes, Ms. Nance! We were told you were visiting." The receptionist gestured at one of the guys in the blue suits. "Jim will go with you to Mr. Nance's office so you don't get lost. Jim?"

"Ms. Nance," Jim said, "please wear this pass."

Drew pinned the ID to her new jacket and went with Jim to the elevator.

-----

"So!" Alice said. "You're Drew. Nice to finally meet you. I'm Alice."

"You're Alice?" Drew said, channeling Janine. "This is so kewl!"

Alice laughed. "No need, dearie. I know it's an act."

"Oh, snap!" Drew laughed, and snapped her fingers for effect. "How'd you know?"

"Your father told me," she grinned. "But it doesn't take a genius to know." She looked Drew up and down in her executive best. "You don't look like a ditz. Besides, Mr. Nance told me that the reason you're here and not in school today was because you got exempted from all your exams. Something airheads aren't known for."

"Okay, okay," she grinned. "Nice to meet you Alice."

They shook hands, smiling. Drew liked her on the spot, but she knew that she shouldn't be too trusting. At least not yet. Alice worked for the company, after all.

She didn't look like what Drew expected. Given Carson's description, she thought that she'd look like Mrs. Thorn, one of her teachers from her old life, complete with gray hair in a bun, eyeglasses hanging from a chain around her neck, and a cardigan over a shapeless dress.

Instead of looking like that, Alice had the look of a classy, officey version of Blythe Danner in a chic designer suit. And though Alice did have silver hair, it was arranged in a very classy shoulder-length do. And though Carson was totally wrong about her look, he was dead-on with her voice. Oddly enough, it suited her well.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Nance," she said. "I'm afraid your father is busy with some bigwigs. But he said he'll buzz me as soon as he's ready."

"I'm so sorry for the trouble, Alice. Pop wants to 'show me off' to his bosses," she sighed theatrically. "The de rigueur take-your-daughter-to-work kind of thing. I'm sure you've seen it before, and do please call me Drew."

"Hmmm," Alice thought. "'de rigueur,' huh?" She smiled, noting the change in Drew's demeanor. Definitely not an airhead. "It's no trouble at all, really, Drew." She decided to change tack. "Your father told me you just settled into your new home?"

"Well, we've been there almost four months," Drew said. "It's not like we 'just settled in.'"

"The way your dad talks, it's like you're still new to the neighborhood."

"Guess Pop isn't too used to the Burbs yet. We're New Yorkers. But we took a few years to bum around the country after our place burned down. Now, we're back. Not that Staten Island is much like New York City..."

And Drew regaled Alice with stories of her new suburban life. A lot of it wasn't even feigned, for it really was a new life for her. Alice listened raptly, and wondered how a kid could make such humdrum things as school and teenage fashion trends sound so engaging. Much to her surprise, she found herself telling her about her own life, too - about life as an older single lady, about her daughter who passed away a year ago. In fact, Alice sort of thought that Drew was very like her daughter. Not that Drew was even remotely close to her age, or looked anything like her, or talked or behaved like her. But the joy, the vitality, the openness - it was so like Judy. it made her feel a bit sad.

"Alice?" Drew said. "You okay? You suddenly got very quiet."

Alice sighed. "Oh, it's nothing, Honey. I was just thinking of Judy."

Drew reached out and gently took her hand. "I'm sorry, Alice."

Alice looked at her. So like Judy... But she shook herself out of it and smiled brightly. "Oh, it's nothing! Listen, would you like a cup of coffee or something while we wait, or I can call down for a Danish or something. Young people are always hungry."

"Well, coffee, maybe. I'll fetch it." Drew looked around and saw a fancy coffee service off to the side with a fancy stainless steel coffee maker. She poured both of them cups, putting cream and one sugar in Alice's as requested.

And they sipped coffee and visited while Alice did some work at her desk.

After half an hour or so, Carson buzzed.

"Alice?" he said, "has my daughter arrived yet?"

"Yes, Mr. Nance."

"Please send her in."

"Right away, sir."

Drew sighed, put her cup down and stood up. "Guess it's showtime."

Alice laughed. "Guess it is." She walked her to Carson's door. "There are six people in there with your dad. Mr. Tate and Mr. Tate Junior are there. You know who they are?"

"Wow! Yeah, I do."

"There's Mr. Joseph Kierney, the vice president of Accounting and Finance, and this young fella, Mr. Henry Peyton, executive assistant of Mr. Tate, Junior. There are also two ladies there. The one with silver hair is Mrs. Norah Marshall, vice president for Operations, and the other one is Lucy Fischer, the head of HR."

"Okay."

With that, Alice ushered Drew in.

"Hello, Honey," Carson greeted her, broke away from talking with Mr. Tate, Junior, walked to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

She gave Carson a casual but affectionate hug. "Hi, Daddy."

"Honey, I'd like you to meet Mr. Simon Thaddeus Tate, our chairman of the board. Mr. Tate, my daughter Andrea."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, my dear," the silver-haired gentleman said, reached out and, instead of shaking her hand, kissed it instead. Drew blushed.

"Good morning, sir."

"And this is Simon Thaddeus Tate, Junior, the president of Tate & Company, and American Amalgamated. And my boss." Carson laughed.

"Call me Tad, please, Andrea. Pleased to meet you."

"Oh, no one calls me Andrea, sir, except Daddy when he's being formal. I'm Drew."

"I am pleased to meet you, Drew." He shook her hand. "This is my assistant Henry Peyton, and that's Joe Kierney."

The two other men shook hands with her as well.

The two ladies walked over.

"Good morning, my dear," the older silver-haired lady said. "I'm Norah. And this is Lucy Fischer, head of Human Resources."

"Hi!"

"Tell me, young lady," Tate Senior boomed, "what are you doing here. It is a school day, I believe. I have half a mind to report you to your school's truancy officer."

"Truancy officer?" Drew wondered. Talk about ancient...

"Oh, Drew has the week off, Mr. Tate," Carson said. "It's finals week, but Drew has been exempted from the exams."

"Exempted?"

"Ummm, yes, sir," Drew answered. "My GPA and attendance records were good enough that they gave me the option to be exempted."

"My goodness! Carson, your daughter is not only charming, she seems quite the go-getter. You two are to be congratulated."

"Thank you, sir."

The old man mock-growled. "I told you, son, call me Simon." He signaled his staff. "let's go, everyone! Let's leave these two in peace. Carson, we will see you later. And you, my dear," he said, and kissed her hand again, "it was a pleasure to meet you. Feel free to come visit us. And often." He snapped his fingers. "Come, everyone!"

After they left, Drew turned to her dad with a big smile. "So, Dad," she said, "how's that for impressing your boss?"