“No – you want to come with me ? “

“Yes – I’d love to – the first meeting of the New Year is only two weeks after we get back and I thought I might do a longer distance given all the stamina work I do with you “

“Maybe at the end of the season we could do a race together “

“It would have to be a distance that was fair to both of us “

“I don’t know – I think I could take you over about 1500 “

“Porter you arrogant bitch – that’s my main distance “

“So “ Bette loved teasing Tina

“Okay Porter – that’s a bet you are going to regret making. Give me ten minutes and I’ll see you downstairs “

———————————

90 minutes later Peggy was standing by the window in the main bedroom. She was waiting for Melvin to get changed so they could go out for the day. He was standing in front of his open wardrobe studying his sweaters — Peggy smiled. Melvin still liked to think of himself as a suave dude and liked to dress accordingly. At 50 he was still a fit and handsome man.

“Melvin Porter I was dressed twenty minutes ago – we are only going antique shopping – its not a damn board meeting “

“Patience my sweet “

“I will remind you of this when you are grumbling under your breathe about me taking a long time to get ready “

“I never grumble sweetie — I am famed for my sunny disposition as befit’s a man with a house full of beautiful women “

Peggy turned back to the window “Speaking of your beautiful women – come and look at this “

Melvin crossed to the window and looked to where Peggy was indicating. Bette and Tina had just come into view running hard for the house

“She is keeping up with Bette – I thought that was impossible from what I remember her coach told me”

“Miss Kennard has a determination that is only matched by that of your daughter “

They both reached the gates at the same time and sprinted for what obviously was their “ finishing post “ – a stone statue at the corner of the house — Tina touched it first by only a few seconds before collapsing onto the grass and being joined by Bette