Sintown Chronicles III: In Dark Corners

by David O. Dyer, Sr.

  Julie tossed her head and snapped her fingers. “Piece of cake."

  "And the session with Carl Elliott?"

  "He was eating out of my hand in minutes. Come on guys, get with it. I'm famished and man, do I have things to tell you!"

  When they were seated at the picnic table, Julie began talking excitedly before opening her Styrofoam carton. “Rita Holder has an in-house caricaturist named Betty Hensley. The gal is good. She's going to make up signs with Dad's likeness."

  "What's a caricaturist?” Ally asked.

  Julie bolted down a large bite of gravy-soaked mashed potatoes. “Sort of like a cartoonist. The agency is going to plan an advertising campaign for us—you know, signs around town, ads in the local newspaper, maybe even in the Charlotte Observer. Everything will feature a caricature of Dad. We may even be able to afford a big sign out on the Interstate just before the Highway 13 exit."

  Cliff assumed an expression of concern. “Shouldn't you have run all this by your partners first?"

  "Hell, no. I'm the boss, remember? Besides, I knew you'd all like it."

  Ally snickered.

  "Pepper up your nose?” Julie asked.

  Ally replied, “No, but I was just thinking. All the advertising we need is a couple of spots on that Bawdy Talk radio program."

  "Hitch up your bloomers, Ally. There's more. I ate lunch at the Korner Kafe and sat at the counter beside the sexiest looking woman I've ever seen. Hell, she has you beat. I recognized her voice immediately."

  "You had lunch with Delilah Delight?” Roger asked.

  "Turns you on too, does she?” Julie laughed. “Her real name is Shelly Brooks. She used to be an exotic dancer."

  "A stripper?” Ally gasped.

  "Yep. She has a little girl and an invalid husband who gets around on a walker. He baby-sits while she brings home the bacon. One thing led to another and she's going to do a daily spot on her show for us."

  "Remember I once said it takes new businesses four years to begin showing a profit? Ally asked.

  They all nodded.

  "Well, forget it. Happy days are here already!"

  "Hush up, all of you,” Julie gushed.

  "There's more?"

  "After lunch, I stopped at the Super Save for gas. A technician was in the office, working on an electronic game. I struck up a conversation with him. His company out of Charlotte leases games and pinball machines. A rep will call on us later this week to set everything up."

  "I didn't think you liked that idea when we ran it by you Sunday morning,” Roger said.

  "It grew on me,” Julie replied. She paused, studying Roger as he scooped up the last bite of steak. “This was your idea too, Spunky?"

  Simultaneously, Cliff and Ally shouted, “Guilty!"

  "Let me guess,” Ally joked. “You have even more good news."

  "It's good news to me. Mr. Elliott offered me more cash than I dared hope."

  "How much?” Cliff asked.

  Julie grinned. “None of your business. He's going to blacktop our parking lot and the road to the log cabin after he cuts the streets for his subdivision and he's going to begin work on the cabin next Monday. Spunky, that gives you and me just six days to straighten the house up and store all the junk so the workmen can have at it."

  "How come Spunky gets to have all the fun?” Cliff joked.

  "Okay. You can all help."

  "Don't you have another ad layout to do?” Ally asked.

  "I'm running on high octane adrenaline, Ally. I'll get it all done."

  "Spunky,” Cliff said, “you have something on your mind?"

  "Not really."

  "Sure you do. Spill it."

  "I was just thinking about the ads for Dad's Place."

  "And."

  "Well, if we do put up a billboard, I thought it might be nice to say, ‘Dad's Place, featuring Mom's barbecue'."

  "Oh, God,” Julie moaned. “Hey, Spunky, the ad line is great. It's just that, well, here we are, almost ready for our Grande Opening, and we don't have mom's recipe."

  "Spunky,” Ally said, “you once said you thought you could remember the recipe."

  He shook his head. “Sorry. I tried."

  "Julie, you didn't find it in the office?"

  Julie shook her head.

  "It must be somewhere in the house,” Cliff offered.

  Julie's shoulders slumped. “I'm not certain she ever wrote it down at all."

  Chapter Fourteen

  "I need help moving this gondola, Cliff."

  "They are heavy. I'll bet Julie's dad made them all."

  "You think we'll finish painting today?"

  He chuckled. “Hell, Ally, we only have two to go. You're still miffed about Julie changing her mind and dragging Spunky off to the house this morning."

  Ally pretended to pout. “I haven't even seen the house."

  "It's beautiful, or at least, it will be once it's finished. Other than cleaning, there's very little to be done inside. Most of the repair work is in the basement and on the outside. Carl told me he could complete it in a month or two and, at the time, he was thinking of doing the work himself. Now that he's decided to use his crews, it wouldn't surprise me if he finishes the job in a couple of weeks."

  "Is it a big house?"

  "It sure it! I didn't count the rooms, but there must be a dozen or more."

  "How much cleaning needs to be done?"

  Cliff laughed. “It hasn't been occupied in ten years or longer. Every square inch is filthy except for the furniture."

  "You think the furnishings need to be discarded?"

  "No. Julie's dad covered it all. I imagine it's in good shape."

  "Excuse me,” a female voice interrupted. “I'm looking for Julie Wilson."

  Cliff gazed at the gorgeous woman who stood just inside the door.

  Ally laughed. “Excuse me, Delilah,” Ally joked, “while I shove Cliff's tongue back into his mouth."

  The delightful temptress grinned. “I must have a very distinctive voice. Everyone who's ever listened to Bawdy Talk recognizes me instantly."

  "You're beautiful,” Cliff muttered.

  "Thank you, kind sir. Is Miss Wilson available?"

  "Not really,” Ally explained. “She's at the house and there's no telephone."

  "I'll take you,” Cliff offered.

  "Delilah, if I were you, I wouldn't get in Cliff's truck without a chaperone,” Ally joked. “Cliff, why don't you go get Julie?"

  "Yeah. Right away."

  Delilah held up her hands and Cliff gazed at the cleavage as her breasts pressed together. “No need. I just wanted to look around and drop off this contract."

  Delilah took the tour with Cliff trailing the two women and, when she left, he walked her to the parking lot and gallantly held open her car door.

  "Did you get a good look when she slid behind the wheel?” Ally kidded as they watched Delilah's Escort disappear down Highway 13.

  "Gorgeous boobs,” he said. “Big, dark brown areolas."

  "Cliff!"

  He shook his head and grinned. “She was wearing a damn bra that covered just about everything."

  "You need ten minutes alone?"

  "What are you talking about?"

  "You're about to burst the fly of your jeans."

  "Jealous?"

  "Damn right. I thought you liked small breasts."

  He chuckled. “I think I just changed my mind. I've never been inside a strip joint, but if she was still active, I'd be a regular customer."

  "I'll strip for you tonight if you like, and it won't cost you a dime,” she joked as she patted the crotch of his jeans.

  "Trouble is,” he laughed, “you don't have any jugs to show me.” He playfully placed his hands on her chest.

  She quickly clutched her hands on his and pressed him closer. Their smiles disappeared. She moaned, closed her eyes and tilted her head. He pressed his lips to hers. His arms circled her. She sagged into him as her tongue explored his mouth. H
is hands eased to the small of her back. She dug her fingernails into his shoulders. His probing fingers traveled south.

  Ally pushed away. “I'm sorry, Cliff. I didn't mean to do that."

  Cliff followed Ally back inside the store. “Ally."

  "Don't."

  "Come here,” he demanded.

  "Are you giving me an order?"

  "Yes."

  She hesitated and then obeyed, resting her arms lightly on his shoulders.

  He crushed her against his powerful body, forced her head to his shoulder and stroked her hair. “I like you, Ally. You know that."

  "You love me,” she replied.

  "Everyday I look forward to being with you."

  "Me too."

  "I could never intentionally hurt a woman, especially not you."

  "I know."

  "It may not work out."

  "We'll never know unless we try."

  "My place or yours?"

  "Hey, you two,” Julie said as she came through the door, “break it up."

  Cliff clung tightly. Ally lifted her head. Their tongues touched and disappeared as their lips pressed together.

  "Cover your eyes, Spunky,” Julie said. “You're too young to watch this."

  The couple stepped apart, clasped hands and spoke to each other with their eyes.

  Julie cleared her throat. “I think you two should take a cold shower while Spunky and I scrounge up something for lunch. Hamburgers okay?"

  Neither Cliff nor Ally responded.

  "Come on, Spunky. You're driving,” Julie said.

  When the lovers heard the roar of Roger's car engine, they burst out laughing.

  "I'm not comfortable with this,” Cliff said.

  "Backing out already?"

  "No,” he replied, continuing to gaze into her eyes. “That's not the discomfort I mean. I've never felt anything like this."

  "Are you finally admitting you love me?"

  "I'm not going to joke about something like that, Ally. I don't know what I am experiencing."

  "Mine,” she said.

  "I don't follow you."

  "You asked me a question and that's my answer."

  "Oh. I don't have any, uh..."

  "Don't need any."

  "Oh?"

  "Birth control."

  His eyes narrowed. “Why?"

  She tugged him towards the door. “I was living with Frank and I use the injection method. It's good for three months."

  "Oh."

  Cliff lay on his back, breathing hard. Julie straddled him and teased his lips with a nipple. He sucked gently. “I can count the number of women I've been with on my fingers, Ally. I've never known a woman with such long nipples."

  "Frank measured them once—three quarters of an inch. He said I was a freak."

  "You're a beautiful freak."

  "You really can go ten minutes."

  "You timed it?"

  "No. It seemed like an hour—a wonderful hour."

  "Want me to spank you?"

  "I thought you couldn't hurt a woman."

  "I can't. I meant a couple of playful whacks."

  She kissed each of his eyelids. “Never again."

  "Thank goodness. That was bothering me."

  "Cliff, I just had sex for the first time."

  "What?"

  "I never knew it could be like this. I don't want it to ever end."

  "Hey, ten minutes is my limit."

  She sat up and grinned down at him. “You know what I mean."

  A car horn blared and they both chuckled. “I think lunch is ready,” Ally said.

  They untangled and Ally strategically placed a half dozen tissues as Cliff stumbled to the bathroom. He emerged a few minutes later wearing jockey shorts. He watched Ally pull a shirt over her perky, swollen breasts. “Aren't you going to, uh, clean up?"

  She smiled wickedly. “I built a dam. I want to feel you squishing inside me all afternoon."

  Hand in hand, they walked to the restaurant and joined Julie and Roger who were halfway through their burgers.

  "Only one?” Ally complained as she slid into the booth.

  "Worked up an appetite, did you?” Roger deadpanned.

  Everyone chuckled. “You're getting good, Spunky,” Ally complimented.

  "Can you two come down to earth long enough to discuss business?"

  "Sure, Julie,” Cliff said. “What's on your mind?"

  "The house is filthy. I mean filthy filthy. I decided to hire a professional service to do the dirty work. I don't care what they charge. All Spunky and I can do is clear out Mom and Dad's stuff."

  "Did you find the recipe?"

  "No, Ally."

  "We found a loose-leaf notebook full of recipes, but neither the barbecue, slaw nor buns were in it,” Roger added.

  "Ally,” Julie continued, “you told me about the dishes you served in your diner. I think that's the way to go."

  "Not much profit in it,” Ally reminded Julie.

  "There's good profit in beer."

  "I'd hate to see the place turn into a beer joint,” Roger said.

  Cliff nodded his agreement.

  "The simplicity of serving just barbecue appeals to me, Julie,” Ally objected. “Are you certain you searched the office good?"

  "The stuff I discarded is still out back. You can double check if you like."

  Ally sighed. “If you think about it, bring the notebook tonight. There may be some other tempting recipes in it."

  "Anybody home?” a male voice interrupted from the store area.

  "In here,” Julie shouted and she slipped out of the booth.

  "Buster Everheart,” the bald-headed man said as he extended his hand. “I'm with Games Unlimited out of Charlotte."

  "Boy, that was fast! I'm Julie Wilson and these are my partners in crime."

  Everheart listened intently as Julie explained their plans and showed him around.

  "I agree,” he said at last, “that we might all make a buck or two on a few electronic games. I'm not so sure about pinball, though.” He chuckled. “We have a ton of them in the warehouse gathering dust. I'll put in as many as you want, but don't get your hopes up."

  "We're keeping things kind of rustic and fifty-ish,” Ally explained. “I'll bet many of our customers will love to play pinball."

  "Maybe. Want my opinion?"

  "Sure,” Cliff said.

  "Four electronic games in the store area should do well—maybe five. You get twenty-five percent of the take and we service the machines each week."

  "There's no up-front cost to us?” Julie asked.

  "No. Some outfits sell their machines, but we don't and we're the most successful company in the state. If I were you, I wouldn't put pinball machines, electronic games or pool tables in the restaurant area."

  "Why not?” Roger asked, clearly disappointed.

  Everheart answered indirectly. “If it was me, I'd add a few tables or leave an area open for dancing. I'd put an old fashioned jukebox right over there."

  "You handle jukeboxes?” Julie asked.

  "Yes ma'am. Same deal as the game machines."

  "We had our hearts set on pinball machines,” Ally said, almost to herself.

  "What's back there?"

  Roger followed the man's focus. “Restrooms."

  "There's a large storage area too,” Julie said.

  "It's a mess,” Cliff explained. “We're not going to need to store much of anything and just planned to block off that room."

  "Let's have a look,” Everheart said, leading the way. He tried the door, but it wouldn't budge. He put his shoulder against it and stumbled when the swollen wood released. He walked around the dimly lit room for a full minute as the partners watched. “It's perfect,” he announced.

  "Perfect?” Cliff asked in surprise.

  Everheart tugged at his chin. “Rip out all the shelving. Tack up some paneling. Add a drop ceiling and florescent lights and you have a perfect game room that won't bother the
diners. You can even put a pool table right in the middle if you like."

  "I suppose you handle pool tables too?” Julie grinned.

  Everheart smiled. “You'll have to go to Wal-Mart for a dart board, ma'am."

  "How'd we get stuck doing all the hard work?” Cliff asked as he tapped the lid shut on the last paint can.

  Ally let her eyes roam the room. “They look good, Cliff, but I confess I've had enough painting for a while. At least Julie loaned us Spunky while she made her telephone calls."

  "Yeah. Rearranging these gondolas was hard work and that man is strong as an ox."

  Ally chuckled. “Julie can talk a skunk into smelling sweet."

  "When did she say they were coming to install telephones?"

  "Tomorrow afternoon, and she talked Mr. Elliott into remodeling the game room. She even found a cleaning service in Charlotte."

  He began washing their paintbrushes. “Did she say Carl was sending a crew out here Thursday?"

  Ally snickered. “She doesn't mess around."

  "That just gives us the rest of the day and tomorrow to get the room ready. She's just got to let Spunky help us."

  "I think she wants to keep Spunky to herself. Did you see the look on her face when she saw us kissing?"

  "I barely noticed they were present."

  "She's jealous."

  "Of me?"

  "Conceited cuss, aren't you? No, she wants Spunky's arms around her like yours were around me."

  Cliff stretched and glanced through the plate glass windows. “Parking lot looks pretty good."

  "How long before they install the pumps?"

  "They want the concrete to set up overnight. I think they plan to install the pumps and the island cover tomorrow, but the sign won't be ready until Friday or Saturday.” He chuckled. “That's one battle Julie lost. Mr. Zegra refused to add her dad's caricature to the Riteway sign."

  "She doesn't lose many."

  "Turn up the volume on the radio. Bawdy Talk is on."

  So, Randy, you agree with Bob?

  I sure do, Delilah. My heart went out to him. Imagine being happily married for forty years and then suddenly finding yourself alone.

  Bob said he was too old to play the dating game, trying to find someone compatible for companionship. I have an idea that's not your situation.

  No. I'm twenty-six, but I have the same problem. I just can't force myself to use sleazy pick-up lines. I don't mind spending time with a lady to see if we click, but it's embarrassing to approach a woman and have her give you the cold shoulder.