Sedona's Heart

by Sasha Fino

  “I’m sorry, but I just can’t. This is Sedona, Blanche. I’ll bet that you can get a job in a gallery by the end of the week. I will put in a good word for you if someone calls for a reference. We are still friends.”

  “I know that we are friends, a job is hard to find now.” Blanche said sadly

  “Think of this as a new start, Blanche.”

  An hour later, Blanche pulled out of the Sedona Geranium Hotel and Spa with all of her personal belongings in the back of the jeep. What would she do next? Her only skills were running the hotel’s front desk and being a tourism booking agent. How would she tell Dean, she wondered all the way home?

  When Blanche got home, Dean was in the garage having a beer and working on his beat-up old Ford truck

  “Hello!” Blanche said to her husband

  “Hi,” Dean replied, stopping what he was doing to give her a kiss. The kiss was not very passionate, to say the least. Some of their friends blamed her for letting the sex die in their marriage

  “I am almost done fixing the truck,” Dean said in a bad mood as he took a sip of his beer

  “Great, Sweetheart! I am happy for you.”

  “Yeah, Yeah,” Dean said going back to work

  “And you did it on your own.”

  “Damn, Blanche, I’m not in the mood! By the way, that Kimberly is inside,” Dean said without looking at her

  “I lost my job today,” Blanche said softly to him, sorrow in her voice “What?” Dean asked

  “The Hotel cut back due to the economy.”

  “Isn’t that just lovely?!” Dean exclaimed with no sympathy for his wife

  Chapter 5

  Kimberly enjoyed playing pranks at school with Lexy, which led them to Principal Lamia’s office, where they found a sympathetic ear. Their principal was not fond of Kasey, her followers. Ms. Patella and others of their teachers and would send Kimberly and Lexy back to class without punishment in the hope of more high jinx. Meanwhile, Ms. Patella made Kimberly’s life a living hell once she realized Kimberly was Lexy’s friend

  As the weeks went by, Kimberly and Lexy spent a lot of time working in the library together and got to know each other well. Mrs. Jenson made sure that they filed the books away on their proper bookshelves. Hanging out with Lexy at the library was something Kimberly looked forward to as a break from her miserable home life, and the fact that her Aunt Blanche couldn’t find a job anywhere in town

  While they spent hours shelving books and chatting the hours away, Lexy told Kimberly all about her life, her Dad, and what the dummy, Brianna, was up to. Kimberly discovered that the life of the rich and famous was not as glamorous as the movies made it out to be. Kimberly returned the confidences by telling Lexy about her home life.

  “That pig did what?” Lexy whispered.

  “I don’t know, but he hurt her badly, and she is acting like nothing happened. That’s why I was not at school yesterday. I stayed home to comfort her,” Kimberly replied, telling Lexy how her uncle mistreated Blanche the past Thursday night

  “You need to get rid of that pig, Kimberly.” “I’m not as good at it as you are, and Aunt Blanche refuses to leave him, anyway.”

  “Come on, I can help you get that pig out of your life. It would be fun.”

  “No, thanks, Lexy. It’s his paycheck that puts food on our table.”

  “Well, I haven’t been able to dislodge Brianna, and I’ve tried every trick in my book!” Lexy exclaimed

  “Is Brianna at your house this weekend?” Kimberly asked, “No, thank god, just my Dad and me.”

  “Well, if your dad likes her so much, maybe you could try liking her, too,” Kimberly said as she moved the last book from the cart to the bookshelf

  “Yeah, right. Besides, I am planning a new prank just for Brianna, and if it works well, we can use it on Ms. Patella

  “Knowing you, it will be great,” Kimberly said as she looked up at the clock. It was almost time to go home, back to her living hell. When Kimberly was with Lexy, it was so easy to forget her life at home and just have fun

  “Lexy, my aunt, and uncle are having a spring BBQ party next Saturday night, and I was wondering if you would like to come,” Kimberly said putting her hand on the cart

  “Awesome, I would love to come and meet the pig after all of your descriptions. It will also give me a reason not to be with Brianna,” Lexy admitted happily

  “Great, I will tell Aunt Blanche that you are coming.”

  “Kimberly, I’ve never asked anyone before, but would you like to hang out at my house after we are done here?”

  “Sure, why not? I would love to. Let me call my aunt for permission.” “Great!” Lexy said with a big smile

  Kimberly was happy as they walked into the back room discussing what they would do at Lexy’s house

  When Kimberly called Aunt Blanche, she was delighted that Lexy and Kimberly would be spending time together. Blanche had some things to do around town and wouldn’t miss Kimberly while she was at Lexy’s house. Kimberly told Lexy it was all set, as she pushed a cart of books out ready to be stamped. Lexy seemed pleased but was a little reserved

  A few minutes later, Lexy and Kimberly left the library and saw the limo waiting for them

  “Oh, Lexy, is that a limo for you?” Kimberly asked. She was blown away by the limo.

  “Yes, who do you think it is fora librarian?” Lexy asked as she got in “Wow, I have never been in a limo before,” Kimberly said as she slid in beside

  Lexy and buckled up

  “There aren’t many people as lucky as me.”

  “Where to Miss Heller?” the driver called back to Lexy. “Do you want something to eat, Kimberly?” Lexy asked

  “No, thanks,” Kimberly said. She was hungry but hadn’t any money to pay for anything, and she didn’t want Lexy to have to pay for her

  “Take us to McDonald’s,” Lexy told the chauffeur

  “Ok, Miss Heller.”

  Kimberly enjoyed the ride in the limo as Lexy, and she talked. Kimberly couldn’t believe she was in a limo talking with Lexy and having a great time. Lexy paid for both meals when they got to McDonald’s and wouldn’t hear of Kimberly paying her back

  “That’s what friends are for, right?” Lexy said as they drove away from the drive-thru

  “Well, yes,” Kimberly agreed

  “Enjoy your hamburger, Kimberly, or do I have to feed it to you?” “No, I’m digging in right now!”

  “Good, because Dad won’t allow ‘poor people’s food’ in the house,” Lexy said, chomping on a French fry

  “McDonald’s is for poor people?” Kimberly asked in disbelief. How super-rich was Lexy’s dad to say that McDonald’s is for the poor, Kimberly wondered

  “I don’t listen to Dad. To me McDonald’s has the best burgers and fries,” Lexy commented with her mouth full

  “Have you tried Molly’s in the Village of Oak Creek? It’s just as good,” Kimberly said as she ate her hamburger

  “Yeah, but McDonald’s is still the best to me.”

  The girls ate in silent for a few minutes

  “Why Dad always dates women who are super stupid and who want to be my friend, I will never know,” said Lexy

  “I can’t answer that for you. My father only chose women I liked. Probably women who resembled my mom.”

  “Maybe Dad chooses them for good sex,” Lexy thought out loud, “So where do you live, Lexy?” Kimberly said changing the subject

  “We used to live near the Mesmerize Resort, but Dad got bored and wanted a bigger house, so he built our present home on a hill overlooking his Resort and Plaza

  “So, you live in the mansion uptown on the hill?” Kimberly asked. She had seen the house before and wondered who lived there

  “Yes, my dad owns 250 acres,” Lexy told Kimberly as she finished her hamburger

  “I live in Chapel Hills,” Kimberly told her

  “Wow, that’s cool. Music?” Lexy asked as she sat back and turned on the CD player
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  Kimberly was blown away when they drove up the long road, and there before they were the biggest mansion she had ever seen. It was a southwest Sedona castle to her. Lexy exited the limo still talking, but Kimberly didn’t hear her. She was too busy pinching herself to see if this was real. Lexy rang the doorbell, and a man answered.

  “Hello, Lexy, welcome home, and who is this young lady with you?” “Hello, Horace, this is Kimberly. Kimberly this is Horace, my butler and the male counterpart to a governess,” Lexy said as they walked in the door

  “Nice to meet you, Kimberly, and welcome to the Heller residence. May I get

  anything for either of you?” Horace said with a warm smile

  Just then, Kimberly heard a woman’s voice and laughter. Kimberly looked at Lexy and saw her roll her eyes. “Don’t tell me that she is here. It’s supposed to be her weekend in Scottsdale, Horace,” she said to him with exasperation in her voice and a look that was definitely peeved

  “Your father had a meeting to go to in Scottsdale this morning, so he brought Brianna back with him,” Horace explained. “So, where’s Dad? His car is not here.”

  “Mr. Heller is at the art gallery.”

  “Oh, Kimberly, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know she would be here.”

  “It doesn’t make any difference, Lexy. I’m here to be with you,” Kimberly said

  “Well, Horace, we will be in my room, and do me a favor and don’t tell Brianna that I’m home.” Lexy started to walk away with Kimberly following her, but before they made it out of the room, Brianna came up to them.

  “Lexy, your home,” Brianna said in the cheesy voice that Kimberly didn’t like right off the bat. Brianna had blonde hair and blue eyes. To Kimberly, she looked young enough to be Lexy’s older sister.

  “Yes, I am, and I brought Kimberly with me.”

  “Good, we can hang out now!” Brianna said fluttering her hands with happiness

  “I don’t think that’s ever going to happen. Kimberly and I are too young for you. We are going to hang out in my room, and you’re not invited,” Lexy said rather rudely

  “Oh, hello, I’m Brianna,” Brianna said to Kimberly

  “Hi,” Kimberly replied

  “Kimberly knows that you are after my family’s money.”

  “No, I am not. I am only dating your father,” Brianna said, looking confused. “Oh, I am sorry, bad me. Come, Kimberly, I will show you the game room,”

  Lexy said walking past Brianna as if she didn’t exist

  “Can I come? I mean I am great at air hockey,” Brianna said, lonely and hoping to join them

  “No, I think not. I don’t play well with my father’s toys,” Lexy replied as she continued walking into the next room. Kimberly followed her

  “Maybe later, I would love to get to know you two betters,” Brianna called after them

  Lexy didn’t reply and started to tell Kimberly more about the mansion. Kimberly saw that Brianna was everything that Lexy had told her and more.

  Ms. Patella loved a good party. “It’s time for the end of the year fundraiser, class. This year the theme is ‘A Night in Napa,’ featuring fine wine, dancing under the stars, a magnificent auction, and much more.” Ms. Patella was literally dancing around the classroom

  Kimberly watched as Lexy rolled her eyes at their teacher. It was almost May, and everyone was glad that summer was around the corner

  “This year, all of you will help plan the fundraiser. So, are there any ideas for the night?” Ms. Patella asked?

  Kasey was the first one to raise her hand. “Ms. Patella, how about having stunning jewelry, superb art, fine wine, and vacations as auction items? My father will contribute fine wines from our wineries here and in Napa,” she said in her little snobby voice

  “Her father owns two stupid little wineries, while my father owns half of the world,” Lexy whispered to Kimberly and brought a grin to Kimberly’s face

  “Ms. Heller, do you have something to share with the class and not just Ms. Aldridge?” Ms. Patella asked

  “Let me think. I am Lexy Heller. My father owns Heller Resort and Plaza so we can have our fundraiser in a ballroom overlooking Sedona. We can have art from his gallery for the auction, and he can call on his friends to add to it. How’s that for a start? Lexy asked. A hush fell over the classroom.

  “It sounds nice, I suppose, but Kasey’s father pulled some strings and obtained the ballroom at the Mesmerize Resort for our fundraiser!” Ms. Patella said, topping Lexy. Informing the exultant class.

  Lexy rolled her eyes. Kimberly felt sorry for her. Their classmates were a bunch of idiots

  “Ok, so my father will handle the artwork for the auction. Ms. Patella was less than enthused and accepted brusquely. “Kasey’s father is also providing a vacation for two to Napa,” Ms. Patella added

  “We can play music by famous old singers, like Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis, Jr. in the background,” suggested Ashley

  “Love that idea, Ashley, anyone else?” Ms. Patella practically sang

  One by one, Kasey’s minions shared their ideas for the fundraiser. Meagan suggested a themed buffet, while Allie considered inviting a comedienne, and Lilly volunteered her mother, who was an event planner, to organize the whole thing. The boys in the class and Kimberly remained quiet during the entire performance. Lexy continued rolling her eyes.

  “Ms. Aldridge, all the girls in our class, have made suggestions for the fundraiser. Do you have one or not?” Ms. Patella asked

  Kimberly thought about it. “Well, what if there is a…I’m sorry, I can’t think of anything new, Ms. Patella,” Kimberly said as Kasey and her minions laughed at her. Bullying at its finest, and Ms. Patella was encouraging it

  Lexy stood up from her chair. “That’s it! I am sick of how you all act like Kasey’s father owns half the world, when he’s really a little winemaker who owns a couple of wineries in Napa and Page Spring. It’s my father who makes the world turn. It beats me why you all kiss Kasey’s ass daily. It’s my father that you will be going to for jobs in future years. And another thing Ms. Patella is sleeping with Kasey’s father behind Kasey’s mother’s back. The last laugh is on you. Nobody laughs at my friend, Kimberly!”

  The class was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. Kasey’s face was red as a beat. Ms. Patella looked mad enough to choke Lexy. Kimberly put her face down on her desk, not knowing what would happen next

  “Ms. Heller, I am going to call your father and put you in a month of detention with me. Now, does anyone have any ideas for fundraiser week?” Ms. Patella said changing the subject

  Kimberly thought the day could not get any worse after Ms. Patella assigned the class a lot of work they must finish before school let out for the day, but she was

  “Lexy, why did you tell everyone that Ms. Patella is sleeping with Kasey’s dad?” Kimberly asked once they had left the school walking toward Lexy’s limo

  “It just slipped out, I swear, Kimberly,” Lexy said

  “I know you were mad, and I was, too, but you didn’t have to say that. Now Kasey and Ms. Patella will be even meaner to us,” Kimberly said, making her point. “I messed up, and I know it. I will handle Kasey, and Ms. Patella’s wrath, because there will be hell to pay. Just stay out of it,” Lexy said as they walked

  through the school doors

  Once they were outside, Kasey and her minions came up to them, ganging up in a circle around Lexy and Kimberly where the teachers couldn’t see them

  “Hey, Lexy, since when is it your business, telling everyone that my dad is sleeping with our teacher?” Kasey asked, getting in Lexy’s face

  “Yeah,” Ashley agreed

  “I saw Ms. Patella and your dear dad locking lips at the CEO of Sedona dinner last Christmas. I was wondering why Ms. Patella was there,” Lexy said

  “You are going to pay for this, Lexy Heller. I don’t care if your father is a billionaire. I’ve run this school since preschool,” Kasey said mean as ever

>   “I wonder if your mother knows that her daughter is covering up her husband’s affair in return for school favors from his mistress,” Lexy snapped back

  “You wouldn’t dare tell. If you do, I will punish you,” Kasey said, “Yeah, right. Come on, Kimberly, let’s go,” Lexy said

  Meagan, Allie, and Lilly blocked the way out. “You two are going nowhere, Allie informed them

  “Oh, really. You touch me, and my Dad will ruin you and your families, “Lexy! Don’t let them get to you,” Kimberly whispered “Oh, Daddy is not here to save you,” Lilly said

  “Kimberly, you could have joined our team. It’s more fun than hanging out with a rich daddy’s spoiled little girl,” Kasey said walking around them

  “I think you are the spoiled little girl, Kimberly answered, and you mistreated me when I started school here.”

  “I was testing you, and you failed,” Kasey said

  “Leave Kimberly out of this! Kimberly, come on, our limo is waiting,” Lexy said pushing her way out as Kimberly followed behind her

  “Lexy, you are going to pay big time,” Kasey yelled after them “Bring it on, you little bitch,” Lexy answered her.

  Chapter 6

  Max Heller was in his den sitting in his favorite chair, reading Sedona’s newspaper when Lexy got home. Lexy thought she would sneak past her father and go to her room. She softly opened and closed the wooden front

  door as quietly as she could. Lexy took her time, sauntering, but their two Great Danes found her, and then she heard him

  “Alexis Heller, come here now!” Max said in a tone that Lexy knew all too well. He knew that she would try to sneak past him and go to her room

  “Who me, Daddy?” Lexy said peeking her head in her father’s den trying to be cute

  “Is there another girl in this house named Alexis Heller?” Max asked “Maybe,” Lexy replied walking into the den with their Great Danes following her

  “Sit down, we need to have a talk. I got a call from Ms. Patella.”