by K L Finalley
"He's fine."
"You two...you really aren't...together, right?"
"Elet and I?" She laughed and swigged her own beer. "No, he's definitely not my type. We've been friends for years. He's probably my best friend. But, it's soooo not romantic. Not even in our drunkest nights."
"Good." Jacqueline stared at her and wondered about her response, but she said nothing. She did not have to wait too long before Sam spoke again, "Do you want to join them on the beach?"
"We can."
"Walk me down to my room first. I should probably put on some...panties and shoes. We're on the first floor. It's just down the hall."
Jacqueline stood up. She felt a bit wobbly, but she pulled some cash from her wallet to leave for the waitress. Normally, she would not have exposed her wallet to a stranger, but tonight felt very abnormal. As she re-entered the bar, Samantha reached for her hand. Pulling her towards her room, Jacqueline followed.
As the room door opened, Jacqueline saw the tiniest hotel room that she'd ever seen. It seemed like it was intended to be a closet, but the mops had been placed out of sight. She sat on the edge of one of the full sized beds. Samantha went into the restroom. Looking around the room, there was no chair or desk. There was no flat panel television. There were two full size beds, a tube television, a large mirror, and a bathroom off in the corner. She was tipsy when she entered, but, quickly, she sobered as she stared at this room and wondered why it was never renovated. She wondered if Sam knew that there were better rooms in the hotel. She wondered if she should call the hotel manager on Sam's behalf. She was thinking all of this when Sam exited the bathroom. Naked.
Chapter 14
Driving in afternoon traffic with four female passengers is like hurtling through space in a ship full of puppies. It's loud, messy, and someone's going to be nipped at. As Josephine exited her sister's apartment complex in her black Yukon, it was near maximum capacity. Her sister, Alex, was sitting in the passenger's seat. As the bride-to-be, she saw the passenger's seat as her divine right. She had slid her feet out of her black heels and turned her body sideways in the seat, so that she could better face the rear of the cabin. In the row behind them, Paige and Mallory sat. All eyes faced the middle in SUVs. That was the prime location. The worst spot was inhabited by the maid-of-honor, Olive. She was in the final row. The row that was so unnecessary that most days it spent folded under the frame of the vehicle. But, for today's shopping extravaganza, Dom had excavated the seat from its dark cave, dusted off the crumbs, and made it presentable for the third most important member of the wedding party. Without regard for her poor seating, Olive leaned forward peering her head between Mallory and Paige. She was not to be denied any conversations, any opportunities to laugh, cry, yell, or guffaw.
Bumping across the land mines, Josephine asked, "So, Jacqueline and Elet left this afternoon, right?"
Far off outside her window, Mallory said, "Yup. After lunch."
Josephine remarked, "That's pretty exciting. The wedding's coming together."
Shouting from her rear seat, Olive said, "Hell, yeah. Now, all we need are dresses and suits."
Josephine responded, "Wait, how are we gonna pick out dresses if the guys don't have suits."
Rolling her eyes, Alex said, "Jo, we've gone over this. When we pick out your color, that will be their color. Elet doesn't even care. He's not even wearing that color, anyhow."
"Does he even know enough guys to fill the spots?" Olive asked.
"Remember he only needed three. Jacqueline is his best person." Alex reminded them. Mallory sighed.
Josephine said, "We're gonna have to make sure whatever color we pick is gonna look good on her, too. Mallory, what's a good color for her?" Mallory did not respond. "Mallory? Hello...Mallory?"
"Oh, sorry. Huh?" she asked as if she had not been there at all.
"What color looks good on Jacqueline?"
"Who knows," she said.
Staring at her with pursed lips, Alex said, "Alright, out with it. I can't have you ruining my night."
"Oh. It's nothing. It's just been a long day."
"My man is gone, too."
"Your man's gone, because his friend asked him to go."
"You know, it's only for a couple of days. Have you heard from her?" reminded Paige.
"Yeah, she sent me a couple of texts."
Trying to change the subject, Olive asked, "Where's Miss Zoe this afternoon?"
"She has cheer practice. My mom took her, so I could come dress shopping."
Paige said, "That's nice."
"Well, this isn't what I thought dress shopping would be like. I need you to liven up. We're shopping for dresses for my wedding." With arms folded, Alex reminded them.
"I know. I know. I'm sorry. It seems like there's always something wrong with me these days."
"Who are you telling?" Alex said under her breath.
Josephine reprimanded, "Don't say that."
"Someone needs to tell her not to be worried about everything all the time. It's like...all the time. We don't even talk about anything else except Jacqueline or Clementine."
"Oh, yeah. Whatever happened between you and Clementine, " Paige asked. "I overheard that you and she had words in my backyard, but no one ever told me what was going on."
Alex said, "It was nothing."
"Not true. Clementine rubbed Alex the wrong way at the party and she went off on her." Olive chirped. "I thought we were gonna throw down. I was ready to coldcock that girlfriend of hers." Olive swung jabs in the air. Mallory laughed.
Josephine said, "Yeah, I think little Miss Alex was a little bit jealous."
Alex always hated when her sister called her little Miss Alex. The very idea of it made her angry. "I wasn't jealous, Jo! I was helping out. Clementine is just a lonely bitch. She's finally made it and she doesn't know what to do with herself. Jacqueline isn't gonna tell her to chill the fuck out. And, she's obviously not really involved with that girl she brought to the party."
"They looked pretty involved to me," Mallory said.
"You've got to work on your gaydar. There's no way that that girl likes her. She didn't hang all over her. And, when I was cussin' Clementine out, that big bitch never said a word."
Punching her hand, Olive said, "I wish she woulda."
"Simmer down," Mallory giggled.
"I was ready," Olive said. "We ain't rumbled in years."
"Anyhow, Clementine could be cool as soon as she calms down and gets shit under control."
Paige asked, "So, how'd it end?"
"It really wasn't a thing. I just called her to the side of the house and told her that I knew about this little thing she had going on. She's just trying to be friends. She sees some people who are friends and she wants to be a part of it. But, I told her she's gotta get shit under control and get comfortable with who she really is and stop trying so hard to fit in. Then, we'll talk."
"Did she say anything?"
"Not really. She was stunned I said anything to her. She enjoys the attention she gets from making a scene."
"What attention?" Mallory said.
"Don't you see? She goes too far. It's not style. It's just a mess. I've seen her twice working two different styles. She doesn't know who she is. Poor little bitch is desperate for attention. She overdoes everything, so people will notice her."
"You're so wise," Josephine teased.
"But, why Jacqueline? I really think she likes her." Mallory said as she folded her arms.
"They farm the same pasture," Paige whispered.
"What?" Mallory screamed. The truck bellowed with laughter.
"She doesn't want to be with her. She doesn't like her. Not like that. You guys don't get it," Alex clarified.
"Enlighten us," Josephine said as they waited in traffic.
"Here's the deal. We've all got something that draws people in, right? Take Paige. She has that earthy mother thing. She's on your side. She soothes you. You go to her when you need someone. The
n, there's Olive. Loyal. Fun. Friendly. She's your girl. She's up for whatever, whenever. She's the life of the party. Now, Josephine, she's a mix of worlds. She definitely has the mother thing, but she's got feisty street cred. She's gonna scream at you for getting into the fight, but she's gonna come get you from downtown, too. Mallory and I are the same. It's looks." The other women roared. "I mean it. Men. Well, and women, I guess. They look at us. We pull you in with our looks. We may keep you with something else, but it's definitely the look that's all ours all the time. Get it?" They grew silent listening. "I've known Jacqueline longer than any of you."
"You have not. I have known her longer than any of you," Paige said with her hand in the air.
With arms folded and a flash of arrogance, Mallory said, "But, I know her better."
"Are you all finished? She pulls people in with personality. She looks them in the face. She listens to their bullshit. She has something great to say to even the stupidest fuck. She makes everyone think they are worth listening to. That's why Clementine is desperate for her attention. She wants in her good graces. She wants to be her buddy. She likes how it makes her feel. She doesn't want to date her. She wants Jacqueline to take her to a gay club and use Jacqueline to get her cred. That's all this is about. She's hanging around in Jacqueline's old world living in her shadow." Josephine was nodding. Alex was thinking about what was said. The truck was silent.
Until Mallory asked, "Her old world?"
"Yeah, Elet overheard Clementine say that she's being going to Livewire."
"That swanky gay bar that Jacqueline used to go to?" Olive asked.
Leaning back in her seat with her arm stretched around the head rest, "That's the one," Alex said. "She wants Jacqueline to go there with her."
"What the hell! I'm gonna beat this girl's ass." Mallory was angry.
"Alright! That's what I'm talking about. Let's not be sad." Alex celebrated the change in mood.
"I see this bitch every day. She knows that we're dating and she's trying to get her to go out." Mallory was furious. "Don't I have enough problems without her fucking around with her head?"
"What about Drew?" Olive changed the subject. "What's his draw?"
"Drew? You know, I think he works, because he's this genuinely nice guy. You know, like Brett. Nothing has happened. He's not jaded. He went off to college. He's got college buddies and I think he's just happy go-lucky. Then, there's Dom. Everyone's big brother. The one that no one needs. The older brother who tortures you and picks on you and then when things get real he can't talk to you."
Laughing, Josephine said, "Yeah, that's my Dom."
Paige said, "Okay, what about Elet?"
"Elet Walden. He's a looker. Girls are always checking him out. He has that tall, tan white boy look. Close cut sandy blonde hair. A great smile. Strong forearms. And, oddly, I think women like that he's barefoot in jeans. I think it drives them wild."
"Doesn't that bother you," Paige asked.
"Never. He never cares. He will stand there and talk to them for a second, but when things get too uncomfortable, he leaves. Either, he just disappears or finds his way to me."
"Aww, she does love him." Josephine said.
"Yeah, she's only ever gushed over one man more than that."
"What? Who?" Mallory said.
"Shut up, Olive."
But, Olive wouldn't be silenced, "Cooper. Her old high school boyfriend. He was a real charmer."
"First love," Paige swooned.
"Dumb love," Josephine said as they pulled into the parking lot of the dress shop. "I heard he was back in town. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't call you." As the women started to disembark, she finished with, "I'm just glad he didn't show up over the summer or we would really have something to worry about."
Alex smiled and held the door as the women walked inside. Then, she turned her phone on vibrate just to make sure any calls wouldn't be heard.
~~~~~~~~
Mallory was shocked to find out that her mother and father had taken Zoe to her house rather just going to theirs. It had been a long day. She had dropped Zoe off to school at seven that morning. She had a tearful afternoon when Jacqueline left. Then, she searched for hours for the dress that Alex thought would be perfect. She was tired. Exhausted. All she wanted was to pick up Zoe, head to the penthouse, and relax in the tub until Jacqueline called her back. Standing on the porch of her own house, she whimpered like a teenager late for curfew. After a few minutes, she gathered her nerve and opened her door.
The smell of her mother's plumeria perfume made her sneeze. "Oh, Hi, baby," the sneeze queued her mother to greet her. "We've gotta find something to help with that sneezing." Barbara was a tall, thin older woman with a strong face. Her long, white hair was cut into a modern shag. Cradling her face, the ends of her hair swung about ears. Mallory's father sat on the couch reading magazines as if he was interested in what fashion trends were hot last season. After forty-two years of marriage to Barbara, he read anything. Barbara told people that he was a voracious reader. Mallory said that he read to avoid listening to her mother.
Mallory leaned forward and kissed the top of his balding head. The fringes of his salt and pepper hairs that remained tickled her nose as she said, “Hi, Dad."
"Hiya, Red." Richard had called his only daughter Red since the time he first noticed her sprigs of orange hair. His mother had been a redhead and his father had called her Red. He thought of it as a family tradition. He placed her magazine on the table and stood up to kiss her. "How was your night? Do we have a dress?" He clapped his spotted hands.
Too tired to engage in the antics that come with family, Mallory walked past him and sat on her couch. "After hours of looking, we have a dress."
Somehow, Barbara had vanished. She had passed through the living room and went to the kitchen without ever being seen, but she spoke as though she was with them, "You know, I saw Alex the other day. I was in town having my nails done and I saw her entering a restaurant with some black man. I almost didn't think it was her. But, I took a longer look and it was her. Well, I was gonna go and say hello, but they messed up my pinkie finger. By the time, I got it fixed she and the black man were gone. So, what do the dresses look like?"
"Wait a minute. Was it her or was it not her?" asked Mallory, wishing she could leave them in her house and go away.
"Oh, it was her. Her and some black man."
"Stop saying it like that. She's black. She knows black men. She's related to black men. She works with black men."
"Well, Mallory, I hope she doesn't know them all like that. But, your generation is so much touchier than we were in my time. Women only touched their husbands, not co-workers and friends. Anyhow, tell me about the dress."
Mallory was too distracted to give details. She was thinking about who this man might be. It seemed unlikely that it was Dom. She had no brothers or male cousins to Mallory's knowledge. She heard her mother say her name and quickly replied, "Oh. It's a nice, simple salmon slip dress that crisscrosses in the back. I can definitely wear it other places."
As she bagged up the trash, she asked, "So, the colors are salmon and what?"
"Elet's gonna wear a gray suit with a white shirt and a white tie. The groomsmen will be in gray suits and white shirts with salmon colored ties. Jacqueline'll wear gray suit pants and a salmon colored shirt but no tie. I think it's gonna be really nice."
"Good Lord. I forget that she's in the groom's party."
"Don't start, Mom." Mallory said. Richard surveyed the situation from over the top of the magazine.
"I'm not saying anything." She came from the kitchen and pretended to zip her mouth closed. She sat by Mallory on the couch. Stroking her daughter's hair, she said, "You know that your father and I support you. We're so proud of you. And, we trust your judgment. We just don't want you or our precious Zoe getting hurt anymore."
Mallory got up from the couch and gathered her things, "Mom, I know. You don't have to keep saying it. I know you
love me and I know you support me. And, I know you don't want me to get hurt. But, I also know that you aren't excited about me dating a woman."
"We never said that. Did we, Richard? We never said that." Richard never looked up.
"You don't have to."
"Well, we were surprised. Men all your life, then poof, a woman. But, she's very nice. And, clearly, Zoe loves her. And, I'm guessing that you probably do, too." Mallory was rubbing her head. This was a conversation that they had had many times in the last few months.
"Everything's great, Mom."
"Where is she? Zoe says she's out of town. For work?"
"No, Mom. She and Elet went to pick up their wedding gift."
"They couldn't ship it?"
"It's a long story and it's been a long day. Can I tell you later?"
"Sure, darling. Zoe has been fed. I told her to take a bath, but she says you two are going to the penthouse."
"Yes, we're gonna stay over there."
"With Jacqueline out of town?"
"Yes."
"Is that safe?"
"Mom, she has a penthouse suite in a high-rise building overlooking the Bay with a doorman and security officers. I rent a two-bedroom house in Clearwater. Which one do you think is safer?"
"I know, I know. Zoe went on and on about it. Is it inheritance?"
"Nope. She bought it."
"All on her own?"
"Mom!"
"Fine. I just wanted to know what was going on in my only daughter's life. I worry about her."
"I'm fine. Zoe's fine. We're just gonna stay over there."
"Will you be moving in with her?"
"Mom, when I know, I'll let you know."
Richard had finished his article. He heaved himself from the depths of the couch and announced, "It's time to go, Barb. Zoe! Come and tell you old Grandpa goodnight." From around the corner, Zoe ran into the living room and into her grandfather's waiting arms. Holding her close, he said, "Pizza and a movie, tomorrow night?"
Unaware of what was happening tomorrow night, Mallory asked, "What's tomorrow night?"
"Mom, Grandma and Grandpa said I could stay tomorrow night. I don't have school and we could make a weekend of it. We can go to the zoo and the movies and everything. Can I? Can I?"
