The 7th Tarot Card

by Valerie Clay

  Fortunately, after a thorough examination, the vet gave Carl a clean bill of health, so we came directly to the hotel, where we ordered room service then went off to sleep in Egyptian cotton designer sheets and down comforters. The added bonus of private key elevator access didn’t hurt either. That perception of extra security allowed us to finally relax and unwind from the nightmarish events of the past twenty-four hours.

  As I drifted back towards sleep, snuggled securely between the silky four-hundred thread-count sheets, I let out a contented sigh and fantasized about Bobby. Now there was a man. Solid. Dependable. Salt of the earth kind of guy. What you see is what you get. My heart melted, I remembered, when he gently took little battered Carl from Amanda, and carefully examined him. It was easy to see that even Carl trusted him, and that’s your AAA, gold standard seal of approval. Bobby owns horses and knows about creatures, great and small. I’ll bet he’s never jimmied a lock in his life. But the big question was, should I pursue this? Could I leave my home and my friends and move off to Texas, a place I’ve never even visited before?

  One more knock on the door forced me out of my reverie and I got up, wrapped myself in one of the hotel’s complimentary robes, and padded out of the bedroom and into the living room just as the front door thrust open in front of me. Startled, I jumped back and squealed. The maid, also startled, backed up, apologized profusely and left the room, carefully closing the door behind her. I spied the “Do Not Disturb” sign dangling from the door handle, and hung it on the outside of our door, then made sure it was double-locked this time.

  The door to Amanda and Carl’s room was still closed, so I picked up the room service menu and began perusing the multitude of breakfast options. After yesterday’s ordeal, the girls deserved a luxurious and downright decadent breakfast feast, I decided—my small contribution to restoring our collective mental health, such as it was. I dialed room service and quietly ordered a large pot of coffee and something from every category: eggs, bacon, pastries, strawberry covered waffles, fruit and cheese plates, and yogurt parfaits. By the time our food arrived, the troops should be stirring.

  I scanned the room in appreciation. In daylight, the thirteen-hundred square foot suite was even more impressive with its size and contemporary design. The two master bedrooms were separated by a spacious, elegant living area and it even had a fully equipped gourmet kitchen—not that anyone would be cooking.

  Dazzling rays of golden sunlight streamed in through the expansive picture window, and in the quiet serenity I strolled over and looked down onto a spectacular view of The Strip. On the fifty-sixth floor, towering above the famous boulevard, I finally felt at peace, at least for the time being. We were tucked safely away inside a magnificent fortress in the clouds. Sighing with content, I gave thanks for a new day.

  The hotel magazine Amanda left lying open on the coffee table, next to several empty liquor miniatures, looked interesting, so I picked it up and thumbed through to the beauty section. According to a famous makeup artist to the stars, applying extra mascara to the outer corners of your lashes makes eyes look bigger. I wondered if you could order mascara from room service.

  “Morning,” Julie mumbled as she staggered out of the bedroom wrapped up in her robe. Her eyes were slits. The right side of her hair was matted flat as a pancake against her face and the left side stuck up like a rooster tail. The plush robe, massive on her petite frame, dragged along the carpet behind her as she crossed the room. “For Pete’s sakes, Vic, show some mercy. Close the curtains,” the crabby little fuzz ball said, shielding her eyes from the sun.

  “Good morning to you too, merry sunshine.” I got up and pulled the sheers across the window.

  Amanda’s door opened and she stood in the doorway in her robe and oversized Jackie O sunglasses. “My head,” was all she said. Carl scampered out from behind her with Henrietta, his rubber chicken squeaky toy, clenched between his sharp little teeth.

  “Well, there’s our hero,” I said as Carl trotted over to me, his tiny tail wagging to and fro. As I pulled the little dog up onto my lap, he dropped Henrietta and licked my hands.

  “Does Carlsie need to go for a walk?” I asked.

  “He used a pee pad from his carrier, so he’s good for now,” Amanda informed us.

  A loud knock at the door startled Julie and Amanda, but I explained to them about the room service order, and asked Julie to answer it. Amanda and I bolted while she let them in. I grabbed some bills for a tip and handed them though the doorway to Julie. She took the bills and rolled her eyes.

  Carl, not the calmest of dogs, made it clear he didn’t take kindly to strangers intruding on his domain. Baring his teeth, he stood guard as two young men in stiff white jackets and black slacks wheeled in carts brimming with coffee, assorted containers emitting delectable aromas, and, last but not least, a medium-rare hamburger patty in a covered silver dish for Carl. After they left, Amanda and I came out of hiding, Carl composed himself, and we dined in style.

  Halfway through our feast, Amanda’s cell phone rang. It was Laini and Mark with some wonderful news. Last night around three A.M. Caporale and MacPherson finally got their man, and LaRusso was safely behind bars. The police found Mark and his brother tied up in a van outside the clinic in Henderson, and they’d spent the rest of the night at the police station, giving statements and answering questions. They called to tell us the happy news of the rescue, and then were going straight to bed.

  “Oh no! Oh, my gosh. Well that’s certainly not necessary, Laini,” Amanda said. “Okay, thank you so much, I’ll tell the girls. You guys just get some rest. Talk to you later. Love you.”

  “What?” Julie and I asked in unison.

  “They’re so grateful that we saved Mark’s life they want to do something special for us. They called the spa in our hotel and told them to give us whatever we wanted and put it on their tab. Massages, makeup, hair, manicures, pedicures—the works. She also told us to pick out all the makeup items we needed for our trip home.”

  “I’m not so sure we saved his life,” Julie said with a fair amount of unease in her voice. “Our interference may have put him in more danger.”

  “No,” Amanda said, “Here’s the kicker: Mark overheard Crystal and Lenny discussing how they were going to kill him and his brother after the surgery was over. They thought they were dead ducks. When we showed up, it threw a wrench into the plans and everything changed. LaRusso had to hide out at the clinic and wait for Tony to make arrangements to move the surgery to Reno. He had no idea that Tony took off for the airport and got picked up by the police. Evidently Lenny and Crystal didn’t know LaRusso’s location, so he felt secure staying in his hiding place until Tony returned.”

  “So,” Julie began, “Tony and LaRusso are in custody, Crystal is dead, and Lenny’s in the hospital in critical condition. That only means one thing.”

  “What’s that?” I asked, finishing off the last of a sinfully rich cheese Danish.

  “It’s cowboy time! We’re going to get dolled up and go out on the town tonight with Bobby and Dakota. Woohoo! But what’ll we wear?” she asked, suddenly alarmed. “I am not wearing my camo again.”

  “The hotel magazine says there’re shops in the hotel,” I blurted, thrilled at the prospect of seeing Bobby for a second time. “We can grab some things after we have our hair and makeup done.”

  Julie sprang up, eyes shining as she bolted across the room.

  “Where are you going?” Amanda yelled after her.

  “Lots to do.” Her voice fluttered with nervous exhilaration. “I need to call the airlines and move our flight to tomorrow, then call the salon, then call Dakota, then . . . I’ve got his number around here somewhere. BRB.”

  “BRB?” Amanda asked as Julie disappeared into the bedroom.

  “Stands for Be Right Back. You know, texting lingo.”

  “Since when has Julie started using texting lingo?”

  I didn’t reply since I figured that was a rhetorical ques
tion. After a few moments we heard Julie talking on the phone.

  “Have you ever heard her flirt like that before, Vic?” Amanda asked in awe. “I didn’t know she was capable of it.”

  “It’s a first for me too. That bull rider must be some terrific kisser.”

  Moments later Julie darted into the room and scowled. “We’re burning daylight here, ladies.”

  Amanda and I exchanged grins then got up from the table to prepare for our day of beauty.

  ~

  Standing in front of the floor-length mirror in our bedroom, I checked out my reflection with approval. Uncharacteristically, I was ready before both Amanda and Julie. I guess this date with Bobby thing was more important to me than I wanted to admit. The salon did an amazing job on my hair and makeup and I felt like a movie star. On our way back to the room after our glorious pampering, we stopped at some shops and I found a perfect LBD “little black dress.” It was also LBD “little bit daring” a little too short and fit like a glove. Oh well, it’s Vegas, right? I’ll be okay if I just don’t inhale. The shop clerk convinced me that the silver clutch and matching stiletto heels I wore were an absolute necessity with this dress, and I had to agree. Chandelier rhinestone earrings added the crowning bling. There are times in life when you just need to splurge, right? It’s good for the soul. Meanwhile, I taped my toes with extra care and prayed that the pain would subside after a couple of martinis.

  Since Julie was still in the bathroom, and Amanda was in her room, shouting through the doorway about not wanting to stay out too late, I took a seat in the living room. Impatiently tapping my freshly manicured fingernails on an end table, I waited. Before long Amanda appeared, looking stunning in a low cut, white silk pantsuit and emerald green beaded bag. Walking proudly and carrying his head high, Carl followed her through the door wearing a matching tuxedo jacket. I can’t believe she found a dog tuxedo in the hotel, but again, this was Vegas. They went into the kitchen where Amanda filled a bowl with a bottle of doggie champagne from the refrigerator. Carl eagerly lapped it up, wagging his tail in pure contentment. Then Amanda joined me on the couch and we waited for Julie.

  “Amanda, I know you’re not thinking of bringing Carl out for cocktails and dancing tonight,” I said. Carl cocked his head sideways and scrutinized us.

  “Well heavens no. I just didn’t want him to feel left out. Anyway, his dog sitter will be here any moment and we want to make a good impression. Right, Carlsie?” Carl barked once in agreement from the kitchen. “What’s holding up Julie? The guys are probably waiting in the lobby by now.”

  “That’s a good question,” I said. “I’ll go check.” Removing my shoes so I could walk without hobbling, I headed for the bedroom. Carl, being Carl, scampered out of the kitchen and followed me, curious to investigate the situation.

  “Julie,” I bellowed as I entered the room. “Let’s get a move on, sister! We’re gonna be late, and I know you don’t want to keep that good-looking Dakota waiting.”

  Slowly, the bathroom door creaked open and out stepped Julie still wearing her robe. She shuffled over to the bed like a tired, old washer woman, sat down despondently and heaved a sigh. An overstuffed bolster pillow fell off the bed and landed on the floor with a plop. She ignored it.

  I stared at her in astonishment, waiting for an explanation.

  “You guys go ahead without me,” she finally managed. “I don’t feel like going.” Her voice was soft, weak, detached.

  “What!?” I said, stunned. “You’ve been talking about nothing else all day long. What’s wrong with you? It’s not your hair and makeup. You look beautiful. Are you sick?”

  “I can’t. I just can’t do this. That’s all.” Julie was on the verge of tears. She went horizontal, lifted the covers and disappeared beneath them. Carl, still in the doorway, began snorting, then took off running towards us, leaped onto the fallen bolster, and spring boarded himself up onto the bed. With his stubby legs digging furiously, he burrowed under the covers next to Julie, then tunneled upwards until his black and tan muzzle came out of the sheet, next to Julie’s face. All I could see was Julie’s left eye and Carl’s tiny black nose and flared nostrils.

  “What do you mean you can’t do this? I don’t understand. Talk to me.” Mystified, I sat down on the edge of her bed and waited.

  She heaved another disconsolate sigh, then slowly sat up and leaned against the headboard, pulling the sheet and blanket up around her protectively, like a cocoon. Carl climbed into her lap and stuck his head out of the sheet just below her chin, staring at me, black eyes glittering.

  “What if he doesn’t like me?” Julie said in a timid little girl’s voice. “What if he’s disappointed?”

  I gaped at her in shock. It looked like, dare I say it, actual fear in her eyes. “First of all, he already likes you. Secondly, you’ll knock his socks off in that tight little number you picked up downstairs. What’s this really about?”

  “I don’t know,” she began. “I’ve never dated anyone like him before. He’s hot. I mean really hot. All my boyfriends have been smart, nice men, but I’ve never dated a hunk before. What’ll I say? What’ll I do? I don’t know how to act.”

  It was time to bring out the big guns.

  “Amanda!” I yelled into the other room.

  “What?”

  “We have a medical emergency in here. Bring alcohol stat.”

  From the living room came the sound of the minibar opening and bottles clinking together. Soon Amanda came rushing through the doorway, arms laden with miniatures and mixes, and dumped them all onto the bed. I ran into the bathroom and grabbed a glass from the sink. Amanda already had a cobalt blue, SKYY vodka bottle opened and poured the entire amount into the glass I held out for her. Then she popped open an orange juice can and gave it a splash. Carl bounded off the bed and raced around the room in circles, dashing right and left, barking and yipping.

  “Here, have a sip of this.” I handed the glass to Julie. She drank the whole thing in one gulp, coughed, and handed the glass back to me.

  “Where are your clothes?” I asked.

  “In the bathroom.”

  I grabbed her by the shoulders. “Now you listen to me, soldier. If you weasel out on this date tonight, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. You’re gorgeous, baby, you’re sophisticated. He’s the lucky one. Now I want you to march into that bathroom on the double, and put on that pushup bra and that sexy red cocktail dress you bought today. Anything worthwhile is worth fighting for. Surrender is not an option. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.”

  “Power to the people!” Amanda shouted, fist in the air. Julie and I both looked at her.

  Amanda held her hands up. “What?”

  “I am feeling a little better now,” Julie conceded as she climbed out of bed and walked toward the bathroom. “Maybe I can do this. Thanks, guys.” When she reached the bathroom door, she turned and looked at us over her shoulder. “And by the way, I don’t need a pushup bra.”

  Amanda and I exchanged satisfied looks. Our work here was done.

  A knock on the front door reminded Amanda that the dog sitter was overdue, and she went to let her in. Carl and I followed her into the living room and waited for Julie to get dressed.

  While Molly, the gum-chewing, bubble-blowing dog sitter got acquainted with Carl in the kitchen, Amanda and I sat on the sofa, waiting for Julie to appear. I was just about to go check on her again when my cell phone text message alert sounded. Flipping my phone open, I was thrilled to see a message from Spencer and read it out loud.

  Hi Mom, Greetings from China. Met a cute girl. Think I’m in love. Hate the food. Lost 10 lbs. Next stop S Korea. More later. Sayonara, Spence

  P.S. Can you ship my guitar to me? Let me know and I’ll get you an address in Seoul. Ying Li has a cousin there.

  I shook my head. “You raise them, you take care of their every need for years, then one day, they are just so many words on a cell phone screen.”

&n
bsp; “Spencer’s in love?” Amanda asked as she pulled out her compact and examined her makeup. “Do you think it’s serious?”

  “I would if he wasn’t already in love with someone from Venice, Ireland, and Walla Walla.” I had just popped my phone back into my sequined evening bag when the text alert sounded once more. “He must have forgotten something,” I said smiling as I pulled it out again and flipped it open.

  What I read was not what I was expecting.

  When are you coming home Victoria? I have a surprise for you.

  “What is it? What did he say?” Amanda asked, noting the change of expression on my face.

  I looked up at her and thought for a moment. “It’s not from Spence. Not sure whom it’s from, but I’m afraid it’s probably my stalker. But then, how did he get my cell phone number?”

  Amanda pulled the phone from my hand and silently read the message. “Maybe it’s from your good-looking neighbor.” For my benefit, she was attempting to make light of it, but I could hear the underlying concern in her voice.

  “No, that’s not his style. Anyway, I have his number programmed into my phone. It would have identified him. This is from an unknown caller.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  “Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.” —Anaïs Nin, French author

  *******

  According to the ad, Stoney’s Rockin’ Country Nightclub is the hottest country nightspot this side of Texas. The action-packed dance floor included an unobstructed view of the mechanical bull. Conveniently, the club was located on The Strip, not too far from our hotel. Bobby and Dakota had waited patiently in our hotel lobby, but I think they felt it was worth the wait, based on the whoop that came out of Dakota’s mouth when Julie finally appeared in that eye-popping red dress. Bobby looked me up and down and gave me his nod of approval too, in his laid back, country gentleman manner.