Destiny and a Bottle of Merlot

by Bria Marche

  “You’ll always be the quirky, funny and sweet Sasha to us. You should go all out and change your name while you’re on a roll,” Mia joked.

  “That might be next. Okay… enough tears. I have to get back to true form. Watch this.” Sasha wiped her eyes, huffed and began prancing up and down the length of the salon like she was on a catwalk. The model was back. Her long, lanky legs strutted, and her hand swung from side to side. She giggled until she cried again. “I’ll get used to it, I promise. It’s just a shock, that’s all. I love you, Tina. I love you, Mia.”

  Mia wiped Sasha’s teary eyes. The smeared mascara under her lower lids almost gave her a Goth look. “That’s better. It’s time to reinvent yourself. You obviously can’t be a model anymore with Jack, the stalking jerk out there. Who do you want to be, honey?”

  “I want to be Martha Stewart, except young, hot and fun. Here’s what I have in mind. First off, I’m going to change my legal name, but I still want you guys to call me Sasha. I’ll quitclaim the Victorian from Sasha Renaud to whatever I change my name to. It’s just legalities, right? I’m still me. I have to protect myself from that nut case, and he’s never going to find out where I live. Okay, it’s two o’clock and I’m starving. Let’s grab something to eat at Morey’s. We’ll go to the police station after that.”

  Chapter Six

  Mia and Tina sat with Sasha on the uncomfortable, wooden bench near the front counter of the police station. Sasha tapped her foot nervously on the floor. Mia glanced at her, still not used to her new look and began laughing.

  “What?”

  “I need time to get used to you, that’s all.”

  “Yeah, you should be in my shoes.”

  Officer Owens came through the glass security door that led to the offices, interrogation rooms and cells. “Ladies, what can I do for you?”

  “Hey, Bill, do you have a few minutes where we can talk privately?”

  “Sure, Mia, follow me.”

  Sasha explained the situation to Officer Owens. Bill lived in Tarrytown most of his life and knew almost everyone else. He was very familiar with the stunt Jack pulled several months ago. Jack never belonged in Tarrytown and wasn’t liked by many people. He was an arrogant snob to most of the locals.

  “Sasha, you realize unless Jack approaches you in a threatening manner, we can’t do anything. You’ve changed your phone number and your appearance. You say you’re going to change your name too? That seems radical to me, but whatever makes you feel safer. We need a description of Jack’s car, his license plate number, and anything else you can tell us about him that might be important. Write down your new phone number and your address. We’ll make sure to drive around your neighborhood more often too. Mia, he hasn’t bothered you anymore, has he?”

  “Nope, not a word.”

  “Well, that’s good. Now that he can’t call you, he might stop all this nonsense, Sasha. If you need anything, let us know. We’re here to serve and protect.”

  “Thanks, Bill. We appreciate your help,” Mia said.

  “I need to go home and get back to work. I’ll drop you guys off. Tina, can you tear the posters down, please?”

  “Sure, hon, no problem.

  Back at the Victorian, Sasha relaxed. She had wonderful plans for this historic home. The reveal would come out when the timing was right. For now, she had a lot of work to do. She went around to the back of the house and found everything just as she left it yesterday. It seemed like ages ago, in an innocent life, and now she felt violated. Jack wouldn’t win. Sasha was stronger than that. He was just a man, after all, and there was no way in hell he would get the best of her.

  Sasha flipped the chairs and table over. I guess you aren’t tacky anymore, she thought. No worries, no interruptions. Mia and Tina are the only ones with my new cell number for now. She grabbed a fresh can of paint, gave it a shake and began spraying.

  Mia drove downtown. She promised Aaron they would stop by after the police station, but with all that happened today, it slipped her mind. She walked through the doors.

  Aaron checked his watch: 4:30. “Hi, babe. You guys must have had a busy day.”

  “You wouldn’t even believe it,” she said, as she gave him a full kiss on the lips. “Let’s sit and I’ll tell you everything.”

  Aaron disappeared to the storage room in the back, and returned with two cold Diet Cokes. He put his arm around Mia’s shoulder. “Honey, I know how tough this is for all of you. Just when you thought Jack was going to fade away, he comes back with a vengeance against poor Sasha. It’s a load of crap.”

  “Sasha is so strong for such an innocent. She’s determined to protect herself and the Victorian. I’m pretty sure she’s going to be a Tarrytown lifer, at least that’s what she wants to be. She changed her phone number this morning, oh, let me program it in your phone. Here’s the extent Sasha went to, to stay hidden in plain sight. She actually had Tina cut and dye her hair. I mean, she looks cute, but jeez, Aaron… the poor thing. It’s so pitiful, I want to cry for her.”

  “She’ll get through this, honey.” Aaron took a sip of his Coke and looked out the side window. “We’re a tight knit group. We won’t let anything happen to her.”

  The bell above the oak doors rang out. Mr. Miller strolled in with his camera in hand. He talked to Aaron earlier, saying he was coming in with a repair.

  “Gotta go, babe. I’ll stop over after work. Love you.”

  “Love you too.” Mia got up and guzzled the last of her Coke. She tossed the can into the recycling bin and walked out. Aaron followed her with his eyes, knowing she would turn back and blow him a kiss. She did. He grinned.

  She had a few hours to kill before Aaron ended his work day. Mia drove toward home. The driver’s side window was down, blowing fresh, crisp air through the car. Her elbow rested on the open window as she drove and thought about Sasha. Mia stopped at home and woke Reggie from his all day slumber. The leash rattled, and the dog dishes clanked together. Reggie recognized the sounds, he was getting a car ride. He bolted out the door knowing he would be riding shotgun with the window down. Reggie loved the fresh air almost as much as Mia did. They drove to the Victorian. Mia pulled into the driveway and saw Sasha stumbling around the side of the house carrying the resin table she finished painting earlier. She had a long way to go before she reached the second story balcony. The chairs would follow.

  “Hi, Mia, hey, Reggie boy,” she said, as Reggie ran toward her, his tail wagging rapidly. Sasha sat the table down and took a breather. “What’s up?”

  “What’s up? It looks like you need some help, sister. I’ll tie Reg in the backyard while we get this done. The color is awesome, Sasha… I mean, Martha.” Mia gave her a quick smile and a wink. “I like it.”

  With the peach colored furniture in place on the balcony, Sasha and Mia dropped down and relaxed. Everything fit perfectly and Mia wasn’t surprised. Sasha had a knack for it.

  “Hon, you truly found your niche. This house, yard and you, fit together just like puzzle pieces. You’re meant for this, Sasha. It’s kismet, and don’t ask. It means, it’s what it’s supposed to be, your destiny.”

  “I like that. This is my destiny. I should change my name to Martha Destiny. What do you think?”

  Mia laughed out loud. “Were you drinking this afternoon? And with that in mind, you need a mini fridge up here. It’s way too far to go downstairs whenever we want a snack or a drink.”

  “I’ll get us something. The mini fridge will go on my ‘to do’ list. A Diet Coke?”

  “Sure, hon, sounds good.”

  The patter of footsteps running back up the maple staircase made Mia smile. She really is in heaven here.

  “Here we go,” Sasha panted, as she handed Mia an icy can of Diet Coke. “I just had an epiphany!” Sasha was out of breath and beside herself with happiness.

  “Oh shit, I’m afraid to ask,” Mia said, with a chuckle, as she popped the top of her soda and took a deep gulp of the fizzy beverage.


  “I’m going to name the Victorian ‘Martha’s Vineyard.’ Sasha stared at Mia, wide eyed and excited, waiting for a response. She gulped her Diet Coke. “Well?”

  “You don’t have a vineyard,” Mia said, choking, with Coke coming out her nose. “Damn, that burns.”

  “But I could. I have a double lot. Didn’t you see how nicely I restrung the grape ivy through the trellis? Of course, I don’t mean a commercial vineyard, but I do have an authority right in my family.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me? Does your dad own a vineyard in France, or better yet, does he have a huge chateau with hundreds of acres of grapes?”

  “Yep.” Sasha almost reached the point of hyperventilating. “As soon as I have a few more bedrooms done, I’m calling my parents to come and visit for a while. They can stay right here in the Victorian for a few weeks.”

  “Didn’t you say your dad was sick?”

  “No. My dad is in perfect health, and so is my mom. I used to tell Jack that, just to have an excuse to go to France whenever I wanted. To be honest Mia, I didn’t want my parents meeting him.”

  “At least that tells me something about you, Sasha. You must have realized all along that Jack’s character sucked.”

  ***

  After an overnight stay at Max’s house last night, Vic drove home. It was back to work tomorrow and the everyday life she always enjoyed. Things were changing rapidly for her. Even though owning the salon and hanging with her friends always satisfied her before, having Max in the picture now opened a whole new realm of happiness for Vic. She reminisced about their love making last night as she drove. Hot, hot, hot, was the best description she could think of. How did I get so lucky? I never imagined a man like Max in my life before. I’m really in love. Yay!

  Vic wasn’t aware of the encounter Sasha had over the phone with Jack yesterday. She didn’t hear about the radical changes that took place during the last 24 hours. Nobody wanted to interrupt Vic’s first overnight at Max’s house. She pulled into her driveway and parked. Her own house was probably the only place Vic parked where she didn’t hit curbs. She got out, grabbed her overnight bag and locked the car. She looked back at her rims and laughed. Even as torn up as they were, nothing was going to upset her anymore. She went inside and threw her bag on the bed. She kept her phone close now that she turned the ringer to vibrate a few days ago. Vic laughed, remembering the image of Max jumping almost to the ceiling when the crazy Spanish ring tone scared the crap out of him Sunday morning. What a knucklehead. She plopped down on the recliner and grabbed the TV remote. The constant scrolling through the channels provided little entertainment, since everything was an infomercial or rerun. The damn package I have sucks. I need to change my cable service. Flipping the TV off meant Vic either had to make dinner, or go out to eat. She called Tina.

  “Hey, woman, did you have dinner yet?”

  “No, and I’m glad you called. Are you back from your sexcapade?”

  “Jealous?” Vic asked, laughing with sheer pleasure.

  “Hell yeah, I’m jealous. So where do you want to meet?” Tina stripped off her sweats while she put Vic on speaker phone. She pulled a pair of jeans and a lightweight sweater out of the closet.

  “Let’s meet at Bottoms Up in twenty minutes. Out.” Vic hung up before Tina even had time to respond.

  “Alrighty then…” Tina hung up and changed her clothes, tossing her sweats on the bed for later. She studied her features closely in the bathroom mirror as she brushed her teeth. I’m not bad looking. Actually, I’m kind of hot. I should start looking for a man too. Everyone that has one seems happy. They might be on to something.

  Vic was waiting at the bar in Bottoms Up when Tina arrived. The glass of Merlot she drank was already due for a refill. “What the hell took you so long?”

  “Well, shit, Vic. You didn’t even give me time to tell you I had to change clothes and look somewhat decent before stepping out for the night. Do I have the news for you, girl.”

  Tina flagged down the bartender and ordered a glass of Merlot for herself.

  “Well… spill already.”

  “Not until I get my wine. So how was your first slumber party at Max’s house, or didn’t you guys slumber at all?” Tina wore the evil ‘tell me all the dirt’ grin on her face as she leaned in, foaming at the mouth.

  “It was spectacular. I swear it was the Fourth of July with our own personal fireworks. Max is the best, and sexiest, man I’ve ever been with in my entire life.”

  “So how many does that make now… two?” Tina’s wine arrived just in time, now that the talk was getting salacious.

  “No… three,” Vic pouted. “You forgot about Jimmy Vega, junior year in college.”

  “Sure as shit, you little tramp.” They both burst out laughing at the thought. “Let’s get a bottle of wine. What I have to tell you might take a while.”

  Chapter Seven

  Vic’s ears were burning by the time Tina finished talking. The conversation lasted all the way through dinner, desert and two coffees. They walked out together, both shaking their heads at the balls Jack had to call Sasha yesterday.

  “Let’s go see what she’s doing,” Vic suggested. “It isn’t that late, and our showing up will tell her she has true friends. I’ll meet you there.”

  Vic and Tina each went to their individual cars. Tina took the lead with Vic right behind her. They drove the mile and a half to Sasha’s Victorian. Vic parked along the curb, hearing the usual scraping sounds of rims hitting the cement curb. “Son of a bitch, I seriously can’t park. What the hell is wrong with me anyway?”

  “How much time do you have?” Tina said, laughing. “Vic, there’s only a couple of lights on in the house. This place is way too big for one person. It would creep me out.” Tina pointed to the singular light upstairs and the one in the formal dining room.

  “She doesn’t own any furniture yet, what do you expect?” Vic asked.

  The long sidewalk had newly planted mums on either side, making it a little less spooky. Enormous bronze coach lamps illuminated the front porch. Tina noticed two of her card table chairs sat on the porch. A small potted fern was placed between them.

  “I swear I’m going to cry. She’s alone in there, Vic, and she’s trying to take on so much of this herself.” Tina wiped an eye as they clanked the pineapple door knocker.

  A tiny, meek looking face peered out through the sheers gathered on the side lights. Sasha opened the door, surprised that Vic and Tina were standing on her front porch. “Hi, guys. What are you doing here?” She wore her pj’s and bathrobe with floppy, pink slippers. A small smile spread across her face. She was happy company stopped by for no reason whatsoever.

  “Hi, babe. Tina gave me the 411 on the Jack bullshit. Step back in the light, I need to check your hair.”

  Sasha backed up under the foyer chandelier and stood at attention like a dutiful soldier while Vic examined her head.

  Tina burst out laughing.

  “What?” they both asked.

  “Vic, you idiot. You’re acting like a monkey picking fleas off another monkey.”

  “Do I look like a monkey?” Sasha was worried.

  “No, hon, it’s a joke at our expense. Tina thinks she’s funny. Anyway, good job, sister. Okay, stand back, Sasha so I can get the whole picture of the new you. Take that stupid robe off so I can actually see you.”

  “It’s cold in here.” Sasha snuggled even deeper in her chenille robe.

  “You can put it back on in a minute. Let me look at you. Turn slowly so I can put together the image I want you to portray. I’m picturing a long floral skirt with a spaghetti strap, shelf bra, top. You’ve got the girls, you might as well show them off.”

  “What girls?”

  “Never mind. You’ll wear distressed, brown moto boots and a matching bomber jacket. That’s it! You’re going to be the innocent, pixie, hippy, hipster girl in our clan.”

  “Mario is the hippy, hipster. I don’t want to be
a copycat,” Sasha pouted.

  “Trust me, babe. If it isn’t right, I’ll come up with another idea. Anyway, be ready when I get off work tomorrow. We’re going shopping. Have that trust fund money ready to roll.”

  “Yay!” Sasha grabbed Vic and hugged her tight. “I’m going shopping with one of my besties. Can everyone come?”

  “Sure, why not?”

  “Yippee! Grab a bottle of wine off the card table, Tina. I want to show you guys what I did on the balcony,” Sasha said, as she slipped on her robe.

  They held the ornate, carved handrail and climbed the staircase, consisting of twenty-two steps.

  “Damn, if I lived here I’d lose my hootchie mama butt in no time,” Vic groaned, as she huffed up the stairs. “What a friggin workout. I’ll need a shower by the time I get to the top.”

  “You’ll get used to it,” Sasha said. “I already have.”

  She led them into the master suite and out to the balcony. Sasha flipped on the outdoor light so they could appreciate what she had done. She smiled proudly as Tina and Vic stood in disbelief.

  “You did all this in a couple of days? The balcony was empty on Sunday.”

  They were amazed at the transformation. Not only was the darling, peach colored table and chair set on the balcony, there were flower boxes hanging on the railing and potted evergreens scattered about too. It was a private sanctuary, but with the clear, perfect view facing east. Sasha would never miss the sunrise she wanted to witness every morning.

  “How did you do this?” Tina asked, still awestruck.

  “Well,” Sasha giggled, “Mia helped me carry the furniture upstairs, but the trees? I had the nursery guys take them up. They weren’t happy about it either. I picked evergreens because they’ll stay pretty throughout the winter. I can even put Christmas decorations on them.” Sasha’s mind was like a gerbil on steroids running nonstop on his wheel.

  They enjoyed the bottle of Merlot on the balcony as they looked out at the lights twinkling throughout town. They listened to the quiet. Other than an occasional dog barking somewhere in the neighborhood, it was sheer bliss.