by Dee Dawning
Cami looked at me funny and smirked. "Well, aren't you going to say it?"
I frowned. "What?"
In her best imitation of me, but in a whiney voice, she held her arms akimbo and mocked me, "You really ought to quit smoking those things!"
I laughed and so did she.
"No, I gave up."
"Good. Now how did you manage to get your house back?"
"Well, it was my lawyer's idea."
"Danny's?"
"No, Letta Storm's. But I think it was a matter of economics for Lamar as well. After the patent office wouldn't grant him the patent for the pre-operative regenerative therapy IV, because of some obscure patent that had been granted in Luxembourg in 1968, his stock offering fell apart. They will grant the patent in 2018 after the Luxembourg patent expires, but until then, since Lamar gave all his liquid assets to me, he's in a deep financial hole. So the idea of living in the free and clear condo versus living here where the payment and upkeep are over ten thousand a month may have sounded appealing when Letta suggested it."
Cami laughed and raised her glass. "I'll drink to that. It couldn't have happened to a bigger snake."
I snickered and raised my glass while Cami continued, "To the snake. May his misfortunes continue."
I laughed and clinked my glass to hers. "I'll drink to that," I said, and did. "You know Cami. I used to hate him, but I don't anymore."
Cami's beautiful brown eyes narrowed. "No?"
"No. It's strange. I'm happier than I've ever been. I love Danny so much, my heart swells when I look at him, and get this. My father is holding out, but my mother likes Danny. Is that unbelievable?"
"Yeah, I saw Carolyn out there. Who's the older gentleman sitting next to her? Is he a relative of Daniel's?"
I snickered. "No, he's a relative of mine. That's Carl, my reformed grandfather. I'll introduce you later."
"Wow, your family keeps growing."
That's not all. In addition to Mandy there will soon be another Danny—"
"Danny?"
"Ah-huh, Danny Junior." I rubbed my abdomen. "I'm four months pregnant."
Cami rose, embraced me and purred in my ear, "Congratulations girl. I'll be throwing you a baby shower. It's a boy for sure?"
"Oh thank you. Yes, the doctor says he's ninety percent sure it's a boy."
"Well, I hope he's as pretty as Amanda. She's a future Miss America."
"Thanks again. You're going to make me blush. Getting back to my point, if Lamar hadn't dumped me, I would still be married to him in what he correctly surmised was a stagnant marriage. I actually feel kindly toward him now. Even though he is an asshole, he did me a big favor, by forcing me to realize I loved Danny."
"You're right. He did you a favor. You ended up with Danny, Amanda, Danny Junior, all his money, and he gets to raise someone else's kid."
I frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"You knew Cybil gave birth to a baby boy a few months after your divorce became final, didn't you?"
"Yes. I'd heard as much."
"Well, when I went to the condo by mistake today. Cybil Patterson opened the door. She looked to be pregnant with her third child, held her second, a darling mixed race girl in one arm and held the hand of a cute freckle faced red headed boy. I would say there is zero chance, Christopher is Lamar's son.
My mind flashed back to our visit to The Hot Spot, the day Danny gave me the divorce papers. "My name is Chris, but my friends call me Deuce."
Caviar had been taken with Deuce. "You are so cute. You come back next week when it's slow and I'll give you a very special all nude lap dance."
"Cami. I think I know who the father is, and if I'm right, I was there when they met."
Cami's eyes grew wide. "Really. You have to tell me all about it."
Danny waved for us to come as he started lighting the candles on Mandy's triple-decker birthday cake. "I will, but right now I have to sing Happy Birthday to my daughter."
The End
Other books by Dee Dawning, you may like.
Chapter One - We have a Winner
Gloria's cell phone rang. It was her sister Jessica's number. "Hi Jess. What's up?"
"Hello baby sister. Guess what?"
"Ahh…I don't know, you won the lottery."
"Better. I called up the radio station for one of those contests they have and I won."
"That's fantastic, Jess. What did you win?"
"Are you sitting down? I won an all expenses paid Hawaiian vacation for two."
"That is wonderful, but I hardly think it's better than winning the lottery."
"Picky, picky. Glory, why are you trying to burst my bubble? Especially when me and Darnell split and I have no one to take, except you."
She suddenly pictured herself in a bikini, resting under a palm tree on a long sandy beach and grew excited. "Me? You're gonna take me?"
"Yep. If you can make the arrangements and if you wouldn't be embarrassed being seen with your fat-assed big sister. And I mean big."
"Aw c'mon, Jessica. What are you, one-sixty?"
"One-sixty-five, but it wasn't that long ago I was a sexy size eight like you."
"Six."
"Whatever. So can you break away from your show for a week?"
"In a week I can. The show goes dark while they do some remodeling."
"My, my. My little sister—a dancer. I'm so proud of you. I just wish you didn't have to do that topless stuff."
"Ya, well, this is Vegas. Vegas is sex and fluff. I'm just glad I have nice breasts to show."
She heard Jess sigh. "Let's talk about somethin' else."
"Sounds like we'll have plenty of time to catch up in a week. How we getting there?"
"You'll fly here and we'll leave from LAX. I'll call you back after I make arrangements."
* * * *
After setting down in the Honolulu International Airport at eight forty at night, the sisters caught a shuttle bus for the Waikiki Outrigger Hotel.
"Look, Jessie. Don't it look pretty?"
"Yes, but it's getting too dang dark to see."
Arriving at the hotel, they checked in and headed to their rooms. "We coulda got by with one room you know," Gloria mentioned.
"I know no such thing. What if I find me a live one? You think I'm going to share? Besides, your snoring keeps me up."
Gloria's jaw tightened and eyes narrowed in indignation. "What're you talking about? I don't snore."
"Do too."
"No I don't."
"Do too. You just don't know it 'cause you're asleep."
She opened the door to her room. "Aw heck with you. I'm too tired to argue with you. See you in the morning."
"All right, baby. I'm beat, too. It's almost midnight in LA, anyway."
* * * *
At five thirty in the morning, that nutcase known as her big sister snuck into her room and began tickling her. "What the eff? What're ya doing?"
"C'mon, baby sis. It's time to get up and see Waikiki."
She rubbed her eyes. "Are you crazy? The sun is barely up."
"I know. Ain't it great? The sun is shining and my throat isn't sore. No smog, no earthquakes, no fires, and beautiful weather as far as the eye can see."
"I believe you, but there's no hurry. It'll still be there when I wake at seven. That's plenty early."
"Suit yourself. I'm going to head for the gym and work out. Then go for a walk."
"Good. I'll be here when you get back."
"Smart ass. There's a Seattle's Best coffeehouse in the hotel. Would you like me to bring a cup back for you?"
"Sure."
* * * *
"Damn, girl, life's going to pass you by. You've been in that bed eleven hours now. Your limbs are going to take root in the mattress pretty soon."
"All right, all right. Did you bring coffee?"
Jess stuck the brown and green cardboard container in her face. "I said I would. Didn't I?"
She took the cup and lifted it to her lips
for a sip. "A simple yes or no would've worked. What are we going to do today?"
"We're signed up for the island tour, which leaves in an hour and fifteen minutes, so if you want breakfast, you better get crackin'."
Her stomach growled, seemingly at the word breakfast. She was starving! "I'll be ready before you can say Barack Obama." She jumped up, ran into the bathroom, brushed her teeth, threw on some cutoffs and a tee shirt.
"I'm ready."
They exited the elevator and headed right to the Hula Grill. It was almost empty and they got right in and served within fifteen minutes. "Where do we go for the tour bus?"
"Right across the street."
The tour, which lasted until dinnertime, was nice, but everybody except sis, the driver and she were elderly. She nudged sis. "Have you noticed that half the passengers are falling asleep and the other half just woke up?"
Jess pursed her lips. "Well, at least we're getting some awesome photos."
As she exited the bus, Jess jolted her elbow. "How did you like the tour?"
"It was nice."
"They have other tours, would you like to try another?"
"No thanks, I think those tours are more for fat, elderly people…like you."
Jessie tried to keep from smiling and she almost did. "Why, you little stinker. Girl, you're cruisin' for a bruisin'."
Gloria skipped away from her. "Truth hurts, huh?"
Shaking her head, she feigned as if she were going to chase her. "Truth my ass. Damn you. I shoulda dropped you on your head when I was changing your diaper, girl. You know I'm only eight years older than you. Wait 'til I get you alone, you impudent little…ingrate."
She tilted her head and flashed a silly grin. "Don't let me stop you. You go ahead and have somebody chauffer you around to see the sights like you're some kind of couch potato."
She waved her hand as if to say go on. "You're just trying to bait me like you used to when you were twelve. Well, since you know where all the sights are, I'll rent a car tomorrow and you can tell me where to go."
"Not me, sis. I saw a new book by Dee Dawning, in the gift shop. I'm gonna buy it and read it tomorrow as I relax by the pool."
"Huh, and you call me a couch potato. You're a chaise potato."
"Damn right, and proud of it."
* * * *
"I swear, Glor, do you think it's possible to find a swimsuit that leaves less to the imagination than those three tiny triangles of fabric you're wearing?"
For all that talk about another tour, who should end up beside her at the pool, but Jessie? "I'm sure if you looked hard enough you could. I'm blessed with the type of figure needed to wear this suit, so I do."
Jessie shook her head. "Yeah, you do look good. I guess I'm a little jealous."
She gazed at Jessie and lifted her sunglasses. "You'll get it back. I still remember the homecoming queen I was in awe of when I was nine. Tell me, sis, when did you take to wearing a one-piece?"
She swore Jessie snorted. "When my stomach started looking like a waterfall hanging over my suit bottom."
"Oooh. Well, did you work out this morning?"
Jess nodded. "Yes. For ninety grueling minutes, then I walked on the beach."
"Good for you. You keep that up, along with the diet, and I'll bet you'll weigh ten pounds less when we go home."
"That would be nice. I'm getting hot; I'm going to take a dip."
A few minutes later, Jessie returned and lay back down on her lounge.
"Hey, sis? Thought you were gonna rent a car so we could go somewhere?"
"I did, but I don't know where to go."
"Did you ask the concierge? You wait here and dry off. I'll go ask."
"In that tiny bikini?"
She threw her cover-up over her shoulders. "Is that better?"
"Barely."
* * * *
Sometime later, she returned to her chaise lounge. "All right, the concierge made a list of about a dozen places we could walk or drive to in less than twenty minutes." She handed the list to Jess. "Here you go."
"Thanks." She took it.
A mischievous smile formed on Gloria's face. "By the way, he mentioned the tour we went on yesterday."
"Oh really, what did he say?"
Her smile became a smirk. "He said if we were older, he'd recommend the bus tour. When I asked how much older he said, 'About thirty years.'"
"Oh go on, you're making that up."
"No, I'm not. Go ask him."
"I will not!" Jessie almost shouted.
She rose to a sitting position on the chaise lounge. "Suit yourself. You know I feel real antsy. I'm going to go down to the beach. You want to tag along?"
Jessie stood and stretched. "Sure. Give me your purse. I'll give them to the cabana bartender to hold behind the bar for us."
"Good idea. Here."
"You go ahead. I'll catch up."
Gloria strolled down the beach and passed a plethora of sun worshipers. About a hundred yards down, she passed a small group of surfers. Five white guys and a brother. A cute brother, from what she could see. He stared at her and she stared at him. He smiled and she smiled. He held up a can of Coors.
"Hey, pretty lady, can I offer you a beer?"
They were surfers, her age, so she said, "Why not." She strolled over and he handed her the beer. It was warm, and open. He was holding another can. She felt it, it was cool. "What's in here?"
"Nothing, just beer."
"Show me, take a swig." She tried to hand it back to him, but he backed away.
She looked at the other five. "Any of you brave souls want to take a swig?"
One of them spoke up. "I swear to God, it really is beer. It's just recycled." They all started laughing.
She lowered the can to waste level and rapidly moved it back and forth, dousing them in their own urine. When the can was empty, she threw it at the brother. "I'm disappointed in you."
She noticed him wince out of the corner of her eye as she walked away.
Someone said, "She's a fiery one. Let's get her."
But the brother said, "No, leave her alone."
Shortly after that, big sister caught up to her. "Hey, Glory, wait up."
Having a natural tan, she was not too big on lying in the sun, so they waded into the surf and played around. It definitely cooled her off, but after thirty minutes in the ocean, she was bored. "Let's to do something else."
They started walking back when they passed the surfer boys again. The brother smiled and gave her a salute. Gloria assumed it was a sign of respect.
Jess elbowed her. "Did ya see that brother eyeing you?"
"Yeah, we had a little disagreement earlier. No harm." She bobbed her head in acknowledgment as they passed.
When they were almost back, Jessie suggested, "We need to get our purses anyway, so while we're at the cabana bar, let's get something to drink. I'm thirsty—hungry, too. I'll bet we could order some appetizers there."
"I'd like that. That sounds like fun and I'm getting hot again."
They sauntered the short walk to the open cabana and sat at a table near the beautiful palm trees that divided the pool area from the beach. Jessie came back with our handbags. Jessie handed hers to her, and as she sat, said under her breath, "That bartender is really something."
Gloria turned halfway to see if she could see what 'really something' looked like. "I don't see him."
"He's stepped away now. Too bad. He was a doll."
"Hmmm. He'll be back. It's not very crowded," she noted.
"Well it is summer, and most of the guests cluster around the pool or spread out on the beach."
"I don't see a server anywhere." She scooted her chair back and rose. "I'll get something from the bar. What do you want?"
"Iced tea and an appetizer menu."
The Hawaiian bartender was definitely cute. It must have been him Jess talked about. He was taking the order of a rail-thin elderly man in a white linen suit. After a few seconds, he left to make
the man's drink and flashed an endearing smile at her as he passed by. "I'll be right with you, ma'am."
She smiled and nodded.
In a shaky voice resembling a witch's cackle, the sickly looking customer said, "You are very pretty."
She should have ignored him but turned toward him. "Thank you."
"Could I buy you a drink?"
She didn't want to be bothered, but was polite. "No, thank you, I'm here with my sister."
"Yes, I saw her. She's pretty also. I'd like to buy you both a drink."
Before she could decline, the bartender returned and set a drink in front of him. "Joe Crow margarita on the rocks. That'll be seven and a quarter."
The man pulled out a thick wad of bills and peeled off two Abe Lincolns. "Keep the change," he said in his creepy voice.
"Thank you, sir."
The customer spun his forefinger in a circle. "And I want to pay for whatever these ladies order."
She shook her head. "That's all right. We'll charge it to our room, and our husbands will take care of it."
The bartender frowned and looked at her empty ring finger before turning to the cash register. He opened it, inserted the ten dollars in the bill tray, retrieved the two-seventy-five change and dropped it in an old-fashioned tips glass. He turned to her. "What can I get for you?" Once again, he scanned her left hand.
He's interested. His nametag read Kino. She winked at Kino and tilted her head toward the old man.
He smiled and nodded. She looked at him—really looked at him. The most obvious thing was his bright white Donny Osmond–style smile. The second thing was how perfect, except for a little crook in his nose, his features were. He had long jet-black hair, eyes like pools of liquid gold and a square-ish face. The man was a hottie. Probably married.
"Miss? Can I get you anything?"
She snapped out of her reverie. "Ah, yes. My sister and I would like something to drink and maybe some appetizers, but there's no one to wait on us."
He glanced in the direction of Jessie, then back. "I'm sorry. We're short a waiter today and the remaining two servers are very busy with the patrons at the pool and along the beach. I guess you're stuck with me."
