"They also had soap, toothbrushes, and painkillers. I got the kind you like," Albertine said, pulling boxes out of her bag.
"The migraine medicine?" Melia asked, accepting a box.
"They wouldn't happen to have condoms on sale?" Red drawled from her doorway.
Albertine's eyes flickered in her direction. Melia's mouth opened as she recalled her original excitement. "You missed it, Albertine! King Arthur made an appearance," she said, shaking the box of painkillers. Albertine frowned; she didn't seem to recognize the name. Melia grabbed her hand. "Arthur is Penelope's ex-husband."
"I don't understand," Albertine said.
Melia laughed. "He came to claim his woman! But she wasn't having any of it."
"You mean he admitted he loved her?" Albertine asked.
"No," I said, breaking into the conversation. "Someone told him Penelope was living in a whorehouse. He came here, intending to drag her out."
"Who would tell him such things?" Albertine questioned. She walked upstairs and stopped outside of Penelope's room.
"Dick the Senator, I imagine." Red cackled at that, disappearing into her room.
Grinning, I said, "You're lucky that you missed the drama, Albertine."
"I hope Penelope is alright. Maybe I should talk to her?" Albertine said, lifting her hand to knock.
"No!" Melia and I yelled in unison.
Albertine's hand dropped. She listened at the door for a second and then whispered loudly, "But I can hear her crying."
Loud guffaws came from Red's room. Melia covered her mouth and turned away, shielding her laughter. Albertine looked at me, hoping for an explanation.
"Wait until the morning," I said to Albertine.
She peeked at the door. A sympathetic expression blossomed on her face. "I understand. She needs to cry this out."
I couldn't contain myself any longer. My stomach clenched as I began roaring with laughter.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
Melia and I huddled near the kitchen door, waiting for Penelope's guest to leave. Melia grinned when we heard the sound of a door opening. Feet pounded down the steps and we craned our necks, trying to see him as he left. I groaned in disappointment when Red appeared.
"I love my statue," she announced to the room.
Throwing my hands up in disgust, I returned to the table. "I forgot about that monstrosity."
Melia joined me, taking her seat next to a confused Albertine. Melia took to buttering her toast. Red reached over Melia's shoulder and grabbed a slice.
Placing her knife down on the table, Melia glared at Red. "First you take my land; now you take my toast."
"What are you going on about, Melia?" Red asked, munching on the toast.
Melia shook her head and bit her only piece of toast. "You owe me big."
Red settled into her seat. "Has he come out yet?" she asked, inclining her head towards the doorway.
"We ain't seen him," I said to her.
"Did he leave in the middle of the night?" she asked us.
"I didn't hear anyone leave or no cars pulling away," Melia said.
"Overnight, huh? I hope she's charging a good rate for that," Red muttered.
"What do you mean?" Albertine asked.
Red and Melia shared a look. "You should tell her," Red prodded Melia.
"That's up your alley, Carol," Melia answered.
"But she's your friend," Red retorted.
"For crying out loud, I'll tell her," I said, shutting down their bickering. They sat back, looking pleased. That had probably been their original plan.
"Albertine, you know how we said that Arthur stopped by? Accusing Penelope of being a whore? Well, she...um...decided to prove him right?" My voice rose, ending in a question. I wasn't sure how to explain it to our little wren.
"What do you mean?"
"Penelope has a gentleman caller," I said.
"Her Arthur?"
"No. No. Not him." Just then, footfalls sounded on the stairs. We all turned and watched as Penelope and the swarthy man walked to the door. He, of course, was dressed in his clothing from last night. Penelope wore a cotton robe.
They locked their arms around each other. Penelope leaned into the man and brushed a kiss across his mouth. Red shuddered, but she didn't look away. Albertine's mouth widened. Melia snickered. I continued to sip my coffee.
The man walked out and Penelope shut the door firmly behind him. She watched him through the window and then smoothed her hair back from her face. She must have felt our stares because she whipped around, a stunned look on her face.
"How much?" Red asked baldly.
"What makes you think that I asked for his money?" Penelope said, walking into the kitchen.
"Please tell me you weren't so stupid," Red retorted.
"There's nothing wrong with a little sex for pleasure," Penelope said.
Red tilted her head, studying Penelope's face. "How much?" she asked again.
"Why would he pay her?" Melia asked.
"It wasn't about the sex. She wanted to get back at Arthur. He could handle her sleeping with another man, but he's not the type of man to react kindly to his ex-wife whoring herself to his friend. How much, Penelope?" Red challenged.
Penelope stared down at Red, but then suddenly opened her hand and tossed money onto the table. "Five hundred."
"That cheap little shit," Red said, picking up the money.
"He said it was all he had."
"That cheap, lying little shit."
"What am I supposed to do with this?" Penelope said, grabbing the money from Red's hand. She held it tightly in her fist. She turned towards me and held her hand out. "Here, you take it."
"You keep it. You earned it," I said to her.
"I don't want it," she whimpered.
I stood up and stepped towards her. Grabbing her arms, I held her still. "Are you okay, Penelope?"
She looked deep into my eyes and asked, "How do you handle this sort of thing?"
"The money?" I asked. "I spend it!"
"No. I mean the sex."
"Oh. I don't know."
"You don't know? Or, you won't tell me?"
"I don't know as in I don't know. I haven't done it. The sex part."
She pulled away from me, her arms flailing. "What do you mean you haven't had sex?"
I could tell from the widening of her eyes that she didn't believe me. "You want to know how to deal with it? Ask Carol. I haven't had sex with anyone other than Moses," I explained. "I'm a true-blue escort as of now. I haven't had sex with any of my dates."
She plopped down into an empty seat, consternation on her face. "Well."
"Well."
"I can't believe that bastard. A full night is two grand at least, preferably three. Hey," Red said, knocking the table in front of Penelope. "You want me to get the rest?"
"You her pimp now?" Melia asked.
A small gurgling sound came from Albertine. Her face was a slight green color.
"Oh dear. We've killed Albertine," Red said.
"Albie!" Melia said, slapping Albertine on the back. "Are you choking?"
"Ay! Dios mio!" Albertine said, pushing her dark glasses back up onto her nose.
"I think that's what Penelope said last night!" Melia cackled.
"Oh my God," Penelope said, her face sinking into her hands.
"Exactly," yelped Melia.
"Penelope," I barked. Her head snapped towards me. "Are you okay?" I stressed each word.
"Of course she is," Red said. "She put that bastard in his place. I even took a picture." She reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone and swiped at the screen. She continued to swipe until she smiled and turned the phone towards Penelope.
Penelope squinted at Arthur's face on Red's phone. She snatched the phone away and cradled it in both hands. Melia popped up from her seat and peeked over Penelope's shoulder. "He looks like he shat himself," Melia said, laughing. "We didn't think you were really going to do it, Penelope. We thought
you just wanted to give Arthur the impression!"
"I really don't know what I was thinking," Penelope said. "No. That's not true. I knew exactly what I was thinking. I was thinking about the time I walked into a room where he and that bimbo were sitting together. They were sitting apart, and they looked innocent, but the room smelled off. It smelled like sex. They pretended like nothing was unusual, so I thought I'd imagined it."
"Was that before or after the phone sex episode?" Red asked.
"Right as the story was breaking. I couldn't believe that Arthur would ever betray our wedding vows. I trusted him. I trusted both of them, so I convinced myself that there was nothing wrong. Damn him," she snapped, clenching the phone. She handed it back to Red, saying, "Thank you. I'm glad that you took that photo."
"Helps a little, doesn't it?" Red asked her.
"Actually it does," Penelope answered. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her robe and relaxed against the back of the chair. "I like seeing him hurt. It doesn't compare to the pain he put me through, but it certainly helps a little."
I picked up the money and handed it back to Penelope. She looked down at my hand, took the money and shoved it into her pocket. "Hector says he'd like to see me again."
Red's body went taut. She swung around to glare at Penelope. "Don't you dare! Forget about that little cheap bastard."
"Why? I happen to like Hector," Penelope admitted.
"He underpaid you," Red returned.
"I don't think he really wanted to pay, but I think he knew that was part of my little scheme," Penelope said, trying to justify it. Red's denial was swift and adamant.
"No, he took advantage of you. Besides, I've known this side of Hector a lot longer than you have, and trust me, we can find you better," Red said.
"There won't be anyone else," Penelope said. "I just did it to get back at Arthur. It was just plain pettiness on my part. I don't need the money, and the experience wasn't all that fantastic."
"That's because Hector is a lousy lay," Red said.
"Who is Hector?" I asked, breaking in.
Penelope's eyes fluttered as she focused on my question. She shared a look with Red, and then turned to me and said, "Hector Vargas. He and Arthur attended law school together. Arthur went into politics," her voice lowered, "and Hector went into the judiciary."
"Wait," I said, throwing my hands up. "He's a Judge?"
Red nodded. "U.S. Court of Appeals down in Virginia."
"The Fourth Circuit. But he's retired now," Penelope added.
"How lovely! A Judge," I cried out.
Red leaned towards me and rubbed my knee. In a reassuring voice she said, "Don't worry about Hector. He's the reason so many judges have such a bad reputation. Arrogant, thinks the world revolves him, and he's never wrong."
"Lazy, too," said Penelope.
Red sat back in her chair and turned towards Penelope. "Did that bastard just lay on his back and let you do all the work?"
"He did. But, I didn't mind. Arthur always took control," Penelope answered frankly.
"Mr. Handsome?" Red asked, leering.
Penelope's eyes widened. Her face went red and she snorted with laughter. She moved towards Red and said, "I couldn't believe it when I heard him."
"At least he knows better than to call it 'Mr. Big,'" Red snickered.
"I think I should go to my room now," Albertine said, a detached look on her face.
"Don't run off, Albertine. This is important information," Melia said.
I sat at the table, battling laughter as I watched them. Red and Penelope had finally bonded over something. Apparently, it was Mr. Handsome. Albertine had probably heard more about sex in the last five minutes than she had heard over the last thirty years. Melia seemed tickled watching the reactions of her friend and listening to the lowdown about Hector. Me, well, I was happy to see the tension that had clouded the house finally lift. It was nice to chat and interact with these girls. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed real conversations with other people.
A buzzing sound interrupted the chatter. Red looked at her phone and smiled. "John just sent me a text. Are you ladies up for some visitors this Friday?" She looked expectedly around the room. "I vote yes," she said, raising her hand.
She waited, looking at each of us. Penelope gave Red a jaunty salute. "It felt so good putting Arthur in his place. If this is another chance to get back at him, I'm in," she said.
"I would never have imagined that," I told her.
"I'm curious to know if any of them have spoken with Arthur," she commented, shrewd pleasure on her face.
"What about you ladies?" I asked Melia and Albertine. I didn't want to share my vote until I knew how they felt about it.
"Fine by me," Melia said, rubbing her nose.
I turned to Albertine, raised my eyebrows, and listened for her response.
"I'm not sure," she said.
"Apparently word has gotten around about you and Melia's performance. They were hoping that you would perform," Red responded.
Melia winked at Penelope. "Now that, I expect to be paid for."
A thoughtful look passed over Albertine's face. "Do you think that we could?" There was laughter in her voice. "Apparently they have money and are willing to part with it."
"So, is that a yes?" Red prompted.
Albertine chuckled. She grinned when she said, "Alright, fine by me. Mercy?"
"I'm easy, ladies. Whatever you want to do," I said.
"Wait! I have one condition," Penelope cut in.
"Hmm?" murmured Red.
"No Hector," she said flatly.
Red flashed a grin; lifting her phone, she typed out a text. "Done," she said. "I should make another cheese ball." Her eyes were locked on her phone, waiting for a response.
"No, please, no. Don't make another cheese ball," Melia pleaded.
"Why not?" Red returned.
"Why? Because your first one is still in the fridge." Melia answered.
Red stood up and walked to the fridge. She pulled open the door and grabbed the cheese ball. She poked her finger into its white center and sucked it into her mouth. "You think it's still good?"
"Was it ever?" Penelope mocked.
Red wagged her finger in Penelope's direction. "There's nothing wrong with this cheese ball."
"Then why hasn't anyone eaten it?" I asked.
Red grabbed a knife and cut a slice off of the ball. She popped it into her mouth. She hummed, a false smile on her face as she chewed the cheese. Her face crinkled as she spat it out into her hand.
"Like I said, don't make another cheese ball," Melia quipped.
"What should we serve?" Red asked, tossing it away. She washed her hands and stood at the sink, watching the table.
"Real food," Melia said.
"This should be a real party. We should invite more people," Albertine said.
"I like that. I'll invite Pastor," Melia responded.
Albertine sputtered. "You. No. Not him."
"Why not?" Melia returned. "Everyone else has gotten laid. Maybe you'll be next."
Albertine looked towards me, a plea forming on her lips.
"I haven't gotten laid, either," I confided.
Melia scanned my body. Her gaze narrowed on my face. She said nothing, turning away to glance at Red. "You cover that one and I'll handle Albie."
"Ladies, remember who we're inviting to the house. I doubt you'll want your friends and your pastor, regardless of his sexual prowess, mingling with my clients," Red teased. She observed me and then added, "As for you. Well, I think you already have someone in mind."
My face warmed. I thought she might be referring to the General, but what flashed in my mind was an image of startling violet-blue eyes.
Penelope adjusted the knot on her robe. She peeked at me, but addressed Red. "Does John know if the General will be attending?"
"Oh, I wasn't talking about the General," answered Red.
"I certainly hope not Hector," Albertine whis
pered loudly to Melia. Melia chortled and murmured something I couldn't hear.
"No, not him. Definitely not him. I'm talking about Mercy's young fella," Red said, moving to stand next to Penelope. Red cocked her head, puckered her lips, and stared at me.
"I don't know what you mean," I lied.
"Yes, you do. It was that young man that tossed you outside." I gawked at her, remembering that she had been looking for me. She caught my questioning gaze. "I said you disappeared. I didn't say I didn't find you."
Penelope laughed. She wrapped her arm around Red's and they shared a calculating look. "Was he hot?" Penelope asked Red.
"Definitely. Singe-worthy," Red answered.
"Did you miss the part where she said he tossed me outside?"
"What did you say to piss him off?" Melia asked.
I closed my mouth and folded my hands in my lap. I wasn't going to dignify that with a response. They didn't need to know that I was attracted to Jack.
"Well? What happened?" Albertine inquired. Her dark eyes were twinkling; she was enjoying my discomfort.
"He scared me half to death; that's what happened," I snapped. "It wasn't a nice interlude in some garden. The guy wanted to know if I was an escort. He made me uncomfortable."
"That wasn't how I saw it," Red said.
I glared at her. "Are you saying I'm lying?"
She threw her hands up, placating me. "No, I just mean that it looked different from where I stood. I knew the air was charged, but I was hoping it was sexual. If I had known...I'm sorry," she said.
"Have you ever dealt with someone violent, Carol?" Albertine asked.
There was no hesitation, no tension when Red said, "Of course."
"And it didn't scare you away from that life?" Albertine questioned. Her lips disappeared into a thin line. She seemed outraged on Red's behalf.
"It happened when I was a young girl, new to the business. I was more trusting back then. If a guy told me he would pay afterward, I believed him. If a guy said he had a quiet place for us to go, I followed him. Don't get me wrong. I wasn't one of those girls out on the street. I worked through an escort service, so I was able to report them to my boss," she explained.
I knew Albertine wanted to ask more questions. I could see that she struggled to control the compassionate nun who wanted to soothe, but Red wasn't acting like a victim. She didn't act like those experiences had affected her. Maybe they had, but she wouldn't allow us to see it.
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