by K. B. Draper
Kanyon could see Lydia’s car and that she was still sitting in it. “Must be waiting on someone,” Kanyon thought out loud. She reached in the backseat and pulled out the camera she’d packed earlier, figuring it might come in handy on her little stake out.
She hunched down in her seat and watched as a black Town Car pulled in and parked next to Lydia. She snapped photos as Lydia got out and made her way around the Lincoln to meet the man exiting the rear driver’s side door. She focused the lens on the man. Even though the parking lot was getting dark, she tracked them through the lens, taking snapshots and zooming in on their faces as they walked under the lit awning to the front door. Once they disappeared inside, she scrolled back through the pictures focusing on the details of the man. He was an attractive man, mid-50’s or 70’s, you never really know in Hollywood. He had tan skin with streaks of silver in his black hair. I’m guessing you’re Johnny, Sr. She thought for a second, if this was one of her movies it would be a good time for a plot twist. Could there be an unknown player in the mix? She figured going into the restaurant and asking the guy for his driver’s license was a bad idea so she decided to get the license plate instead. She got out of the car and crossed the street in a jog. If this turns out to be a rental or a car service, I’ll go to plan B … righhhtttt after I develop a plan B.
Pulling her cell phone out of her pocket, she pretended to text as she approached the rear end of the Lincoln. The license plate read DFALCO1. She pivoted back toward her car when she saw the driver’s side door of the Lincoln open. “Crap,” she grumbled as she hung her head.
“Hey, what are you doing?” a refrigerator size man said, stepping into the path between her and her car.
She scolded herself, not a plot twist, another freakin’ fight scene. She slid her phone in her front pocket, took a step back, and put on her widest, most innocent smile. “Sorry, I was hired to make sure the cars parked here are actual customers of the restaurant.” She pointed at the Customer Parking Only sign, conveniently attached to the nearby post. “You know, parking is a bitch around here.”
The man took a slow step toward her. “Funny, I’d think as an employee, you’d know this is Mr. Defalco’s car and since he owns the place,” he pointed to his left, “you’d know this is his parking spot.”
Kanyon looked in the direction the man’s ginormous hand and finger were pointing. She laughed as she read. “Right. There’s even a sign, “Reserved for Jonathon Defalco, Sr.”, right there! I’m kind of new here, but hey, thanks for the info. Now I know.”
The man took another step toward her and Kanyon took another back. She heard the passenger side door open. Double crap.
“You got trouble out here, Tommy?”
“Nah, no trouble.” Tommy smirked as he took her in with a slow up and down inspection. “But do you think this chick looks like a parking lot attendant?” He gave a slight nod in Kanyon’s direction. Kanyon rotated her stance so she could see the guy joining their party. Great, another freaking refrigerator. I really need to start fights with a different size appliance. A toaster oven would be good, a mixer, or an Easy-Bake oven.
“Nah, she don’t look like no parking attendant I’ve ever seen,” the second man answered, coming around the car. “She actually looks like the hot chick from–”
“TMZ,” Kanyon interrupted before they had time to blow her cover. “You guys caught me. I’m really the paparazzi.” She flinched at her own words, but continued quickly. “I’m doing a story on Mr. Defalco.”
“Mr. Defalco hates the paparazzi.” Both men took another step toward her.
Of course he does, everyone does, but it had been the first thing that popped into her mind. She pretended her phone was vibrating in her pocket, pulled it out quickly, and put it to her ear. “What? Tara Reid is drunk and wearing a short skirt at the bar? And she arrived in a really tall SUV? I’m so there!” She put the phone back in her pocket. “Change of plans, boys. I’m going after the money shot,” she gave an exaggerated wink, “if you know what I mean.” She took a wide step sideways to go around the man in front of her and he mirrored her. “Okay, fine. Give me your emails and I’ll send you exclusive photos.”
“I’m done playing this game,” Tommy said.
She shrugged and smiled widely. “Oh, well, if you’re bored, I’m happy to play a different game.”
The men closed in with another step.
“Old Maid? Uno?” She took a retreating step. “Go Fish? Rummy?”
They took another step closer.
“Fine.” She squared her stance. “Pin the Tail on the Assholes?” She spun, striking the guy to her right with a back kick then a front kick to the other. They both bent at the waist and she bolted around the back of the restaurant. Her eyes darted rapidly in search of an escape route. There was a trash bin against the back wall of the building. She glanced up, then took off in a dead sprint when she heard heavy footsteps behind her. She hit her planned launching point and pushed to jump only to lose her footing in something slick. Her momentum shot her forward for several feet before she was able to twist herself into a sliding into base, but I don’t want to get my baseball pants real dirty kind of move. She came to a stop in a semi-standing, semi-falling position as her feet hit a turned over trash can. She used it to regain her footing and straighten cautiously. Standing, she flicked her hands then lifted them and caught a whiff. “Sick!” She wiped the slime onto her jeans and swept a glance at the ground in front of her. “Of course tonight’s special was fish.” She wiped her hands again as she looked up to see the two charging men. “Guys,” she held up her hands, frantically waiving them to stop, “there’s slimy fish guts–” was all she got out before they both lost their footing and came barreling directly at her like two freight trains that had jumped their tracks. She tried to jump out of their path, but since she still didn’t have solid footing, she did more of a sideways, somewhat airborne somersault, kneeing one of the guys in the face. She landed on her side, but her momentum forced her onto her stomach, sliding a few more inches in fish slime. Her face stopped millimeters away from a fish head and attached entrails, just outside of an open trash bag. “God, I’m so calling the Health Department. This is freaking,” she flicked her hand quickly to throw something eyeball-ish off her fingers, “disgusting.” The bag next to her moved. Kanyon scrambled back not wanting to be any closer to more dead fish, especially if they were pissed. An alley cat darted out of the bag in a dead run with fish guts hanging from its mouth. “The least you could’ve done is put out an orange cone or two,” she yelled.
Kanyon fought her way to her feet only to notice the two guys chasing her were doing the same. “Well, wasn’t that fun? Not quite as fun as a Slip ‘N Slide, but at least we didn’t kill any grass or run up the water bill.” She hitched a thumb over her shoulder, the movement almost making her lose her balance again. “Alright, I’m going to head out and take a shower.”
The guys snarled in unison.
“I take it you’re not okay with that?” she asked, just as they lunged at her. The fish slime slowed them down enough that she was able to grab the garbage bag the cat abandoned and swing it at them. It hit the first guy, causing it to rip the rest of the way, peppering them both in more fish parts. Attempting to dodge the flying carcasses, they lost their balance again and went ass first back to the ground. “Oh, ouch. That sucks. And you know what sucks even more? I’m not sure the smell is going to come out of those cheap suits.” She threw both her thumbs over her head toward the parking lot as she began to backpedal out of the alley. “Okay, it’s been fun, but I’m going to bounce now.”
“Get back here, bitch!”
“I would like to respectfully decline since you didn’t say please … and I think that’s squished fish guts on your shirt.” She turned to run as they began to struggle to their feet again. Her hustle was interrupted by the mandatory stutter-step to avoid slipping once again. Once out of the alley she pulled out her keys, hit the unlock button, and
dove into her car. She scrambled to get her door shut, having to take a second go at it as the first time her foot was still in it. “Mother fuc–” She cut off her own howl, when she saw the guys were crossing the street. She started the car, slammed it in drive, and peeled out as she heard something hit her back window. She checked her rearview and watched a fish carcass inchworm itself down her window then disappear. “Freakin’ sick ass bastards.”
Her heartbeat didn’t regulate until she pulled into the drive of Daylen’s sister’s house. She took in a deep breath to calm herself, not from fear, but from the pure adrenaline high she was on. She couldn’t stop smiling. At the intake of breath, her nose screamed in protest. “Damn it.” She searched her console and glove box for perfume, but only found an old air freshener which she rubbed on her neck and shirt.
Daylen opened the door and took in Kanyon’s disheveled appearance. “What the heck happened to you? Are you okay?” Daylen took a step toward Kanyon to check for injuries, but then caught a whiff of her and took two steps back. “What in the world is that smell?”
“Grouper and Rainforest Breeze.”
“I’m not even sure how to respond to that. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, but I can’t say the same for the fish.” She flicked a fish scale from her shirt.
A bright-eyed, blonde girl peeked from behind Daylen’s legs and Daylen almost tripped over her as she took another step in retreat from Kanyon’s fish funk smell.
“Mom said you aren’t supposed to let strangers in the house,” the girl said, standing guard next to Daylen. She pinched her nose. “Especially stinky ones.”
“This is my friend Kanyon. You know Kanyon. She was the one on the TV show with me. Kanyon, this is my niece, Avery.”
Avery eyed Kanyon suspiciously. “She doesn’t look as tough as she does on TV.” Avery took a wider stance and placed a free hand on her hip as if she was going to test her theory.
Maybe Isadora was giving the Guardian spill to the wrong person. Avery has apparently already taken on the role of defending and protecting her aunt. “Try me.” Kanyon eyed her back as she mimicked Avery’s stance.
“Okay you two, let’s take this inside where I can hear the monitor in case your little sister wakes up when you two start battling it out.” Daylen spun Avery toward the kitchen. “We have leftover pizza. I’ll heat it up while you wash your …” she gave Kanyon a once over, “… all of you.”
They headed down the hall, Avery casting the evil eye over her shoulder at Kanyon every few steps.
While Daylen got out the pizza and a plate, Kanyon went to the sink and washed her hands and face then stood off to the side, not wanting to contaminate the kitchen. Avery climbed on a stool across from Kanyon so she could continue her visual beat down. “Don’t give her any of the pepperoni. That’s mine.”
Daylen looked at Avery. “Be nice, she’s a guest. Kanyon, what kind of pizza do you want; veggie with extra mushrooms or pepperoni?”
Kanyon looked at Avery as she answered, “Pepperoni sounds good.” Then gave her little tormenter a satisfied smirk.
Avery squinted with irritation and waited until she heard the microwave door shut and Daylen begin punching the buttons before she let her own smirk rise. “Sucker. I’m a veggiamatian.”
“Well played.” Kanyon nodded in admiration.
“Thanks. Tell me the real reason why you got fired from the show you and my aunt were in. My mom is not telling me the truth.”
“How do you know your mom is not telling you the truth?” Kanyon asked.
“I can just tell,” Avery said simply.
I bet you can Kanyon thought, looking into the kid’s familiar light blue, all-knowing eyes.
“What’d she tell you?”
“Said the TV guys just wanted to go in a different direction with the story, but I think you did something that got you and my aunt fired.”
“Avery, I really don’t think this is any of your business,” Daylen broke in as she took the plate out of the microwave and sat it on the island.
“No, it’s fine. She deserves to know the truth. I mean, I did get her aunt fired.” Kanyon gave Daylen a quick smile. “But you’re wrong, I didn’t do something. I did several some things that got me and your aunt fired. I hung out with the wrong person. I went out drinking and partying all the time. I didn’t show up for work. When I did show up for work, I was late, rude, and unprofessional. They had every reason to fire me.”
Avery shrugged. “You should’ve paid more attention to after school specials.” As Kanyon stepped forward and reached for the pizza, Avery wrinkled her nose and pushed the plate of pizza further away from her. “Why’d they fire my aunt?” At this question, Kanyon hesitated. Avery watched her intently “Oh great, you’re going to lie to me too,” she said, exasperated.
“No, no okay.” The kid can tell if I’m lying so ... “Well on the show, Artemisia and Freya were …” Kanyon scrambled to find a kid-friendly explanation, “they were, well at least it was suggested that they …” Crap. She looked at Daylen for help but only received a smirk. Kanyon took a deep breath. “Okay, Artemisia and Freya, they kind of did everything together. They, well they … they were connected in a way.”
Avery watched Kanyon with pure entertainment; watched the swirl of colors flow off her. She loved turning people into rainbows.
“They were friends. Very good friends. Special friends …” Kanyon struggled. “You know …”
Avery squinted at the bright lights which swirled and danced around Kanyon. “Geez, I was just playing with you. I know they were girlfriends, like the kissy kind of girlfriends. You really should watch more after school specials.”
Kanyon stared at Avery in shock as Daylen tried to suppress a laugh. “Did I forget to tell you my niece is rather perceptive and wise beyond her years? And,” Daylen walked over to Avery and mussed her hair, “totally rotten to the core.”
Avery fought off Daylen’s hand in her hair then turned to Kanyon and her slice of pizza. “Do you know what’s in pepperoni? It’s ground up pig parts, their guts and stuff. And by the way, you really stink.”
Kanyon quirked a smile at the conniving five-year-old and her aunt. “I stink, do I?” She pretended to sniff her armpit then her shirt. “Oh yeah, you’re right. I reek. Speaking of guts …” She took two quick steps forward and grabbed Avery from her seat and hugged her, rubbing her playfully against her shirt. “Now who stinks? Now who stinks?” After a few seconds of screaming laughter and protests, Kanyon sat Avery back down. “Now what ‘cha gotta say, stinky britches?” Kanyon taunted.
Avery immediately held her T-shirt away from her body and examined it for any physical funk. “Gross!” Avery stood on her chair, playful vengeance in her movements. She dove for a slice of pizza, snagged a pepperoni, and flung it at Kanyon.
Kanyon dodged then caught Avery’s wrist just as she started to snatch another piece. They stood eye to eye. “Let go of the pizza topping.”
Avery met her gaze. “You let go.”
With her other hand Kanyon plucked a piece of pepperoni then dangled it in front of Avery. “Let go or you’re going to be wearing pig guts.”
Avery’s eyes widened. “You wouldn’t!”
“Wouldn’t I?” Kanyon wiggled her eyebrows.
“Kanyon, really? You’re supposed to be the adult,” Daylen interjected. “Put down the processed meat product. Avery, you too.”
Kanyon gave a quick little head jerk in Daylen’s direction and Avery returned a devilish grin of understanding. They both turned on Daylen in a united front.
Daylen recognized their new agenda a moment too late. “Don’t you dare!” She scrambled backward as they both came at her, each waving a slice of pepperoni. Daylen grabbed the sink faucet, flipped it on, and yanked the nozzle out of its holder, spinning and extending it toward them. “Don’t come any closer.”
“Oh really? You’re threatening us with water when we’re both in desperate need of a shower?”
Kanyon continued to advance.
Avery snorted. “Dumb move, Auntie Daylen.”
Daylen held in the trigger and sprayed back and forth, drenching her attackers. Avery screamed and wrapped herself around Daylen’s legs while Kanyon wrapped herself around Daylen’s torso, holding Daylen’s arms against her body. She relieved Daylen of the nozzle and turned it on her.
She was immediately drenched. “Okay. Okay.” Daylen laughingly surrendered. “Uncle! Uncle!”
Kanyon stopped the water assault and released her, giving Avery a quick shot of water in the chest before returning the nozzle to its holder.
Daylen looked down at her soaked clothes, then to her soaked niece, the soaked kitchen, and a soaked Kanyon. She watched as beads of water dripped from Kanyon’s eyelashes, making their way down Kanyon’s face, neck, and … damn, she thought as her heart tumbled in her chest. She forced herself to break away from the alluring sight.
Avery was smiling at her when she turned. “Rainbows.”
“Go get some towels, you wet little rug-rat,” Daylen ordered.
Daylen retrieved the mop from the closet and handed it to Kanyon. After drying themselves and cleaning up their mess, Daylen looked around. “That’s pretty good. I don’t think your mom will kill us now.” She looked at the clock. “Ugh, unless she knows you stayed up this late. Avery, we need to get you to bed.”
“Ahh, come on. I want to hang out with you guys longer.”
Kanyon stepped in. “Enough hanging out for one night and plus I’m hungry, someone threw my dinner at me.”
“I saved your life. Do you know how many–”
