Pink Neon

by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

  Michael drove up in a late model Ford pickup, one shiny enough to make Daniel’s truck look like a stepchild at the family reunion. Cecily dashed from bathroom to bedroom to dress and while he longed to follow, he headed outside instead. Last time he’d seen his youngest brother, Michael fit the description of a geeky college kid but the young man who walked up the drive appeared fit and prosperous as well as academic. Despite the humid day he wore a dress shirt and a tweed jacket. Daniel half-expected a briar pipe to protrude from a pocket or to see his brother don a pair of tortoise shell rimmed glasses. Michael paused and stared.

  “It’s me,” Daniel said.

  His brother’s serious expression transformed into a grin as he said, “I guess you’re the surprise. It’s good to see you, Daniel.” He extended his hand out to shake but Daniel ignored it.

  Instead, he hugged his brother and after a moment’s hesitation, the kid brother he hadn’t seen in far too long returned the embrace. “Didn’t Mama tell you I was here?”

  “No,” Michael said. “All she promised was home cooking and a surprise. I figured it’d be one of us but I didn’t expect you. Did she mention I’m spending the night?”

  Unspoken the youngest Padilla managed to convey the belief Daniel seldom returned to the nest. Was it tinged with condemnation or stated with fact? Daniel wasn’t certain.

  “No but I’m glad you are. I brought my lady, Cecily,” he told his brother. He wasn’t sure what to call her – companion, lover, or friend. Girlfriend seemed somehow juvenile although he was aware people of all ages used the term. “Come in and meet her, then we’ll eat.”

  Michael thumped his shoulder with affection and they headed inside. Cecily glanced up from setting the dining table and smiled. “Hi,” she said.

  “Cecily, this is my youngest brother, Michael,” Daniel said. “Michael, this is Cecily Brown.”

  She extended her hand to Michael and they shook. “I’m happy to meet you,” she told him.

  “It’s my pleasure.”

  When they gathered, the four of them around the oval table, they linked hands as Luz led them through the Catholic grace before meals. The words resonated in Daniel’s heart, familiar and somehow comforting. Each bite of his favorite foods tasted wonderful on his tongue, the tender chuck in the burritos tipicos, the handmade tamales with their cornmeal exterior and seasoned pork filling, the frijoles made from a traditional recipe, and the American pot roast with all the trimmings. He enjoyed watching Cecily taste his mama’s dishes for the first time and could tell from the delighted expression she wore, she liked what she ate. By the time his mother served the wacky cake, a rich chocolate cake made with the ‘secret’ ingredient of vinegar, Daniel thought he’d burst or get a bellyache but he wasn’t complaining. He enjoyed the homey, humble conversation almost as much as the cuisine.

  After the dishes were washed and put away, they settled down in the living room, Luz in her recliner, Michael in the other arm chair, and Cecily curled against Daniel’s side on the couch. Mama enjoyed television programs and Daniel’d been afraid they’d have to sit through some reality show or network sitcoms but instead they watched vintage television shows dating long before his birth. Full and more laid back than he could recall being in a very long time, Daniel was content to watch the suburban witch Samantha Stevens wrinkle her nose and the ditzy genie from a bottle, Jeannie, devil astronaut Tony Nelson with her antics.

  Although he’d never lived in this house, his mother carted most of her long-time possessions along when she moved from Fort Worth so most of the furniture, the same old lamps, the knickknacks arranged on the entertainment center, and the pictures hung on the wall were all familiar. The humble aromas lingering from the meal were those of childhood, of comfort and foundations. He inhaled the scents with pleasure and the meal lay easy within his stomach although the combination of being full and the warm room made him sleepy. He never experienced this kind of contentment or sense of belonging in his sparse apartment but he’d flirted with a hint of it at Cecily’s. Experiencing the real deal grounded him and soothed some of his worries although he knew, as an adult and a law enforcement professional, safety and security were both fleeting. Don’t think about tomorrow, enjoy this evening. At one time or another they all laughed at some of the comic moments but when the hour grew late, Michael sat up. “Mama, tell me where I’m sleeping,” he said. “I need to bring my kit in from the truck.”

  “You’ll be in the small bedroom, my office,” Luz said. “Cecily and Daniel are across from me.”

  Her calm acceptance of their intimacy pleased Daniel. After stifling a yawn, he nudged Cecily who hadn’t said a thing in fifteen minutes. She stirred and when she spoke her voice sounded sleepy. “What is it?”

  “Bedtime, querida,” he said. “You’re asleep already.”

  “I’m not,” she protested.

  He laughed. “Don’t make me carry you to bed in front of Mama.”

  His remark roused her enough to rise, stop off in the bathroom, and then make it into the bedroom. Luz announced she’d retire too and Daniel kissed his mother’s cheek, a good-night ritual from the past. He lingered in the living room and spent a few minutes one on one with his brother. Although they’d been a little awkward earlier, the strangeness vanished and beneath the collegiate veneer, Daniel discovered the man his little brother had become. And he liked him. Michael came across as intelligent and yet somehow tough. He hadn’t lost the edge growing up in north Fort Worth provided.

  Demonstrating a deep insight, Michael said, “How much trouble is she in?”

  “Cecily?” Daniel replied as if it could be anyone else. “She’s potentially in deep shit if we can’t prove who’s really responsible for her husband’s death and some major theft.”

  “How will all of it affect your career?” his brother asked. A faint frown line marred his forehead.

  Daniel shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe very badly. It depends on how it ends. If we can connect the man Cecily believes is responsible with credible evidence, then all my awards and accolades won’t be wasted. If not, who knows?”

  “I like your woman,” Michael said. “Is she worth it?”

  “Si,” he replied. “She’s worth that and so much more.”

  Michael studied him as if seeking to understand, then nodded as if he did. “I’m happy for you, Daniel and I hope things work out for the best. If I can do anything, say the word and I’m happy to help you. I planned to drive home tomorrow but I have several weeks until the semester begins so I can stay as long as I’m needed.”

  Moved by his brother’s offer, Daniel clasped his brother’s hand. “Thank you. Right now, I don’t know what you could do but if it changes, I may take you up on your offer. Right now, do you think Mama might have some tequila around?”

  “I don’t know,” Michael said. “But we can find out. I know where to look.”

  A few shots of tequila later, Daniel enjoyed the buzz it provided. His college professor kid brother matched him drink for drink and although neither were drunk, he couldn’t deny they’d been affected. Thunder grumbled low and ominous far off in the distance. When he heard it, he thought of Cecily’s fears. “Is it supposed to storm?”

  “Yeah, it’s a ninety percent chance. Let’s go watch it move in.”

  As children, they often watched wicked weather approach Fort Worth and with a boyish exhilaration fueled at least in part by tequila Daniel jumped up. “Yeah, sounds great.”

  They sat on the small porch steps and gazed toward the mountains. Lightning illuminated the sky with its unholy fire and the thunder growls moved closer like an animal prowling. Just as a sharp wind portended the storm’s arrival, Cecily poked her head out of the front door. A modest nightgown covered her from shoulder to knee, a cotton print peasant style gown. Daniel didn’t remember it and realized she’d always slept in the buff beside him. He appreciated her concession to decency in his mother’s home but he missed the view as well.

  “Is i
t storming?” she asked as he stumbled to his feet.

  “It will, soon,” Daniel said. “Did the thunder wake you?”

  “I think so,” Cecily replied. He studied her face but she didn’t look scared at the moment, no more than a bit nervous.

  “Are you okay?” he questioned. A grin lit her face, bright and brief as the lightning.

  Cecily nodded. “Yeah, sugar, just a little anxious. I’m not as afraid of storms when I’m not out in the middle of one and I’m inside. Are you coming in?”

  Aware she wanted him to, he nodded. “Yeah, chica, I am. Buenos Noches, Michael.”

  “’Night,” his brother said.

  With his arm slung across Cecily’s shoulders, Daniel went inside and down the short hallway. As he’d waited long hours to do, he shut the door and faced her. One finger traced the fine curve of her cheek then outlined her lips. “Te amo, querida,” he whispered. “Are you too sleepy to love me?”

  “Uh-uh,” she replied. “Thought you’d never ask.”

  Daniel stripped away his shirt and stepped out of his jeans. He paused long enough to open the window in the stuffy room and cool, fresh air poured into the space. Contrast between the temperatures created goose pimples across his skin and heightened his senses. Maybe the tequila played a small role but the major game changer stood before him, nude and lovely. She’d removed her gown while he turned to the window and now she put her arms around him. Her braids trailed across his arm and he shivered. Then he took her face between his hands and put his mouth down onto hers.

  Her lips were hot and tasted sweet as they met his and clung in place. He kissed long and deep, enough to cause his breath to come short. Desire spun out between them, full-bodied and heady as wine. Daniel wrapped one arm around her to bring her closer and with his free hand he stroked her nipples until they blossomed like June roses. His fingers moved with a light, easy touch, reverent and yet needy. Last time they made love, he’d called out his feelings but he never dreamed she’d understand what he’d said. Things were different now. Aware of their shared love, Daniel wanted to make each caress and every stroke matter.

  He cupped her breasts and bent to kiss each one, then the hollow between. His lips trailed upward to the base of her throat and lingered. Daniel kissed her throat and worked back to her lips, then delivered a long, slow smooch, one reverberating to his toes. If Cecily’s response, a loud gasp and her hands tightening around his shoulders were an indication, it lit her fires too.

  Daniel rubbed the flat of her belly and dropped his hand lower to her mound. He caressed the fine hair there and used one finger to probe her pussy. Wet warmth greeted his explorations and he massaged with the rest of his hand, finger touching back to fondle her clit. She moaned with a low deep sound of pleasure which inspired him to increase the friction.

  His cock, already stiff, hardened more in response and almost hurt with the need. He wanted to play it out, though, make the intense desire last longer. If he could hold out, the release would be greater so he steeled himself to wait. Cecily almost brought things to swift closure when she nibbled his neck, her teeth sharp and yet somehow tender. Her lips suckled his skin and he knew he’d end up with a purple love bite but he didn’t mind. The sensation sent electric shocks through his body and caused his dick to throb with want.

  Cecily cupped his balls in her hand next and then wrapped one hand around his swollen prick. A groan escaped his lips and it took all he had not to come in her grasp. Gasping, he backed her toward the bed and she caught on what he wanted. She sprawled onto her back with her legs open wide for his assault, her hands clutching the bedspread tight and taut into bunches.

  “Oh, sugar,” she managed. “Come on, take me all the way.”

  By then he didn’t need an invitation. His dick refused to wait any longer so when she wrapped her legs around his body, Daniel entered her. He slid into her pussy without difficulty. Cecily’s body embraced and welcomed him. The walls of her cunt wrapped his sheath with warmth and squeezed. Thrills rocketed through him and he worked back and forth. Cecily managed to rub his back, then used her nails to scratch with tantalizing sensation. They rocked together, her small moans punctuating his occasional groan of pleasure and then everything began to shift toward release.

  Rising pressure delivered intense pleasure, close to pain and then as fever heat enveloped Daniel he knew he’d come soon. “Ride it with me,” he told Cecily.

  “Oh, yeah, sugar,” she gasped. The explosion began in his dick and burst outward with wild delicious sensations. His body spasmed with erotic delight and their bodies in the final moments were one orgasm.

  When the thrill subsided Daniel collapsed beside her, drained yet filled with emotion for this woman. “I love you, querida,” he said, one hand stroking lazy circles over her skin.

  “Oh, god, I love you too,” Cecily replied and curled her head against his chest. Her corn rows tickled his arm as they tumbled in disarray. He liked the sensation. Sated, content, and tired, Daniel relaxed and listened as her breath drifted into a slower pattern.

  Outside rain fell, steady and the sound lulled him to sleep. Just before he drifted off Daniel heard Cecily’s cell phone ring but he didn’t try to catch the call. Whatever Nia wants, it can wait until morning.

  But instead he woke some time later to the sound of Cecily’s voice. Daniel sat up and rubbed his eyes. Listening to her end of the conversation, he caught enough information to realize it might be a serious development and came fully awake with speed. Cecily’s brown sugar voice cut through the dark room as she finished the call, seated on the edge of the bed with her back toward him. “Keep me updated, you hear? And don’t take any chances, Nia.”

  Tension strung her voice thin as barbed wire. Daniel touched her shoulder. “What is it?”

  “Nia,” she sighed. “She said she’s been trying to call but I never heard the phone ‘till now. She thought she saw Johnson Hamilton in Branson, outside Pink Neon when she closed last night. It spooked her – and she doesn’t even know what we suspect.”

  “I can see where it would,” he replied. “From what you’ve said, he’s not a nice guy.”

  “No, he’s not.” His bubble of contentment evaporated into the ether. “He must be looking for you.”

  Her laugh lacked humor and rattled like dry leaves in a November gutter. “Yeah, I’d say he must be, sugar. And any reasons I can think of why aren’t good ones.”

  “Me either.” Everything he could figure involved a final and fatal silence.

  “So what do we do?” Cecily hugged her torso with her arms as if she had chills or a tummy ache.

  Good question but he didn’t have an instant answer. “Nothing, yet,” he said after consideration. “I planned to do some research on the bastard’s whereabouts tomorrow, see if we could trace where he’s been since Willard got killed but if he’s in Branson, it puts a different slant on things. We need to find something to tie him to the murder and theft, something solid. If we could nail him with the jewels or get a confession with witnesses, it’d clear anything against you and put him away where he won’t be a problem.”

  She made an odd wordless distress cry. Daniel moved so he sat beside her on the edge of the bed and put his arm around her. “I’ll keep you safe, querida,” he told her. “And we’ll see this thing through.”

  “I don’t want anything to happen to Nia,” she said, her voice as fragile as shattered glass. “I shouldn’t have asked her to come to Branson.”

  Daniel wanted to assure her nothing bad could befall her cousin but he couldn’t. So he dug for confirmation instead. “She’s sure it was Hamilton? She knows him?”

  “Oh, yeah,” Cecily said with a ragged half-laugh. “He hates Nia almost as much as he does me. She knows him from when she’d come to see me. He tried his damnest to get rid of her but never could.”

  As he considered options and plans of action Daniel wondered if his superiors knew he’d gone absent without leave yet. He suspected they di
d and wouldn’t be pleased if he phoned in to request protection for Nia. He needed something concrete, facts beyond Cecily’s instincts about a man she loathed. Anxiety returned, racing through his veins until his shoulders tightened, an invisible hand restricted full access to his airways, and his head ached with a dull pain. Daniel wished he could lie down, sleep another few hours but he knew he’d never relax enough to rest.

  “What time is it?” he asked Cecily.

  “A little after four,” she said. “Do you want to go back to bed?”

  Daniel shook his head. “I can’t.” He planned to get up, shower, dress, make coffee and a plan before he remembered they were at his mom’s house. He couldn’t do any of it without rousing Mama and he didn’t want to disturb her sleep. Or involve her in the situation or cause worry. “Do you want to sleep, querida?”

  She leaned against him and nodded her head. “Yeah, I do. I’m tired and I don’t feel very well.”

  Concern for her diminished the other, larger issues at hand. “Are you sick?”

  “I don’t think so, sugar,” Cecily said after a pause. “I’m just stressed, tired, and scared. Come lie with me, would you?”

  He couldn’t refuse her so they settled back into bed. Daniel curled behind her and held Cecily in his arms. Her rigid muscles gradually relaxed but the way she pulled her knees up made him think maybe her stomach hurt. He put his hand over her belly and she sighed.

  “That feels good,” she said. “Leave it, okay?”

  “Sure,” he promised, his suspicion confirmed. And long before dawn, she slept but he stared at the walls, plotted and pondered. Daniel, tight as a coiled spring, untangled from Cecily when he heard the house begin to come to life. His mother’s footsteps padded down to the bathroom and back, her slippers slapping against the hard wood floors with a familiar rhythm. He heard Michael stir and greet Mama. When he caught the aroma of coffee, he got out of bed and dressed, careful not to wake Cecily.