by Melissa Good
“Fuck that.” The shorter man came at her. “None of your fucking business, you bitch. Get the fuck out of my way.” He reached to shove her and Dar reacted instinctively, swinging her arm around to block him, forgetting what she had in her grasp.
The ice cream and crab smacked him in the side of the head and he reeled backwards, stumbling to one side and crashing into the counter.
The other man took off, bolting out the door.
Dar dropped the bag, got over her center of balance and brought her hands up into a defensive position. The other man shoved off from the counter, sending bags of potato chips flying all over the floor.
He pulled his hand back and curled it into a fist and then paused, taking in the balanced posture and unafraid expression of the woman opposite him.
“I’m calling security, Ms. Roberts,” the cashier called out.
“Get out of my way.” The man came at her and swung. Dar ducked out of his way and he walked rapidly away and yanked the door open, nearly smashing full into Kerry who was coming in with some speed.
Dar felt every hair on her arms lift up as he reached out to push Kerry. The next thing she knew she was hauling him down from behind, turning with his arm in her grasp, yanking him backwards and pulling him over to the ground. “Don’t you touch her.”
He twisted in her grasp but Dar’s temper snapped and she sent a knee hard into his groin, then slammed her elbow into his chin and knocked his head backwards.
He stumbled and went down. She almost went after him, but backed off as Kerry got in next to her, breathing hard.
“What in the hell is going on here?” Kerry asked.
The cashier came out from behind the counter. “Security’s coming. Thanks a bunch, Ms. Roberts. That dumbass said he was going to take me into the cooler and teach me a lesson.”
The door opened and two uniformed security guards came in. “What’s the deal here?” the nearer one asked, giving Dar and Kerry a glance. “Ladies.”
“Hello, Charles,” Kerry responded. “It seems this guy was causing a problem in here.”
The man got to his knees. “Everyone here is gonna pay out the ass for this,” he said. “I’ll sue every single one of you.” He glared at the cashier. “Especially you, little cunt. I didn’t do anything to you. I was just talking to you.”
Kerry looked at him, then at Dar. “I don’t think you hit him hard enough, hon,” she said mildly. “I don’t know who you are, mister, but my partner doesn’t smack people around for no reason.”
He stared at both of them. “Oh, that’s right. You’re the queers my brother was talking about. That’ll make an even better lawsuit.”
“Okay,” the security supervisor said. “Let’s just settle down and we’ll do a report.”
“Screw that.” The man got up and stomped to the door. “You can’t hold me here you rent-a-cops. You want anything from me call my office.” He walked out the door still a little hunched. “You’ll be hearing from my lawyer in the morning.”
Charles sighed. “Can I get some info from you ladies?”
“Sure.” Dar sat down on one of the stools near the small lunch counter, pausing to pick up the bag and putting it down on the counter surface. “Wasn’t the way I was looking for this night to go.”
“I’ll put these in the cooler,” the counter girl said. “And, thanks, Ms. Roberts. I mean that. He scared the crap out of me. I didn’t even have a chance to grab a radio.”
Kerry leaned her elbow on Dar’s shoulder. “Crusader Dar.”
“I knew you were going to say that,” Dar muttered. “Listen, Charles, if he’s going to call a lawyer we probably better get Metro-Dade over here.”
Charles sighed. “Do we have to?” he asked. “Listen, Ms. Roberts,
Billy’s nothing but a jerk. He’s already sued Mrs. Christoff for her dog barking and Doctor Ed for washing his car too early in the morning. He’s a pain in the ass, but it’s usually a bullshit pain in the ass, if you know what I mean.”
“You saying he’s just a spoiled white rich boy?” Kerry asked with a wry twinkle in her eyes. “As in, someone my father would have wanted me to marry?”
Charles shrugged sheepishly.
“He’s a jerk,” Kristie said, having put the bag in the freezer. “He was in here before making trouble about some milk. I told Ms. Roberts about it.”
The security guard nodded, making some notes. “So then he left?”
“He did.”
“He and his buddy were coming across the golf course path,” Dar said. “I heard him saying to his buddy he was going to come here and make trouble, so I followed him.”
Charles eyed her. “You coulda called us.”
“I could have,” Dar agreed. “In fact, I should have. But I didn’t. When I came in here he had Kristie by the neck and was about to pull her over the counter.”
Both security guards looked over at the cashier, who nodded in confirmation.
“Wasn’t going to stand there and let them,” Dar said. “I yelled and told them to stop and then that jackass came at me.”
“Was he drunk?” Charles asked. “Guy gets caught doing something like that he should just beat it.”
“Well, he didn’t. He swung at me and I went to block him and smacked him in the head with the bag I was carrying,” Dar said. “So he got clocked with a pound of stone crabs and a lump of chocolate ice cream.”
Kerry eyed her. “Was that dinner, Dardar?”
“Ouch,” Charles commiserated. “I’ve been hit with lobster tails. Hurts.” He scribbled a note. “So then?”
“Then I let him pass me and he hit the door.”
“And hit me,” Kerry said. “And Dar hauled him back like he was a sack of wheat and kicked him in the nuts for that.” She gave Dar an affectionate look.
“Ah,” Charles said. “Well, Ms. Roberts, chances are he’s gonna file charges against you and Kristie, and probably me, because he’s got more money than sense. But Kristie here...you’ll step up and testify?”
“Sure,” Kristie agreed at once. “Listen, my dad’s not going to like hearing about this guy, and if he knows what’s good for him he’ll just keep out of here. He doesn’t want to mess with my father.” She glanced at Dar and Kerry. “He owns this place.”
“The store?” Kerry asked.
“The island.” Kristie smiled. “He owns the development company. We live here. He just never believed in raising us kids to be rich feckless brats.”
Kerry smiled at her. “You going to college?”
Kristie shook her head. “Not my thing. I like to do graphic artistry. Dad says he’ll maybe hire me to design our ad copy.”
“You like computers?”
“Want a job?” Dar and Kerry said at the same time and then exchanged looks.
“Okay folks, can I just finish here before we start something else?” Charles begged. “So that’s all that happened? Then we came in?”
“Yes,” Dar said. “Sorry to ruin your night, fellas.”
Charles grinned briefly at her. “I’ve seen you in the gym, Ms. Roberts. Sorry we missed the dust up. Kristie’s right. That guy’s nothing but stupid bad news.”
“So are we going to call the police?” Kerry asked. “We have a lawyer but I’d rather not have to use him for this.”
“Let me have my boss go talk to Billy,” Charles said. “I’m thinking he’s pretty new around here. Been here only three months. He probably doesn’t know who Kristie is.” He gave the girl a smile. “She’s right. He don’t want her daddy to get involved. He’s got a temper.”
“Okay by me,” Dar said. “You guys handle it. I’ve got stone crab and ice cream to get home.”
The guards left, talking in low tones together and looking at the pad of notes. The door closed behind them and the three women were momentarily silent.
Kerry finally cleared her throat. “Sorry that had to go down. It was a really cool Saturday before that.”
“That was really co
ol,” Kristie said. “Don’t worry about that guy. My dad’ll take care of him,” she added, confidently. “He knows about you.”
Dar’s brows lifted. “We’re computer nerds.”
She nodded. “Yeah, he knows that, but I also heard him telling someone...I guess someone had a problem with your dog? Or something? The gym maybe? Anyway he told them to shut up and leave you alone.”
Dar still looked surprised.
“You have some contacts with the government?” Kristie prompted.
Kerry smiled. “Yes, we do have some contacts with the government. So anyway, Kristie, you interested in a career in computers? We run a consulting company and we sure could use some help in the media department.”
Kristie made a face. “It’s kind of gross for me to say this, but I don’t think my dad would let me.”
Kerry’s eyebrows shot right up.
“He doesn’t like gay people,” she said in a matter of fact tone. “So like I said, he knows about you guys. He’d go apeshit if I said I was going to work for you. I think he’d think you were recruiting me, you know?”
Dar blinked a few times then shrugged. “His loss,” she said, “and maybe yours.”
“Are you mad?” Kristie looked wistfully at them. “I don’t want you to be, I just don’t want to lie about it.”
“We appreciate that,” Kerry said. “But tell your dad to do himself a favor and never say anything like that to her dad.” She indicated Dar. “He won’t care if he owns this place.”
Kristie cocked her head to one side. “Is that the tall guy, Andy?”
“That’s my dad,” Dar said. “He’s a retired Navy SEAL and I’m his only kid.” She glanced at Kerry. “Well, his only blood kid.”
Kerry smiled at her. “Anyway, no hard feelings, Kristie. My father felt the same way about gay people. He went to his grave hating me for it.” She leaned on Dar’s shoulder. “That’s why I’m glad I found Dar and her family.”
Kristie nodded. “He just is like that,” she said. “It’s not a religious thing. He just thinks a family should be a man, a woman and kids.” She glanced at the clock. “It’s time for me to close this place up before any more weird stuff happens.”
They got up and Kerry retrieved their bag, then tucked her arm inside Dar’s as they headed for the door. “Night.” She glanced back at Kristie. “Hope Billy doesn’t give you any more trouble.”
Kristie looked troubled but she waved. “Night.”
They made their way out of the store and headed once more along the path toward their home.
“That didn’t end the way I figured it would,” Dar said.
Kerry shrugged. “People are like that. It’s just getting more evident I think.”
“Yuk,” Dar said. “My conversation with Jacques was more interesting. He took charge of the board. Seems like there’s a big fight going on there.”
“Big surprise,” Kerry said. “You give him any advice?”
“Yes. But I doubt he’ll be able to take it.” Dar sighed. “It’s not our issue anymore. Let’s go have some crabs and chill out.”
Kerry accepted the change of subject and remained quiet for the rest of the short walk, pondering the stars visible over the tops of the buildings as she thought about the evening’s surprises.
Yuk, about covered it.
THE NEXT DAY it rained. Kerry was content to watch the heavy clouds disburse their contents across the seawall as she stood at the kitchen window enjoying an early morning cup of coffee.
The kitchen floor had towels on it, mopping up from the wet dog footprints and she carefully stepped over them as she went back into the main part of the house.
Dar sat on the floor, legs sprawled out with a knotted towel in her hands being tugged at by both Labradors.
It was adorable. She put her cup down and grabbed her camera, focusing quickly and snapping a few shots of the action. “You guys are hilarious.”
“I’m not sure who Mocha’s helping more.” Dar watched the puppy get in Chino’s way, then grab the end hanging from the bigger Lab’s mouth and hang off it.
Chino let go and barked at him in outrage.
Kerry laughed and perched on the back of the love seat. “You all set for the conference?”
“Yup.” Dar rolled onto her back and let the dogs clamber all over her. “Got the demo done too. Going to spend the rest of today just relaxing.”
“I’m up for that,” Kerry said. “It’s going to rain all day and I’m going to enjoy it now that I sent an email to Richard warning him about little Billy Jacktard.”
“Peh.”
Kerry put the camera down and joined them on the floor. She grabbed the towel and waited for Mocha to latch onto it. “What are you doing there, little man?”
Mocha tugged fiercely at the fabric.
Chino plopped down next to Dar and put her head on Dar’s shoulder, exhaling and stirring the dark hair on the side of her face.
“Hey, Chi.” Dar curled an arm around the dog. “What are you up to, huh?”
Chino licked her ear, making Dar chuckle.
Kerry played with Mocha for a minute then glanced at Dar. “I was thinking of making a big pot of barley soup. You up for that?”
Dar peered past Chino’s furry body at her. “Whatever you make I’m up for,” she said. “You have yet to produce something out of that kitchen that I haven’t liked.”
“Is that true?” Kerry pondered. “I’ve made some kooky things in there.”
“It’s true. I grew up on a Navy base,” Dar said, “and you know how my mother cooks.”
Kerry edged over so she could lie down and put her head on Dar’s stomach. “Dar, can I tell you something?”
“That stuff last night is still bothering you,” Dar responded.
Kerry looked at her.
“The part about us being gay,” Dar clarified. “I don’t usually care about that but it bothered me, too. I’ve lived here for years. You’ve lived here for years. Finding out people don’t like our lifestyle is like sandpaper on the ass.”
“No, it’s not that,” Kerry said. “I always assumed there were people who didn’t like it. But that everyone now feels so comfortable saying it does kind of bothers me. It’s become okay to diss our relationship in public.”
“Ker, it always was,” Dar said. “C’mon. It’s been a damn short time where anyone’s accepted it.”
“Mm. It still feels weird,” Kerry said. “It’s like we’ve become a target, lately.”
Dar studied her briefly. “Does it make you uncomfortable living here?”
Kerry was silent for a bit. “You mean because the guy who owns the place doesn’t like us?”
Dar nodded.
“I don’t know. Maybe I’m just in a mood today.” Kerry said. “Why should it matter? We’ve never even met the guy. It makes me feel a little weird about Kristie though.”
“Mm.”
“Do people really think we recruit?” Kerry asked. “Like we’re some creepy vampire club or something?”
“Sure. Didn’t your dad think I turned you gay?” Dar asked in a reasonable tone. “People believe what they want to believe and it’s easier to think someone is making your loved one change than it is to believe they were born that way.”
Kerry frowned.
Dar ruffled her hair gently. “Go make your soup, Ker. It is what it is.”
Kerry rolled onto her side and then got up onto her hands and knees. She leaned forward and gave Dar a kiss on the lips. Then she yelped as Mocha bit her toe and then grabbed the tail of her old t-shirt and started pulling it.
Hopefully it would be a nice and quiet, rainy Sunday.
DAR WAS IN her office messing around with her demo when the doorbell rang. She glanced up to see Kerry cross the living room to answer it. She wondered who the hell was calling on them this late on a Sunday evening.
“Oh, hi,” she heard Kerry say, then heard the sound of footsteps and the door closing. Dar looked up to see Ke
rry and their two security friends from the previous night. “Hey, Charles.”
“Hi, Ms. Roberts.”
Dar leaned back and propped her knee up against the desk. “C’mon in. What can we do for you?”
The two men came in and stood awkwardly until Kerry guided them to the sofa then went back behind Dar’s desk and leaned on the credenza behind it.
Charles exhaled. “Sorry to bother you ladies so late. We just finished all the paperwork and I wanted to come over so we could tell you the low down.”
Kerry extended her legs and crossed them at the ankles. Her reading of body language made her think the message wasn’t going to be all bad and she produced a faint smile. “Would you guys like some cold apple cider? I was just about to bring some in here for Dar.”
“Sure,” Charles said. “We just walked all the way across the island. Gets you thirsty.”
Kerry eased past the desk and headed for the kitchen.
Charles cleared his throat. “That guy, Billy, he kicked up a big fuss. He went to the island admin offices and wanted to get them to throw you ladies right on out of here.”
Dar blinked at him. “He wanted to get us evicted? For me defending myself with shellfish?”
“Not so much,” Charles said. “He said it was a moral thing, you know?”
Dar rolled her eyes as Kerry came back in with a tray. “I’d like to know—in a graphic way—what breeders think we do with each other that’s so different than what they do.”
Kerry put the tray down and handed glasses out. “I’m not even going to comment.” She took her cup and went back to leaning against the credenza. “So what were they told? I know evicting us wouldn’t be legal.”
Charles nodded. “That’s what the association secretary said. That you ladies mind your own business and don’t hardly cause no trouble. So then he went in to talk to Kristie’s dad, only he didn’t know he was.”
“Oh, I can see this coming.” Dar covered her eyes with one hand.
“So Big Jim broke his arm.” The other guard nodded. “They took him off in an ambulance.”
“That’s right,” Charles said. “Broke his arm and his nose, too. He shoulda stuck with you ladies. All he got from that was a bump on the noggin.”
