She didn’t want to leave his side, but he encouraged her to go on. She could see both men from the vantage point of the passenger seat while her husband spoke with the snarky old man. Cabrina couldn’t hear the words they exchanged as the old man’s arms flailed about in his efforts to get his point across to her husband. Her body was tight with tension, but then, she saw Gabriel take the man’s hands into his own. The gentleman’s head lowered as was her husband’s as he spoke. Ending his words, Gabe shook the curmudgeon’s hand, and the old man called to him as he walked away.
Gabriel steps halted as he turned back to see what the old man wanted. Suddenly, his arms went around Gabe in an embrace. Gabe was smiling as he hugged the snarky old man, wishing him well before he joined her in the car.
“I don’t know what I just witnessed,” she said to her husband.
“Nothing really,” Gabriel said. “I simply took a minute to share a good word with him. We all need to know every now and then that we are not alone in this world. I just took the time to remind him of the simple beauty in the day to day.”
“Okay. That was thoughtful of you,” she told him.
“In my head is a great deal of knowledge and information. I spend most of my days either listening in on other people’s lives or watching other people enjoy distorted if not fruitful existences. I don’t want what I know to go to waste while I’m pretending to live a life,” he said, cranking the car. “I feel like I am really just starting to live mine.”
“Is that because of me, Mr. Neary?”
“Mrs. Neary, you are a prime factor in the equation,” he told her with a wink.
“If you are not careful, Mr. Neary, you may find yourself drawing this hungry fly into your web of love,” she told him, touching his hand.
“Don’t draw, Mrs. Neary. Fall in, my dear. Fall all the way in, and Heaven knows that I will catch you,” he said, maneuvering the vehicle to the highway, setting his sights on Memphis. It was another three hours to Blues City and nearly four to Murfreesboro. However, he had one other fly to catch in his trap.
Judith Wright.
Chapter 11 – A Swing and A Prayer
It was well into the afternoon when they pulled into Memphis, exiting the interstate and locating Mulberry Street. Gabriel quickly checked into the hotel and secured a room key but left the luggage in the vehicle since they had no intention of staying. As soon as Thing 1 and Thing 2 showed up, the situation would be rectified, and he and his wife would drive on to Murfreesboro for the night. In the interim, a visit to Civil Rights Museum was in order, followed by some dinner. By his calculations, during that time, Paunch and Judy would have enough time to catch up with them to make their move.
Hand in hand, Cabrina guided Gabe through the museum, commenting on a few facts that she knew, unknowing that her husband, the religious scholar, had studied the civil rights leader in great detail. He’d failed to say much as they stood in the replicated courtroom of the U.S. Supreme Court hearing on Brown vs the Board of Education. She marveled at how much things had changed and yet morphed into a system unchanged but ever more oppressive in a different form of segregation.
“Did you know he was only 39 when he was killed? I mean to have moved so many people and activated the social consciousness of a country all before he was 40 years old is quite an accomplishment,” she said to her husband.
“I am very familiar with his life. He was part of my undergrad research thesis on the fight between the flesh and mortal soul,” he said to her.
Cabrina, intrigued by his words, understood more than anything that her husband was grappling with a dilemma himself. Twice he’d alluded to the flesh, yet never expounding on the subject. Everyone wrestled with personal demons. Her husband was no different.
“Gabe, I know we have only been married a few days, but I only plan to do this once. If there is something I need to know, please tell me before we get to Elyria and I walk into a poop storm of lovesick women angry that I have taken away their love stud. At least if I am braced for it, there won’t be a shock,” she said.
Smiling, he admired her desire to get ahead of an issue versus trying to tackle the problem once it was on her face. Cabrina was a good match for him. Bright and loving, and the whole giving him a bath thing was hot. Tonight, when the dust settled, he planned to reciprocate the attention to his needs. He was anxious to take care of hers as well.
“There is nothing much to tell,” he said. “There are three diversions who rotate every other week, coming by to ensure I am not getting cabin fever.”
“Three?” she said, swallowing hard.
“A redhead, a blonde, and a feisty sister with way too much attitude,” he said. “However, I look forward to you plucking the hens.”
“All at the same time,” she said, with her mouth turned down. “We are going to need a new bed.”
The idea of sleeping in bed loaded with the soil of his tawdry interactions with the Witches of Eastwick didn’t sit well with her. The honesty, although refreshing, still left a distaste on her tongue. He is an ordained minister for Pete’s sake! Fornicating with three concubines seemed beneath him.
“No, nothing like that,” he told her, reading her face of unspoken words. “One woman at a time is my preference, and only in the guest room. Never in my bed and never allowed to stay over. You are the first woman I have ever actually slept with overnight.”
“That, I don’t believe,” she said.
“I am many things, Mrs. Neary. A liar is not on the list,” he said. “My life has been a conundrum. I took the ministerial part of my oath seriously. However, I have fallen short of being a man of faith by being a man who enjoys the pleasures of a woman’s company.”
“Is that why you decided to do your undergrad research on Dr. King?”
“Yes and no. I was struggling with the path I had chosen, uncertain, like many of my classmates, of what my future held. The CIA is rough on relationships, which is why I’ve never had one until now,” he told her.
“Now I’m curious why you chose me,” she said, moving closer, standing toe to toe with him.
“Easy,” he said. “The passion you have shown over the last year in finding your friend. I figured if you did all of that for a friend, then there would be no stopping what you would do for the man you loved. If I were ever to find myself in a situation and the only backup I had was you, I would go in unafraid, because you wouldn’t go down without a fight.”
“The man I love? You seem so sure about that, as it rolled off your tongue with ease.”
“You may not know it yet, but by the time we get to Ohio, oh yeah. You will have stars in your eyes, Mrs. Neary, as you introduce me to your parents with pride,” he said. Then elevating his deep voice to a high pitch, he mimicked her upcoming introduction to her parents. “Mom, Dad, this is my man, Gabriel. I love him so much and plan to give him five little egg-gathering, cow-milking babies.”
“Hilarious, Mr. Neary,” she responded. “And the five children are still up for debate. That is a lot of stretching of skin and orifices.”
“You will never be more beautiful in my eyes,” he said, holding her close as his stomach grumbled loudly.
“I guess that is our cue to feed the beast and get some Memphis barbeque,” she said.
“Good, I want to go try Central BBQ. I heard they have smoked chicken wings.”
“Gabe, you picked the last place with the purple. It is my turn to pick,” she said, trying not to sound like a pouting child.
“Okay, you pick,” he told her. “But Central BBQ is right there.”
He pointed down the street and sure enough, less than one block away was the eatery. Acquiescing, she followed him out the doors of the museum, ambling down the sidewalk and hoping to get there before the dinner crowds arrived. Timing was everything in his mind prompting him to check his watch.
“I need to make a call,” he said to her. “Grab a table. I will be right there.”
He gave her a light pat on
her bottom and a wink. She looked at him as if he’d just slapped her face and wanted payment for the privilege. He winked again, mouthing, ‘you loved it,’ while receiving a disapproving frown from his wife. He made a mental note of ‘no on the butt slaps,’ to the list of things he had learned in the last few days about his new bride.
Leaning against the side of the building, he took out his phone to call his boss Lester Holtman. The office phone merely rang, which frustrated him a bit. Gabriel tried him again on his cell, getting an answer almost immediately.
“What the hell do you want now, Neary?” Holtman asked.
“Why does hell have to play out in our conversation? I need information and I don’t have any of my tools with me to do the job,” he said to him.
“Go,” Holtman said.
“Judith Wright out of Nashville and her husband. I picked them up in Texas and can’t seem to shake the couple from planet Eros. They seem kind of off their rockers and put a device in the car to track my whereabouts. I expect a visit from them tonight in Memphis,” he said.
“That is just weird unless you are not alone,” Holtman said. “Couples don’t pick up single men unless they are wanting to do something nasty with you.”
“No longer single,” Gabe said. “Took your advice and got a cover, and she is rather stunning.”
“Shut the fuck up! You! Got married?” Holtman coughed, almost choking on his own saliva.
“Language, please. Intelligent people don’t require profane words to express themselves,” Gabe said, spouting his favorite line.
“Well, consider me to be the dumbest fucking crackerjack in the box. Seriously, you got married. I can’t wait to meet this woman. Is she Amish country plain, Bible-thumping holy roller with a nice set of...”
“Stop yourself before I drive to Langley to personally shoot you,” he said.
“Good for you, Neary,” he said. “We will have to make some adjustments to your assignment. Maybe have you start a small congregation or the likes.”
“No, I can go you one even better. She is a scrapbooker and wants to offer classes. She also does that planning thing with colorful stickers which woman are into now. I am giving her the outbuilding which used to be my Granddad’s old store,” he said.
“Good, what else?”
“On the days she offers classes, I can put out a cart to sell eggs and veggies and hand out pamphlets on strengthening personal faith through the service of others,” he said.
“That could work,” Holtman said.
“My cover won’t be blown, and I won’t have the headache of trying to maintain and build a congregation,” he told his boss.
“And your wife? Does she understand the critical nature of the work you do?”
“No. Not yet,” Gabe said, dropping his voice. “Sir, I am requesting permission to show her the work room.”
The line was quiet as Holtman listened. He knew women. He’d been married to three different ones of varying intelligence. The quickest way to ruin a relationship was with too many secrets. If the room was set up to be off limits to her, then Gabe’s new wife would go out of her way to get into the space. However, if she was shown the work module immediately, then told to not come in, then maybe she wouldn’t become a security risk to the operation.
“Fine, one time only. Explain the basics, and then get her out of the room,” Holtman said.
“Good enough. Will you call me back tonight with the information? We are about to have dinner,” Gabe said.
“Shouldn’t take long. Gimme an hour,” Holtman said, clicking off the line.
WHILE GABRIEL CHATTED with Holtman, in the restaurant, Cabrina took a call from her father, who was less than happy with his daughter. He held no punches as he lit into her.
“The idea of you flitting across the Southwest with some man I don’t know, Cabrina is heartbreaking. First Aisha and now you. Was I a bad father to you girls?”
“Daddy, you were a wonderful father,” she said to him. “Adults have to be adults. I’m adulting.”
“No, you are committing unadulterated acts. This man is not going to marry you after you spent so much time being his love toy. Come home Baby. The job is here waiting for you and we have loads of work to keep you busy,” Nelson said. “Guess what else? Troy Hughes is back in town. He is opening an annuities firm. I think he would be a good match for you.”
“I appreciate the thought Daddy, but I am good. I will see you on Sunday,” she said trying to get him off the line as the food came to the table she ordered and Gabriel entered through the door. “I love you, Daddy, see you soon.”
Her father was a controlling man. She’d never realized how much until this moment. All thoughts of her father flitted away as she watched her nerdy hunk of a husband walk over to the table. Cabrina wasn’t sure if her mouth was watering for the savory scented servings or her well-built husband. Either way, she planned to snuggle up close tonight to her heart-throb.
JUDY’S MOUTH WATERED as they arrived in Memphis. She’d nearly driven 90 miles an hour to make up the lost time from Little Rock where she thought the cuddly couple was going to camp out. Anger fueled her hot foot on the pedal when she saw the dot keep moving, then stopping in Memphis. They were almost home. This was her last effort to connect with them and bring them into the playpen. She pulled into the parking lot of the Lorraine Hotel. Only two rooms were left as she as Paunch checked in.
“Paunch, go down to their vehicle and check on the device under the seat. Make sure it’s still there,” she told him.
“Anything else, Judy?”
“Yes, bring me back something pretty,” she told him.
Paunch knew what that meant. Judy wanted personal items from the attractive couple to wear as well to add to her souvenir chest of conquests. This is the part he enjoyed as well. His affection for electronics came in handy as he used a decoder to silence the alarm on the vehicle and pop the locks. Searching under the seat, he located his iPad, checking to see if it was still on or if the battery had died. Thankful it was intact, and he moved to the back of the vehicle, opening the travel bags.
The first thing he spotted was Cabrina’s underwear. Happily, he grabbed the blue striped panties, taking a moment to sniff the crotch to ensure she had in fact worn the undies. Grinning, he could smell the scent of her womanhood, giving a tightness in his pants. He wanted to touch himself but didn’t have time. Later. My pretties. Later.
The second item he snatched was a pair of Gabe’s boxers, the ones he wore in the photo that got Judy all hot and bothered. For good measure, he also absconded with the tee shirt the lady wore on the first day they’d met in Amarillo. She was so nice-looking. He recounted spotting her that day in the desert, standing next to the beautifully painted vibrant cars. She nearly overshadowed the vivid colors, leaving a beautiful aura in the air he could almost taste. He’d stuck out his tongue to savor the residue of her perfume on the wind, but Judy thought he was trying to lick the car. He wasn’t. He wanted to taste the essence of loveliness Cabrina left in the air. She was a striking image. The oversized shades on her eyes. The long curly black hair billowing in the wind. The memory made the tightness in his pants throb like a bad habit.
I’m not going to make it back to the room.
Inside of her travel bag, he left Cabrina a wet present. When she opened her bag to prepare for bed, he was going to be with Cabrina. In two forms.
“EVERYTHING OKAY, GABE?” sShe asked her husband as he hung up the phone. They’d shared a plate of ribs and other heavy foods, which made her less inclined to believe they would make the additional three hours to Murfreesboro. An oncoming case of the itis had arrived for an unwelcome visit and she wanted to sleep.
“Yeah, I guess. That was my boss,” he informed her. “Judith Wright and John ‘Paunch’ Wright aren’t serial killers. They are Hedonists.”
“Say what?”
“Evidently, they run an adult playground in Nashville called The Playpen. The motto is ‘Free yo
ur inner freak’. Their M.O. is to initiate other couples into the life of hedonistic practices by being the cherry poppers in the adult role-play scenarios,” he said.
“Shut up! You are telling me they are following us to get us to play with them in a sexual way?”
“Yep, as evidenced by the purple pee-pee pleaser that vibrated across the table,” he said, shaking his head.
“We have already said no to those people. This is stalking and scary,” she said.
“There is nothing that can be done until they make their move tonight,” he said. “They are swingers. Let’s help them swing.”
Paying for the meal, Cabrina left a tip on the table, ensuring she had the receipt to write down in her planner the cost of the dinner to go along with the budget she was tracking. Thus far, the trip was on the right path, financially, but off track with the two weirdos. The budget included the two purple tees they had purchased this morning, but the food at Central BBQ was so good, she bought two shirts, seasonings and three bottles of sauce for her husband. Snapping a selfie at the counter, she would definitely need to print out the images tonight if they had time, in order to free up her phone to take loads of photos of Tameka and the baby.
I called her Tameka.
I’m getting there.
The road trip was to help me adjust to the changes in my friend’s new life. Hell, I need to adjust to the changes on my own. I am getting to know my husband. I’m having fun too. Well, not with the psycho coochie collectors.
“Get out of your head wife,” Gabriel called to her. “I need you in the game.”
Gabriel was also deep in his own thoughts, leading the way to the car, checking to see if their horny, psychotic new friends had arrived. His eyes searched the parking lot for their vehicle. He did notice his own immediately. Running to the automobile, he pressed the alarm key, opening the driver’s side to pull out his piece.
Buckeye and the Babe Page 10
