Chapter Fifty Seven
Although I planned to grill Lyle for the details, he didn’t have anything useful to offer. That was his first time visiting the Gray Hook and his dad has never taken him to SizZle. So, I got back to the hotel earlier than expected.
“Where’s g-mom?” I asked Doc.
“She’s at the last stop…rounding up her final gypsy. She should return in about fifteen minutes…” he stated.
Angie was almost back to her normal self, at least mentally. Unfortunately, the residual effect of the secondary strain left her too weak to support her own weight. She talked to me for a minute and fell back asleep.
“I’m not sure whether her weakness will be a permanent condition…only time will tell,” he informed me.
In our rush, we forgot about getting a caregiver. So, I called Jarron.
“You want me to watch Audrey, her aunty and her little boy? In a hotel room? Just me, by myself…I don’t know,” he replied, nervously.
“You can bring Karin. Here’s the only thing…she’ll have to agree to take a vaccine and…”
“Now, that’s what I call a fun date…hey Babe, meet me in a fancy hotel room for a tetanus shot!”
“I know, I know. But on the bright side, she’ll be getting paid what you’re getting paid. She’ll also need to sign the same confidentiality agreement as you. You’ll both probably see a few…um, unexplainable things before your work night is over.
“We’ll be bringing in other girls. They’ll all be sleeping. I’ll need Karin to check in on them. You’re her muscle…there’s a slight chance you’ll have to carry them, someplace. They have a virus and we’ve hired a physician for them. But, he’ll be with me until we get all the girls back safely. He’ll take over at that point.
“Then, I’m hoping you’ll both join me and Stick at BlitZed. Just give the front door goon his name and they’ll let you two in, as his guests’…”
“Please don’t tell me you’re back together with that Tool!”
“No…he’s just repaying a favor. I’ve actually invited Wally Baxter from LVU. He’s my pseudo-date for the evening. Well, he will be if he shows up. He sounded a little nervous…”
“I don’t blame the guy. You pranked him on national television and now, you want him to meet you and your ex for a date in enemy territory?? What size coconuts does that jock have, anyway??”
“He’s meeting g-mom and technically, he’s her guest. Wally will be backstage with her until I get there. But, if I were guessing, I’d say they are fairly large, considering he approached me with my ginormous brothers standing ten feet from where we were talking. You were there, brother number four, you remember…” I stated and snickered.
“I’m honored you consider me your brother. And, I’ve gotta hand it to the guy…he didn’t even flinch when he made that ‘…show me yours, I’ll show you mine’ remark. Let’s go with bowling ball size coconuts, but a brain the size of a pea…” Jarron offered and laughed.
“Wally’s a good guy with a thing for smart, sophisticated brunettes. Oh and no wise cracks when you see my hair. It’s back to its natural shade. I didn’t color it back for him, though. Actually, I’m planning on introducing him to my sorority sister, Becca Schiff…”
“Lemme guess…you’ve had your fill of bullheaded jocks?”
“Yes, there is that…but, Wally’s not your average bullheaded, bowling ball sporting, pea minded jock – he’s a unique player.
“You were standing close enough to hear the “yours/mine” comment, so I’m sure you heard the real reason he gave me his number. A good guy deserves a good woman…”
“You’re just as unique as he is and you’re a good woman. You shouldn’t let the rivalry school thing keep you apart…you’re courageous,” he offered, sarcastically.
“You’d be wise to remember how courageous I am! Seriously, I’m brave and extra-busy. You have any idea how long it takes me to get dressed??”
“Sadly enough, I have more than a vague idea. It’s no wonder you gypsies have to schedule parties to meet singles. But, where do gypsy girls ever find the time to get married and have those dozens of rug-rats? They even dress their toddlers like they’re going to a beauty pageant.
“I couldn’t get near that designer, but Karin and I sure enough listened and watched in amazement. Your Momma-C told me that those tailored digs are part of an everyday gypsy wardrobe – from birth on. Those kiddies don’t wear the same outfit, twice. And here I thought my closet, filled with 60 pairs of sneakers, was something special to behold…”
“That peek behind the curtain has taken you to more places than you ever dream possible...”
“I’m well into exploration territory by this point in the game. We left peeking back at the LVU mall and your afternoon of gypsy girl styling…”
“I’ll have you know that doesn’t even come close to my standard gypsy styling…”
“I know…takes what…like, double or triple those hours to get ready to walk outside to put the garbage cans on the curb?” he inquired, humorously.
“Closer to triple…so see, I don’t have time for relationships…or even eating, typically.”
“So that’s why you’re so skinny – not eating, coupled with hefting around those jeweled digs in sky-high stilts?? You could make a fortune marketing the gypsy diet…”
“Ha-ha…this world isn’t equipped for so much bling…”
Double Fated (Book One) Page 57