by ANDREA SMITH
Mom would have all of the laundry finished, so I would put clean sheets on the beds, and then start in with cleaning the rest of the house. I could take breaks during the day, because Mom left right after noon for her weekly appointment at the spa. She would get a facial, pedicure, manicure, and her hair styled. She then stopped at the grocery to get stuff for dinner.
She was never home later than 5 p.m. I caught hell if the house wasn’t cleaned. That was always the night I stayed overnight with Laurie. Mona would come by with Laurie around 5:30 to pick me up, just as Mom was starting dinner for her date.
Saturday was Mom’s date night. Date night was her special time with whichever boyfriend she happened to be in love with at the time. She prepared candlelight dinners in anticipation and always cooked something fancy.
Laurie said her mom was the same way on her date nights, which were always on Friday. I guess that’s why Laurie slept over at my house on her mom’s date nights. It was more romantic without kids around.
Laurie said that she didn’t remember her dad either. He had died before she was born. She said that except for her mom, she didn't have any other family. We had a lot in common. My mom's parents had died before I was born, and my dad’s parents didn’t want anything to do with me, according to Mom.
I was startled by the sound of my cell phone ringing on the kitchen counter. It was still on the charger. I jumped up off of the couch to answer it, wiping some perspiration off of my forehead. Had I dozed off? I grabbed the phone checking the screen thinking it might be Mom calling. The number that came up was not one that I recognized but the area code was local.
“Hello?”
“I trust you got home and settled okay.”
It was Trey’s ‘business’ voice, my stomach did a flip-flop and my temperature scooted up a notch. I wanted his smooth and silky voice back.
“Yes,” I answered softly. “Everything went fine. I feel fine. I am ready to go back to work and dig in.”
I was curious as to whether he was going to divulge my new assignment, or leave the dirty work to Ray when he stopped by later.
“Tylar, Ray was supposed to stop by this evening after his shift to discuss the schedule we worked out for you for at least the next couple of weeks until you go back and get cleared by the doctor. Unfortunately, when I just now called him, he has been delayed by an early delivery of foal over at Le Vie Belle. There are some problems so he is staying there waiting for the vet. Since he hasn’t had the opportunity to discuss the specifics with you, I wanted to give you a call to let you know to just take it easy tomorrow until Ray can get with you about next week’s schedule.”
“I see,” I replied flatly.
My attitude was pure pissy now.
“Why don’t you go ahead and fill me in Trey. I already know I’m scheduled to work over at the ’Belle. Are you punishing me for some reason?”
(He is so not going to like my sassiness. I so do not care at the moment).
“Tylar,” his voice was quiet but cold as steel, “I do not appreciate you taking that tone with me."
(I knew it!)
"Not that I owe you an explanation as to business decisions I make, but to answer your question, you are not being punished. I simply must make appropriate decisions that are in the best interest of the family business, and of course, minimize any risk of re-injury to you.”
I needed to take a different approach with him. I was not going to gain any ground with my snotty attitude I realized.
“I’m sorry that I was snippy with you, Trey. You are right, you are in a position of authority over me and I was clearly out of line."
(I envision his eyebrow cocking at this moment. It’s hot.)
"Do you accept my apology?”
“I suppose,” he replied guardedly.
I smiled into the phone.
“It’s just that I know that with the races starting this weekend and all, the rest of the group can probably use all of the help they can get prepping the horses. I can be of more assistance at the stables than anywhere else. I can make sure that I don’t over-do it, Trey.” My voice was soft and sweet. “Please, Trey?”
“I know what you are trying to do, Tylar,” he said, firmly. “It isn’t working. You will start your assignment over at the Le Vie Belle on Monday. Ray will fill you in on the details sometime before then. This is not negotiable. Do you understand?”
I was pouting now. I mentally flipped him off.
“I’m waiting,” he breathed into the phone, his voice stern and expectant.
“Yes, yes,” I replied not bothering to hide my irritation. “What about Derringer?”
“What about him?”
“Can I at least take care of him when I’m off the clock?”
"No," he answered, "I want you to distance yourself
from the horses until the doctor re-checks you at your follow-up appointment.”
“Trey,” I was now practically whining which I knew was a major turn-off but I didn’t give a shit, “The discharge papers don’t say anything about my not being allowed to be around horses.”
There was silence on the other end. I heard soft music playing in the background.
(Where in the hell is he?)
“Hello? Are you there?” I asked.
“Ah, yes, Tylar,” I’m sorry. This is really not the time to discuss the details of your schedule. I’ve made my position clear with respect to the company’s expectations. I believe that you are clear on what is to take place on Monday, correct?”
(Why is he talking to me as if I am one of his clients or someone on his clerical staff? He is with someone. He is with a woman. Bastard!)
Just then, I heard a female voice speaking to Trey. His attempt to cover the mouthpiece so that I could not hear the conversation was less than perfect. The voice sounded like the bitch Charlotte’s though it was a bit muffled so I couldn’t be sure. It sounded as if she was saying something to him about dinner being served. I heard her reply very clearly, ‘Don’t keep me waiting, baby.’
Trey’s voice came back into clarity now having removed his hand from the mouthpiece of the phone.
“Tylar, are you still there?” he questioned.
“I am,” I replied coolly, “Are you with your non-girlfriend?”
“Never mind that,” he replied brusquely, “As to the matter we were discussing just now I want to make sure that you are clear on what I expect and that you will adhere to your schedule on Monday.”
“Right. Monday,” I repeated. “Yes, I am clear about Monday, Trey. No worries.”
“Okay, then,” he said, “Please rest up until then?”
“Let me clarify something for you, Trey,” I said succinctly. “You may have authority over me on Monday when I officially am back on the clock, but what I do between now and then is simply none of your concern.”
I clicked the ‘off’ button on my cell phone killing the call. If that was Charlotte why had he made such an effort to convince me that she wasn’t his girlfriend?
I could hear my mom’s voice in my ear right about now. ‘Horny is as horny does!’ She said this all of the time. Perhaps my mother was right: Men were dirt!
I went over to my tiny fridge to see what might be left in it to eat. I was surprised when I opened it to find that it had been completely cleaned out and stocked.
There were containers of cut fruit slices, packages of freshly sliced deli meats and cheeses. There were several containers of fruit yogurt, eggs, milk and a bottle of orange juice. I found a small container of mustard potato salad. There was a fresh loaf of bread on top of the counter.
I wondered if Trey had done this for me. I felt a pang of jealousy hit once again. I was clueless about men. Strike that, I was clueless about men like Trey. My only point of reference being those men my mother brought into my life at some stage or another. They were mostly bad men.
I made myself a turkey sandwich with a small helping
of potato salad. It hit the spot.
I was more tired than I expected. It wasn’t as if I really exerted myself today. All I wanted at this point was to draw myself a bubble bath and relax with my Cosmo and then climb into my nice comfortable bed.
Tomorrow was Friday and I had no plans to “take it easy.” I needed to busy myself with the horses and since I was not officially assigned to the ‘Belle until Monday, I would be breaking no rules.
Unfortunately, as I would soon realize once my freshly bathed body hit the cool sheets of my bed, a restful sleep was not to be mine tonight. My earlier reflections of my former best friend Laurie, her mother, Mona, and my mom would come back to haunt me complete with details that I had long since forgotten. I would not be forgetting those details anytime soon.
CHAPTER EIGHT
I had grown accustomed to my nice, soft bed at my cottage. My room air conditioner was humming its usual tune, but as long as it continued spewing the nice cold air, it was like a lullaby to me. I planned to leave a note for Ray in the morning that would suffice in accomplishing what I needed to accomplish for this weekend.
I thought about Charlotte’s voice (or what might have been her voice) in the background during my phone conversation with Trey earlier. Were they both in Atlanta for the weekend? Perhaps they were having a ‘fuck-fest’ right this minute. I was bothered by the thought of his lips – let alone anything else of his being on another woman. I wanted to go back to last night before I told him to stop kissing me. Why couldn’t I be normal?
Denise was so wrong about Trey. His only interest in me was the challenge I presented to him. He probably had a need to conquer women. My mom said that men like to own women. It had something to do with the male ego. I was so freaking glad that he didn’t know I was a virgin. That would have really triggered him into hotter and more persistent pursuit. I doubted very much that Charlotte was a virgin. She looked to be about thirty. As much as I hated to admit it, she was very attractive. She had that classy thing going. Well, Trey would not be bagging this virgin I thought with a feeling of self-satisfaction. The feeling was soon replaced by nagging disappointment.
I had spent the rest of the evening after the phone call scrubbing the kitchen, bathroom and dusting every piece of furniture in the cottage. I vacuumed the carpet, shook out all of the area rugs, and windexed every possible surface in the cottage. I liked keeping myself busy. It helped to ease the
torment of the past several days. I still had a stack of mail that was piled neatly on the counter for later viewing. It would have to wait. Exhaustion had finally won out and I was determined to sleep.
My dream was familiar. I had dreamed it before. It spawned from a memory. I was thirteen years old in this dream.
It is a particular Saturday. Mona and Laurie have picked me up from my house to spend the usual Saturday night with Laurie. I have just turned thirteen the month before; Laurie is older than me by about six months, but it might as well be six years on this weekend.
We have been hanging out at a video game room about a block from her house the past few Saturday evenings. Mona lets us walk down there and then she picks us up promptly at 9 p.m. Laurie and I are both interested in boys, but the problem is, we both like the same boy. His name is Kyle; he is fifteen years old and to us, he seems practically all grown up. He lives in the same neighborhood as Laurie, which I feel gives her an unfair advantage over me. I am okay with competition, but it has to be fair.
On this Saturday, Mona picked up sandwiches for us and we went back to their house to eat, watching television. Close to 7 p.m., Laurie nudges me, and gives me a look that pretty much says, ‘Follow my lead.’ I nod.
Laurie takes our plates out to the kitchen, giving her mom a hug, and then innocently asks if Mona minds if we go to the Video Palace to meet another one of her friends from school, Vanessa. She tells her mom that Vanessa is having her birthday party at Video Palace, and that she wants both of us to be there. The only problem is that Vanessa’s birthday party won’t be over until about 11 p.m. Laurie is good, she even digs into the pocket of her shorts and produces a birthday party invitation that confirms a birthday party is being held this evening, from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m for Vanessa Goldman at the Video Palace.
“Well, Jesus Christ,” Mona admonishes, “Why didn’t you let me know before now?”
“I’m sorry, mom.” Laurie says, looking sincerely contrite. “I just wasn’t sure that Tylar would want to go, but she does. We both do, please?”
“Honey, we haven’t bought Vanessa a gift or card or anything? I won’t have them folks thinking that we are white trash, you know how I feel about that.”
“Mom, that’s not a problem. Kids our age, they just want money, you know. Besides, that, I already bought her a birthday card, so all we need to do is slip some money into it.”
Laurie produces what appears to be a brand new birthday card with envelope.
“Well, I guess it’ll be alright,” Mona acquiesces. “You two go up and get ready, while I finish up these dishes. I’ll run you over then.”
Laurie and I bound up to her room. I am elated.
“How easy was that?” Laurie laughs.
“Is there really a Vanessa?” I ask.
“Of course there is,” Laurie replies. “You always use a real name with something like this. And the good part is Vanessa is going to be at Video Palace when we get there. She has used the same story with her parents.” I am amazed at Laurie’s skillful manipulation.
“Is Kyle going to be there, too?” I question nervously. I know that it was a bone of contention with Laurie and I since we both like him.
“Of course he is, dummy,” she answers, and then sees the look of despair on my face.
“Look, Ty,” she says, “I know that we both like him. We are best friends, too. There is no way that we should let a boy come between us, right?”
I nod, not sure where this is going.
“Here is what I suggest,” Laurie continues, in her most grown-up voice. “Let’s just see how things shake out. I mean, other guys will be there too. Vanessa’s boyfriend is bringing some of his friends, so you just never know. Maybe I will meet someone better than Kyle, or you will. Either way, no boy is worth ruining a friendship over, right?”
“Right,” I emphatically agree.
“Pinky promise?” she says, offering her pinky up.
“Pinky promise,” I reply, linking my right pinky with hers.
Mona put a $20 bill in the envelope with the faux birthday card for Vanessa. Laurie has already instructed me that this will be our spending money. We are wearing our mini jean skirts with halter tops. Laurie has put eye liner and mascara on for me and her eyes are made up to look like an oriental cat. She has dark eyeliner on her lower and upper lids, with thick black mascara and multi-shades of eye shadow. Laurie is bustier than me, but she does have six months on me so I figure I have time to grow.
Mona drops us off at the Video Palace, telling us she will be back at 11 p.m. sharp to pick us up. Once inside, the music is blasting, and a taller, blond girl approaches Laurie and me almost immediately. She has more make-up on than even Laurie, and is tall; I guess she is sixteen years of age, minimum. It turns out this is Vanessa and she is the same age as Laurie. They click immediately, giggling at what they pulled off. Laurie introduces me to Vanessa, and then quickly asks if the guys are here yet.
“They’re out in the car, waiting for us,” Vanessa answers, smiling mischievously.
“Cool,” Laurie says, turning to me, “C’mon Ty, we be partying!”
“You mean we aren’t staying here?” I ask.
“No way,” Laurie replies, “You heard Vanessa; the guys are out back in the car, waiting for us?”
“But who is old enough to drive?” I ask.
"Vanessa's boyfriend Justin," she responds.
“Oh, Laurie, I don’t know. I don’t think this is a good idea. Your mom might find out, and then my mom would find out and then we’d both be in a lot of trouble.”
Laurie lo
oks at me as if I have grown two heads.
“What the hell are you worried about?” she demands, incredulous that I am not gung-ho on the whole idea.
“Do you really think either of our mom’s gives a damn about where we are, or what we are doing?”
“Why wouldn’t they?” I ask.
Immediately her whole demeanor shifts. I feel like I am from another planet by the way Laurie is staring at me.
“You stupid, stupid, fuck,” she lashes out. “What exactly do you think DATE night is?”
I flush, embarrassed. I’m not that naïve for god’s sake. After all, I remember the whole incident with Mr. Marcotti a couple of years back. I even shared that with Laurie once we became good friends. I certainly know about sex and all of that. We learned the mechanics in Health class. I am confused as to why she is so angry with me about our moms’ needs to have some quality time with each of their boyfriends, without neglecting us. That is why we have our weekend sleepovers. Our mom’s are single parents. They look for love; there is nothing bad or dirty about that. The relationships just don’t always work out. I credit my mom for not giving up. She is simply determined to find someone to love like she did my dad.
“Well,” she is practically screeching now, “What about DATE night?”
“Look,” I hiss, embarrassed because it is obvious that Vanessa can hear everything we say.
“I know that both of our mom’s have been somewhat unlucky in love, but I don’t fault either one of them for needing one night a week to call their own with their boyfriends. I don’t think about the sex part. That is strictly their business.”
“You are really, clueless, aren’t you Tylar,” she asks without venom in her voice this time.
It was if she suddenly feels sorry for me. I’m not sure which is worse.
“Here’s the deal,” she continues, “What we have out back waiting for us in a car, are several really, really hot guys, including Kyle who I am perfectly willing to compete with you for the honors of doing me. Vanessa’s guy, Justin, is driving. They are willing to take us to a house where we can get a buzz going, and then you know, whatever happens, happens. Are you in?"