“You’re finally here!” exclaimed Taylor. DJ sat up and attempted to get her bearings. For a moment she thought she was back home with Taylor in their shared room. But then she noticed the plush surroundings and remembered Vegas.
“Yes, finally.” DJ yawned and stretched. “Pretty nice digs you got here.”
“It’s the best they have,” said Taylor. “Penthouse suite . . . although we still have to share a room. But at least it has two queen beds.”
“What time is it?”
“A little past one.” Taylor tied the belt of her short black satin robe and glanced toward the kitchen. “You hungry?”
“Actually, I’m ravenous.”
“I was thinking of heading down to the pool. I could call in an order and have it delivered to our cabana.”
“Our cabana?”
“Yes, we have the use of a cabana while we’re here. Number 14.”
“A cabana, like, on a beach?”
“Actually, there is a beach here.”
“A beach? I thought we were in Las Vegas. Isn’t that sort of landlocked?”
“The hotel has a pool with waves and sand like a beach. It’s not bad, unless there are too many kiddies playing.” Taylor pointed out the big window. “See, it’s down there, past the other pools — that big one.”
DJ nodded. “Interesting.”
“Why don’t you meet me down there after you clean up and unpack your stuff?”
“A shower does sound good, and it shouldn’t take too long to unpack since I’m traveling pretty light.”
“Didn’t you borrow some of my clothes like I told you to do?”
DJ frowned. “I didn’t really want to go through your things, Taylor. Not when you weren’t there. It would feel weird.”
Taylor laughed. “Hey, I would go through your things if I wanted.”
“I’m sure you would.”
“Anyway, by the time you get down there, I should have things pretty much set for lunch.”
“In cabana 14?”
“That’s right. I’ll just order some salads and sandwiches — enough so that we can have guests if we like.”
“Guests?” DJ frowned as she tried to imagine people crowding into a tiny tent. “In our cabana? How big is it anyway?”
Taylor just laughed. “Oh, DJ, you have so much to learn.”
“And I’m sure you’re just the person to teach me.”
“Absolutely.”
“And please tell me that you don’t plan on wearing one of those ugly team suits to the pool.”
“Why not?”
“DJ!”
“Hey, I had to pack in a hurry. It’s not like you gave me much notice.”
“Lucky for you, I did a little shopping in Phoenix. I’ll put out some things for you to use while you’re here. My old stuff — since I’ll be wearing the new things.”
DJ thanked her halfheartedly, then went into the bathroom. She knew that sometimes she just needed to bite her tongue with Taylor — otherwise they’d end up in some stupid fight that no one would win. Or maybe it was like that old saying, “pick your battles.” Whatever the case, DJ was determined to do her best to get along with her prickly roommate.
She looked around the spacious bathroom — at least twice the size of the one they shared at home. Everything was elegant, modern, and luxurious. She quickly stripped down and got into the shower, trying to remember the last time a shower felt so good. Maybe it was after she’d gotten her cast off. But she knew this was a close second. She soaped up with some fantastic-smelling shower gel, feeling all the grit and grime of the air terminal washing down the drain. By the time she emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a thick cotton bathrobe, Taylor was gone.
But there on the bed that was still neatly made — presumably DJ’s — was a small pile of summerlike clothes, including not just one, but two bikinis. DJ picked the more modest of the two. Then she put a white T-shirt and khaki shorts on over the suit and slipped into her favorite pair of leather flip-flops. Okay, she was not as sophisticated-looking as Taylor would like, but she was who she was. Then DJ dug out her sunglasses and sunscreen and a few other pool things. By the time she was ready to go down, it was getting close to two.
“Hello there,” said a woman’s smooth voice as DJ came into the living area. She turned to see Eva Perez in a silky, pale pink robe, her hair wrapped in a white bath towel like a turban. She was just sitting down to a tray of room-service food.
“Oh, hello, Ms. Perez.” DJ smiled nervously, suddenly feeling like an intruder. “This is a beautiful hotel.”
“Yes . . . it’s nice. How was your trip, Desiree?”
“Much better now that I’m here, but you don’t have to call me Desiree. I mostly go by DJ . . . except by my grandmother . . . she’s kind of formal.”
“All right, DJ. And in that case, please, don’t call me Ms. Perez. My friends call me Eva.” She poured coffee, then looked up. “Have you eaten?”
“No, I’m meeting Taylor for lunch.”
“That’s good, but feel free to call room service anytime you like. Or if you’re anywhere in the hotel, just charge your expenses to the room.”
“Thanks. And thank you for inviting me to come down. This seems like a really great place.”
“It’s a pleasure to have you with us.”
“I was sort of surprised that my grandmother agreed to let me go.”
“Yes, well, I suppose I may have twisted her arm.”
DJ was surprised. “Really?”
“Oh, not too much. I actually think she was pleased that Taylor invited you. Your grandmother seems quite impressed with my daughter.” She laughed lightly. “She has such high hopes for her as a professional model. I just hope Taylor doesn’t disappoint her.”
“I don’t see how. So far, Taylor seems to have what it takes for modeling.” But even as DJ said this, she knew there was more than one way that Taylor could disappoint Grandmother.
“Taylor has been lonely and at loose ends. I think she missed you.”
DJ tried not to laugh. “Well, Taylor might not believe me, but I really missed her too.”
Eva nodded with a look of understanding as she picked up a croissant and studied it. “I know that my daughter can be . . . well, difficult.”
DJ didn’t know what to say now.
“But Taylor has been through some pretty hard things. And she’s been forced into a grown-up world . . . and her father and I . . . well, we weren’t the best parents. I’m afraid we’re a bit dysfunctional.”
“I can relate to dysfunctional.” But DJ would never use her messed-up family as an excuse to mess up her life. That was just plain dumb — kind of a double whammy.
“I realize that Taylor can be a headstrong young woman . . . and although she’s very intelligent, she doesn’t always use the best common sense. I’m sure you’ve picked up on that by now.”
DJ nodded slowly. She had to agree with her there.
“But it is reassuring to know that she has a good friend like you, DJ. You have no idea how much I appreciate that.”
“Well . . . thank you.”
“Now, I know you have better things to do than listen to me going on and on.” She waved her hand as if to dismiss DJ. “But just know this . . . I am very, very grateful to have you here with us, DJ. And I want you to have a good time.”
“Thanks.”
“Thank you.”
DJ felt mixed emotions as she rode the elevator down to the “beach level.” For one thing, she was touched by Eva’s trust in her. But it also added some pressure. Did Eva, like Grandmother, expect DJ to keep Taylor out of trouble? To be her round-the-clock babysitter? Because, if that was the case, they were probably all heading for a disappointment. As she walked through the pool grounds, gazing up at gently swaying palm trees and feeling the soft warm breeze against her skin, DJ felt like she had landed in paradise. Oh, she knew that Las Vegas had been dubbed Sin City, but so far she had seen nothing to make he
r think it deserved the name. This place was absolutely beautiful. Far better than being stuck in wet, cold Connecticut. She eventually found her way to the right pool and cabana 14, which turned out to be a tented room complete with a mini kitchen, chairs, lounges, and a flat-screen TV. Who knew?
“Hey, you found it,” said Taylor as she popped open what appeared to be a beer. Why should this surprise DJ? And yet it did.
“You’re not worried about getting in trouble for underage drinking?”
Taylor just laughed. “Oh, DJ, you should know me better than that by now.” She studied the blue metal container in her hand. It was shaped like a beer bottle. “But if it’s any consolation, I’ll try to keep the drinking to a minimum, okay?”
DJ didn’t say anything, just frowned.
“Come on, that should make you happy.”
“It’d make me happier if you didn’t drink at all, Taylor.”
Taylor rolled her eyes as she took a long sip. Then she dropped the can into the trash receptacle. It made such a solid clunk, that DJ thought that maybe it was still mostly full. That was something.
“The food should be here soon,” Taylor informed her as she took out a cigarette and lit it. “Maybe that will improve your disposition.”
“Meaning I’m a grouch?”
Taylor shrugged. “Just a buzz-kill mainly.”
“So what else is new?”
Taylor nodded toward the mini fridge now. “There are sodas in there for you.”
“Thanks.” DJ opened the fridge and removed a raspberry soda.
“Want to get me a ginger ale?” called out Taylor as she arranged herself on a lounge chair. “With ice too?”
DJ located plastic tumblers and filled them with ice and soda, then took them over to the lounge chairs. “Here you go.” She sat down on the chair next to Taylor. “Look, I didn’t come here to ruin your fun. But you know who I am, right? And you knew who I was before you asked me to come down here. If that’s a problem, why not just lay your cards on the table right now? Maybe I can get my flight changed and go home.”
“No, I don’t want you to go home. I just want you to lighten up a little, okay?” Taylor lowered her oversized sunglasses and looked over them with an intense expression. “Can’t we just have some fun and a few laughs and call it good?”
“I guess so.”
Taylor held up her soda glass in a hesitant toast. “Viva Las Vegas then?”
“Well, here’s to knocking the sin part out of Sin City.”
“And still have fun?” queried Taylor.
“More fun.”
Taylor seemed to consider this as she sipped her soda. “Hey, check out that guy in the blue boardshorts.”
DJ peered across the pool to see a tall Latino guy walking their direction. “Not bad.”
“His name is Tony, and he has a friend named Arden. Want to invite them to lunch?”
“What about Seth?” asked DJ.
“What about him?”
“I thought you were still going with him.”
“Duh . . . I am. But we’re not married. Not even engaged, for that matter.”
“I know, but how would he feel about you picking up another guy in Vegas?”
Taylor laughed loudly. “I’m not picking up anyone. I just want to have some fun, and it doesn’t hurt to have a guy or two around to do it.” She nudged DJ now. “See that blond guy in the green boardshorts? That’s Arden.”
“So?”
“So, do you think he’s hot?”
“I guess . . . but if you’re trying to get me a date, I’m not interested, okay?”
“Because you’re being true to Conner?”
“Maybe.”
“Do you honestly think that Conner is oblivious to the pretty little ski bunnies that are flirting with him up in Montana?”
“That’s not really the point.” Still, this hadn’t really occurred to DJ. Not that she’d use it as an excuse for anything now. But she hoped that her relationship with Conner meant as much to him as it did to her.
“Look, DJ, I’m not asking you to have this guy’s baby. I’m just saying, what’s wrong with hanging with a couple of nice guys?”
DJ shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“If nothing else, it’s a good way to keep the jerks at bay.”
DJ considered this. Maybe Taylor was on to something. “I guess it doesn’t hurt to get to know them.”
“I already know them.”
“And?”
“And they’re just a couple of regular guys. Not that different from Conner and Seth, just a little older. In fact, you should be impressed to learn that they go to Stanford.” Now Taylor was waving, and it was clear that the Stanford dudes were heading their way.
“Aren’t you a little overdressed for the pool?” Taylor asked as she adjusted a strap on her bikini top.
“I’m comfortable.”
“Whatever.” Taylor smiled up at the guys, then quickly introduced them to DJ. “We’re roommates,” she explained. “And I begged her to come out here and keep me company.”
“That’s some nice company,” said Arden. DJ wasn’t sure if he was talking about Taylor or her, although his eyes seemed to be on her. And now she was starting to feel nervous.
“Help yourself to drinks,” said Taylor. “You know where everything is.”
“Thanks,” said Tony as he popped open a beer. “You’re like the hostess with the mostest.”
Arden laughed. “And you’re like the corndog of the corniest, Tony.”
“At last — here comes the food,” announced Taylor. She nodded to where a couple of cabana boys were carrying some large trays toward the cabana.
“Let the party begin!” shouted Tony.
DJ wasn’t so sure.
11
“YOU’RE WHERE?” ASKED RHIANNON.
“Vegas,” said DJ calmly. She was still down at the pool, where Taylor was partying with her poolside buddies. And, true to her word, Taylor wasn’t really drinking much. But her friends were. DJ had called Rhiannon for some moral support.
“With Taylor?” Rhiannon’s voice sounded incredulous.
“Yes.” DJ quickly explained how and why she’d come.
“Wow . . . that’s so weird. Christmas in Vegas.”
“And now I’m starting to question the whole thing. I mean it seemed like God opened the door. But suddenly I’m not so sure.”
“Maybe God just wants you to be a light in a dark place.”
“Vegas is actually a pretty bright place.” DJ squinted up at the clear blue sky. “I mean there are lights and things all over.”
“I’m not talking about physical light and dark.”
“I know . . . but it is a little ironic if you think about it.”
“Just think of it as darkness masquerading as light,” said Rhiannon. “Kind of like Satan.”
“Huh?”
“Well, Satan was an angel of light.”
“Seriously?”
“That’s what it says in the Bible, but I think I’m digressing.
The point is that you need to be a light, DJ.”
“How?”
“By letting Jesus shine through you.”
“How?” she asked again.
“By making sure that you’re connected to him.”
“That’s all?”
“Yeah. Kind of like a lightbulb. It just needs to be screwed in tightly to the source of electricity, and, voila, it lights up.”
“If the switch is on.”
“So make sure the switch is on.”
DJ glanced over to where Taylor was laughing with one arm slung casually around Tony’s tanned shoulders. This wasn’t going to be easy. “How are things going for you, Rhiannon? How is it with your mom?”
“It’s okay. It helps being here at Aunt Ruby’s. She’s pretty groovy for an old lady. And you should see her closet! It’s full of all these great clothes from the forties and fifties — we’re talking major retro. Plus she’s a
strong Christian, and she’s been having some good talks with my mom.”
“Cool.”
“Yeah. So far it is.”
“Well, I’m still praying for you and your mom.”
“And now I’ll be praying for you and Taylor.”
“Thanks.”
“I should probably go help Aunt Ruby with dinner.”
“And I should probably go light up Las Vegas.”
Rhiannon laughed. “Hang in there, DJ.”
“You too.”
But DJ did feel better when she closed her phone. As she walked back over to the cabana, she silently prayed, asking God to light her up for others to see.
“Hey, there you are,” said Taylor. “Who was on the phone?”
“Rhiannon.”
“Everything okay with her?” Taylor actually seemed interested.
“Yeah. Groovy.”
Tony laughed. “You sound like my mom. Only she says groovy bassaroovy, whatever that means.”
“Hey, DJ, give me a hand over here,” said Taylor as she went over by the kitchenette.
DJ joined her and helped herself to another sandwich. “With what?”
“Just pretend to help me,” said Taylor quietly. “And listen.”
So DJ pretended to busy herself with straightening the veggie platter.
“Look, I’ve told these guys some things, you know, and I just want you to play along. Okay?”
“Play along how?”
“Just follow my lead.”
DJ shrugged and popped a cucumber into her mouth.
Soon Taylor was introducing her to a few others who had joined the little party — a couple of college girls from LA and some guys from here and there. DJ wasn’t really keeping very close track of the names and places. But she smiled and imagined that she was being a light.
“So I hear you and Taylor are models,” said the dark-haired girl. DJ thought her name was Katie. “From New York?”
“We actually live in Connecticut,” DJ corrected her. “And we’re not — ”
“Have you ever heard of Katherine Carter?” asked Taylor quickly. “She was a really famous model back in the fifties and sixties, and then she ran Couture up until a few years ago.”
“Oh, yeah,” said Katie. “I know who you mean. She was like some mega-fashion diva, right?”
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