Sintown Chronicles III: In Dark Corners

by David O. Dyer, Sr.

  "Yeah, we're thinking about opening everything but the restaurant tomorrow. Your paving schedule fits in perfectly."

  Carl tugged Cliff behind a gondola and made sure Ally didn't follow them. “Buddy, you were either beating the stuffing out of Ally when I came in or y'all were having noisy sex back in the game room."

  Cliff grinned. “Would you believe the lady's room?"

  "Doesn't matter. The thing is, I never heard such moaning and screeching in all my born put-togethers. After you open the place, you're gonna have to find another spot for quickies."

  Cliff grinned sheepishly. “Thanks for the tip. Uh, Carl, what are your lots going for?"

  "Depends on which one you want. They start at five thousand. You interested?"

  Cliff smiled. “Maybe. I don't know. Keep this under you hat, Carl. It looks like Ally and I are getting serious. We've even mentioned the M word a couple of times."

  Carl flashed his toothy grin. “Marriage?"

  Cliff nodded. “And the patter of little feet also. It's not definite. I haven't mentioned it to Ally, but when we get married, I would like for us to have a real home to live in."

  Carl's expression grew serious. “I don't reckon you have much money in reserve, Cliff. I think Dad's Place is gonna be a huge success, but until there's a track record, you'll have a tough time getting a home loan."

  Cliff frowned. “Ally has a little money coming, but not enough to build a house. It was just a thought."

  Carl nodded. “Maybe you could pick out a lot and build later."

  The men shook hands. Carl turned to leave, hesitated and glanced back at Cliff's sad countenance. “Look, Cliff. You know Sarasue and I like you. I'm extended kinda thin right now, but maybe we can work something out. If you will take one of the lots near the entrance and are willing to show the house to potential customers, perhaps I can sign your note or something."

  "Thanks, Carl. The house and loan will probably have to be in Ally's name. I doubt if banks shell out money to ex-cons. Don't say anything to Ally about this until I have a chance to run it by her."

  As Carl departed, Roger returned.

  Cliff winked. “What took you so long, Spunky?"

  "Julie's working too hard. It bothers me. Come on, I need to talk with you and Ally together."

  Ally, bearing three sandwiches, joined them in a rear booth.

  As Roger unwrapped his, he said, “Julie's under a great deal of pressure right now."

  "She didn't like the barbecue?” Ally asked.

  "Well, she tasted it and said it was okay, but she wasn't very enthusiastic about it."

  "Damn."

  "I told her about the need for a new oven. The look she gave me could have melted ice. Without saying a word, she called the propane place in Charlotte. One of those suckers costs thirty thousand and will take at least a month to deliver."

  "A month?"

  Roger nodded and waited until he could swallow to continue. “They don't stock them in Charlotte. The things come from somewhere in Pennsylvania. They do have a rebuilt one in stock. I think they acquired it as a trade-in. It has a year's guarantee and they asked fifteen thousand for it. Julie talked them down to twelve, including installation. She wants Cliff and me to run over there this afternoon and check it out."

  "I guess we'll have to put it in the work room, maybe next to the freezer,” Ally said.

  Cliff shook his head as he finished his sandwich. “Too big. Apparently they are huge monsters. It'll have to go out back beside the barbecue pit."

  "Won't the weather damage it?” Cliff asked.

  "They're made for outdoor installation. Anyway, Julie said for us to go ahead with the purchase if we think it will do the job, and to buy a chipper, too."

  "Did you ask her what she thinks about opening the restaurant tomorrow?” Ally asked.

  "By the time I got around to that, I was afraid to ask her anything. She can be a bit feisty at times."

  Both Cliff and Ally smiled sympathetically.

  "She says she should be finished with the last assignment by suppertime and wants us to bring back a bucket of chicken from Charlotte."

  Cliff glanced at his watch. “We may as well get started, Spunky. You know where this place is?"

  "I have the address. We'll have to stop and ask for directions."

  "Give me a minute to put the food stuff in the refrigerator and I'll go with you,” Ally said as she stood.

  Cliff shook his head. “Somebody must stay here."

  "Why?"

  He chuckled. “Julie said the sign company called this morning. They want to install our new sign sometime this afternoon."

  "What sign?” Cliff asked.

  Roger sighed. “Sometimes I think Julie forgets she has partners. I didn't know anything about the signs either. One is an old-fashioned neon sign to go on the front of the building. The other is a simple painted sign that she wants behind the cash register."

  "I remember Julie mentioning the signs, but I didn't know she had them on order. I guess I'm elected to oversee the installation,” Ally said.

  "Appointed is more like it. Guys, go easy on Julie. As I said..."

  "Yeah, yeah,” Ally mumbled. “She has a lot on her right now."

  Ally decided to leave the food where it was. Who cares if it spoils? she pouted. She watched Cliff and Roger move the Ranger and Cavalier into the field adjoining the parking lot and drive off in Cliff's pickup. She wandered back into the store, wondering what she was supposed to do for the rest of the afternoon. The rumble of a large truck entering the parking lot called her to the front of the store. Perfect timing, she thought as the “Dad's Place” sign, strapped to the open truck bed, came into view.

  Before letting them begin the installation, Ally insisted that the workmen sample Mom's Barbecue. Their response was so enthusiastic that there were no leftovers to put away when they finished. During the hour and a half required to install the signs, Ally sat on the front fender of the truck and watched. An old-fashioned neon sign is a perfect addition to our ambiance and I love the caricature of Julie's dad, she thought. Spunky will like the fact that she added “serving Mom's Barbecue” to the bottom of the sign.

  She smiled and shook her head negatively when one of the men caught her attention and lifted the little finger on his right hand.

  The workmen showed her how to turn the sign off and on and explained that Julie refused their offer to put it on a timer. After they were gone, she spent a few minutes admiring the inside signage. “Julie must have heard the truck,” she said aloud. “You'd think curiosity would bring her out of hiding."

  Ally wandered behind the restaurant counter and tested the draft beer dispenser, filling a large plastic cup with the cold brew. Out of her peripheral vision, she spotted Cliff's portable radio. She grinned and muttered, “It's time for Bawdy Talk.” She carried the radio and beer to a booth and made herself comfortable.

  I love the Dollar's Playground. For those of you who don't know, it is a recreational complex just west of Dot on Highway 13. They have three championship golf courses, an Olympic sized pool, a skating rink, miniature golf courses, kiddy rides, two fishing ponds, rental cabins, walking trails, softball diamonds, a super picnic area and much, much more. Y'all come, and tell them Delilah sent you.

  This is Bawdy Talk on WFNS, your friendly neighborhood station. Keep it decent, folks. Remember the FCC may be listening. Okay, Caller, you're on the air.

  I ... I've never done this before.

  There's a first time for everything, sweetie. What do I call you?

  Miserable.

  Uh, oh. Tell Delilah all about it.

  I don't know anything else to do.

  I'm not following you, Miserable. Start at the beginning.

  I'm old enough to have kids in high school, but until recently, I never...

  Some of us are late bloomers. There's no shame in that.

  I know but, well, there's this guy I've loved since I was a little girl. He suddenl
y reappeared in my life.

  And?

  I ... I practically forced him to sleep with me.

  It isn't working out?

  Ally leaned forward and turned up the volume. As the caller broke into sobs, she forgot to disguise her voice. Ally recognized her.

  I don't know what to do. I take off my clothes, stretch out on the bed and wait for him to finish.

  You get no pleasure from it at all?

  It hurts, Delilah. It hurts bad.

  Your guy intentionally hurts you?

  No! Nothing like that. It's just that he's so rough and ... and when he does it, the pain is almost more than I can bear.

  Miserable, I hate to tell you this, but there seems to be at least one rotten apple in every barrel. Throw the thing out and try another piece of fruit.

  I don't want that, Delilah. I love the guy. Is it ... is it possible for a man and woman to be happy together without ... without...

  I suppose, honey, but it can't be much fun. Miserable, there must be other listeners who have worked through similar experiences. Maybe they can help. Stay tuned.

  Ally snapped off the radio, raced behind the counter, filled a carafe with coffee and grabbed two mugs. She locked the front door behind her and hurried to the motel apartment door.

  "Why didn't you come to me?” Ally asked when Julie opened the door.

  "Damn! You recognized my voice."

  Ally led the way to the kitchen. “Sit down, Julie. We're going to have a long girl to girl talk."

  "I believe we made the right decision,” Cliff said as he turned onto Highway 13 at the Dot intersection.

  Roger glanced out the back window to make sure the chipper was still securely fastened in the bed of the pickup. “I think they are making a hundred percent profit on the deal. I doubt if they paid a penny for the thing."

  Cliff chuckled. “They probably charged the restaurant that traded it a disposal fee. Still, it looks new to me and they did guarantee it."

  "Ally will be pleased that they are going to install it in the morning. I just hope we can create enough hickory chips by the time she's ready to test it."

  "You want to talk about it, Spunky?"

  "I thought we were talking about it."

  Cliff shook his head. “You know as well as I do that it was Julie on Bawdy Talk we listened to on the way to Charlotte."

  Roger took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I'm not comfortable talking about, uh, personal matters."

  Cliff laughed. “Tell me about it. Okay. We won't talk about it, but I'm going to. Here's the thing. Some women like to be slapped around a little and others don't. Lay off the rough stuff."

  "I don't slap her around, Cliff. I would never intentionally hurt her."

  "She said you do."

  "I know, but I don't. I swear to you Cliff, I don't know what she was talking about."

  "Hmm. Give me an idea of your size."

  "What?"

  Cliff grabbed his crotch and grinned.

  "Oh. I don't know. Six, seven inches maybe."

  "Diameter?"

  Roger shrugged. “Silver dollar."

  Cliff slammed his hand against the steering wheel. “You use ready-wets?"

  "What?"

  "Lubricated condoms."

  "Should I?"

  "Check the glove box. There's a new tube of lubricant in there that does not cause irritation. Use plenty of it the next time."

  Roger studied the small tube. “I put it on the condom?"

  "No, Mr. FBI Agent. Put it in your ear."

  "I'll ... I'll buy you a new tube."

  "No need. Ally's a gusher."

  "A gusher?"

  Cliff ignored the question. “Use it on your finger too."

  "Why?"

  "You do stimulate her manually, don't you?"

  Roger sighed. “I will from now on."

  "Get her to roll on the condom and then apply the lubricant. It'll sure turn on your motor and may get hers cranked up too."

  "I ... I couldn't ask her to do that."

  "You want to please her, don't you?"

  "Yeah. Yeah, I do."

  "Talk with her. Ask her to let you know what she likes and doesn't like. Learn to play her body like a concert pianist plays a Steinway. Start with a slow, simple back massage with lots of gentle kisses. Every time you touch a new area, ask her if she likes it."

  "What if she says no?"

  "Move on to something else. A woman's body is a smorgasbord of erogenous zones. Find and exploit them."

  Roger grinned faintly. “What else, Professor?"

  "You drive a wide van, man. I'm guessing Julie has a garage more suitable for a compact. Ease that thing in and only when she says she's ready. Watch her eyes. If she winces, you've gone too far. Back up a little."

  "Cliff, please don't say anything about this to Julie."

  "Of course not."

  "Ally either."

  "Mum's the word. Holy Cow! Would you look at that!” Cliff said as he eased to the shoulder of the road in front of Dad's Place.

  "I like it,” Roger said. “She used my phrase."

  "The girls must have turned it on for our benefit. Using old-fashioned neon fits in perfectly with our dÉcor."

  Ally met the men at the door. “Wipe your feet good,” she demanded as she took the bucket of chicken from Roger. “The tar is still a little tacky."

  Both men obeyed and followed Ally into the restaurant area.

  The quartet was halfway though their meal when Julie changed the conversation from chitchat to business. “Ally told me about your idea of opening everything but the restaurant tomorrow. I remind you that everything will change once we officially open. We'll have to work out schedules very carefully and spare time will be at a premium."

  "I was thinking our hours should be ten thirty in the morning until we have no more customers at night,” Cliff volunteered.

  "That's fine for the restaurant, but not for the store and motel,” Ally countered.

  "When Mom and Dad ran the place, they opened at seven and never closed before midnight."

  "Damn, Julie. When did they sleep?"

  Without smiling, Julie shrugged her shoulders.

  "By now, you all know I don't require much sleep,” Roger said. “I'll take either the early or late shift."

  "I feel the same way,” Cliff added. “Julie, we know you have other responsibilities. The three of us will work out a schedule."

  "We're going to need additional help,” Julie said.

  Ally nodded.

  "Yeah, but let's wait a week or two before we hire anyone” Cliff advised. “We'll understand our needs better after we have a little experience."

  "Ally tells me that Carl dropped by this afternoon and says the cabin is ready for occupancy. I could use some help. It's going to take the better part of a day for the four of us to move in."

  Ally's eyebrows lifted. “The four of us?"

  Julie nodded. “It's a big house, Ally."

  "Yeah, but still..."

  Cliff cleared his throat. “I think what may be bothering Ally is that, well, we tend to be rather noisy lovers."

  Julie grinned. “I know. I thought Cliff and I would occupy the downstairs bedroom. You and Ally may have as many of the upstairs rooms as you like. With the exception of the studio, we'll share the remaining rooms and the cleaning chores."

  "Sounds like a good plan to me,” Roger said.

  Cliff glanced at Ally. “I assumed Ally and I would move into the apartment."

  "Come on, guys,” Julie urged. “It'll be fun."

  "Yeah, but, uh, can we think about it a little, Julie?” Ally asked.

  Cliff coughed. “Maybe we should wait and have our Grande Opening on Monday. That way we can do whatever moving is necessary and get the oven installed and tested tomorrow, and over the weekend get ahead on food preparation and advertise a little."

  Julie stretched and yawned. “That's what I'm thinking,” she said. She smiled. “Guys,
I'm beat. I'm going to turn in early.” She slid out of the booth and looked at Roger. “You must be exhausted too, Spunky. Join me?"

  "Go ahead,” Cliff said, trying to keep a straight face. “Ally and I will clean up."

  "Yeah, well, if you guys don't mind."

  "Julie didn't look tired to me,” Cliff said as he helped Ally clear the table.

  She grinned. “I think she has other things on her mind tonight. While you guys were in Charlotte, Julie and I engaged in a little girl talk."

  "Oh?” Cliff deadpanned.

  Chapter Eighteen

  "I don't think I've ever seen you so happy,” Ally said as she flipped burgers on the grill.

  "Ouch,” Julie complained while pulling a tray of fresh buns from the oven and hurriedly placing it on the counter. “Hot!” she laughed.

  "That's why you wear mittens.” Ally glanced at the buns. “Thank goodness,” she said. “The last tray I baked didn't rise. I don't know what I did wrong. You're not going to answer my question, are you?” Ally asked as she winked.

  "What's not to be happy about? It's a beautiful day. We've moved everything to the log cabin and the workmen are installing our new outdoor oven.” She furrowed her brow in mock anger. “I'm still not pleased about you and Cliff refusing my offer."

  "I know, and I'm sorry. Cliff is right. Someone needs to be living next to the store in case an emergency should arise, but the main thing is, well, we just want our privacy. Is that so bad?"

  Julie continued to slice the hot buns. “You can always change your mind."

  "I don't think so. Last night Cliff became excited over the idea of building our own place. It seems Carl offered him a special deal if we build on a plot close to the entrance and allow Creasy Green to use it as a demo house."

  "Talk about privacy,” Julie joked. “Do you really want strangers tramping through your house at all hours of the day and night?"

  "My words exactly!” Ally agreed. “I know things went well for you last night. You had that special glow this morning. Hell, you're still smirking."

  Julie placed eight open buns beside the grill and applied mustard. “It was, uh, nice."

  "Did you take my advice?"

  Julie listened to the sound of a pinball machine in the game room to make sure the men were still out of hearing. “In a way I did, and Spunky made it easy."