by Sasha Fino
“I’m shocked you would talk to her after the hell she has given you,” Lexy commented
“I was, too, and she called me yelling because you told everyone that she is sleeping with Kasey’s father, Mr. Tenney. Why did you say that?” Max looked at his daughter as she sat down
“Let’s see now. Kasey and Ms. Patella have been bitches to me. I am tired of it, and then they laughed at my friend, Kimberly, for not having a damn idea for the yearend fundraiser.”
“What language! I’ve raised you better than that. What you did was not right. I am sure this Kimberly can take care of herself. I didn’t allow you to go to that school so you could get in trouble every day,” Max said with one Great Dane lying on each side of him
“I know, Dad, but it just came out. I’m sorry, Dad, but Kasey’s gang is bullying me, and Ms. Patella has been encouraging them,” Lexy told her father “Look, Lexy, I am happy that you finally made a good friend, but you can’t
stand up for her,” Max said
“I’m not, Dad! Whatever Ms. Patella told you about Kimberly and me is a damn lie,” Lexy said
“Enough. Ms. Patella didn’t tell me anything about your friend. You will have detentions with Ms. Patella, and I am taking your TV privileges away until the end of the school year,” Max said
“Right, I am sorry. I will be in my room,” Lexy said as she started to walk
“One more thing I must tell you. Brianna’s parents are coming this weekend to stay for a week with us. I want you to be on your best behavior. No pranks, Lexy.”
“What? No way! Dad, you’re joking? You have been seeing this woman for almost two months. You have never stayed with a woman so long before! Why now?”
“I’m sorry, I really like Brianna, Lex... I like having a woman in the house for you. And it’s time for us to meet her parents,” Max said
“I told you before that I don’t need a damn mother-like figure to look up to!” “Language, Lexy!” Max yelled at her,
“I can’t believe what you just said. Meeting Brianna parents is a big step to stepmother like figure.”
“Enough, Lexy! I am just meeting her parents. That’s all.”
“Great, just great. I can’t believe you, Dad. I don’t like her!” Lexy shouted
A presume dry heat invaded the Sedona Valley, and Kimberly and Lexy escaped it by hiding out in Lexy’s pool. It was a Saturday afternoon in May. Kimberly loved the smell of the pool—even the chlorine
Brianna’s parents had flown in and spent the weekend at the mansion. The entire week was incredibly dull before Brianna’s father asked Max if he was going to marry his daughter in front of everyone at dinner. Max changed the subject quickly, giving no answer. Still, Lexy had figured he might when he told her Brianna’s family was coming. Max had never met any woman’s parents in Lexy’s experience
Since then, Kimberly and Lexy had pulled every prank in the book on Brianna, and nothing worked like they had planned it. Brianna was either as stupid as a cow or shrewder than anyone they had ever known and was trying to be Lexy and Kimberly’s friend. Kimberly could see why Lexy wanted to get rid of her so badly
“Yeah, sure, whatever,” Kimberly told her. Today Kimberly was off in her own world and was not listening to Lexy complaining
“What’s up, now, with you? All-day you have been quiet. Is it the Pig, again?” Kimberly sighed. “Aunt Blanche lost her job a while ago. They laid her off
because they had to cut back on costs,” Kimberly said trying not to cry
“What? No way. I’m so sorry, Kimberly. Here I am worrying about getting Brianna out of my life while yours is falling to pieces.”
“It’s okay Lexy, gets my mind off of it.”
“Is your aunt looking for a job?”
“Yes, she is in a job interview as we speak.” A few minutes went by with the girls swimming around not knowing what to say
“I can’t believe there are only two more weeks of school,” Kimberly said as she jumped on a pool raft, trying to change the subject
“Thank god. I can’t stand Ms. Patella any longer. She made me do lines for three hours yesterday after school. Also, I can’t believe that Brianna is still in my mansion after all those pranks that we pulled on her these past weeks. Kimberly, we need a better plan to get rid of Brianna,” Lexy said looking up at Kimberly
“We went through all the ones on the Internet,” Kimberly replied while Lexy was thinking. “Umm, well, I have a fun idea for us. Kimberly, do you know if your Aunt Blanche has any bimbo friends that we can recruit. Like that woman who was at the BBQ hanging out with your aunt?” Lexy asked looking at Kimberly with her big eyes
Kimberly remembered when she invited Lexy to her Aunt Blanche and Uncle Dean’s BBQ. All of Aunt Blanche and Uncle Dean’s friends were there; it was a full house. But that didn’t stop Kimberly from remembering who Lexy was talking about
Kimberly looked at Lexy and found herself smiling and wondering what crazy thing Lexy was planning. “I remember who you are talking about; she is my aunt’s best friend, Annette. Annette is not a bimbo; she happens to own a little gift and antique shop in uptown Sedona. She has a son a year older than us named Jordan, who is so shy he didn’t come to the BBQ. I only met him once. What are you planning in your little head?”
“Do you know that the fundraiser is next Saturday night?” Lexy asked, “Yes, Uncle Dean is going hunting for a week, and Aunt Blanche is looking for someone to go with. Why?”
“Brianna has a party that she needs to attend on the same night. Yet what if we somehow get his Annette to go to the fundraiser with your aunt? Then we get them to sit next to my dad at the same table. Then my dad and Annette will meet, and we can hope that they will hook up and bye, bye Brianna. The greatest plan that I came up with, I must say, my dad, shall never think I was behind it. Let’s hope it will not backfire on us.”
Kimberly just looked at Lexy for a minute. She was blown away by how far Lexy would go to try to get rid of Brianna.
“It sounds like a great plan! Count me in,” Kimberly said finding herself smiling happily
“Perfect, let’s start planning. You’ll need to talk to your aunt and get her to invite Annette to the fundraiser. Monday, at school, we will put them all together at a table,” Lexy said
“I’ll mention Annette’s name to her tonight,” Kimberly said just in time to hear Briana open the screen door
“Hey, girlfriends, what’s up?” Brianna called out to them as she stepped outside of the mansion
“What do you want?” Lexy asked cutting to the point
“Ah, you are not fun to talk to, Lexy. But I must say that is why I like you,” Brianna commented as Lexy rolled her eyes.
“Tell me what’s up?” Lexy asked nicely
“Can’t we just hang out and talk?” Brianna said as she dipped her toes in the pool
“I promise we can hang out later.”
“Fine, anyway, your dad just called and asked if you can bring him his checkbook and some papers at the art gallery,” Brianna said smiling
“Great, Kimberly, you can finally meet my dad. If it’s okay with you?” Lexy asked, smiling
“That’s cool. I have always wanted to check your father’s art gallery out,” Kimberly said
“Let’s get out of the pool and get ready to go.”
“Wait, can I go, too?” Brianna asked them as they dried off
“God, no! I want Kimberly to meet my dad. If you go you will be all over him like you always are,” Lexy told her while they walked away from her
“Oh, Brianna said as the girls left her totally confused
“Oh my god, your Dad owns all of this?” Kimberly asked as the limo drove up to a shopping plaza practically embedded in the hill and stopped to let them out, “Welcome to the Heller’s Shopping Plaza and Resort!” Lexy exclaimed
“Wow, this is very cool,” Kimberly said getting out of the limo and looking around
“Yeah, I guess so. Now come on,” Lexy sa
id as she started to walk forward. “Ok, we can explore after we see your father,” Kimberly said,
“Sure, why not!” Lexy replied as she walked up the stairs
The view took Kimberly’s breath away as she stopped and looked at the beautiful red rocks of Sedona
“Kimberly, come on,” Lexy called out to her as she opened a door
Kimberly ran over to Lexy. She looked at the sign next to the door as she entered the shop with Lexy right behind her. It read: Sandstone Art Gallery
Once inside the art gallery, Kimberly admired the art that Lexy’s dad had mounted. It was a mix of every art type under the sun. There were a lot of
people in there, looking around, trying to make up their minds about buying a piece of art. Some stood in a long line to make their purchases
“Lexy! What’s up, girl?” said an older man coming up to Kimberly and Lexy, “Just thinking how to get rid of Brianna, Bill!” Lexy replied to him, “Great! Any ideas yet?” Bill asked hugging Lexy
“Yes, but I have to kill you if I tell you! Bill, this is my new friend, Kimberly. Kimberly, this is Bill my crazy ‘adopted uncle’ who works with my dad,” Lexy said happily
“Hello!” Kimberly greeted him
“Howdy! I’m the one who taught Lexy the best pranks in the world. About time my ‘little monkey’ made a friend,” Bill told her
“I thought you would have had Brianna out of our lives by now. Why so slow?” Lexy moved around him. “I’ve got a plan, trust me.” Kimberly stood there
listening to Lexy and Bill talk
“Yes, but when? I am tired of seeing her all over Max. Makes me sick.” “You and me both! Bill is like me, Kimberly, we want my dad to ourselves.
Kimberly and I have got it under control.”
“Yes, we do. Our plan will send Brianna packing!” Kimberly exclaimed. Bill looked at Kimberly, nodded his head at her, and laughed
“She is a keeper, Lexy. I like you, Kimberly!”
“Thanks!” Kimberly replied
“I should get back to selling art, or Max will have my head! Lexy, Max is upstairs working.”
“Thanks, Bill!” Lexy said
They made their way to the second story and found Lexy’s dad talking to a couple with their backs to them
“Well, I can have it mailed to you in a week for $800.00,” Max said as he tried to make a sale.
“It just looks like it should be $600.00-$650.00 tops, honey,” said the wife.
“We’re sorry, but my wife and I can’t spend $800.00 on a piece of art. Nice to meet you, but goodbye,” said the man and took his wife by her arm, and walked away.
“$599.00 and the cost of mailing is on me,” Max called out without looking at them
“Deal, we can do that,” said the woman before talking it over with the man “Great! I will be down in a second to finish our deal,” Max said as the couple started to go give me a hug,” Max said as he turned to face them. Lexy ran to her father and gave him a hug
“Hi, Daddy, I want you to meet Kimberly,” Lexy said pulling away from her dad
“So, you are Kimberly, Lexy’s new playmate. She hasn’t stopped talking about you. It’s nice to finally meet you,” Max said, putting a hand on Lexy’s shoulder.
“Hello, Mr. Heller, it is nice to meet you, as well,” Kimberly said as she put her hand out to shake his. Max shook her hand
“Here are your checkbook and the papers you want, Daddy,” Lexy said giving them to Max
“Thank you, Lexy. You are a lifesaver. I would love to chat and show you guys around, but I haven’t got all day. I have work to do,” Max said
“It’s okay, Dad, I will show Kimberly around,” Lexy offered
“Great, you two have fun. Oh, before I forget, Lexy tells Brianna that I will be home late tonight,” Max told his daughter.
“What? I will have dinner with her alone?” Lexy asked
“Yes, you will have dinner with Brianna, and you will enjoy it,” Max said as he kissed Lexy’s forehead
“Nice to meet you, Kimberly, and I will see you again,” Max said as he looked her in the eye
“You, too, Mr. Heller,” Kimberly replied looking back into his eyes
A little later, Lexy and Kimberly walked out of the gallery after looking around and talking with Bill some more. Kimberly found Bill to be a hoot to be around. Max was too busy working to come over to them, but that didn’t stop him from keeping an eye on them
“What do you think of Bill and Dad?” Lexy asked once outside the gallery, “Bill is just a goofball. As for your Dad, he was great. He was not what I thought he would be,” Kimberly said as they walked down a ramp and out to a
lookout point
“What did you think he would be like?” Lexy asked
“Rude or snobby acting like a billionaire. But your father was not like that,” Kimberly said truly missing her own father now
“Dad can be a very high and mighty snobby ass when he needs to be, except when it comes to meeting a woman that he likes, or someone I like. I am shocked that it went so well; he can be very protective of me at times,” Lexy said
“Lexy, my father was way overprotective when it came to me. I can see that your father loves you, you’re lucky” Kimberly said
“Yes, my dad and I have a very close relationship.”
“Wow, the view takes my breath away,” Kimberly said looking around the red rocks
“Yeah, I remember when my dad opened the Plaza. I was a little girl, and he brought me with him. I would always sneak out, and Dad would find me asleep among the rocks. Boy, he hated it when I’d come out here without telling him,” Lexy said, opening herself up to Kimberly. Kimberly had never heard her talk like this before
“How’s that pig of an uncle doing? Will your aunt find a job?” Lexy asked. Kimberly could see that she was in a weird mood
“That pig is becoming more dreadful each night. Money is hard to come by now, but I’m sure Aunt Blanche will find a job soon.”
“Looks like our homes are not as happy as we’d like. I really hate that Brianna,” Lexy said
“Yeah, you can say that again.”
“You want your Aunt Blanche to yourself; I want my dad to myself,” Lexy said with a sigh
“Are you sure you want to go through with our plan?” Kimberly found herself saying
“No, I just want my dad to myself.”
“Tell me about your mother.”
“No, I don’t have time to talk about her. We have planning to do, Kimberly. Let’s go!” Just like that, Lexy was out of her mood and back to herself again.
Lexy started walking back to the limo. Kimberly slowly followed behind. All of a sudden, she stopped and looked back. That’s when she saw it—a closed up shop, sitting there looking lonely, with a big sign hanging on the door that said, “For Rent.” The shop was next to the lookout point and across from Max’s gallery
Then Kimberly got the best idea that she had ever had to open something in that shop with her Aunt Blanche. It was the perfect spot. But for what?
Chapter 7
Kimberly tried to tell her Aunt Blanche about the shop that she saw. Every she got close to telling her about it, Uncle Dean would walk in, or it was Lexy calling for the details of the Brianna plan. She couldn’t tell Lexy about the shop because all that Lexy talked about was their plan
Lexy was pleased to hear that Annette would be accompanying Blanche to the school fundraiser. Annette had gone in the past
Saturday was here, at last. Uncle Dean packed up and went hunting. Kimberly was so happy to have him leave for a week, and she couldn’t wait to tell Aunt Blanche about the shop. That night, Kimberly sat on the bed watching her Aunt getting ready to go to the fundraiser
“Is Lexy on the way to get you, Sweetheart?” Blanche asked while she put on her makeup
“Yes, she is coming in the limo to pick me up.”
“Great, I hope that you will have fun at your first sleepover at Lexy’s.”
“I will since Brianna would not be there and will not be following us like she usually does!” Kimberly exclaimed
“Is she going to the fundraiser with Lexy’s father?”
“No, Lexy told me that Brianna had to go to a party in Scottsdale,” Kimberly said. Blanche was quiet for a moment
“Kimberly, I need to tell you something. We might be moving to Prescott or even Flagstaff before winter is here because I can’t find any work. Uncle Dean’s job is all over the State so he can transfer easily.”
“What? No, I love it here! We can’t just move like that. I have an idea, Aunt Blanche. I saw a shop for rent the other day, and I thought we could use the space to open a small business,” Kimberly begged. Blanche stopped what she was doing and looked at her niece, “What?”
“Why don’t we open a business? Like a simple sandwich and coffee shop,” Kimberly announced with a glimmer of hope in her eyes
“A sandwich café?” Blanche asked, looking surprised and a bit took a back. “Yeah, why not?”
While Kimberly waited for an answer, Blanche just looked at her, dumbfounded.
“Kimberly, I would love to open a sandwich shop, but it takes a lot of money, money that we just don’t have.”
“Please, Aunt Blanche! I bet you can get a loan from the bank. It will be exciting!” Kimberly pleaded
“I don’t think that your uncle will approve. Kimberly, I love your idea, truly do! I was taken aback at first because it has always been a dream of mine to open a little shop of some kind on Main Street,” Blanche said wistfully.
“It costs a lot of money to open up a business, besides I have an offer for a job in Prescott.” “Pooh on Uncle Dean, and turn down that job. For me, please? You can ask Annette how to open a business she will know since she owns her own business.” Kimberly said begging her aunt
“I will think about it, okay, Kimberly?” Blanche said making her way to her closet and picking out a dress
“When are you coming home?” Kimberly asked
“I’m not sure. Early I’ll bet Annette has to get up tomorrow to open her shop,” Blanche told her
“Oh, god, I’m late! Where’s Annette? We will be so late to this,” Blanche said looking at the clock on her dresser