by Sandi Scott
Aleta tilted her head and frowned at her sister.
“My money for my portraits. I know how to handle my money so I get all my bills paid. If I had either one of those guys around they’d be asking when I was getting paid. How much am I getting paid? Why am I spending on more oil paints when I’ve got plenty of watercolors? Why use charcoal when there are a dozen number two pencils in the junk drawer. I’m losing my mind just imaging all this.”
“You’re certainly right about that.” Aleta nodded.
“They are both great guys, but I need a break from them for a couple of weeks. Once they realize that I am out there socializing that ought to be a clear indication that I’m not the kind of woman who can be chained down.”
“Right. Sometimes you should be gagged but certainly not chained down.” Aleta sat on her bed as she watched Georgie flipping through her closet.
“Do you have a noteworthy party outfit or is everything here designed for a person giving a speech on constipation?”
“Very funny.” Aleta stood up and pulled out a few brightly colored dresses from the very-very back of the closet.
“Why are you hiding these back there for? I love this.” Georgie held up a long black rectangular cotton dress that was loose-fitting and classically cut. “I’ve got just the thing for it. Put this on and before we leave let me get you the perfect accessories. This is going to be so much fun.”
The drive to Winnetka took only twenty minutes on the expressway but it was like they had entered a completely different state. There was a very rustic feel to the entire area. Architecturally amazing houses were on large pieces of property. Trees and wildflowers sprouted in between huge stepping-stones and intricate landscapes that looked like something out of a Tolkien book.
“Wow. This is beautiful. It makes me wish I brought my paints and some blank canvases to just prop up somewhere and create away. Don’t you think?”
“Are you sure about these accessories?” Aleta asked, holding up the giant bauble that was hanging around her neck.
“That skull is an authentic replica of the first Day of the Dead skulls designed in Mexico. It is supposed to have special powers. Ward off the evil eye. Deflect against being struck by lightning. Even attract good groovies.”
“Did you really just say groovies?”
“I did.” Georgie looked at her map and pointed through the windshield. “I think that is the place.”
A brightly colored sign with balloons and an arrow pointing up a gravel road read Excellent Over 50 This Way.
“Uh oh. This looks a little isolated.” Aleta said, looking at the purple and red flags that lined the gravel road as she added, “Georgie, if I see anyone wearing a Speedo I’m leaving.”
“Come on. That would be the person you want to talk to.” Georgie drove slowly up the hill. “Gosh, can you imagine maneuvering this driveway in the middle of January?”
“I wouldn’t have a problem if I were driving that.” Aleta pointed ahead.
Sitting in a wide circle driveway was a monstrous shiny black Hummer with four yellow lights attached to the roof. Behind it was the home of the hostess, Beth Bonomolo.
“Would you look at this place?” Georgie gushed. “How beautiful.”
“What do they do at night? With windows like that anyone could see right in.”
The entire front of the house was glass trimmed in stones that looked like they were pulled from the banks of a deep river. Pine trees guarded the perimeter on all sides. Flowers and plants of all colors dotted the front yard.
“Maybe they like that.”
“Georgie, if this is one of those parties I’m going to kill you.”
“I don’t think it is. Look at this guy.” A young man in black slacks and a white shirt trotted up to the car with a smile on his face.
“You’re here for the Excellent Over 50 gathering?” He asked happily.
“Yes, we are.” Georgie confirmed, gesturing at herself and her twin, “Georgie and Aleta Kaye.”
“Welcome. Here is the ticket for your car.” He handed Georgie a small piece of yellow cardboard with a number stamped on it and opened her door. “Have a good time.”
The ladies climbed out and headed toward the front door. Just as they were about to knock on the immense wooden front door, it was opened by another fellow in black pants and a white button-down shirt.
“Excellent Over 50?” He looked almost identical to the valet but just slightly older. Neither of the two men were anywhere near fifty years old. “Can I have your names please?”
Georgie gave the man all their details explaining that they had only just accepted the invitation yesterday.
“No worries, Miss Kaye. I’ve got you and one guest listed right here.” He pointed a pen to his clipboard that he had tucked like a textbook under his arm.
“See. Everyone has their clothes on.” Georgie whispered to Aleta.
“Yeah. For the time being.” Aleta wasn’t convinced.
“Get your mind out of the gutter.”
“If you ladies would just sign in and pick up your name tags at our welcoming table, you’ll be all set. Oh, don’t forget a glass of champagne.” The man winked at them pleasantly.
“Sure.” Aleta slipped her arm through Georgie’s. “Get us liquored up and then watch as the Speedos make their first appearance.”
Georgie laughed as they did as they were told, grabbed their nametags and champagne and headed in the direction where most of the noise was coming from.
“Holy-moly. What a set-up.” Georgie muttered for her sister’s ears only. “I was expecting a big pool but nothing like this.”
“Georgie, this place looks like heaven.”
“And you didn’t want to come. Shame on you for doubting your big sister.”
“You’re not my big sister.” Aleta shot back under her breath, “Unless you are referring to your bust size.”
The pool at Beth Bonomolo’s home wasn’t the average Olympic size pool with a sidewalk around it and a diving board at the far end. It was a clean, clear, chlorinated pond encircled with gray, brown and rust colored garden rocks and boulders. There was a Jacuzzi to the right and a waterfall to the left that looked like they had been carved into the terrain. Beyond the pool were acres of wooded land.
Casual jazz music was piped through the backyard. There had to be almost fifty people milling around the pool or at the bar and everyone had some kind of drink in their hand.
“Welcome. And you are?”
Georgie and Aleta turned to find a toothy woman with overly tanned skin and gray hair piled in a sloppy but elegant bun on the top of her head smiling at them.
Aleta made the introductions as Georgie seemed struck dumb by the fact she might have met someone even tackier than she was.
“I’m Beth Bonomolo.” She shook their hands. “I’m so glad you could make it. It’s just so wonderful when we get new people joining us.”
“You’re home is amazing.” Aleta said. Georgie was inspecting Beth from her glittery French manicured toes, up past the flowing Polynesian style silk dress she was wearing to the rows of bangles around her wrists and lingering at her bejeweled fingers. The stones there rivaled the boulders around the pool.
“I appreciate that. My business partner and I have worked very hard to reach this point. Where is he? Oh, I see him. Sean!” She shouted.
“Sean Hamill, this is Aleta and Georgie Kaye. They just joined up yesterday.”
“Welcome.” Sean took Aleta’s hand and kissed it. Georgie, never being all that interested in public displays of affection from her ex-husband when he was still her husband certainly didn’t want it from Mr. Sean Hamill.
“How are ya?” She said pleasantly as she shook his hand.
“What business are you in, if you don’t mind my asking?” Aleta said.
“Indoor amusement parks.” Beth replied.
“You’re kidding?” Aleta was shocked. She’d expected to hear plastic surgeons or stockbrokers.
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br /> “Nope.” Beth said, smiling at Sean. She plucked a couple of stray hairs off his polo shirt. “They are quite a hot item especially in Vegas, parts of Paris and London, just about everywhere in Florida. Sean, you might want to go inside and run the lint brush over your shirt.”
“Again?” he huffed.
“They’re your dogs.” Beth insisted.
“I have four Bedlington terriers at home.” He looked at Georgie who instantly lit up at the mention of the canines. “I de-lint myself every time I leave but sometimes the hair seems to follow me.”
“I know the feeling.” Georgie said. “I have a pug that emits his magical fibers of joy all over me and my house no matter how much I brush him. But we love them anyway, don’t we?”
“Absolutely. I couldn’t imagine the house without them.”
Aleta and Georgie spoke with Beth and Sean for a few moments. Just as Sean was describing their latest theme park idea, a rather colorful individual whose name tag said Rocky, inserted himself into the conversation.
“In case you don’t know.” Rocky said waving a tall empty glass in his hand. “Beth is the creative side and Sean is Mr. Dollar Bills.” He chortled. “But you know how it is. One hand washes the other.”
Rocky clapped Sean on the back then moved along to the bar for a refill.
Sean and Beth avoided each other’s eyes. Their conversation with Georgie and Aleta came to an abrupt end and they moved off in separate directions.
“That guy seemed like a jerk.” Aleta said.
“Yeah. Even when they are over fifty there are some people that just never grow up. His mother should have taken a wooden spoon to his behind a few times. If she had, I’d guarantee he would be a different man today.” Georgie nudged Aleta. “How about an ice cold coca cola with a cherry on top?”
The ladies made their way across the patio. As they ordered themselves a couple of cherry cokes they chit-chatted with several of the other guests.
“It is a scorcher out here.” Georgie said wiping her forehead with a hankie she pulled from her purse. It had the letter “G” stitched in red thread on the bottom corner. “Why isn’t anyone in the pool? People are wearing their swim suits.”
“It’s like being at a grade school dance. The floor will stay totally empty until one courageous soul dares to be embarrassed first.” Aleta offered her opinion.
“Is that all it takes?” Georgie handed her sister her glass, pulled off her boho cover-up and as gracefully as a seal lion that just ate a penguin, slid into the pool.
Aleta was right. Once everyone saw Georgie laughing and wading in the pool it didn’t take long before half the attendees were in there with her. People were sitting at the edges with their legs dangling in. The laughter and conversation became livelier now that the heat of the day had been thwarted. Even Aleta, who had been reluctant to stick a toe in, sat at the edge of the pool with her dress pulled up to her knees and her legs in the water. Georgie bobbed up and down careful not to get her hair wet.
“I should have known you’d be the first one in.”
“How graceful was I? Pretty graceful I bet.”
“Michael Phelps never slid into a pool with such style.”
“This bathing suit has a control panel made of steel holding my stomach in and pushing everything else to the sides.” Georgie whispered. “I can barely breathe in this thing. I didn’t want to be the first one in but I was afraid I was going to pass out if I didn’t cool off.”
“I’m so glad you did.” A voice came from behind Georgie. “My name is Maren Ingrid.” She extended a dripping hand toward Georgie. Maren was one of those lucky women whose hair transitioned from a rich black to a shimmering silver a couple of strands at a time. Her olive colored skin glowed in the sun. Her nails were manicured. But the thing that stood out on Maren was literally her nose. Cyrano de Bergerac would be considered a pug nose in comparison. Yet, as Georgie and Aleta talked with Maren, it became more and more apparent that that nose belonged on her face. “I just returned from a trip to Europe. I thought it was hot in Tuscany. It’s a real sizzler here today.”
“Europe? How wonderful. Was it for business or pleasure?” Georgie asked.
“A little of both.” Maren said pleasantly.
“Excuse me ladies. I’m going to get a bottle of water.” Aleta said as she stood up from the edge of the pool. Before she realized what was happening she had bumped into a man who was not wearing a bathing suit but was carrying a glass of merlot.
“Oh, dear!” Aleta cried as she realized her action caused the wine to spill on his stark white shirt and light yellow tie. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s all right.” He muttered, looking down. “My fault. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
“No. It was me.” Aleta insisted, adding, “I’m so sorry.”
“I’m going to go see if they have any club soda. That should take it right out. Now I wish I had brought my swimsuit.” He walked away leaving Aleta looking at Georgie and Maren.
“I feel awful.”
“He didn’t seem too bothered by it.” Maren soothed. “His name is Drake Whedon. I wouldn’t worry myself if I were you. Some guys need a little wine spilled on them to remind them the world is full of surprises.”
Georgie tried to see where Drake had gone but he’d already disappeared inside the house. As she was scanning the happy faces she came across one that just didn’t belong.
Across from the pool sat a cute tiki bar with a thatched roof and four barstools. At one of the barstools a woman at least twenty years younger than the youngest person here stared in Georgie’s direction. At first Georgie thought she was the intended target of the woman’s glare. But as she watched the younger woman she saw it was actually Maren getting the stink-eye.
Before Georgie could ask Maren about it Beth made an announcement from the DJ booth where the mellow music was coming from.
Chapter 3
“Hello, everyone! If I can just have your attention. I hope everybody is having a nice time. Lunch is being served in the main dining room. Please find the plate with your name on it because I know we’ve got a couple of vegetarians out there. We’ve got you covered.” Beth chuckled. “So dry off and come on in. Take your time and enjoy the food that has been generously catered by Vickie’s Catering.”
“That announcement came just in time.” Maren gushed. “I’ll see you girls inside.”
“I didn’t realize it but I am famished.” Aleta said as she put her hand out to help Georgie out of the water.
“I hope they have a sweets table.” Georgie said as she pushed herself up on the lip of the pool, swung a knee up and pushed herself out of the water.
“You could have used the steps like they are.” Aleta pointed to a group of older men and women carefully climbing out of the pool.
“They’re old people. Of course they use the steps.” Georgie replied making Aleta roll her eyes and laugh.
Georgie was dried off within minutes of being out of the water. Slipping back into her cover up and flip-flops she looked for Maren. “Aleta, what do you think of Maren?”
“I think she’s amazing. With all her travel stories; can you imagine the food she ate while she was in Europe?”
“We should plan a trip.”
“To where?” Aleta wasn’t following Georgie’s line of thought.
“To Europe, silly. We could stay at hostels, eat the local cuisine, bathe in the fountains and rivers. It would be fun.”
“Why on earth would you say we’d bathe in fountains?” Aleta carried her flip-flops as they approached the open patio doors. “I’m not bathing in any fountains.”
“Fine, if you want to ruin the trip before we even book a flight.”
“I just don’t want to bathe in a fountain. If that’s what you want to do I won’t stop you. But I’m staying somewhere where there is indoor plumbing and hot water.”
“But think how much money we’ll save for local cuisine.”
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�You aren’t winning me over.” Aleta was positive about that.
“Okay, you don’t have to go along with me and bathe in the fountains, but you are not going to leave me alone to explore this house.” Georgie took her sister’s hand. “Let’s get our plates and then take some serious inventory on this place.”
“Now, that I’ll do.”
The catered lunch consisted of spaghetti drenched in arrabbiata sauce with meatballs and Italian sausage, garlic bread, a fresh salad of tomato, basil and mozzarella cheese, and to Georgie and Aleta’s delight, a sweets table that was at least ten feet long.
“I suppose we should start with the lunch and then get dessert?”
“I hate to say it, Georgie but that seems to be what everyone else is doing.”
“Okay, let’s see, these are the vegetarian dishes. Looks like the hostess and our new friend Maren are vegetarians. The veggie lasagna looks pretty good. Add some meat and it would be better, I’m sure.”
“Of course. Hey, that looks like us.” Aleta pointed to two plates with their names on them. “When we checked in someone must have run over here and filled my name out on the card. Is that class or what?”
“Very classy.” Georgie agreed.
Picking up her plate Aleta asked, “Should we sit or keep moving?”
Georgie picked up her plate and jerked her head toward the fireplace that was all the way across the room. There were two leather wingback chairs separated by a quaint chess table that the women retreated to.
“You could burn a whole body in that fireplace no problem.” Georgie said.
“Gross, I’m eating.” Aleta twirled the long spaghetti on her fork. Swallowing quickly, she gasped, “There is an explosion of tomato, basil, and garlic going on in my mouth right now. I even taste a hint of bacon in this.”.
“Bacon makes everything better.” Georgie agreed, as she took a bite.
In between mouthfuls Georgie and Aleta discussed the oil paintings hanging throughout the place, the sculptures and knick-knacks on the tables and shelves, the rustic-chic design of the room with exposed wooden beams overhead and stone walls.