by DJ Wilson
Chapter 49
I turned the phone off and tossed it back into the bag, before picking up the room key Vic graciously left for me at the front desk. Opening the door to the room ever so slowly before carrying our bags inside, I heard Vic’s sweet and tender voice echoing over the sound of rushing water coming from the tub.
“What took you so long, D? I was lonely. I’m taking a bath. Would ask you to join me, but—”
“I got it, I got it ... the tub is too small for the both of us. Rub it in, girlfriend,” I huffed. “You know what I’ve decided? You’re a little too feisty for your own good … when you don’t get your way. Over the last few days you’ve been wined and dined, pampered and probed, ridden and rode. Think of it like this, tonight you can go back to being you.” Vic didn’t seem to appreciate that last statement by the abrupt slamming of the bathroom door. Oh well, that’s all I’ve got for now. My butt is bone ass tired.
Unzipping my leathers, I kicked off my boots, stretched out sideways on the bed and flipped on the news. After twenty minutes of murders and political mayhem, CNN finally got around to the lucky folks and their diamond dilemmas. Speculations and postulations were rampant, featuring guest after wayward guest supporting their individual hypothesis of who was behind the sudden windfalls and why. Little do they know ... they’re all wrong. I switched to Andy Griffith and zoned out. Ah, those were the days ... Mayberry, Aunt Bee, Barney and Opie. Life was simpler then. Wonder where in the world today I could find myself another Mayberry? Surely, there is a town, a village, a community that has insulated itself from the envy and greed that’s befallen humanity of late. That’s worth a Google, I surmised. Now where in the world is Vic’s iPad? Of course I could get up and rummage through her stuff, but being the southern gentleman that I am, I thought better of it. I did what most men are prone to do when they’re relaxed and comfortable, I yelled, “Yo, Vic! Where is your iPad?”
Yo? Did he just say, ‘Yo, Vic?’ “I have it, D. I’m catching up on emails and current events in the tub. Let me rephrase that,” I shouted through the closed door, “I’m catching up on you.” How one man’s unselfish quest for redemption could stir up so much shit is beyond me. Why couldn’t these blessed few keep their investment healing treasures to themselves like D asked them to? Humanity at its finest. Geez! Moving on, where was I? “D, I’ll be out in a few minutes. Can you wait? What’s for dinner?”
My body relaxed, my brain in slow-mo, I struggled to correlate her string of questions into an appropriate reply. “I can wait. You can assist me in my quest for Mayberry. I’m surprised, why didn’t you just say I’m hungry?”
“Duh! I inferred it didn’t I?” This yelling back and forth through the door has to stop. Rising from the tub, I towel dried quickly and made an orchestrated entrance, tossing my iPad to him with my glorious naked self attached. “Here you go, D, for your viewing pleasure...”
“Girlfriend, it’s gonna be hard— ” I hesitated, “looking up something on your iPad while my Googling eyes are drooling over you in your current state of attire.”
I grasped the slowly rising bulge in his shorts and quipped, “I’m counting on it.”
“Victoria, would you believe me if I told you I’m mentally and physically worn out?”
“I would, especially after all the miles we’ve covered today. He,” I continued, proudly massaging D’s tented masculinity, “conveys quite the opposite.”
So much for looking up Mayberry. I purposely redirected her gaze with a push of my hand. “Turn a deaf ear to the one-eyed monster, Victoria. Remember he’s a notorious slut. Besides, mind you, I’m taking liberties here. I thought you were hungry.”
D’s valid argument caused me to release my death grip, but not before speaking pointedly to his little brain, “I am hungry. What’s ... for ... dinner?”
“That’s my girl! You know who’s in charge. Get dressed in your finest jeans. I’ll call us a cab. We’re going to Dempsie’s downtown. We’ll eat, get drunk, and—”
My eyes lit up, I jiggled my booty in his face, “Screw?”
“I didn’t say screw, I said sleep. You weren’t listening!” Vic pounded me with one of the signature pillows while her breasts, bouncing off my chest, reawakened the little fella, now positioning for a full frontal attack. “Stop it! ... Please?” I whined. “Let’s get through the first two. If there’s anything left in my tank, you’re welcome to it.”
I relented. D, makes almost saying yes but not really seem sufficient, even when I don’t want him to. Following his lead, I dressed.
Chapter 50
Ten minutes later and twenty bucks lighter, compliments of the Lake Cab Company, we found ourselves nestled into a corner booth in Dempsie’s, courtesy of Milly our most accommodating hostess. The walls were adorned with pictures of the Old West and saddles and cowboy hats reflecting the hard times long passed.
“In celebration of our last night together, Victoria, will you share a bottle or two of wine with me?” Nodding her head to the affirmative, I ordered the first bottle of Pinot noir to kick off our evenings’ festivities.
“To us,” I toasted, raising my glass to D’s.
“To many more tomorrows,” I replied, clinking my glass with hers. “This vintage Pinot is only fitting, this, being our last night together for a while. I remember serving you this very same wine, sans the crystal, the first night we met.”
“Red solo cup. How could I forget the night I undressed before your lust filled eyes ... and all you wanted to do was cuddle? Of course I remember, you rejected me asshole ... my first!”
“I didn’t reject you, Vic, I rejected the thought of me betraying Candi. We had something … Something wonderful in the works.”
“And you still might,” I countered, knowing in my heart until D knew for sure where he stood with her, I was the odd man — woman — out. Raising my glass again, “ to Candi, wherever she may be.” Biting my tongue, I still could think it … or on whomever she may be.
“Thank you, Victoria. To Candi, may she be safe as well.”
Vic, me thinks you’re lucky your mouth didn’t overload your ass with that one-liner.
“Speaking of safe, it may not be the best time to bring this up, but I’m gonna need you to disappear for a while as soon as we get back tomorrow.” Knowing I’d immediately struck a nerve, I continued briefing her as best I could on the possible threat Jim and Candi conveyed to me.
“What do you mean leave? I’m going to be home tomorrow for the first time in almost two weeks. I have a slew of things to do. So much to catch up on.” His eyes, his beautiful brown eyes, projected grave concern for my safety. Damn, I’m not going to win this argument. As ludicrous as it seemed I wasn’t sure I wanted to. Exhaling, I relented, “where would you like me to go?” There were numerous places I could safely retreat to, none of which would make me feel as safe as I am right now. “Can I go back to Tennessee with you?”
“I’m trying to protect you, Vic. Getting you out of my immediate circle is my goal. Do you have any relatives or friends far away that you could go visit for a few days?”
Too much to process ... Wait! Wait! I need to think. “You’re wanting me to go somewhere far, far away aren’t you? Hard to reach, harder still to find?”
“You got it. It’s been confirmed from two reliable sources that someone is hell bent on finding me — us. I don’t need to be worrying about protecting you. Remember, I didn’t do so well the last time. I need to be proactive, protecting me.”
“Damn straight, you’re my best client. Can’t have anything happen to you.”
“Vic, I’m your only client.” I grinned ... “Thanks, anyway.”
“Hush ... I’m thinking ... Um, I forgot to tell you, I — we — got an email from Semper Fi, Frank. Read it in the tub. Wanted me to tell you he’s in Copenhagen, Denmark staying at some hotel ... whose name escapes me at the moment, but I do remember something about it’s across the street from Tivoli Gardens.” D nodded like he knew
exactly what I was talking about. “You been there?”
I nodded yes, “A long time ago.”
“Worst case, I could go hang out with him.” I threw that out to gauge his knee jerk reaction, before I swapped my seduction panties for my business suit, and began my rebuttal as his twice tried and thrice tested attorney. “Too far, never mind. I’m your counsel. By the looks of things you’re going to need me, sooner, rather than later. Best I stay in the country. Got it?”
“Yes, counselor, loud and clear. Still doesn’t answer my question, where can you go?”
“Non siblings I gather? In that case, I have a cousin in Jasper, Georgia, about an hour north of Atlanta. Her husband is a ranger and he carries a big gun,” I said, holding up my hands about twelve inches apart. I smiled, “big, D, big — at least twice the size of yours. Will that work?”
Humor, that’s what we need right now. “I’m not going to touch that last statement. Bound to be TMI forthcoming. Thank you Victoria for bringing levity into the room, even if it was … at my expense,” I chuckled, taking her hands in mine, pushing them seven inches apart ... possibly ... eight. We laughed.
Still I had to get her on a plane to Atlanta before I could breathe easier. “After all that, yes, it will work! But, I’m not leaving you until you’re wheels up, no arguments,” I blasted, pounding my fist on the table hard enough to rattle the silverware.
He does care. Hell, I care. “Don’t take this the wrong way, D, but suddenly I’m not very hungry. Can we split an appetizer and possibly another bottle of wine?”
“Your wish is my command.” I ordered the Grand Sampler which featured a generous selection of their best sellers, along with another bottle of Pinot noir. “Drink up girlfriend, the night is closing fast.” And we did, sipping slowing through the second bottle, feasting on the platter and talking about our broken dreams, as well as the demons buried in our past.
“D, why were you looking for Mayberry? Is there really such a place in this great big world?” I asked, hoping he would answer my last question with a resounding yes.
“Surely there is, I’ll just have to find it, idyllic, though it may be. I’m sorry; I’m running on empty here, Victoria. My friends are few, my family nonexistent. After all we’ve tried to do to repair a horrible wrong, I feel like I’ve been relegated to victim status. Working my way up from the bottom, I adhered to the principle if you treated people the way you wanted to be treated, good things would come your way. That, I’m sad to say, has turned out to be more false, than truth. Most people, I’ve come to realize are your friends because of what you can do for them. It’s only when your endless supply of giving is exhausted do you wake up one day in a cold sweat to discover you have none. What once was in the hundreds, I now count on two hands. Jim, from WITSEC, said ‘it was time’ ... I could barely bring myself to utter the next words ... ‘to relocate.’ At first the idea repulsed me, but the more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve warmed to it. Do you realize I’ve struck out building a life from the ground up three times so far? Somewhere on this planet there has to be a simpler life, lived by genuine people without self-serving agendas — people who are the real deal, respecting you for you, not just for what you bring to the table. If I can find it, you’ll find me on the next plane.”
He’s losing me. “What if this utopia you dream of doesn’t exist as you imagine it, then what?”
“There has to be, doesn’t there? But, God forbid, if there isn’t, to answer your question when that dream stops so will my breathing.”
No you don’t. I am not throwing you a pity party right now, damn you! “You have value, you have worth. One billion dollars in diamonds you’ve given back to the people who could ill afford to lose their life savings. You’ve helped me, Frank, and now Missy and who knows how many others. You’re a rare breed, Jon David,” I assured him, clasping my hands around his as he subconsciously twirled the stem on the wine goblet with his fingers.
I’d had my say. I was done talking. “Drink up, Vic, it’s been a long day.” Calling the cab driver, who dropped us off earlier, I asked for a pick-up in fifteen. “My, what a depressing last night together this has turned out to be. I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for, D. I wish there was more I could do. You manage brokenness well, except when you don’t — by drinking too much, that is.”
I laughed. “I’ve surely exposed you to a few of those episodes here lately, haven’t I girlfriend? Honestly, what did it get me?”
“Laid. It got you laid,” I replied somberly. “I shared in your pain, your hurt, your grieving. I commiserated with you the only way I knew how. I gave you my best, I gave you my all — I gave you me.”
Chapter 51
Vic was dead on when she said she gave her all. She gave me her heart, her mind, her soul. That’s what kindred spirits do. “That’s what I love about you, Victoria. You’re either all in or all out. There’s no such thing as in between.” Speaking of that, someone else, as I recall, was much the same way — Candi.
I left a Franklin on the table for a seventy-dollar tab and escorted Victoria outside to our waiting ride. Wrapping my left arm around her in the cab, Vic laid her head on my shoulder while we rode in shuttered silence back to the hotel. Back in the room, I sensed Vic had something profound to say by the longing in her eyes so I sat down on the bed and waited.
“D, I’m so going to miss you. These last two weeks have given me a renewed sense of purpose and direction. You’ve challenged me, encouraged me, and pushed me to be the best I can be. I thought I was good, but you’ve made me much better. You’ve made me hurry up and wait patiently for life to come to me. It did with the ducks, it did with the bears, it surely did with the stars scattered amongst the northern lights. I will never be able to repay you. This I promise, whenever there is an opportunity to pay it forward, rather than allowing it to slip through my fingers, which is what I’d normally do, I’ll embrace it and think of you.”
“That’s more than enough, girlfriend.” Running my fingers through her beautiful auburn hair, I continued, “It’s only fitting that we end this ride the way it began. I’d like to hold you and just sleep with you tonight. In my tank there’s nothing left to give.” The darkness enveloped us, both literally and figuratively. Sleep came quickly for me.
I turned away from him as he snuggled into me. Lying beside me was the man of many a woman’s dreams; my dreams too, damn it. A man who dreamed, not of me, but of another. Filling my lungs for possibly the last time with his scent complimented by his Allure cologne I’d recently grown fond of, I cried until I had no more tears left in me. Sleep this night was my enemy. The events over the last few weeks with D played out over and over in my head. What could I have done differently? What could he? Would Candi save their relationship or would he somehow find his way back to me in his quest to find peace in some mystical town called Mayberry? Somewhere after two, I drifted off.
My phone vibrated, annoyingly announcing 5:30 a.m. I turned it off. In the stillness and quiet of the morning, I planned our day. Breakfast, followed by a three-hour ride, should put us in Sioux City before eleven o’clock. If I drop her off to pack and repack while I go load the bike on the trailer, she should be able to catch a flight out anytime after one. I don’t care where it goes on her way to Atlanta as long as it takes her far and fast away from here.
I grabbed my sweats and shoes and dressed in the bathroom, doing my best not to disturb my girlfriend. I found the adequately furnished workout room on the ground floor empty and dark. Turning the flat screen on to local news, I sweated profusely for twenty minutes on the elliptical, followed by ten minutes of free weights. That’s all the time I could spare and be on the road by eight.
Making us a coffee and tea had become a morning ritual that sadly after today would end. I like her, maybe even love her, if I care to go there. But I can’t, not now with so much left unsaid between Candi and me. With a little luck, Major and I could make Tampa by Saturd
ay with a week to spare before the all-important ball. I needed a plan. Over the next fifteen minutes, wandering the vacant halls of the hotel I got a resemblance of one. Gio, and possibly others would have to be enlisted to make it come together. Returning to the room, I kissed Vic on the cheek waving the fresh brewed coffee under her nose that I’d picked up along the way.
“Hmmm, that smells wonderful, D. Guess that’s my cue to rise?”
“Yep, I’m sorry. I wish I could let you sleep longer, but we’ve got much to accomplish today and little time to waste. I’m gonna grab a quick shower. Drink your coffee and for your reading pleasure, I brought you a USA today to peruse.” My solitary shower completed, I found Vic dressed and ready to ride.
“Don’t ask. It’s no fun showering alone. I’m ready when you are.” But I wasn’t. I don’t want to leave, not this way, not like this. Last night we crashed hard, landing in the reality of his making. We were no longer playing make believe, we were no longer living a dream. D is fighting for his life; he’s also fighting for mine.
Chapter 52
A quick breakfast, compliments of the Holiday Inn behind us, I strapped the bags on the bike and we were on the road ten minutes shy of eight The crisp morning Dakotan air was refreshing, if not exhilarating, cruising south on I-29 at 80 mph. Prairie turned into plains and plains turned into cornfields, silently signaling our closing proximity to Sioux City.
I changed my mind. Vic was not leaving my sight. Exiting onto 4th Street a few minutes after ten, I weaved my way to the Crown Plaza, where I found my truck and trailer exactly where I’d left it many weeks before.
“Wish I could say we’re home, but that would be an understatement. Again, I’m sorry, Victoria. It is what it is.”
“No apologies, D. I told you I have no regrets. I have a new career path, more than enough assets and you. I’m set. Just promise me you will take care of you.”