Dancing Up the Ladder

by Loy Holder

Liz nodded. “Yes, he usually comes in with you.”

  “Yeah, he wanted to come, but he got stuck on a big software enhancement. He had to grab a sandwich out of the machine. Is there a message?” The older man grinned, as though he could read her mind.

  Her face heated with embarrassment. “Oh, no. Just tell him Liz said hello.”

  The younger man chuckled. “We sure will.” Liz walked away, kicking herself. Why did I just say that?

  After the swing-shift dinner crowd went back to work, business was slow again. Liz let Sam go home early and played pool with a few latecomers who stayed until closing time. Her body ached, and so did her head. After she locked up, she turned and saw Bill standing by her car. Her heart beat double time when she heard his voice saying, “Hello, pretty lady.” He walked toward her. “Sorry. I wanted to come at lunch. I’m just getting off work myself. Can you talk for a minute?”

  “Not really. I need to get home and check on my children.” She looked sheepish as she met his gaze. “Uh…did your friends say I asked about you?”

  Bill chuckled. “Yes, I’m glad you did. It’s OK. They know how I feel about you. I’ll be back soon. Can you spare me some time?” Liz couldn’t resist. She needed to touch his face. She ran a finger slowly over his lower lip. He took her hand and kissed her palm. “I’ll be back in as soon as I can.” His eyes told her what she wanted to know.

  Those few minutes with Bill had a positive effect on Liz. She felt less achy and less irritable. She turned the corner to Lucille’s house and saw Nate’s car parked in the driveway, so she parked on the street. She quietly let herself in and padded down the hall to check on the children. She heard soft voices and she smiled to herself as she heard Pat Boone crooning “Friendly Persuasion” on Lucille’s radio. She went into the children’s room and moved Regina away from the edge of the bed, kissed them both, and went to her room. She settled under her covers, and drifted off to sleep, planning her first real conversation with Bill.

  Around four-thirty in the morning, Lucille’s box springs started to squeak, a slow rhythm at first, then faster. Liz pulled the pillow over her head to muffle the sounds. She was hot, and she lay there sweltering under the pillow until the squeaking ceased.

  Sleep refused to return, and at seven, she got up. Bill’s positive effect had worn off. She went into the bathroom and stared at her reflection. Her eyes were red and puffy, and the frown on her face matched her mood. Damn it. Lucille’s crossed a line. I need to tell her how I feel. Liz washed her face, ran a comb through her curls, and headed for the kitchen, hoping for a hot cup of Folgers.

  As she stepped out of her bedroom, Nate and Lucille were in the hall, and both turned to greet her. Nate said, “Good morning, Liz. You’re up a little early.”

  Lucille chimed in. “Yeah, it’s only seven o’clock. The kids aren’t even up yet.”

  “Yeah, I know. I need some coffee,” Liz mumbled in a sour tone, and kept walking, not looking in their direction. She didn’t want to talk until the caffeine kicked in. After pouring a cup, she went out to the patio and settled into the soft-cushioned chair, breathing in the crisp morning air. A cool breeze caressed her cheek, and her head started to clear. She knew Lucille would be there soon, and she was ready.

  Lucille followed Nate to the front door, and as she straightened his tie, he frowned. “What’s eating Liz? She didn’t even say hello.”

  “Oh, I’ll handle it. She’s up a little early.” Lucille gave a sensual chuckle. “I think we woke her up.” Lucille ran her hand through his dark, wavy hair. “Will I see you tonight?”

  He smiled and pulled her close. “You bet. Want to go out for dinner?”

  “I can’t, unless you want to take the kids. Remember, I watch ’em at night when Liz works.”

  “Right.” Nate shook his head, disappointment showing in his face. “I’ll pick up something, and we’ll eat here.” He kissed her and walked out the door. Lucille stood on the porch to wave as he pulled out of the driveway; then she poured herself a cup of coffee and joined Liz on the patio, ready for a confrontation.

  As soon as Lucille sat down at the table, Liz opened her mouth to speak, but Lucille held up her hand. “Liz, I’m not sure what your problem is, but I know something’s wrong. Before you say a word, I want you to understand some things. Nate is going to be here whenever he wants, and we’re going to have sex when we want, so get some earplugs. I like having you here, and I love the kids, but you’re not going to tell me what I can or can’t do in my own home. I think the problem is you’re jealous that I have someone.”

  “Yes, I may be a little envious, and I get that this is your house, but at least hear me out. After all, I am paying room and board plus babysitting, to stay here. All I want is for you to be quieter in the bedroom and accessible to the kids by four thirty in the afternoon, Monday through Friday. Is that too much to ask?”

  Lucille took a deep breath, and her face softened as she tried to put herself in Liz’s shoes. “OK, I’ll talk to Nate and see what we can do, but right now it’s time for breakfast. See if the kids are up, and I’ll get started?” She held out her hand for a shake, and smiled. “Friends again?”

  Liz smiled and shook Lucille’s hand. “Yep, and I’ll try to be a little more, uh…tolerant.”

  As Lucille headed for the kitchen, she shook her head. Shit! How’s Nate going to react? I don’t want to lose what I have with him.

  * * *

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Whew, it’s almost too good to be true,” Liz whispered to herself while she washed the lunch dishes. Another good night sleep, and quiet afternoons. I hope it lasts. Even the children seem happier.

  Lucille was gone, and the house was quiet. Liz finished the dishes and was about to join the children in the backyard when the phone rang. Liz answered, “Frantz residence. Liz speaking.”

  “Hi there, sister-in-law.”

  “Hey, Charlie. What’s up?”

  “Listen, my mom called. She wanted to know what was going on between you and Ron.”

  A knot formed in Liz’s gut. “Oh shit.”

  “Don’t worry. I didn’t tell her anything. I just told her that Ron’s been acting crazy. She wanted your phone number, so I gave it to her. She’s probably gonna call you, so be ready.”

  Liz sighed. “Damn, thanks for the heads-up, but I really don’t want to talk to her. Was Ron still there?”

  “She didn’t say, and I didn’t ask. I hate to drop a bomb on you and run, but I’ve got an appointment in twenty minutes. I’ll come by the Jet some evening, and we can catch up.”

  “Sounds good, Charlie. See you soon.”

  There was a loud thump against the house. Liz forgot the phone call and ran outside to check on the children. Ronnie was set to throw a basketball at the wall again. “Ronnie, give me that ball. You can’t throw it at the house.”

  “Why?”

  She frowned at her son. Typical response these days. “Because I said so. Now bring it here.”

  Ronnie threw the ball to his mother and stomped off to the sandbox to join his sister. Liz smiled and sat in a patio chair, finished a soft drink, and waited until he’d calmed down. Then she shouted at both children, “Hey, guys, you want a quick swim before I have to get ready for work?”

  While they were swimming, Lucille came out to the pool. “I’m back. I found a great sale at Weinstock’s. Wait until you see what I got.”

  “OK, I’ll come see in a minute.” Liz brought the children inside, gushed over Lucille’s new dress, and left for work on time.

  When she got there, the place was jumping. A crowd of day-shift Aerojet customers were all gathered at several tables pulled together, and there was a huge birthday cake sitting in the center. Kirk, a red-headed guy, called to her when she walked in. “Hey, Liz. How about a birthday dance?”

  Liz came straight to the table. “Sure.” She smiled and placed her hands on her hips. “Whose birthday?”

  Kirk slapped the back of the man sitt
ing next to him. “Ross, here. He’s over the hill now. He just turned fifty.”

  She winked at the birthday boy. “Well, Ross. Can you give me a little time to change into something more…comfortable? Then I’ll be happy to give you that dance.”

  Ross smiled, and his face grew as red as a tomato. “Yeah, sure.”

  Liz chuckled and patted the embarrassed man on the shoulder, but before going to the restroom to change, she checked with Sam in the kitchen. “Hi. Looks like we got a birthday party going on. Need any help?”

  “No. They just need one more pizza. It’ll be done in a few minutes, and I can deliver it. Go change.”

  Among the record selections in the Jet jukebox was a recording of Marilyn Monroe singing “Happy Birthday, Mr. President.” It wasn’t really good dance music, but she decided she’d punch it in as a finale, after she danced a couple of fast numbers. When she stepped on the stage, the birthday party customers hooted and whistled as she started to move.

  She loved to dance for a multitude of reasons. Her mother acted like she hated her and her B grades in chemistry and trig. In school, some of the kids made fun of her, and when she looked in the mirror, she’d decided they were right. She was too tall, bony, and skinny. The popular girls were all petite and cute. She’d only had one close girlfriend and never got asked out on dates. Matter of fact, the boys all acted like she didn’t even exist.

  When she’d started college, things changed. She had curves and was still tall, but the boys were taller, and they noticed her. She took dance as one of her electives, won a Charleston contest dancing on top of a cafeteria table, and got hooked on the applause and attention. Then she met Ron and quit school, but she never forgot the salve of applause and male attention.

  After the last number, Ross, Kirk, and the rest of the party applauded. Then Liz pantomimed as Marilyn Monroe singing “Happy Birthday.” Liz lip-synced the words perfectly while she portrayed Marilyn singing to President John F. Kennedy. Ross’s face grew red again as “Marilyn” focused directly on him.

  It was a hit, and afterward, Ross motioned her to his table, thanked her, and gave her a large tip. Liz smiled. “You’re welcome. Do you need more beer?”

  Ross gave a shy smile. “I think we’ve had enough beer. Is it possible we could get some coffee to go with the cake?”

  Liz chuckled, “Well, I don’t know. I’ll ask. Be right back.” She found Sam in the kitchen. “Hey, do we ever serve coffee?”

  Sam laughed. “You gotta be kidding. I’ll look around.”

  Liz helped her search the cabinets and found a can of Folgers and a large coffeepot. She held up the pot and said, “Here you go. Make a full pot, and we’ll use beer mugs to serve it in.”

  Sam took the coffeepot. “I’ll be damned. This is a first. Tell ’em it’s coming right up.”

  When Liz left the kitchen, she almost collided with Bill. “Hello, pretty lady. You got a minute?”

  She felt her pulse spike, and she smiled, happy to see his smooth, well chiseled face. “Ah, it’s you. Have a seat at the bar. I’ll be back in a flash.”

  Liz felt Bill watching her as she walked to Ross’s table. She smiled at Ross. “OK, birthday boy, your coffee’s on its way.”

  When she got back to the bar, she locked eyes with Bill. “Now, handsome, what can I get you?”

  He laughed, and Liz loved the way his eyes crinkled in the corners. “I need a cold shower after watching your last performance.” His face turned serious, and his eyes smoldered. “This is probably not a good time to talk, but I can come back when you get off. Can you talk for a while then?”

  “Yes.” She spoke without thought. Her heart skipped another beat as she watched him go out the door. Ah, I shouldn’t be doing—oh hell, nothing wrong with a little conversation.

  After the birthday party left, business was slow, so Sam went home. Liz danced some more, played pool, and finally, the last two customers left. She put the cash in the safe, cleaned up, and was about to change into her street clothes, when Bill walked in with his eyebrows raised. “Hey, pretty lady. You should lock this door after hours. No telling who might walk in.” His voice sounded stern.

  Liz went to the door, locked it from the inside, and turned to face him with a guilty look. “You’re right, and I still need to change. Can you give me another minute?”

  “I told you, I’m a patient man.” He flashed his white teeth with a grin, and she felt his eyes follow her to the restroom.

  Her top and pants were stuffed way down in her bag. As she shook out the wrinkles, she shrugged. Yeah, I should lock the door, but Ron’s gone. She shifted gears and didn’t waste any time. She pulled on her clothes and walked out to join Bill, with her pulse doing a tap dance as she approached him.

  He looked amazing. His dark hair glimmered in the dim light as he stood waiting by the door, and his tanned skin was a striking contrast to his crisp, white, tailored shirt. When she got close, his aftershave was intoxicating. She gave him a sultry smile. “OK, let’s have that talk.”

  They were in his car for over an hour. He asked questions, and she answered. It was close to three thirty in the morning when she thought to look at her watch. “Oh God. It’s after three. I need to get home.”

  “That’s a shame. I was just getting started.” He gave a reluctant sigh. “All right. I’ll walk you to your car.”

  She unlocked the passenger door and dropped her things on the front seat. He moved closer, and Liz turned to face him. He pulled her tight against him, and she felt the heat of his need. Her breath caught as he tilted her chin up and whispered, “One kiss; then I’ll let you go.”

  Light-headed from wanting his kiss and more, she stepped back and placed a hand on his chest. “I think about kissing you all the time, but a kiss might lead to more, and you’re not mine.”

  He took her hand and kissed her fingers. His face registered frustration and disappointment in his struggle to smile. “Someday, I will be. But until then, I’ll settle for talk.”

  On her drive home she thought about their encounter. She’d bared her soul to Bill, and there had been an exciting brand of emotional intimacy that flowed between them. Damn it, I wanted that kiss and so much more, but he’s married. Another private meeting with him would be dangerous.

  She pulled into the driveway, let herself into the house, tiptoed in her bare feet down the hall to check on the children, and then went to her room and fell into bed. Sleep came easy, and she dreamed of a kiss.

  Early the next morning, Liz was just waking up when she heard the phone ring and then Lucille’s voice through her bedroom door. “Hey, sunshine. You want to talk to Rita Harmon?”

  Liz slipped on a robe and wrinkled her nose. “Holy shit. I don’t want to talk to her.”

  “Well, she’s holding. Shall I tell her to call back or what?”

  Liz sighed. “No, I’ll be there in a minute.”

  She groaned and pulled the robe around her. What do I tell her, and what if Ron finds out? Crap! Liz went into the kitchen, poured herself a cup of coffee, and picked up the phone. “Hello, Mrs. Harmon. This is Liz. How are you?”

  “Hi Liz. I’ve been better. I’m sorry to bother you. I asked Charlie for your number because I’m worried about Ron, and I thought you could help me. Is this a bad time, or can you talk for a few minutes?”

  Liz took a sip of coffee and sighed. “Well, I’m not quite awake yet, but how can I help you?”

  She heard Rita take in a deep breath before she spoke. “Well, Ron came here, and he blamed you for everything, but I believe there’s two sides to the story. What happened between the two of you? I promise I won’t tell Ron we’ve spoken.”

  “Yes, I’d appreciate that. Is he there now?”

  “No. I don’t know where he is. That’s why I’m worried.”

  While Liz talked, Rita didn’t interrupt. Liz told her everything and then said, “Don’t worry, Rita. Your grandchildren are safe and happy now.”

  There was a long sil
ence on Rita’s end of the line. Finally she spoke, her voice full of emotion. “That’s a lot for me to take in, Liz, but I’m truly sorry for all you’ve been through. I’d like to send you some money to cover your medical and dental bills.”

  “That’s kind of you, Rita. Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. You’re welcome to visit us anytime. It seems a shame we’ve never met.”

  “Yes, I was disappointed when Ron arrived without you and the children, but we’re not up to making long trips. Maybe someday you could bring the children here for a visit.”

  “I’d like that, but I couldn’t miss work right now.”

  “I understand. Well, I’m sure you want to get on with your day, so I’ll let you go.” Rita gave Liz her phone number and said, “Liz, if you or the children need anything, please call. I’m not sure Ron can be helped, but thank you for sharing your story with me.”

  “You’re welcome. I hope things work out.”

  When Liz finished her phone conversation with Rita, she joined Lucille on the patio with another cup of coffee. “Well, that was interesting. My mother-in-law is a nice person.”

  “What’d she want?”

  “Well, she wanted to hear my side of the story, so I told her everything.”

  Lucille frowned. “What if Ron finds out you talked to his mother?”

  Liz sipped her coffee and shrugged. “I hear the children. I better go inside, but I’m not worried. Rita told me she wouldn’t mention our conversation to Ron.”

  * * *

  Chapter seventeen

  During the next few weeks, the Jet was packed with customers every night. Some evenings, there’d been standing room only. More business meant more tips, and Liz had received another raise.

  One morning, Liz came to the breakfast table with an ear-splitting grin. “I have a surprise for you.” Lucille gave her a wary look. “Oh? What would that be? You know I hate surprises, and Nate had to leave in a hurry this morning. I didn’t even get a good-bye kiss.” Lucille looked tired and grumpy as she sat at the table, her chin resting on a fist.