by ANDREA SMITH
I poured myself a glass of apple juice and put the muffins on a plate. I heard Gina breeze through the front door, calling my name.
"In here," I called out. "Want a cup of coffee?"
She appeared in the doorway to the kitchen looking as if she had literally climbed out of bed, put a pair of jeans on under her nightgown, threw on her coat and drove over.
"What the fuck Tylar? No, I don't want a cup of coffee. I want you to sit your ass down and explain to me why you would cheat on your husband? After you saw all the hell that Ian put me through; the pain and suffering, the humiliation - how could you do that to your own husband?"
"I didn't technically cheat on Trey - it just feels as if I have," I sobbed taking a seat at the table.
"What?"
I explained to Gina that Trey and I had a bit of a disagreement without telling her the specifics. I told her that it wasn't so much the content of the disagreement but the tone he had taken with me making me feel subservient and insignificant. I explained that I had gone to bed pissed off at him and that he had come to bed horny. I admitted that because I was horny as well but still pissed, I fantasized that he was someone else and got off seven ways from Sunday.
I raised my head to look up at her where she was standing next to the breakfast bar. I saw her mouth twitch as if she was finding humor in what I had just admitted to her.
"I think I will have that cup of coffee," she stated. "Are those blueberry muffins?"
"Gina? Did you hear what I said?"
"I'm sorry Ty," she said, starting to giggle loudly. "You actually are beating yourself up because you fantasized in the sack? What? You don't think millions of people do that every night? What about Mrs. Martello at the fruit stand near our club? You've met her right?"
I nodded wondering what the hell Mrs. Martello had to do with my infidelity.
"Okay and you've seen Mr. Martello on occasion too, the guy wearing a gravy-stained, yellowed with age tee shirt that doesn't cover his big hairy belly?"
I nodded still wondering about how this applied to my circumstance.
"Mrs. Martello told me that she and her old man have sex every night of the week. You know why?"
I shook my head indicating that I was clueless.
"She told me the secret of their great sex life is that for the past twenty years she has pictured him as Sinatra when they are in bed. I swear to God that's the truth."
"But Gina that's different."
"How so?" she asked, picking at a blueberry muffin.
"Well for one thing, Sinatra is dead. Plus it's okay I guess to fantasize that you're with a rock star or some famous sports figure or celebrity."
"Damn straight," she replied. "I used to fantasize that Ian was freaking Johnny Depp - no harm no foul. So what's your point?"
"I fantasized that Trey was his brother, Tristan."
"Holy shit," she said, sitting down. That is a bit more complicated I guess."
"You think?"
"Well be honest Ty; do you think that you have an actual crush on Tristan?"
"No - I mean I like him a lot as my brother-in-law. I think it's sort of because he looks a lot like Trey but yet he's a little older and more mature; plus he is definitely more laid back than Trey. He never would have acted like Trey did when I brought up the idea of investing in the club."
Gina's raised her eyebrows at that. Shit! I hadn't meant to divulge the specifics of our argument.
"So - you basically got pissed because the Hot Nazi trashed the idea you had about buying Ian's share of the club?"
"I'm sorry Gina; I really didn't mean to share all of that with you."
"No - no, it's all good girlfriend," she said pouring coffee into a mug and taking her place again at the bar.
"So tell me, how hot was the fantasy sex with Tristan?"
____________________________________
Gina had discussed my offer to invest my money with Jesse, her attorney. I specifically instructed her not to divulge my name. He was a junior associate located on the floor below Trey's but I didn't want to take any chances on having Trey find out yet. Jesse was to make an offer to buy out Ian's portion to his attorney so at this point there was nothing left to do but wait.
"Won't it be great to be partners, Ty?"
Gina was excited at the prospect; I was too for that matter it was just letting Trey know what I had done if the offer was accepted. I guess I would cross that bridge when I came to it.
As it turned out, Trey's phone conversation from the night before had been with Tristan. He was going to be in Atlanta this coming weekend with Libby and wanted all of us to get together. Trey had shared that with me when he called from his office at lunch time. I dreaded having to deal with that bitch again.
He was acting as if everything was back to normal. I still was carrying guilt about my fantasy but Gina had told me over and over it was perfectly normal. She told me under no uncertain terms should I 'confess' it to Trey.
I had made Trey's favorite dinner tonight: pot roast with carrots, potatoes and gravy; I had followed his mother's recipe and baked him a chocolate pie. I set the dining room table very formally with good china and cloth napkins. I opened a bottle of red merlot to breathe.
I dressed Preston in one of her wool plaid jumpers with a long sleeved shirt underneath. I put winter tights on her and a pair of patent leather dress shoes. She looked adorable. I moved her high chair into the dining room.
Trey came in around 6:30 and immediately knew something was up.
"Shit - we aren't having company tonight are we?"
"No silly," I said, helping him off with his trench coat. "I just wanted us to have a nice romantic dinner that's all."
He cocked an eyebrow looking around the room and then back to me.
"Where's the baby?"
"She's in her playpen right over there Trey. Why don't you go in and spend a few minutes with her while I get dinner on the table okay?"
I went back to the kitchen and finished pureeing some of the baked yams I had made for Preston. I poured Trey and I a glass of wine and set it at our place settings. I finished putting the food on the table and filled our crystal tumblers with ice water. Everything looked delicious.
"Dinner is ready Trey. Would you put Preston in her high chair?"
Trey was impressed with dinner. He complimented me over and over again about how great everything tasted. He said my chocolate pie was every bit as good as his mothers. I felt better about last night seeing how happy I had made him this evening.
Trey finished spooning the pureed sweet potatoes to Preston who by this time had an orange clown's mouth. It was funny to watch her as she leaned into the spoon with her mouth biting it. She loved the taste of it and at times started whining when Trey wasn't getting it to her fast enough. She managed to get her fingers into the bowl and then stuck them into her mouth sucking the sweet potatoes off of her fingers.
I cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher.
Trey wiped off Preston's face and hands and offered to bathe her.
"Thanks sweetie," I said. "I'm going to grab a shower."
He leaned down and kissed me softly on my lips.
"Thanks for a wonderful dinner baby."
An hour later Trey and I were in bed watching a movie together. I was curled up in his arms feeling better about everything. Gina had been right. Fantasies were a normal part of sexuality.
My Blackberry chimed on the nightstand. I reached over and grabbed it. It was Gina.
"Hi Gina, what's up?"
"Great news Ty. Jesse just phoned. Ian's attorney got back with him this evening. It's a go. He's accepted the buyout. You and I will be equal partners at the Sanctuary, how about that?"
"Really?" I said.
I found myself excited now over the prospect that this was really going to happen. I would have something of my own. I was elated.
Trey was looking over at me with a puzzled expression.
"So," Gina continued. "We ne
ed to get the funds together. Jesse says a cashier's check will do. I will call you in the morning with the exact amount okay? Jesse will also get the partnership LLC papers together."
"Sure Gina. I'll talk to you then."
I put the phone back on the nightstand and curled up next to Trey.
"What was that about?"
(Holy shit. . .)
"Oh that was Gina."
"I know it was Gina, Tylar. That much was fairly evident. What's going on?"
"She is going to buy out Ian's share of the club. She found a partner. She's stoked."
"She found a partner that quickly?"
"Yeah. It's me."
CHAPTER 21
I soon learned that Trey could give as well as he got when it came to the silent treatment. He hadn't said a word to me once he had stopped yelling. He was furious when I told him that I had used my savings account money to buy out Ian's share of the club. He said that I had no business doing that without discussing it with him first. I told him that I didn't see it that way.
He left for work the following morning without so much as kissing me good-bye. Gina came by at 10 a.m. to pick Preston and I up; we headed to the bank to get the cashier's check. We drove down to Trey's office building. I was thankful that Jesse was on a different floor. Jesse had received the signed bill of sale from Ian's attorney; he had prepared the LLC partnership agreement between Gina and me. It was fairly simple. The difficult part was yet to come.
I had no clue as to how to run a business; or in the case help run a business. Gina admitted that Ian had taken care of booking the talent, advertising, payroll, hiring and firing. She said she had trained the bartenders and scheduled their shifts, filling in when one of them called off. They had an outside accountant who kept the books. An audit and full accounting had been conducted prior to the drafting of the separation agreement that would become Gina and Ian's final divorce decree in about thirty days.
Our LLC was to take possession of the club immediately upon execution of transfer of title. It was ours starting now. Gina was ecstatic; I was scared shitless. It didn't help that Trey was not speaking to me. I needed his support now more than ever.
Gina said our first order of business was to fire the "skank" which she had no reluctance in doing. She announced that I would be the upstairs bartender after terminating the skank.
Of course I knew nothing about the science of mixology. My experience entailed getting a beer from the fridge for Trey or pouring myself a glass of wine. I hadn't even operated a computerized cash register. Gina didn't see that as an obstacle.
She presented me with my work uniform, which consisted of a short black skirt, tight white blouse with the first three buttons unbuttoned, and a silky black vest. I was instructed to wear dark hose and a minimum of 3" black heels. She gave me a bartender's guide for mixed drinks and scheduled training time for me over the next two days at the club for four hours a shot.
Jean had been released from rehab. She had called me her first day home letting me know that she was ready to start back to work. The timing was perfect. She assured me that she had no physical restrictions and felt as good as she had before the accident. When I asked if she might possibly be interested in babysitting while I started back to work she was thrilled at the idea. She assured me that she was more than up to caring for "her little angel." That warmed my heart immediately. She watched her the two afternoons while I underwent Gina's "training."
Tristan was coming to Atlanta to spend a long weekend with Libby. I didn't know exactly what Trey had planned as far as entertaining or hanging out with them since this would by my inaugural weekend as half-owner of the Sanctuary.
Jean was going to be at the apartment on Friday by 5:00 to stay with Preston until Trey got home. I had conveyed that to Trey verbally receiving little more than a nod and a grunt in return.
Thursday night I bathed Preston and got her dressed in her pajamas. I sat with her in the rocking chair in her bedroom and read from her favorite book, "Goodnight Moon."
She would try to turn the pages before I was finished reading. She soon became distracted from the book and squirmed against me rooting for my breast. She hadn’t done that for a while.
"What's the matter baby?" I asked softly, lifting my shirt and unfastening my nursing bra.
She immediately leaned over and latched on to my nipple. I watched as she curled up against me sucking gently.
Trey had been working in his study and passed by the nursery where we were. He poked his head in and asked if she was ready to go to bed.
"As soon as I finish nursing her," I said, "Why?"
"I just wanted to kiss her goodnight," he replied.
"Don't let me stop you Trey."
He came over to where she was safely ensconced in my arms and leaned over, brushing her hair gently with his hand he kissed the top of her head several times.
"Good-night Preston, Daddy loves you more than anything," he said softly.
He turned and left the room without acknowledging my presence for all intents and purposes. I actually felt my heart ache from his treatment of me. I had never felt so disconnected and distant from him. A single teardrop spilled from my eye, running down my cheek and dropping onto Preston. She was watching me as if she knew and sensed that something was amiss between her father and me. Her little mouth curved downward as if she were ready to cry.
I continued to rock her, gently stroking her hair and singing softly to her until she fell asleep in my arms. I lowered her gently into her crib, tucking her in. I placed her favorite stuffed toys next to her.
I shrugged off my shirt and jeans and crawled into the bed in the nursery finding comfort in being close to the one person in this apartment that I knew loved me unconditionally.
I awoke the next morning hearing Preston chatting baby talk in her crib. She was sitting up and had arranged her stuffed toys around her in a circle. She was pulling at her diaper under her pj's.
(Shit! What time was it?)
I glanced at the clock on the dresser seeing that it was 8:27 a.m. I couldn't believe that Preston had slept this late. Trey had apparently left for work without saying good-bye. My heart was heavy once again.
"Does Preston need a fresh diaper?" I asked.
She immediately glanced over in the direction of the bed not realizing that I had been in her room all night. She broke into a wide grin, crawling over to the crib rail, trying to pull herself up.
I lifted her out of her crib, placing her on the changing table while I got a clean diaper and a baby wipe for her. I unsnapped her pj's and removed the wet diaper and cleaned her up. I fastened a fresh diaper on her.
After I fed her breakfast I dressed her for the day. Gina was over at the apartment promptly at 10:00 to quiz me on my knowledge of mixing drinks. She had turned it into a science as far as her club was concerned. She had managed to go into the database on her computer at the club and capture the most popular mixed drinks sold there aside from the usual ones such as rum and coke, gin and tonic, vodka and orange juice - the very "generic" drinks as Gina liked to refer to them. The drinks I had been studying were the most popular at the Sanctuary over the past year that required memorizing the recipe.
"Okay girlfriend," she said very seriously.
"Are you ready?"
I nodded my head nervously. I really wanted to succeed at this. I knew that there was both an art and a science to mixing drinks and tending bar in general.
Gina had a stopwatch. We had arranged various containers of colored water to represent the various liquors and liqueurs, along with an ice bucket, tongs, and various sizes of glasses. I would use an unattached hose nozzle when I had to add the various sides such as soda, tonic, Coke and Sprite.
"Okay now remember, when I call out the drink you repeat out loud the ingredients as you are making it so that I know you understand the ingredients."
"Yes Gina," I replied warily.
She had been a relentless taskmaster over the past co
uple of days.
'Gimme a "Grateful Dead," she ordered, clicking on her stopwatch.
I put myself in action with the array of bottles that had various levels of food-colored water in them.
"A 'Grateful Dead," I repeated, picking up a Collins glass and shoving ice into it.
"One part tequila, one part vodka, one part light rum, one part gin, one part Chamburd and raspberry liqueur."
"Very good," Gina beamed stopping the watch, allowing me time to empty the contents of the drink into the sink and prepare for the next concoction.
"I'm ready for "Sex on the Beach," she purred.
"Sex on the Beach is two parts vodka, one-half part peach schnapps, top it off with equal amounts of cranberry and orange juice."
"Great," Gina said, smiling.
"Now gimme a 'Kiss on the Lips," she ordered.
"Huh?" I asked, puzzled.
"Oh for Chrissake, Tylar - it's a damn drink."
I had to pause for a moment, trying to recall that particular drink from the book she had ordered me to memorize two days ago.
"Hint," she hollered, "It has frozen mango mix in it."
"Oh yes, 'Kiss on the Lips' - one and a half parts peach schnapps, one part frozen mango mix and one tablespoon grenadine."
"Excellent," Gina cheered.
I beamed happily at her praise. I had managed to remember that particular drink from her hint. It sounded a helluva lot better than that 'Grateful Dead.'
"Make me an "Adios Mother Fucker," she ordered.
"Adios Mother Fucker," I repeated.
"One part gin, one part light rum, one part tequila, one part vodka, one part blue Curacao liqueur and one ounce of Sprite."
"Ty," she said grinning, "I am so fucking impressed with how well you absorbed the recipes for those drinks in such a small window of time. I think you may just be a natural at this!"
We went over a few other popular drinks like Cosmopolitans, the various Martini families like apple-tini, skini-tini, and fuckin-tini. It was the best I had felt in a couple of days. The distance between Trey and I had left me feeling empty and lonely. I hadn't shared the extent of it with Gina. I didn't want to bum her out because she was clearly happier than I had seen her since all this shit had gone down with Ian.