Iris Rainbow

by Ilona Fridl

  “Didn’t it go well at Miss Lamont’s shop?” Tim asked.

  “It was a difference in attitude,” Teri answered. “We didn’t say a word. She was totally in charge. We have to come back next week for a fitting. I think we both wanted some say in how the dresses are going to be made.”

  “We’re having our tuxes made by the tailors there,” John put in. “They do everything for the outfits. I think we’re even having custom-made underwear.” All four of them laughed.

  Their order arrived and, putting the food down, the busty brunette made an extra bend when she served the fish and chips to the guys. Teri was sure they could see down her low-cut uniform, because the movement brought her bust within inches of Teri’s nose and she had a fleeting thought of stabbing the boob with her fork. As the waitress straightened up, she banged Teri’s head with her elbow. “Oh, did I hurt you?”

  “No.” Teri grabbed her fork with both hands to restrain herself from misusing it.

  They started to eat as soon as the waitress left. “We have a plan to get revenge for you two at Madalane’s, by the way. That’s the Snobby Bitch you went to first, right?” John said between bites.

  Carol nodded. “Yes, her shop is down the block.”

  “Good. All of us will go in, but you let us do the talking.”

  Three times during lunch they were bothered by patrons asking for autographs. The waitress “accidentally” splashed water on Carol when picking up the dishes.

  “Do you mind if I leave her a tip?” Teri asked as they were getting ready to go. The three of them looked at her curiously while she took six quarters out of her purse and picked up one of the thin plastic placemats. Putting the quarters in her water glass, Teri made sure it was full to the brim. She put the plastic mat over the top, and flipped the glass over, then carefully slid the mat out from under the glass, and it adhered to the table. “There, she gets wet, no matter how she gets the tip out.”

  Tim laughed. “You are devious, babe. How did you think that one up?”

  Teri had a slight pang because that was something David used to do to rude waitresses. “It’s just something my friends and I used to do.”

  After they paid for lunch, they went down the street to Madalane’s, and the girls went in first. The Snobby Bitch was sitting at the desk and looked up, sneering, “What are you two doing back?” Then the fellows walked in and a look of disbelief quickly crossed her face. “Oh, you do know them.”

  “Yes, and we don’t like the way our girlfriends were treated in this shop,” John said evenly.

  “Well, I didn’t know. I suppose I could come up with something…”

  “Forget it,” Tim said. “You had your chance and you blew it. You won’t be getting any more business from the Stern Agency.”

  “I’m sorry, please...” Staring at them tight-lipped, she watched them go out the door. They gave a victory cheer as they split to go to their respective cars.

  When the girls went to their fitting the following week, Miss Lamont brought out shoes, purses, jewelry, everything they could possibly need. Teri tried to make suggestions on what she wanted, but she was shushed by Miss Lamont. I feel like a life-sized Barbie doll.

  Miss Lamont tried the necklace on Teri, a beautiful emerald one. “Yes, that will go perfectly.”

  Teri stared at it in the mirror. “My god, is that real?”

  Miss Lamont smiled. “Of course, dear.”

  “But that must cost a fortune!”

  “It does. It’s from our collection. You’ll only be renting it.”

  Teri became lightheaded. I’m going to hang on to this. I can’t afford to lose it!

  On the day of the event, Carol and Teri had their hair done at the salon next door, then picked up their dresses. When they left, Carol dropped off Teri with a cheery, “See you later.”

  At six o’clock that evening, Teri gazed with awe at her reflection in the full-length bathroom mirror. Her dress, of dark emerald green silk, went past her knees in an uneven hemline, with a white silk panel draped over one shoulder and stitched carefully down the side of a deep vee neckline. As she turned in front of the mirror, the silk dress flowed with her. Her high heels were silver, to match her silver clutch purse, and the beautifully matched emerald necklace, bracelet, and earrings set off her red hair, which was done up in a cascade of curls held with a silver band. Hello, Cinderella. I don’t think I could possibly have come up with anything like this. Miss Lamont really knows what she’s doing. Although, I’m afraid of getting it dirty. I’m sure it cost Tim a tidy sum. So this is what it’s like to be wealthy. It doesn’t seem as if they ever make their own decisions.

  “Come on, the limo should be here any minute,” Tim called from the bedroom. At the sight of Teri, he blew a long, low whistle. “Baby, you’re gorgeous!”

  She gasped when she saw him in a tux with a bow tie that matched the color of her dress. Teri had never seen him so handsome, and she sighed, “You’re gorgeous, too.” Hearing the doorbell, he offered his arm, and she strolled out with her Prince Charming.

  ****

  Later that week, Carol suggested Teri come with her to her yoga and transcendental meditation study. Teri was hooked, and after that she and Carol frequently got together after work at one or the other’s apartment, learning meditation and the Indian chakras, or centers of power in the body, and how to make them work.

  One afternoon, the girls were on the patio at Tim’s apartment with a Ravi Shankar album on the stereo. The sitar music helped them to relax, along with the incense burning at the four corners of their mats. They had decided to try the nude meditation, to allow universal power to flow in and out without the encumbrance of clothes. When Tim and John came in earlier than usual, they found the girls sitting in the lotus position on pillows. The guys were speechless.

  Opening her eyes, Carol intoned, “We are savoring the universe without the limitation of clothing. Why don’t you come out with us?”

  “What are we supposed to do?” John asked.

  Carol shaded her eyes. “Get a pillow, shed your clothes, sit in a cross-legged position, and get in touch with your inner self.”

  The guys glanced at each other, shrugging. Doing as they were told, they settled down across from the girls. Closing her eyes again, Teri went back into her meditation. She felt a light tap on her shoulder and saw Carol, who tried not to laugh. She gestured toward the guys who were cross-legged on the pillows, both with full erections. Teri whispered, “Well, it looks like they got in touch with their inner selves.” The girls burst out laughing and, with the sound of sitar music in the background, the two couples made universal love.

  ****

  Company parties at the apartment turned Teri into an excellent hostess for record executives and radio station owners they wanted to promote Virgin Ram records. Teri loved to cook, so she and Carol made the hors d’oeuvres or else, if the party was being thrown on short notice, Teri called the caterers. At one of these parties, a recording executive slipped her a small vial of white powder. “Try snorting some of this, my dear, it’s prime stuff.”

  Teri took a deep breath. “That’s so expensive! I can’t accept that!”

  “Look at it as a gift for the hostess.” Dropping it in her hand, he moved on. She’d never tried any drugs besides pot, but Teri took the vial, hiding it with her things in a drawer. She and Tim could try it later.

  She brought out the vial the next evening. “Tim, do you know how to snort this?” Teri gave it to him.

  He frowned. “Where did you get this?”

  “From one of the recording executives. He said it was a gift to the hostess.”

  Tim shrugged. “I tried it once. Go get your hand mirror and one of my razor blades.”

  Puzzled by the odd request, she went to get the items. When she came back, Tim rolled a dollar bill into a tube. Taking the mirror and razor, he divided the cocaine on the mirror into two lines.

  He handed her the rolled bill. “Now put this in you
r nose like a straw and hold your other nostril closed. Then breathe in one line of coke.”

  Teri did, and while Tim was snorting the other line, Teri experienced a tingling in all her nerve endings like an intense orgasm, then settled into her own little world of sensations. What she loved about this drug was the way it made her feel. She remembered talking to Tim and dancing around the apartment, and then everything was hazy. Gazing at the clock, she noticed six hours had gone by. It was three o’clock in the morning and Tim was still beside her, with a glassy-eyed stare. Wonderful feeling, but pot and liquor seems to be more fun. Coke isn’t something you can do with friends. She found her way to bed, but Tim never joined her.

  ****

  One Saturday morning, Tim called Teri from the recording studio. “We’re hosting a party this evening for about thirty-five people. The band has big news to announce.”

  “What time should I have things ready?”

  “Around seven.”

  “What’s the big news?”

  “It’s a surprise.” And with that, Tim hung up.

  Checking the clock, she sighed. I have to get everything ready by seven. It was ten o’clock now. Then the phone rang again. It was Carol.

  “I just got a call from John about the party. I’ll be over in a half hour to help you.”

  “Thanks.” Teri hung up, sighed, and called the caterers, thinking she couldn’t possibly finish cooking in that amount of time. Nevertheless, the girls had everything set up by six-thirty, when people started to arrive. Managers, producers, roadies, and everyone connected with the band—all were invited. Tim and the band showed up at seven.

  He came in, shaking a champagne bottle. “Attention, everyone! I have an announcement to make. Virgin Ram’s album, Taking On, has made it to number one on the Billboard charts, along with a number one single from the album! Not only that, we have charted in eleven countries!” Everyone cheered the news. “There’s more,” Tim continued. “We’re going on a one-year world concert tour. We leave Friday for the Ed Sullivan Show this Sunday to kick off the tour!” He popped the cork to more cheers.

  At this, Teri’s yell stuck in her throat and she became subdued. A year! Tim will be gone a year? Carol sat beside her.

  “What do you think this means?” Carol asked. “Do you think they can take us, too?”

  “I don’t know. I guess that would be up to the record company. I don’t hear about that happening, though.”

  “I know I should be happy for John, but all I feel is emptiness. I feel guilty for that.” She sighed and went to find John.

  Coming over, Tim gave her a kiss. “Aren’t you happy, babe?”

  Teri forced a half-hearted smile. “Congratulations.”

  Tim moved on to someone else, and Teri sank into the bottle of booze in front of her. Luke eyed her, but she glared at him. Fortunately, he kept his distance.

  Next thing Teri knew, the sun was streaming through the window. Groaning, she buried her head in the couch, then felt a hand on her arm. Carol held a pill and a glass of water. “Here, take this. It will make the hangover go away.”

  “What is it?”

  “Mother’s little helper.”

  After a few minutes, Teri lifted her head, taking in everything around her, and groaned again. Food and mess everywhere. Suddenly, she clamped her mouth and ran to the bathroom. On her return, Carol sat in the kitchen, waiting for her.

  “Feeling better?” Carol asked. Nodding, Teri pointed to the mess. Carol laughed. “Don’t worry about that. I called a cleaning crew that’s used to Hollywood parties.”

  When the crew arrived, the girls moved to the patio and Teri found her voice. “Where did everybody go, or are they still under that pile?”

  Carol shook her head. “They took it on the road somewhere. I elected to stay here since you had passed out.”

  “What day is this?”

  “It’s Sunday.”

  “That means it’s five more days before they leave.” Carol had tears in her eyes as she nodded. Holding each other, they cried.

  By Monday, Tim was reasonably sober as they cuddled up. Teri gazed intently at him. “Do you think I can go along with you?”

  Tim hesitated a little too long. “Uh…I don’t think so.”

  “So what should I do?”

  “Stay here, of course.”

  “It will be awfully lonely without you. A year! That seems like forever.”

  “You could go back to your parents.”

  Teri seethed. “How dare you suggest that! I haven’t spoken with my dad since the blow-up. I think he hates me. Maybe I’ll ask Carol if she wants to share an apartment.”

  Tim looked at her with a surprising amount of sadness. “I’m going to miss you.” Holding her tight, he buried his face in her hair. She gave up her anger at his tender touch.

  Tuesday evening, the two couples had a final dinner at John’s apartment. The guys were happy and excited about the coming tour, and the girls were quieter than usual.

  “Will you two be able to come home any time during that year?” Carol asked.

  John shook his head. “I can ask, but I don’t think so.”

  Teri chewed her lower lip. “Carol and I talked about getting an apartment.”

  Tim sighed. “Why? You don’t have to move. I can’t speak for John, but I’m sure he feels the same way.”

  “Sure do.” John nodded.

  “We’ll be alone in these big apartments without you, and everything will remind us of you. It’s better if we live together while you’re gone,” Teri said earnestly.

  “Suit yourselves, but the apartments are there if you want them.”

  “Unless we have one of the groupies move in.” Tim winked at Teri, but she didn’t smile.

  The next day, Carol and Teri took a morning off and sought an apartment, finding a small one-bedroom they could afford, just off the Strip. It was strange for Teri in the new apartment, knowing it would fit in one corner of the ones they’d been living in. But with both of them working, the smaller one would be easier to take care of.

  The girls went to the Farmer’s Market for lunch. Carol parked in the big lot, then strolled the cool corridor between the butcher shop and grocery into the market, looking at all the colorful, cheap kitsch items on display. They took a turn to the right and followed their noses to the pizza vendor, where they each purchased a slice of fresh hot pizza and a Coke, then sat at one of the outdoor tables.

  The girls had just started to eat when they heard, “Carol. Carol Wehring, is that you?”

  Turning to the speaker, a curious expression crossed Carol’s face. “Dana, hello. I haven’t seen you in some time.”

  “May I sit down?” She indicated the empty chair.

  “Okay. Dana, this is my friend, Teri Darden. Teri, this is Dana Stanley.”

  Dana studied Teri closely. “I’ve seen you before. Don’t you work at the First National Hollywood branch?”

  Teri nodded. “Yes, I do.”

  “I’ve also seen your picture in the paper, at events with Tim Olson.”

  Carol intervened quickly. “Teri, Dana is Tim’s ex-girlfriend.”

  Suddenly uncomfortable, Teri said, “Oh.”

  “Don’t worry, Teri, it was over long ago. Tim seems to think only of himself and his pleasure.” Dana still stared.

  “I’ve found him to be very thoughtful.” Teri felt very defensive.

  Dana looked her in the eye. “Has he ever told you he loves you?” Teri shook her head. “When he does, you’ll find him gone. That’s what happened to us. He told me he loved me, and then I never saw him again.”

  Teri felt a rock in the pit of her stomach and Carol said quickly, “He could have changed.”

  Dana shook her head. “He’s done that so many times. He gets tired of a girl, then moves on to the next conquest. I’ve known both Tim and John longer than you. They’re both cut from the same cloth, just you wait and see. This fame will bring them so many girls, they will forget
all about you.” She got up to leave. “It was good to see you again, Carol. Nice to meet you, Teri.”

  Both girls were stunned as they watched Dana walk away. Teri turned to Carol. “Oh, Carol, do you think what she said is true?” Tears started to form in her eyes.

  Carol bit her lip. “Teri, I started going with John when I was a sophomore in high school and he was a senior. I know Tim called Dana his girlfriend, but he went out with many other girls. If he didn’t have a date for an event, he called her. I do remember they were constantly fighting. I never liked Dana, but I felt sorry for her, the way Tim treated her.”

  “Do you think he’s gotten tired of me? Think about all the girls that are going to be throwing themselves at the guys. Could he find a girl he likes better?”

  “Teri, I’ve thought about that myself. I’m waiting for John to ask me to marry him. We’ve been together for six years now, and he says he loves me, but he’s never gone any farther than that. Now, with the fame, maybe he’s looking for something better.”

  Teri put her hand on Carol’s. “Maybe something big will happen before they leave.”

  Carol cast her eyes down. “I hope so.”

  Thursday evening, Teri fixed a special dinner and dressed in one of her off-the-shoulder gowns, with her hair in an upsweep, hoping maybe, just maybe, Tim would ask her to marry him. Around eight, she heard the Corvette pull into the garage. Putting a Glenn Miller record on the stereo, she lit the candles on the dinner table as Tim came in.

  “Wow, I feel like I’ve walked onto a movie set.” Pulling her chair out for her, he sat across from her. He looked at the wine glasses. “Sparkling wine?”

  Teri shook her head. “Sparkling grape juice. I don’t want liquor or drugs to spoil things tonight.”

  After dinner, they danced to the music and, at the end of the record, Teri removed two clips from her hair, letting it fall in red cascades. Unclasping the brooch from one shoulder, she let the gown fall. She had nothing on underneath. Tenderly taking her in his arms, Tim carried her to the bedroom, where he set her on the edge of the bed and sat beside her. He lifted her chin and kissed her, their tongues caressing hungrily while his fingers slid down her neck to her breast and her nipple tightened.