by Lynda Rees
Kelle giggled, slapping a hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. It’s awful about the rape. The poor woman, think what she went through. On a lighter side, you have to admit, Lola would make a fabulous stripper.” She did a bump and grind, leaving them in a fit of cackling.
They enjoyed a joint giggle before Tisha went serious again. “There’s more, babe. Hang on. Mom grew up and by then Gran owned her own strip club. Mom stripped too, then married Gran’s partner, my dad. They were very much in love. Together the three of them owned several clubs. The mob tried horning in. Dad refused to play with them and they killed him. Mom must’ve worked a prosperous deal with the syndicate. Convicted of running a brothel, she went to prison for a couple years. I was a young teen. I didn’t realize at the time. She shipped me off to boarding school with nonsense about education.”
“Wow, prim, proper Robert I figured for a blue-blooded straight lacer.”
“You and me too, she projected it for those not in the know to see—including me none the wiser. In the meantime, she led a string of high-class call girls and an illegal game in the buildings of the bakery and antique store. I truly had no idea my family got involved in anything the least bit shady. Wrong.” The sordid story still caused an icy finger to slide down her spine sending Tisha shivering.
Kelle listened with her mouth open wide, shaking her head in disbelief. “I’ll be damned. Tisha, you must be devastated by this news, especially since they successfully hid it. Roberta croaked, and it dropped like an atomic bomb into your lap. Honey, I ache for you.”
“Thanks, Kelle. I knew you’d understand and not look down your nose at me.”
“Tisha, my family hales from New Jersey. Mobsters probably swim in my gene pool, too. I hope I never find out. What’re you doing with the brothel?”
“I had to find a way out of the shit without hurting people. I couldn’t care less if they want to do it for a living. It’s one of those crimes they call victimless; but I couldn’t get involved in it. One thug told me I didn’t have the guts for it. Right, but I couldn’t let him see my weakness. Mom and Gran believe the dude murdered my dad. I don’t know if I did the right thing. Who says what’s right and wrong? I did what I had to do for me. I needed out, so I handed everything over to Uncles Vinnie and Tony. It’s up to them from here on out, and I’m not asking questions. I delegated and put as much distance as possible between me and the crap.”
“You actually met with a mobster?” Kelle’s eyes grew to the size of silver dollars with the whites visible.
“Shut your mouth, Kelle, before you catch a fly. Yeah, the bad dude threatened me and Gran. She put a slug in his foot, and you should’ve seen him hopping around screaming obscenities bleeding on Mom’s shiny foyer flooring.”
Kelle blinked hard, slapping her palms on the desk. “No shit? Lola shot the gangster?”
“Yeah, but he wouldn’t report it, for fear they’d get in his business. He threatened me again the next night at a nightclub walking with a limp.”
“Are you sure you’re safe? The guy’s dangerous.”
“He was, in a lethal way; but he’ll never bother me or anyone else again. He had a fatal accident before I came home. He’s history.”
“You didn’t …?” Kelle’s head jerked forward.
“Of course not—the police deemed it an accidental gas line explosion. It’s all I know.”
Kelle blew out a long, slow breath. “Thank God you and Lola are safe.”
Tisha nodded staring at the floor thankful Kelle didn’t judge her. She hoped not at least. She trusted her discretion. Kelle wouldn’t betray her confidence or think less of her for what others did. She couldn’t lose Kelle, her best friend ever.
What Tisha uncovered shocked Kelle. With compassion and understanding, she knew Tisha better than anyone. She understood Tisha’s frame of mind, morals and standards she lived by; and respected her for it.
“Roberta proved a smart one, a strong, tenacious woman.”
“Yes and ruthless, calculating with nerves of steel.” Tisha cringed.
“Yes, but brilliant. It’s stunning knowing her involvement in such a thing. It’s so unlike the stand-up type, straight-forward woman she had been, so conservative and conventional. I’m in awe she pulled the elaborate hoax off convincingly. I’d never have guessed.”
“You and me, Kelle, you and me both.” Tisha’s head rocked back and forth. “Mom kept vague about her business ventures. A high-priced madam sounds incredibly foreign, almost beyond belief. Involvement in anything illegal is surprising and disturbing.”
“It’s well and good, but it’s a cold, hard fact; and there’s no denying it.”
“At least you rid yourself of the problem.”
“I had to distance myself without damaging others, find a way to live with the knowledge and get out. I didn’t want to wreak havoc with people’s lives. I tried to do the least harm possible while putting it behind me.”
“Your thoughtfulness, graciousness and more than generous decisions are impressive. I’m glad you put it to rest. You’re safe. It’s done and over—history. You okay?”
“I think so. My family loved me unconditionally and gave me every advantage. I realize now they tried to protect me. They gave me an opportunity to make a life outside of the business. Had I known, my life would’ve been different. I forgive them for hiding it. They did it out of love.”
“True. Roberta and Lola have always been devoted to you.”
“The McClain Woman—stand together. Since Dad died, I have never depended on a man.”
“You’re so self-sufficient it scares most men away. You let a man in so far and keep him at a distance. I have seen it with every guy you dated. No man ever managed being an integral part of your life. They can’t break through the barrier you built to protect yourself from the opposite sex.” Kelle asked.
Tisha studied her friend. Kelle told it like it was. She wouldn’t shade the truth. Obviously she appeared this way to others. Had she done herself a disservice?
“You grew up raised by two, single, independent, dominant women. To you it appears the norm. Unconsciously you’ve followed Roberta’s and Lola’s footsteps, never letting any man close enough to hurt you.”
“Seriously?” Kelle’s words rang true, though it stung hearing them. “Until Sam, with Sam it felt different. Maybe it’s because he tried rescuing me from the start. Sam reached out to comfort me. I was vulnerable. He instinctively sensed what I needed and gave it without question. He saw I needed space and recognized I needed a shoulder to lean on. He got to know me like no man ever tried before.”
An alien concept—men enjoyed her company and sometimes pampered her as they displayed her as pretty, smart, arm-candy. None actually tried getting to know who she really was.
“Sam stood for me like no man ever had. He led me to believe he cared. I trusted him.” Her voice wavered.
Usually men fit Tisha into their lives. None truthfully cared about her life or put her needs first. No man had tried to conform into her life. She solved her own problems, dealt with her own issues, and settled for so little in the past. Certainly no man loved or would her.
“I supposed I matter to Sam. He listened and asked questions about me, and how I felt about things. He talked about life, business and family—at least some family—and revealed emotions asking my opinions like he genuinely cares what I thought. It never occurred to me it might turn out different. Then I met Sam. He allowed my vulnerability and encouraged me to lean on him, let me cry on his shoulder, and acted strong for me. He treated me like I was precious and adored and called me beautiful. I believed him.”
“You’re beautiful, Tisha. I can’t believe you don’t realize it.” Kelle cocked her head perplexed. Tisha’s brow furrowed.
“Sam created a deep void in my life I never imagined existed. It’s cavernous, and very, very empty. I’m hollow. It won’t ever heal, but I’ll learn to live with it. I have no choice.”
Tisha shook as
goose bumps sped over her back. “What stings most is I officially became the other woman, Sam’s mistress, his out-of-town fling, cheap and dirty. It’s repulsive.”
“Why would a man go to such extremes to woo a mistress? Why did he devote such attention to a temporary affair destined to end badly?”
“Who knows?”
Kelle kept squeezing her fists together as though she wanted to lash out. “Let me call him. I promise not to tell his wife. I understand. You don’t want to hurt his daughter. I hate what the cad did to you. Someone should take him down a notch. He behaved horribly and should be ashamed. Unforgiveable—the despicable cad needs to understand how he hurt you.”
“Don’t talk silly. I don’t want him to know I’m hurting or how much I cared. He thinks I dumped him. I prefer it. Let’s concentrate on positive things. Your wedding and life with Brad are beginning. It’s fabulous. Let’s be positive and put negativity out of our minds.” Tisha squared her shoulders confidently. “Woman, be happy. Don’t waste time on Sam. I’m fine, done with Sam for good, and moving on. Let it go.” Tisha held hands high.
Kelle slapped her palm with a happy grin. “I sure have a lot to be happy about.”
“Indeed.”
The week flew by. The gallery stayed extremely busy.
CHAPTER 26
Brad came by several times to see Kelle and grab a kiss. He treated them to lunch a couple times. Watching the two of them together endeared Brad to Tisha. Pleased for her friend, Tisha suffered a pang of loss each time she watched them together. The type love stayed beyond her grasp.
“I do like your Brad. I’m beginning to understand what you see in him. He’s a genuinely a good man who obviously adores you. You’re a couple of clowns together, playful similar to the way you and I bantered back and forth. Honestly, you’re made for each other.” The look of tenderness in their eyes was one lovers shared.
In the evenings after work the two women scoured shops. Kelle spun around on the tiny stage surrounded by lighted mirrors. “It’s perfect, Kelle. You look like a fairy princess. You’re the most magnificent bride imaginable.” Tisha gushed rushing from her seat in the dressing room to snuggle her pal.
A godsend helping Kelle with wedding arrangements ensuring Kelle’s wedding was perfect, Tisha found a semblance of relief. Her world returned to a livable routine. Though she tried to forget her love for Sam, she doubted it possible. She tried not dwelling on the loss or her pathetic doom to a loveless existence. She needed to come to grips with her lot in life. This was as good as it got. In the meantime, she put it out of her mind keeping busy and distracted.
♥♥♥♥
Tisha went out to arrange final details for a party with girlfriends for Thursday evening, Kelle’s last blast before the wedding. The phone rang. Kelle snatched it and with a cheerful voice gave their normal greeting.
“Ms. McGee? Kelle?”
“Yes, to whom am I speaking?” She cocked her head sure she didn’t recognize the voice as a past customer.
“It’s Sam Finch, Tisha’s friend.” His voice wavered as though unsure.
“Mr. Finch, what do you want?” Rising from her desk, she squared her shoulders.
“I would like to see Tisha. Do you think she’d talk with me? She’s avoiding me. Could you convince her to hear me out?” A hint broadcasted desperation easing through his words.
“Absolutely not. Tisha wants nothing to do with you. I wouldn’t help you get to her if you were the last man on earth. Leave Tisha alone. You’ve done enough.” Kelle clicked her phone off wishing she had the ability to slam the receiver.
How dare the cad try to use her to get to Tisha? Worse than Tisha described.
She flopped in her desk chair.
What to do?
She mulled it over quickly before deciding.
Forget it.
Learning he’d called would bring back fresh memories to hurt Tisha.
Don’t tell her.
♥♥♥♥
Tisha contracted a limo to pick them up after they presented shower gifts for Kelle at Tisha’s loft apartment over cocktails. It drove them from bar-to-bar. The gals had a wonderful evening drinking and dancing in celebration.
As the limo driver dropped Kelle off late evening at Brad’s condo, she snatched Tisha’s hand. “Thank you for tonight—amazing. You did a great job arranging everything. I love you, Tisha.”
Tisha kissed her cheek and squeezed Kelle’s hands. “Back at ’cha, Kelle. It’s been a pleasure. Goodnight.” After a quick peck on the cheek, Kelle hopped out and sped indoors to her man.
Overcome with love for the woman. Sure. It’s the reason her eyes filled with tears.
Other nights Tisha drowned her sadness in chocolate and red wine. She didn’t dissuade tears those evenings; easily brought to tears by a song on the radio, by a sappy movie on television, even by a commercial showing a couple in a passionate embrace. Adrift in a whirlwind without an anchor, grasping for a reality to sustain her and bring her out the other side alive.
To get it out of her system, she allowed herself a week to grieve for her brief, dead relationship with Sam—only when alone.
Over. No more,
Having never loved so deeply, the vast, empty chasm in her heart felt foreign, awkward and severe. Intense despair and churning emotions shocked her to the core. A terrifying tightening ached in her heart reeked of tremendous, unbearable loss. How would she survive it?
Where’s the numbness I felt when Mom passed?
At first she got angry then the cost set in—love, a dream, a future she’d pictured in her head—all shot to hell with one sight. Anger subsided. Profound sorrow left in its wake. She wallowed in misery allowing it to seep into every fiber of her being consuming her. How else would she get through it without facing it head on?
He might not have loved her, but her love for Sam remained real, strong and forever with her—a fact. With time, hopefully losing him would grow bearable. Maybe she would someday fondly remember the brief happiness.
Acceptance of her destiny brought gratitude. She had experienced true love. It wasn’t mutual. Nevertheless, it was real.
Embracing love within her, she owned it. The real thing belonged to her, having earned and paid dearly for it. She allowed herself to hold it close and cherished the precious emotion. All she’d ever have.
The next week rolled around—time to think positive. Doing an about face, she gave up the grieving.
CHAPTER 27
Part of their happiness, Tisha celebrated Kelle’s and Brad’s love. She wouldn’t bring them down or remain sad while rejoicing their union. She lived in the moment genuinely glad for them.
Friday the celebration officially began. Everyone arrived in a festive mood as Tisha, Brad and Kelle boarded their plane to Las Vegas.
Tisha tried napping in her comfortable, first-class seat, but couldn’t take her eyes off the loving couple across the aisle. Kelle and Brad cuddled beneath a complimentary blanket quietly whispering and kissing with eyes for each other.
Arriving at the Flamingo late evening exhausted after a long day and losing three hours traveling west, it was early in Vegas time, though middle of the night for New Yorkers.
After check in, Tisha sighed. “I’m heading to bed.”
Kelle snickered snuggling beneath Brad’s arm. “We’re too keyed up. We’re going to try our luck at the tables. We’re spending our last night single apart, so we’re in no hurry to rush to bed.”
Brad grinned adoringly at his fiancé the Tisha. “I hear a slot machine calling our names.”
“Go, have fun. Win something.” Tisha grabbed her bed heading for the elevator.
Exhausted, she slept peacefully and awoke the next morning at nine. She showered and gave Kelle a wake-up call. Ordering room service she arranged for breakfast for the two of them.
Eating the hearty breakfast, Kelle beamed. “Thanks for this, Tisha. It’s delicious. Soon as we finish, we’re off to the spa for every
possible sort of pampering.”
First, they enjoyed a luxurious full body massage together in the same room with tables sat side-by-side. Afterward they enjoyed hot rocks on their back. “Tisha, this is heaven. Those two masseuses worked every tight muscle in my body. I’m limber as over-done spaghetti.”
“Ummm, I’m wonderful.” Tisha smiled with her eyes shut. “The staff assured me we will be well-rested and relaxed.”
“These decadent, luxurious treatments are exactly what I needed. I had a bit too much champagne last night.”
“We’ll sit in the sauna next. It will rid your body of toxins and leave you fresh and in great shape for your wedding. Tell me about your adventure in the casino.”
“We played craps and black jack for hours. I got on a roll and couldn’t lose. Spectators gathered around the craps table watching and cheering me on as I rolled the dice. We finally went to bed around two thirty with a wad of money I didn’t bother to count. This morning I did. I won over twenty-thousand-dollars.” Kelle giggled like a youngster.
Tisha’s eyes shot wide. “Wow, Kelle, it’s amazing. You’re on a roll in more ways than one. What’re you doing with the dough?”
“We haven’t decided yet. So after the sauna, we’re booked for facials, pedicures and manicures. I’m having my makeup prepared by professional while you’re with the beautician. Then I’ll have my hair styled. I want her to do it in my same, basic style, with a few curls added and tucked behind one ear.”
“Perfect. She can place the white orchid behind the ear. You’ll look spectacular.” Tisha rose and wrapped the terry robe tight as she slid to the floor completely relaxed and in the moment.
“How are you fixing yours?” Kelle snuggled into the lavish wrap.
“I’m going to have it curled and loosely braided hanging under my right ear draping over my shoulder to the front. I ordered a tiny, white, rosebud to tuck above the other ear and a thin strand of sparkles to intertwine in the braid.”
Kelle followed Tisha toward the sauna. “It’s gorgeous. I can’t wait to see it.”