DASHED DREAMS

by Worley-Bean, Susan

  The announcer came on. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Martin Howard, one of the country’s funniest entertainers.” The audience roared with applause, as a spotlight appeared center stage. A wooden stool and a stand-up mike were the only items on stage. From the right curtain appeared Martin Howard. He tried to stop the applause by holding up his hands in a stopping manner.

  “Good evening, everyone.” His monologue began.

  Jillian and RJ laughed until their sides hurt. When the comedian described his golf game in comparisons of torture techniques, the audience roared with laughter. The story of the three-year-old battling her mother in a supermarket check-out line broke everyone up.

  “He’s so funny. I haven’t seen him before in person, only from backstage. Have you?”

  Jillian nodded no.

  The monologue was about three-quarters finished when Martin said, “Could we have the house lights up? Thank you. I want to thank Tucker’s for giving me such a great audience and such a great paycheck.” The audience laughed. “There’s a couple of people in the audience that need to be mentioned. First of all, please welcome Nevada’s Governor Kenny Guinn and his lovely wife.” The applause was generous, as the spotlight found the Governor. Martin continued, “Please acknowledge last year’s Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actress in the flick, Days and Nights in Venice, Miss Lena Foster.” The spotlight searched. A waif of a girl stood up, smiled, and waved to Martin.

  RJ leaned over and whispered to Jillian, “She needs some meat on her bones.” Jillian suddenly felt that RJ was checking out her figure.

  “Last but not least, folks, please return to this showroom next Saturday night, as Robert John Montgomery will be appearing for a charity concert. He’ll also be playing in the charity celebrity golf tournament. You know, I’ve seen him play golf, and trust me, you don’t want to be around him after a double-bogey hole.” The audience laughed.

  “He’s one of the greatest country singer-songwriters Iowa’s ever produced. You know, that’s another thing. Why sing about Texas, when you’re from Iowa? Are you confused?” The audience again laughed.

  “Please welcome Robert John Montgomery.”

  The spotlight found the targeted person. RJ nudged Jillian, as he stood and waved to the audience.

  “What’s with your name Robert John Montgomery? Makes you feel more important to have three names? Think people will notice you?” The audience laughed. The comedian went on. “Who’s that gorgeous woman with you? How do you rate someone like that, you dog?”

  More laughter followed. Jillian blushed, and RJ shouted to Martin, “None of your business!”

  The spotlight again focused on the entertainer on stage. Jillian leaned over to RJ. Again, she could smell that wonderful cologne; she closed her eyes and drank it in, “If the offer’s still open, I’d like to stay. I’m really tired.”

  “Great. I’ll call and let them know. They’ll take you back in the morning. That is, if you want to go then.” RJ motioned to one of the wait staff and whispered in his ear. The man nodded and walked away.

  Martin continued. “Make your reservations before you leave tonight for his show, as it’ll be sold out, if not already. It’s a high-energy show. You won’t be disappointed.”

  Jillian felt that some audience members were still looking at RJ, when the house lights dimmed and Martin continued, then finished his routine. When Martin Howard exited the stage, the showroom was darkened; RJ, Jillian and the other dignitaries were shown out before the lights came back on. They were escorted backstage, where Martin stood, puffing on a giant cigar. RJ introduced Jillian.

  “How nice to meet you. How did you get hooked up with this bum?” Martin joked.

  “Ah, leave her alone. She’s special. We really enjoyed the show.”

  In the elevator Jillian leaned over to RJ; close enough for him to hear her whisper, “Thank you for asking me.”

  They returned to the suite, and RJ started to mix another drink. He held up a glass. She shook her head no. They had a couple of drinks during the show. She’d drunk more alcohol tonight than she’d consumed in months.

  “I’m really fading fast. Would you please excuse me? I’d like to say goodnight, or is it good morning. I really had a great time.”

  RJ showed her into a bedroom. “There are items here like toothbrush, toothpaste . . . in the dresser’s a nightgown and other things. Now don’t get the wrong idea, but I was hoping, so I got Bertie to pick up a few things. Now, there’s a lock on the door and I’m across the living room with a lock on my door, so you need not worry. I’ve enjoyed your company tonight.”

  “Goodnight. You’re a dream come true.” Jillian said moving towards the opened door. She stopped, and RJ leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, then turned and walked into the living room.

  Jillian quickly closed the door and paused before pressing the button to lock it, hoping the click didn’t make too much noise. Through the sitting room, she walked into the bedroom. The bed linens had been turned down to form a point in the center of the bed. On each pillow, sat a gold-wrapped chocolate. In one of the drawers she found a black silk nightgown with pink straps. The next drawer held underwear. In the closet was a pair of jeans, close to her size.

  “Huh, pretty good guesser that Bertie.”

  Also in the closet was a Tucker’s logo tote bag and on the shelf a beautiful cashmere turtleneck sweater in a baby-blue color. There were new running shoes along with a pair of new socks stuffed inside. She pulled out the nightie and went into the bathroom, finding all the items she’d need for several day’s stay.

  Jillian cleaned her teeth, washed her face, and returned to the bedroom. She knelt, said her prayers, climbed into bed, and turned out the bedside light. When all was quiet, she heard the muffled sound of a guitar in the living room and a hushed singing voice.

  “I wonder how often he does this, and how many end up in his bed?” She snuggled down into bed pulling up the bedcovers. Once again she thought: What am I doing here? Why do I feel so content? She closed her eyes and dozed off to the sound of muffled music.

  After working on the song about the lake that took their breath away, being together, smell of her perfume, RJ went into his sitting room and started looking at some paperwork his road manager had given him. It was about four, so he decided to get some sleep. He crawled into bed, turned out the light, and was asleep in a matter of minutes.

  Jillian wakened and looked at the clock on the nightstand; it read 7:30. She couldn’t believe she’d slept that late as usually she’s up at six to make her rounds at the hospital by seven.

  She quickly got up, showered, and dressed in the new clothing. She put her previous night’s clothes and shoes into the tote bag. Quietly, she opened the bedroom door, noticing that at the opposite side of the room, the bedroom door was closed. She paused to look out the massive windows. Somehow the lake looked different in the daylight, beautiful but not quite as romantic. On the coffee table was a pencil and a single sheet of lined music paper with notes and words, a glass and an empty liquor bottle. She sighed, turned, picked up her tote, and quietly closed the front door.

  While waiting for the elevator, she whispered, “Goodbye, Robert John Montgomery.”

  The casino and hotel lobby was quiet; Jillian had noticed a Coffee Hut when she arrived last night. She ordered a latte, before the car arrived. She’d called the transportation department extension and was achieved they’d be ready in 10 minutes. Just as the latte was handed to Jillian, the limo arrived. She was met at the doors by Lionel, “Good morning, Miss James.”

  “Good morning, Lionel. How are you this morning?”

  “Fine, thank you. Hope your evening was enjoyable?”

  “Yes.” Jillian couldn’t help but blush.

  Lionel took the tote and showed her to the car.

  The morning mountain air was crisp and refreshing, full of a pine scent present, Jillian smiled. Lionel opened the back door, and Jillian got comfortable for the
ride home. Lionel was quiet and kept the inter-window closed. Jillian was glad of the privacy, as she wanted some time to herself to sightsee and reflect. Sipping her latte, she gazed out onto the lake, reflecting on the past evening. What a wonderful evening it was! She pulled out her cell and called Emma. She didn’t even hear Emma say hello, only, “WELL, TELL ME EVERYTHING!”

  “I’ll be home in a couple of hours. She’ll we meet for breakfast?”

  “Sure, but I’m not sure I can wait. ’Bye.”

  “You’ll have to. ’Bye.”

  Chapter 12

  On Wednesday morning Dr. Jillian James sat at her desk, doing her day’s paperwork. Joy’s voice came over the intercom, “Dr. James, you have a call on line four. Her name’s Mrs. Bertie Walker. Do you want to take it?”

  “Thank you.”

  “This is Dr. James. May I help you?”

  “This is Mrs. Walker, Tucker’s Entertainer’s Concierge. We met on Monday.”

  “Good morning. How are you today?”

  “Mr. Montgomery asked me to call and ask if you’d be his guest for this weekend’s Celebrity Gala.” She paused, awaiting Jillian’s reaction. Nothing.

  “It’s a charity event sponsored by Edgewood Country Club, Common Down Golf Clubs, Negative Approach, King Vineyards, and Tucker’s. Porsche is donating a car for a hole-in-one on the 17th. This event’s for the benefit of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and Tucker’s Koncerts for Kids program. At last count I think we have 43 celebrities signed up. The gala events will include an opening dinner on Thursday evening. And on Saturday evening is Mr. Montgomery’s concert. The golf tournament’s Thursday to Saturday evening. On Friday, there’ll be a one-day women’s tournament, if you’d like to participate. And the closing ceremonies will be Saturday evening with another dinner and prize awards, then the concert.”

  “I don’t know. Usually my friends and I spend our weekends together.”

  “Well, bring them with you. We have a block of rooms reserved for guests.”

  “Let me check. May I call you back?”

  “Just call Tucker’s, and my extension’s 1374. I’ll let him know.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Walker. Goodbye.”

  Luckily, all three girls were eager and able to rearrange their schedules to be gone on such short notice. Emma was over the roof with excitement, as she’d been reading in the newspaper about the upcoming celebrity tourney and was extremely excited about meeting some of the stars.

  The car arrived at Jillian’s house at one o’clock Thursday afternoon. Jillian introduced her friends to Lionel. He opened the back door and the three girls climbed into the limousine. Emma, Lynda, and Jillian discussed the upcoming weekend. When their bags and golf clubs were loaded, Lionel started the car, looked in the rear-view mirror, and said, “Miss James, if there’s anything I can do, please let me know.”

  “Thank you, Lionel.” He closed the window. The ride up to Lake Tahoe was almost exactly as a week before, but this time Jillian felt better, as she wasn’t alone.

  Once at Tucker’s and leaving the limo, Lynda took a deep breath. A thick pine scent hung in the air. She said, “You know, as many times that we’ve been coming to Tahoe, this fragrance is always delightful.” Jillian smiled, thinking the same thing.

  Jillian saw Bertie, nodded and Bertie smiled back.

  “I’d like to introduce my friends…Lynda Brockhurst and Emma Elliott, this is Mrs. Bertie Walker.”

  “How nice to meet you. Welcome to Tucker’s.”

  The girls smiled and each shook hands with Bertie.

  “I’d like to show you around Tucker’s, if you’d like?”

  “Oh, yes please do.”

  Bertie showed the girls, Calming Effects, the hotel’s spa and beauty salon. Emma took a long look around to get some ideas for her shop. Working on clients were masseuses and several beauticians. Bertie showed them saunas and the pool area. She then took the girls down to the second floor, where the shopping pavilion was located. “In the shops here you can find almost anything you’d want,” Bertie said.

  “Boy, I can’t wait till I can browse through here!” Emma exclaimed.

  Bertie looked at her watch, which hung from a gold bow on her dress, then realized that the time was quickly passing. “Shall I show you to your suites?”

  “Suites? Hot dog! You mean we have more than one?” Emma asked. For an instant, Jillian was embarrassed.

  “Yes, we’ve reserved three suites for your party, compliments of Tucker’s. You’re also scheduled for a ten-o’clock tee time. I hope you don’t mind, but the tourney staff will assign someone to your group to complete the foursome.”

  “We aren’t good. We just play for fun,” Lynda said.

  “Almost all of the ladies in the tournament are wives and girlfriends of the celebrity gentlemen playing, so there’s not much competition. In the past, this tournament’s been fun for everyone,” Bertie said.

  They entered the hotel lobby that was bustling with activity. A welcome fire in the fireplace cracked and popped. While talking, they walked towards the same bank of elevators that she and Jillian had used previously. Bertie used her card, the doors opened, she pressed floor 25, and glanced toward Jillian. “Your suites are on the same private floor as our Star Suite.” Everyone looked at Jillian, and for a brief second she blushed.

  Jillian felt so anxious, like a teenager getting ready to see her boyfriend at a high school dance. Bertie showed each of the girls all the complements of their suites and asked if they’d like the connecting doors to be opened.

  “Miss James, Mr. Montgomery will call for you and your friends at about six this evening. Tonight’s theme is tropical, and there’s a cocktail party before dinner. Please call if you need anything. Ladies, there’s a personalized itinerary on each of your desks, listing this weekend’s events. Listed beside each event is the suggested dress.”

  Bertie nodded to Lynda and Emma, “Welcome to Tucker’s. Each of you have a gift basket in your room to thank you for your participation. Oh, I almost forgot. While we were on our tour, your suitcases were delivered and unpacked as a courtesy to you.” The three girls looked at each other, smiled and said, “Thank you.”

  “Your golf clubs are locked in lockers on our sports floor. We’ll have them ready for you before your tee time.”

  Once again, the three said, “Thank you.”

  In Lynda’s suite, the three girls looked around: a king bed, an alcove that contained a sofa, coffee table, and an overstuffed easy chair. There was a desk and chair, and a large heavy wood cabinet which contained a large television and DVD player. There were two bathrooms in each suite, one with a garden tub and the other with a large marble step-in shower. Each bathroom contained a small television and a telephone. Lynda opened the set of sheer drapes. All three of the girls sighed. The view of Lake Tahoe was spectacular.

  “Hey, this what I call a suite. Ladies, don’t you think this is the most luxurious room we’ve ever had?” Lynda asked. They agreed.

  Reading the itinerary, Emma said, “Look who’s scheduled to attend.” The three girls huddled over the list, oh-ing and ah-ing over the names.

  “Look, at all the celebrities who’re going to be here. And we’re going to hobnob with them all.”

  Lynda and Emma remembered that Bertie had said something about a thank-you basket, and centered their attention on the basket of goodies. In the corner of the basket was a thank-you card from the Diabetes Association. Emma discovered gifts were also in the bedroom closet: A windbreaker and polo shirt with the Common Down logo, a Tucker signature tote bag, and another tote from Negative Point, inside a certificate for a custom-made golf bag and a pair of golf shoes.

  “Hey, look here.”

  “What’cha you find?” Lynda asked.

  “What’s Negative Point?” Emma asked.

  “Negative Point’s a manufacturer of golf shoes and bags. They’re really high-scaled, money-wise. Remember the ad for classy golf bags in the golf ma
gazine we were looking at? This is those people,” Lynda said.

  “Boy, look how neat your clothes are hung! Look at your shoes. Emma your clothes closet hasn’t ever looked so good,” Lynda said.

  “I guess when you hobnob in high circles, this is what you get!” Emma commented.

  Jillian left Lynda and Emma deciding when they’d go down to redeem their gifts. She reminded them that they had about 45 minutes before RJ was coming to pick them up.

  “Oh, it’s RJ now,” Emma said.

  Jillian stammered. “I meant, Robert.”

  “Yeah, sure. WOW ! Hey, we’re going to be escorted by Robert John Montgomery!” Emma said.

  “I’m going to get ready. Maybe he’ll be early,” Lynda said.

  Jillian smiled and walked into her suite.

  Opening her sheer curtains, Jillian stood at the window looking at an almost-duplicate view. She squeezed her hands together, pulled them up to underneath her chin, thinking: Jillian James, you’re a trained surgeon. You step up to a patient and with your confidence, you ease their pain and fears. But now I’m nervous…of what? The unknown, I guess. Girl, let go of your fears. It’s going to be a fun weekend.