DASHED DREAMS

by Worley-Bean, Susan

  “Last but not least, I’d like to introduce, Dr. Jillian James and her parents, Dan and Grace. Doctor James is my personal physician.” the rabbit. Jillian felt herself blushing as she and her parents stood for a brief second. The audience warmly acknowledged all introduced.

  “Okay, back to the show.” The listeners when crazy.

  Robert John Montgomery sang most of his hit songs, but also threw in a few that weren’t the best sellers. He saved for last his greatest hit for last, Loving You. The spectators stood and applauded. He was singing directly to Jillian. Throughout most of show at various times he sang in her direction. As in the past at the completion of the performance, he pulled off his bow tie and tossed it to a female audience member. Tonight was no different, he winked at Grace and tossed it to her.

  Dan thought to himself: Okay, time to butter up the mother.

  “You’ve been my best audience ever. Thank you and God bless.”

  With the lights dimming, Robert John Montgomery took several bows, while receiving a standing ovation. Not like other entertainers, he never ran back onto the stage to sing another song. When the room turned completely dark and before everyone stood to exit, the stage manager appeared carrying a flashlight and motioned for the group to follow him. They were escorted to entertainer’s dressing room.

  After thank you’s and goodbyes, RJ and Gary were alone in the dressing room.

  “Well, I’m glad that’s over. Damn, Jillie’s Dad’s tough! I don’t think he liked me much.” RJ said pouring himself a drink. He waved the liquor bottle towards Gary. Gary nodded, poured some into a glass and took a sip.

  “You both love the same female and you were trying too hard to sell yourself. Hey, you should’ve been yourself and then for sure, he wouldn’t have liked you!”

  “Oh well, tomorrow, we’re back on the road. Are you hungry? I’m famished.” RJ said, stretching his arms above his head.

  “Tomorrow? You’re planning on leaving on Saturday. We don’t have to be in San Antonio until Monday, and it’s a quick flight. I thought about spending tomorrow with Em. I know Lynda and Jack are spending the next couple of days together.”

  Gulping the last of his drink, RJ said, “Do what you want, but, I’m leaving for San Antonio in the morning.” He took a long swallow straight from the liquor bottle and mumbled to himself, “All I want to do is get away from Mr. Dan James Country.”

  The group were in the limousine heading home. Jillian waited as long as she could for an opinion from her parents on what they thought of Robert John Montgomery.

  “Well?”

  Her mother replied, “Dear, I think he’s charming.”

  “Well, I think he’s headed for a downfall. During the evening I felt he was hiding something,” her father replied. “He’s going to have show me more than what I saw tonight for me to accept him for my little girl.”

  “Daddy…”

  Jillian looked at her mother, silently pleading for her help.

  “Dan, you’re faulting this man for being nervous in front of his girl’s parents?”

  “Faulting? I’m not pointing out faults. I’m just giving my opinion!”

  “Well, I had a wonderful time. I think RJ was trying to make such a grand impression he went overboard. I’ve seen him relaxed, and he’s a different sort of a man,” Emma said. She smiled and winked at Jillie.

  Silence filled the limousine for the rest of the ride home, each occupant silently reflecting on the evening’s events.

  The next morning Jillian waited for RJ to call, but no call came. She didn’t want to show her anxiousness but found it uneasy that he hadn’t returned her morning call. When phone rang during breakfast, Jillian wanted to answer but her father grabbed it. It wasn’t RJ, just a prospective horse buyer. Later, when Gary called for Emma, Jillian was visibly upset hearing that they’d made plans to spend the day together.

  Later when Emma and Jillian were cleaning up the breakfast dishes, Jillian asked, “Em, what’re you and Gary going to do today?”

  “He’s going to come out at about 11 and we’re going shopping. I think Lynda and Jack are going to join us. Why don’t you come along?”

  Jillian nodded no, then asked, “Did he mention RJ?”

  Emma nodded. “Gary said Robert’s leaving for San Antonio today.” Emma waited for a response from Jillian, but her best friend was silent.

  “Jillie, Gary said Robert was upset with last night’s events.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Hon, he was pretty upset with your father. We know he’s protecting his daughter from this singing cowboy whose sweeping her off her feet. What it looks like to me is that two terrific guys are vying for the same woman, both with different agendas.”

  Jillian knew exactly what her best friend was saying, but it hurt her that RJ would leave town without saying anything to her – not even goodbye. He’d let her father win, and that made her mad. How could he not even have put up a good fight? she mused.

  RJ didn’t call Jillian for a couple of days, still pouting like a child. When the call came, she was upset at him for not calling her.

  After talking for several minutes, both dropped their attitudes.

  “I’m getting ready to go down to Cancun for that concert.”

  “When’s that?”

  “The day after tomorrow. Hey, I’ve got a great idea. Ever been to Cancun? Come down and we’ll have a few days together. How ‘bout it, darlin’?…just you and me? We need time together.”

  “I’ve always wanted to go Cancun and we do need some time, don’t we?”

  “I’ll call you in a few with your reservations.”

  “I didn’t say I’d come.”

  “Yes, you did.”

  Chapter 20

  The pilot’s voice came across the address system. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re making our gradual descent into Cancun, Mexico and should be on the ground in 30 minutes.” Jillian thought: Great timing. She closed her laptop, placed it into her tote bag. She removed her cosmetic bag. Looking into a compact mirror, she touched up her mauve-colored lipstick, brushed her hair with her fingers, and checked her overall appearance, as she wanted to be perfect when she got off the plane.

  The thirty minutes quickly passed. The first-class steward said, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Cancun, Mexico. Local time is Friday 12:35 p.m. We’ll be taxing for a few minutes, to reach the terminal. Thank you.” Soon, they were at the gate, waiting for the door to open. The walk from the plane through the jet-way to the immigration holding area seemed to take forever. Was she anxious to see RJ? Yes!

  In the immigration area of the seven counters with checkout aisles. One was section one for Americans and another for foreign tourists, and another for Mexicans returning to Mexico. The immigration official waved at her, and in a matter of moments he stamped her passport, and motioned for her to move forward.

  Jillian claimed her luggage and proceeded to the next counter, where a crowd of people waiting outside a glassed area to meet the arrivals. She looked to see if RJ was in the crowd. The official standing at the luggage scanner motioned to her to push a red button in front of her. She pushed the button, passe highlighted green. The official motioned her to move on.

  Suddenly immersed in a sea of people trying to get her attention to sell their services, she kept looking for Robert but couldn’t see him. She followed the tourists, passing the hordes of sales people. A few unsuspecting tourists stopped to talk. Big mistake, she thought to herself.

  The bright sunshine was almost blinding as she exited the terminal. She fished out her sunglasses. Still no Robert, seems he’s running late, she concluded and sat down on a cement bench.

  After what seemed like hours, Robert arrived.

  He hopped out of the white limousine, “Doc, sorry I’m late. The time just got away. We were rehearsing and Gary was supposed to keep track of time.”

  He grabbed her, hugging her tightly, whispering in her ear, “I’ve missed you. Y
ou have no idea how much.” He kissed her before she could respond. She smelled alcohol on his breath.

  Suddenly, Jillian’s emotions came to the surface. She started talking even before his lips left hers. “YOU kept me waiting! I don’t mean enough to YOU for YOU to watch the time! NOT Gary YOU! And YOU’VE been drinking! I’m so tired of hearing I, I, I, I, me, me, me. You’re so selfish!” Jillian climbed into the limousine, and took a deep breath, “What I’m I doing here? I want to go home.”

  “You’re going to love the hotel! It’s on the beach. Honey, I’m sorry. Don’t be mad.”

  All Jillian could say was, “You kept me waiting.”

  A few miles after leaving the airport, the limousine made a right turn off the highway and pulled up a long driveway towards a beautiful white resort. The chauffeur stopped at the front door. At once, hotel staff opened the passenger door. Robert stepped out with Jillian following him. “Wait until you see our suite,” he whispered in her ear.

  The bell captain tipped his hat and said, “Welcome Home.” He held the door open and RJ placed his hand on the small of Jillian’s back, guiding her to the left.

  “Our suite’s right this way.”

  The massive high-arched lobby was decorated with silk flowers in huge vases, mirror-like floor tiles, and an atmosphere of “Welcome” was the first impression Jillian felt. Through a set of double doors that led outside to the hotel’s left wing of rooms and a walkway to the pool and beach. The heat and humidity almost took her breath away. Jillian smiled, when she saw the hotel was directly on the ocean.

  The bellman unlocked their door and motioned for Jillian to enter. From the long hallway, Jillian looked in at a marble-tiled bathroom. When she reached the end of the hallway, she was standing in a living room with a large sliding glass door. She stepped out onto the balcony. The ocean view was marvelous ocean view. The white sand and teal-colored water were perfect.

  RJ came out and put his arms around her neck, kissed her. “You’ve no idea how much I missed you. Jillian, I’m really sorry…please don’t be mad at me.” the rabbit.

  She turned smiled, and looked into his eyes. “I can’t stay mad at you and I’m glad to be here.”

  They returned to the living room and RJ motioned through a set of louvered French-doors.

  “This is your bedroom.”

  The room was beautiful. One wall was painted a deep crimson and the other walls a light lemon-yellow color. Facing another large sliding glass door was a king-sized bed, built into a headboard with recessed lighting, bookcases on each side. The bed linen was thick and crimson-mauve floral in color. A mirrored cream-colored dresser sat along the wall and next to the slider doors an oversize chair and ottoman. The door to the bath was a louvered door that slid into the wall. She looked at the brass-and glass-lined bath. Through another louvered door on the opposite side of the room, she stepped into another bedroom, bath, hallway, and entrance just like hers.

  RJ spun her around and kissed her. His lips pressed and his tongue tipped her lips, pressing, asking for more. Jillian took a deep breath. “Whew!” she said as she pressed up against the vanity. “I guess we missed each other.”

  “Hey, get unpacked and let’s go out to the beach. I have about three hours before the show and want to spend every minute with you. I made dinner reservations at the Mexican restaurant over at JW’s next door for after the show.”

  “JW’s?”

  “The hotel next door.”

  As Jillian unpacked, RJ came into the room. “Can I help you with anything?” He was dressed in swim trunks, flip-flops, and wore dark sunglasses. “I’m really looking for some serious beach time.” Jillian finished unpacking, took her swimsuit into the bath, and was about to slide the door closed, when RJ said, “Hey, I want a fashion show!” Jillian laughed and slid the door closed.

  The hotel was on the Caribbean side of Cancun. The beach was only a few steps from the pool. As soon as Jillian’s bare feet touched the white sand, she noticed two things: It was baby-powder soft and the other was even in the blazing-hot afternoon sun the sand was not too hot. The white-coated beach attendant showed Jillian and RJ to a set of beach chairs. He placed a couple of plush towels on their beach lounge chairs. Jillian sat down and scooped up some sand.

  “The sand’s crushed coral, naturally ground by the water’s action. It’s not hot, as the white coral reflects the sunlight,” the beach attendant explained. “May I bring drinks?”

  RJ looked at Jillian silently asking what she wanted to drink.

  “Ah, how about a couple of margaritas? On the rocks, with salt.” Jillian said.

  “Si, Señorita, dos margaritas.”

  RJ grabbed her hand and they strolled into the warm water. Jillian noticed the teal-colored water stayed teal in color as they walked. Remembering the ocean in Hawaii, the water looked blue but changed color when the bottom was disturbed. Jillian had been to the Caribbean and enjoyed the water there, but the water here was fabulous. She thought to herself: The girls have to see this. This is almost paradise.

  Hand-in-hand they headed out to where the waves broke. RJ dove into a wave and came up on the other side. They met and hugged, laughed and kissed. The salt on his lips tasted good, Jillian looked at him, always amazed that he could have anyone and he’s with me! How could I be mad at this one? she inwardly asked. They played in the waves, diving for shells.

  “I’m going back to read and catch some sun.” RJ nodded and dove into another breaking wave.

  As Jillian headed back to the beach, a rogue wave hit her and knocked her down, and pushed her towards the shore, rolling and tumbling her. When the wave subsided, Jillian was on her stomach in the shallow water, covered with sand. As she started to get up, another wave hit, washing her to the shoreline like a beached whale. She finally got her footing and headed to her beach chair. Here, she found two margaritas sitting on a small white table. She picked up one of the drinks, removed the cover, and took a sip.

  “WOW, those are strong!” she said aloud.

  After baking in the sun, her arms and legs dried and she brushed off the sand and salt. Jillian closed her eyes, dozing in the warm sun and enjoying the heat. Suddenly, cool water was being shaken over her and the surprise was shocking. She opened her eyes and saw RJ shaking his head over her.

  “Did you see what happened to me when I was coming in?”

  “Yeah, I was going to come over and help, but I saw you got up, so figured you were okay. Pretty funny you were!”

  “A real circus, huh? I think I’m going back to the room and shower.”

  “Oh, wait for a bit, while I finish my drink and then I’ll be ready.” He laid down on his beach chair, closed his eyes and relaxed. Every once in awhile he sat up and took a drink.

  She finally decided she couldn’t wait any longer, thinking about the drying sand and wanting to get cleaned up.

  “I’m going up to shower and get cleaned up for dinner.”

  “What time is it, anyway? I have to be ready by 7.”

  Jillian looked at her watch. “It’s 5:45.” As she started to gather her things, an attendant was there to help them. RJ opened his eyes, realizing it was time to go.

  Just then two bikini-clad women stopped at RJ’s chair, they stood just gazing down at him, smiling. They spoke to each other in a European-language, Jillian couldn’t figure out. What she could figure out was they knew who he was and were trying to let RJ know how they felt about him.

  RJ smiled and nodded to the ladies. They said something, laughed and as they walked away both looked back and blew him a kiss.

  He stood up picked up their flip-flops and whispered to Jillian, “Babe, I’m with you! You have nothing to be jealous about. Do you have any money?” She nodded, fished out her coin purse and handed it to RJ. He opened it and handed the attendant a twenty-dollar bill. The man nodded. “Mucho gracias!”

  At the outside showers they washed off their legs. Jillian thought about the two women, she’d noticed while sh
e and RJ had been on the beach and in the water, people were watching. She could tell they’d been the subjects of a many conversations.

  Back in their suite, Jillian asked, “How much time do I have before I have to be ready?”

  He looked at the clock, chuckled, “What do you have in mind?” the rabbit.

  “Please be serious, I do have to take a shower. What should I to wear tonight?”

  “Pretty much casual…jeans?”

  “I’ll be ready by 6:45,” Jillian said as she started towards her bath.

  “I’m going to go get cleaned up.”

  She entered the shower before undressing. As she peeled off her bathing suit, she saw particles of sand hitting the shower floor. She dropped her top, and her breasts were covered with sand. When she removed the bottom of her suit more sand fell. Jillian chuckled, “a beached whale.”

  RJ was dozing in the living room, when she came out. Jillian looked at the clock and knew it was time. She touched his hand. He opened his eyes and smiled, “Now, that’s what I want to see every time I wake up…your beautiful face.” She leaned over and kissed him. Just as he was kissing her back, a knock sounded at the door.

  “I’ll get it.”

  “Tell whoever it is to get lost. We’re busy,” RJ said as he stood and stretched.

  From the hall he heard muffled voices, Jillie said, “Hi, Gary, it’s nice to see you.”

  “Nice to see you again, Jillian. How’s Emma? Wish she could’ve come along.”

  When Gary came into the living room, looked at his best friend, and said, “Well, it’s time to go to work, Boss. You coming with us, Jillian, or staying here?”

  “She’s coming with us, aren’t you?”

  “I guess so, if you want me to come to ‘work’ with you?”

  The three took the elevator up to the convention center rooms where the concert was to be held. The dressing room was closet size. Nothing was said, but Jillian could tell RJ was upset.

  Jillian was given the choice from where she wanted to watch the concert, either offstage or out in the audience. She chose offstage. Gary found her a four-legged stool that she placed it beside a table, leaning against the stage wall, and sat down. After all of RJ’s performances she’d seen, the backstage activity was still interesting.