“Emma’s house is a zoo and it was too quiet at our house.”
His phrase “our house” startled her, making her feel warm inside. “I’m almost ready to leave.”
“How’s Elliott?” He knew that was a good excuse to come over to the hospital.
“He’s back here waiting for his cast to dry. Come on back and see him.”
They walked through the reception area and into the main part of the ER. RJ stopped beside where Jillian and kissed her on her cheek. Jillian felt self-conscious in her territory with her colleagues watching. To ease the tension, she said, “Everyone meet Robert John Montgomery.” Her coworkers nodded and smiled, but no one approached them.
“He’s right over here.”
They entered a room marked, CAST ROOM, and RJ saw Elliott sitting on a bed with a white cast underneath the knee and continued down to where only tips of his toes were showing.
“Hey, Boss. Sorry for the noise at the start of the show.”
“You backstage guys will do anything to get attention.”
Jillian walked over and felt the cast to check for dryness; it still felt warm, was still gray in color.
“Is it dry enough so I can leave? I’m getting really tired of sitting here.”
“Not quite dry enough for you to leave. We’re going to fit you with a pair of crutches. No weight-bearing for you for a couple of weeks. You’re going to have to take it easy for the next few weeks. Although the fracture was clean, it was in a delicate part of the ankle. So, if you don’t baby yourself now, you’ll probably have ankle problems later. Give yourself time enough to heal. Follow my instructions and you’ll do just fine.”
“Okay, Doc, I will. How long do I have to keep this on?”
“Probably about six to eight weeks. I want you to follow up with a specialist, when you get home. He can follow your recovery from there.”
“I’ll see he takes care of himself. You know El, you have quite bit of vacation time. Why don’t you take some and go home for a few weeks…just to take it easy.”
“You know, my family’s been saying they’ve forgotten what my mug looks like. Maybe I will. You know, RJ, you’ve got some kind lady here.” Elliott winked at Jillie.
“You don’t have to tell me that,” RJ said, putting his arm around Jillie’s shoulder. “How are you going to get back to the motorhome?”
“I called Charles to come down and pick me up. He should be here soon.”
“Here are your instructions and a prescription for some pain medication. Since our drugstore’s closed tonight, I’ve told hospital pharmacy to give you a couple of pain pills to get you through the night...one every four to six hours, depending on the pain. I don’t foresee any problems until you leave, but if you do please don’t hesitate to call.”
“Gotcha. And thank you.”
The party was still going on at Emma’s, when Jillie and RJ arrived back home. “Do you want to go over?” Jillie asked as she opened the back door.
“Nah, its 11:30 and I’m beat.”
“I’ll bet you are. Can I fix you anything? Are you hungry?” Jillian questioned.
“Ah, could be if I thought about it.”
“How about scrambled eggs and toast? Decaf coffee?”
“I was thinking about something a little stronger.”
“Sorry, I don’t have much of a choice. Check above the stove,” Jillian said as she washed her hands.
RJ rummaged through the cabinet and found a bottle of whiskey that contained about an inch of caramel colored liquid. He sloshed it around, opened the bottle, and poured some in a glass. He took a long, slow drink, swallowing slowly treasuring every drop. They sat at the small kitchen table, next to the window overlooking the alley. They saw the party break up around 11:45, Emma’s backporch light, and the downstairs lights darken. An upstairs light came on.
They continued to eat and make small conversation. Emma’s room darkened, and Jillian suddenly felt self-conscious. She started clearing away the empty plates.
To change the non-verbal subject, RJ said, “Hey, how about we go up to the lake and stay at my house?” He was jubilant with his idea.
“Now?”
“Sure, why not?”
“I’ll have to pack and you’ll have to repack.”
“Hey, I never unpacked. We’ll be up there by one, you’d better get packing.”
Jillian shrugged. She was tired and wanted only to go to bed. She realized that this was RJ’s prime time, but she was tired.
She packed and was ready to go in about 30 minutes. He’d already packed a few things into her car and was waiting. When she turned out the mudroom light and closed the back door, she was mumbling to herself, “I wanted to show him my home.” RJ was waving at her as she approached the car.
“Hey, Jillie are you ready for Tahoe?”
She shook her head and started to open the passenger side door. RJ hopped out of the driver side of the car and moved over to the passenger side. Jillian was rather confused.
“Darlin’, I thought I’d let you drive as I haven’t quite finished my drink.” He held up an newly filled glass of liquor, “Hope you don’t mind.”
“No, I’ll drive,” she said grouchily.
Chapter 24
They turned right off Highway 50 onto Tahoe Drive at about two a.m. Jillian pulled up to the security gate. The community’s security guard opened his guardhouse door and came over to the car door with a clipboard and a flashlight. He briefly shone the light into the car, recognizing one of its occupants.
“Good morning, Mr. Montgomery. Are you here only for the night?”
“Good morning. No, we’re going to be here for a couple of days.”
The guard handed Jillian a permit, then asked if they needed a gate opener. RJ told him that he had a gate opener down at the house. The guard nodded, backed up and opened the gate, “Have a nice next few days, Mr. Montgomery.”
“Thank you.”
Jillian started down Tahoe Drive towards the lake, and made the turn into RJ’s driveway. Looking around, RJ said, “Damn, think I need anymore lights on?” The outside of the house was lit up like a neon sign with small yard lights.
“I’m sure glad I don’t pay your electric bill. By the way, who pays all your bills? You certainly don’t sit down and write checks for utilities and such, do you?”
“No, I have a great couple of CPA’s in LA who take care of all that stuff and give me a quarterly statement. That reminds me, I should look at the last statement to see how much the electric bill is for this place.”
Jillian looked at the houses on each side of his and they both had their outside illuminated, but not nearly as much as RJ’s. He got out and punched in a code for the garage door. After the first door opened, Jillie parked the car in the center of the empty garage. When they entered the laundry room, RJ opened the security-light box and turned on several house lights. Jillian noticed that a washer and dryer had been added to the laundry room, since she’d last been here. RJ put down their bags and took Jillie’s hand, “Come on, I haven’t seen all the additions. I had a interior designer come in and totally furnish the place. Let’s go snoop.”
“Wow, what a magnificent change! It’s amazing what money can do.” Jillie laughed as she looked around the great room that now looked like one from a home designer’s magazine. She and RJ went from room to room, looking at the transformation from empty to complete. Each room was decorated in perfect colors, with perfect furniture and perfect accessories. The kitchen was a cook’s dream, with everything to be desired. Cabinets were stocked with spices and cooking supplies. The freezer in the pantry was completely stocked. Off to the side of the pantry was a shelf that contained almost every brand of liquor imaginable. RJ grabbed a bottle of whiskey, he found a glass, and poured some.
While RJ was fixing his drink, Jillian retrieved up her overnight bag from the laundry room and went into a guest bedroom.
Finding her in the guest bedroom, he asked, “Hey
, don’t you want to sleep in the master bedroom?”
“This’ll be just fine, RJ. You know how I feel.”
“What about if we sleep together?…draw a line in the bed and neither one of us will cross the border.”
“Now, you’re making fun of me.”
“No, babe, I’m completely serious. I want to sleep with you, and I mean sleep. I want to feel you breathing next to me. I want to wake up with you.”
Jillian thought for a second, looked at RJ and picked up her bag. He took it out of her hand, and they walked to the master bedroom.
The next couple of days passed quickly. The couple spent their time sitting on the dock watching the lake and talking. They took a sunset gondola ride up to the top of Heavenly. At Neighbors Books and Music RJ signed several of his latest CD. The morning they were at Neighbors, they had breakfast at the Red Hut Waffle Shop, a favorite spot with the locals.
One day, RJ and Jillie decided to have lunch down at The Cantina on Emerald Bay Highway. They entered through the double-door entrance. The entire cantina was of heavy polished shellac knotty pine wood throughout. The hostess recognizing RJ, seated the couple in a small room off the main dining area.
Since they were the only patrons in the area, RJ relaxed. He had said once that he was always on guard without his buffer, Gary. The star-struck waitress took their drink orders of two margaritas on the rocks. She soon returned carrying two of largest margaritas Jillian had ever seen.
“Jillie, look at the size of these! I know I’ll only want two or three of these babies.”
“RJ, you can’t be serious. If I had two, you’d have to carry me right out of here. There must be at least a quarter of a bottle of tequila in each one of these.”
“Here’s to us!” RJ toasted Jillie. They clinked glasses.
The drink was strong with tequila, Jillie puckered her lips, thinking: I won’t be able to finish even one of these. RJ’s reaction was exactly the opposite: This drink sure hits the spot I can just sit here and enjoy quite a few.
Jillie stared intently at RJ with a relaxed look on his face. There hadn’t been few times that she’d seen him like this.
As the couple finished their lunch, a few other patrons were seated in the dining room; since RJ had his back to the door, no one recognized him. Jillie said, “It’s getting kind’a crowded in here. Do you want to leave?”
“Almost ready, gotta the check.”
As, they stood, getting ready to leave; a patron approached their table.
“Surprise, Dr. James. How nice to see you.” The curly red-headed female patron was talking to Jillie but looking at RJ.
Jillian said, “Dixie, it’s nice to see you. Are you enjoying your lunch?”
“Yeah, we come here quite often.” She extended her hand to RJ and said, “I’m Dixie Johnson and I work with Dr. James at the hospital. We were in the audience the other night. You gave a wonderful performance. Could I have a couple of autographs?” She held out a couple of pieces of paper and a pen.
“How nice to meet you. It’s nice to meet someone who works with Jillie. I’m glad you enjoyed the show,” RJ said as he reached for the pen and papers. He quickly signed, God Bless. Robert John Montgomery, and handed them back to her.
“Thank you.”
Jillian said, “Who are your lunch mates?”
“My Aunt and Uncle Jerry and Marge Rock visiting here from Pensacola, Florida and that’s Tom Hamilton. Tom and I have been dating for several months. Dr. James, have you met him? I think he comes into your office.”
“He must see Dr. Morrison,” Jillian quickly said trying to deter her from asking her boyfriend to their table.
She thanked them again and walked away. Jillian watched Dixie sit down with Tom and her relatives, as she passed around the autographed papers.
RJ said, “Are you ready to leave, before someone else decides they want a autograph or something else?”
Jillie nodded, picked up her purse, and they started out of the dining room.
Dixie stopped them as they passed by. “Robert, I’d like you to meet my boyfriend, Tom Hamilton, and my Aunt Marge and Uncle Jerry Rock.”
Tom stood and shook hands with RJ. Jillian looked at Dixie, then at Tom; they fit together. He wore a Western shirt with white pearl buttons, blue jeans, and cowboy boots. She also had on a Western shirt and boots. He was nearly six inches taller than her and probably 8 or 9 years older. She smiled at Tom as he talked to RJ.
Jillian thought: It’s refreshing, as most women throw themselves at the superstar, whether or not with their significant other.
As they were returning home from lunch, Jillian said, “You have two more days before you have to be back in LA, right?”
RJ nodded yes.
“Could we this afternoon, go back to my house? I really want you to see my world.”
“Done.”
“Thank you, RJ.”
They were to arrive in Yerington at about five o’clock. RJ was complaining about being hungry. Jillian remarked that it seemed like to her all they did while up at the lake was eat. She silently thought:…and drink.”
Jillian said, “Hey, tonight’s Monday, buffet night at Dini’s. They always put on a great buffet, the locals’ favorite. They have great fried chicken. Let’s go there before going home. Could I call Em and Lynda?”
“Sure, why not? Let’s make it a party. As long as I can get something to eat and drink,” RJ said in a cantankerous tone.
Jillian called Em and found out that she and Lynda were already planning on going over and that they’d get the table. Jillian told her that they were just coming through Wilson Canyon and would be there in about 15 minutes.
Emma and Lynda were sitting at the long table in the back of the non-smoking area, when RJ and Jillian arrived. Jillian was hoping it’d be a light night for the buffet, so there wouldn’t be much attention paid to her companion.
The girls got up and hugged RJ, and he sat down with his back facing the open room. Jillian questioned the large table with five place settings.
“Well, Jack’s stayed these past few days,” Lynda said. “He’s been going up to Tucker’s during the day and back here at night. Speak of the devil.”
“So, I’m the devil now,” Jack Morgan said leaning over to kiss Lynda. He shook hands with RJ and sat down beside Lynda. “So, how’s everyone this grand evening? I understand you and Jillian spent a few days up at the lake? How’d you like your new home? Did the designer work out?”
Jillian said, “It turned out beautiful. The house is absolutely magnificent.” RJ seemed perturbed as Jillian answered for him.
Few took notice of the diners sitting at the long table; a couple of people noticed him, but said nothing. Several people spoke to Emma, Lynda, or Jillian, with people were greeting each other and conversing around the dessert table. When Ron and Laverne passed the table, Laverne said, “Hey, Lynda how are you doing?”
Lynda said. “Hey, why don’t you join us here at our table? We have a couple of extra places.”
“Sure, thanks, we’d love to join your party,” Laverne said as she and Ron moved over to the table. Introductions were made, and the group began individual conversations, men to men and women to women. The conversation ranged from the entertainment business to RJ’s newly decorated home.
During dinner, Ron got up from the table, was gone for a few minutes, returning with beers for RJ, Jack, Gary, and himself. They thanked him and told him that they owed him the next round.
The waitress checked if everything was okay and if they needed anything.
“Everything’s hunky-dory,” RJ replied.
When dinner was finished, RJ motioned for Lisa and asked her for the check.
“It’s all been taken care of,” she said. “The gentleman to your right took care of it a few minutes ago.” She motioned to Jack Morgan.
The group thanked Jack. He tipped his hand to his forehead and said, “You’re welcome.”
The time RJ was i
n Yerington was peaceful. He and Jillian spent much of their days close to home and the evenings with Lynda and Jack or just by themselves. All too soon it was time to say goodbye. RJ was needed back in LA for the completion of his latest CD and then was going to see his parents in Iowa for a few days.
One morning, RJ said he’d really like a good chicken fried steak and eggs breakfast. Jillian said the best in town would be Casino West. They called Jack and Lynda to see if they wanted to join them. When the waitress seated the foursome, she was confused and nervous with the fact she was serving a superstar. After breakfast RJ commented that the chicken fried steak was the best he’d had in a long time. When he asked for the bill, the manager, Gretchen Redwine, came out and told the group that their breakfast was compliments of Casino West.
On Thursday morning, they decided to have breakfast at Dini’s before it was time for RJ to leave. Sandy seated the foursome in the last booth in the non-smoking area. Lorena came over to take their drink order and Vicki came over to take their food order. She stopped, did a double take when she realized that she’d be serving Robert John Montgomery.
“Good morning. How’s everyone doing today?”
“Just fine, Vicki, thanks.” Jillian replied, “I’d like to introduce Robert John Montgomery.”
“Nice to meet you. My mother hasn’t stopped talking about you. What’re you going to have this morning?”
“Well, to start the day off right, how about a couple of beers?”
“Mr. Montgomery, I’ll have to run to the bar but I’ll get them right away.”
DASHED DREAMS Page 16