by Shelia Goss
***
It was late and she hadn’t heard anything else from Lance confirming that she was supposed to come over. Lately both of their schedules had been hectic and they took advantage of each moment they could find to be alone.
She decided to surprise him at home. She didn’t see his car in the driveway, so she used her key and deactivated the alarm. She was tired, so she walked to one of the downstairs guest rooms to take a nap until he returned.
As soon as she opened the door, she blinked twice at the sight of a brunette woman on her knees while Lance’s eyes were closed with crazy expressions crossing his face. She stood there with her mouth wide open before she responded, “You dog. Who’s this hoe?”
The brunette tried to get up to gather her clothes. Rose grabbed her by her hair and threw her on the bed. “Oh no heifer. You’re not going anywhere.”
Lance tried to pull Rose off of the woman. “Rose baby calm down. It’s not what you think,” Lance stated, as he pulled up his boxers.
“You bastard. I can see with my own two eyes what you and this tramp was doing and you got the nerve to say it’s not what I think.”
The brunette said, “Who you calling a tramp, B--?”
Rose hauled off and slapped her. “That’s Queen B to you.”
The woman rubbed her face from where Rose slapped her and didn’t say anything else.
Lance tried to calm Rose down. Rose punched him in the chest. “Baby. I don’t think you want to keep hitting me.”
Rose jumped in his face. “Why? What? Are you going to hit me?” She pointed her index finger swinging it back and forth in his face. “Hit me. Come on. You’re man enough to do it. Hit me and you’ll be six feet under.”
Lance yelled at the brunette to get her things and leave. She responded, “But I got dropped off; I don’t have a car.”
Lance yelled, “Well it’s not my problem. Trick, get out.”
The brunette dressed, grabbed her stuff and ran out of the house.
Rose laughed and said, “Oh now she a hoe trick tramp. But you wasn’t saying that when she went down on you.”
“Calm down baby.”
“Baby. I got your baby. Move. I’m out of here.”
“No. You’re too upset to drive.”
“Now you want to be concerned. You are dismissed. I’ll send my assistant over to get my things tomorrow.”
Lance still standing in only his boxers blocked the doorway, attempting to stop her from leaving the room.
Rose shouted, “I suggest you move out of the way or else they will be surgically removing my foot from your behind.”
Lance moved, but continued to beg. “Baby I’m sorry.
What can I do to make it up to you?”
Rose stormed out of the room without saying another word. She attempted to slam the front door, but Lance grabbed it. She jumped in her Porsche without a second look back at Lance. As she drove out of his subdivision, she saw the brunette walking. She pulled over and yelled, “Get in.”
The brunette kept walking as if she was afraid Rose was going to do something else to her.
“Get in. I’m not going to hurt you. I hate trifling men. He should have at least dropped you off somewhere.”
The brunette got in and gave Rose an address. Rose dropped the top down on her convertible and let the wind blow through her hair and she drove through the valley. She dropped the brunette off at a place in a neighborhood Rose wouldn’t normally visit. When the brunette got out, she said, “Thanks. What do I owe you?”
“You don’t owe me anything. Just stay out of trouble. Just because a man has money doesn’t mean he’s going to treat you like a lady. Stay away from flashy men.”
Rose drove off with no particular destination in mind.
23
VIOLET
“How much longer do I have, before getting out from under this dryer?” Violet asked.
Gina, Violet’s hair stylist, shouted, “You only have fifteen more minutes.”
While under the dryer, Violet thought about the events of the past few months. Her relationship with Rose was better. Not perfect, but better. She remembered the album release party she attended. The cameras wouldn’t stop flashing. She didn’t see how her sister could be in the limelight all of the time. She wanted to leave the party early, but since she promised her she would be there, she stayed and endured the flashing cameras. She had to hand it to Rose; she played her role well with the media and with Lance. Although Rose didn’t talk about it, she knew from talking with Janice that Lance was caught cheating. A part of her, felt as if it was justifiable payback, but another part of her, felt sorry for Rose. Janice and her were amazed at some of the things Lance tried to do to win back Rose’s affection. Violet still couldn’t believe he took out a full page ad in one of the entertainment newspapers confessing his love for her. Rose treated him like trash, but he kept going back for more abuse. I guess he still hadn’t figured out that there’s no pain deeper, than the pain of a woman scorned.
***
Violet looked down at her hand. Marcus was always buying her something, whether it was the matching wrist and ankle tennis bracelet she was now wearing or clothes. He had bought her five watches. She was currently wearing a black Movado that matched her black pants suit. She admired her birthstone ring he had specially made. It was a diamond cut gemstone with two-karat diamonds surrounding it, the design was unique and no matter which way her hand moved, the sparkle from the diamonds were brilliant.
She was not materialistic, but it felt good to be spoiled. She started to trust men again. The only problem she had with dating Marcus were the groupies who seemed to be everywhere. Sometimes she and Marcus would be out, and some bold groupie, would literally push her out of the way, to get to him. She informed Marcus the first time it happened that she was not going to fight for his attention. She also told him he needed to handle those types of situations, because she was not going to be disrespected.
“Okay. Ms. Violet, you can come out now,” Gina stated.
Violet was still day dreaming when Gina tapped her on the shoulder. “I’m sorry. My mind was a thousand miles away.”
“I’m sure it was with that fine boyfriend of yours.”
Violet laughed. As she paid Gina, she turned around to walk away and ran right into the petite woman she had seen with David at the center’s last charity function. “Excuse me.”
She looked at Violet up and down before responding. “You’re excused. Just watch yourself next time.”
Violet not one for confrontation walked away. She knew if she stayed, she would have slapped her. She heard her tell Gina, “I didn’t know you did her hair. She’s my man’s ex. I can’t stand her, because she’s all he talks about.”
Gina responded, “Really now. Well that’s between you two. I’m here to do your hair.” Violet plastered a smile on her face and continued on out of the door. The sun was shining bright. She had taken an extended lunch, so she headed back to the community center.
She passed Janice on the way in. “Slow down.”
Janice slowed her pace. “Oh sorry. I’m running late for a meeting with the realtor.”
“Well, the realtor will wait, trust me. They want their commission.”
Janice laughed and continued on to her destination.
Violet checked her messages; the first call she returned was to Rose.
Rose sounded as if she was inside of a tunnel when she answered. “Have you changed your mind about going with me to Mexico?”
“I can barely make out what you’re saying. Can you repeat that?” Violet asked.
Rose repeated what she said. “Is this better?”
“Yes. I can hear you now. No. I have tried to clear my schedule, but I forgot I had given several people the time off on both of those days and Janice is one of them; otherwise I would be able to go.”
Rose sounded disappointed. “Maybe next time. Do you want to meet me later? I need to buy a couple of bathing suits
, so if you’re not busy, I can just swing by there and pick you up.”
Violet thought about it, but she didn’t like Rose coming up to the center too much, because it always caused a commotion. The teenagers would hound her for weeks after her visit, hoping for autographs or pictures. She had to threaten some of the over-active teens with clean-up duty, in order for them to stop bothering her about Rose. “I have a better idea. I’ll meet you at your house and we can leave from there.”
“Cool. See you later.”
Violet pulled up to Rose’s house a quarter past six. Instead of going in, she called her from her cell phone and Rose met her outside. “I can drive if you like,” Rose said.
“That’s okay. I still remember when you first learned how to drive.”
“Now Rose, I know you don’t want to go there. You’re the one who hit the parked car.”
They got in Violet’s car both cracking jokes on the other’s driving. Rose said, “At least I didn’t park my car on a hill and hit the police car coming up the hill.”
“Oh I almost forgot about that one,” Violet commented.
The radio was blasting and one of Rose’s songs came on. Violet sat there and listened to the words. It was a beautiful ballad and she was surprised to find out the voice behind the song was her own sister. “That is one of my favorite songs on your CD.”
“Really. Mine too. When we were in the studio, I got so into the song, they just left me alone and let me ad-lib. The original words were fine, but the part you hear in the end, I wrote it.”
Violet reached over and squeezed her hand. “You are very talented and I’m proud of you.”
Rose smiled as if overjoyed. “Thanks. It means a lot to me.”
They went from store to store. They shopped until the Galleria closed.
Once back at Rose’s place, Violet helped carry her bags in. Before leaving she hugged Rose. “Have fun.”
“I plan on it,” Rose responded.
24
ROSE
Rose stood on her hotel balcony. She held both hands up in the air, leaned her head back, and yelled, “The world is mine.”
***
Look at this view. It’s even more beautiful than my oceanfront view back in California. I‘m so glad to get away. No media, no telephones; just the ocean and me. I wish I could have talked Violet into coming along, but oh well. I have a couple of novels with me and I plan on reading both of them while lounging on the beach. Now where did I put my shades?
***
She was staying in an exclusive resort hotel which catered to the rich and famous. The staff was at her beck and call. The hotel had a private beach area, and Rose was determined to take full advantage of it all. She lounged on the beach enjoying the view and the sounds of the ocean waves. While she sipped on her third margarita, she saw a couple walking in the sand and holding hands. She pulled her shades back down over her eyes and leaned back in her chair. She returned her attention back to her novel The Family Curse written by New Orleans native Magdalene Breaux. Feeling relaxed, she dozed off and when she woke up, she was unaware of how long she had been sleeping. It didn’t matter to her, because she was at peace.
Rose took a bubble bath in the hot tub which was located in her huge luxury bathroom. The hotel staff provided her with a couple of mood music CDs. After changing into a short white skirt and red halter-top, she left her room and went to the hotel’s restaurant for dinner. While she waited on her dinner, she decided that she’d spend a night out on the town dancing.
***
Now whom do we have here? Everybody in Hollywood must have decided to take a trip to Mexico this week. I hope he doesn’t see me and just walks on by. Scott Bankhead is the producer with octopus hands. I’ve had to fight him off of me on many occasions. It got so bad; I told Carmen if he was the producer attached to any script, I wouldn’t do the film. I see Scott has his showpiece of the week. I need to warn her that no matter how much she puts out, he will only do the bare minimum. She’ll be lucky if she gets to be an extra in his movie. Rumor mill also has it that he’s really not a good lay anyway. Oh no. Here he comes. The woman he’s with. I’ve seen her type before. They will smile in your face but will stab you in the back. Everybody wants to be like me, but can’t.
***
“Rose darling, you’re looking exquisite as usual,” Scott states.
“Thank you and you’re looking. Well you’re you.”
“Oh this is Tiffany. Tiffany, Rose Purdue.”
Tiffany held her hand out and Rose stared at her and spoke without once lifting her hand. “Hi Tiffany.”
Tiffany pulled her hand back embarrassed. “Hi. Nice to meet you.”
Rose with her nose turned up in the air. “Likewise. Well if you two don’t mind. I would like to finish eating my dinner before it gets cold.”
She went back to eating her food and Scott and Tiffany moved on to their table.
Rose signaled for the waiter because she wanted a refill on her drink. She needed a little liquor before she left to go get her groove on. She had lost count of the amount of margaritas she had drunk in one day. After she left the restaurant, she took a cab to the club located on the other side of the strip. When they got to the club, the driver asked for American dollars, but Rose ignored him and reached into her purse for some pesos.
He said, “Ésa es 250 Pesos” or “That will be 250 Pesos.”
She paid the cab driver the correct amount in pesos. He tried to cheat her and he was shocked to hear her speak fluent Spanish, as she yelled out at him in his native tongue and in English the correct amount of pesos, “Aquí están 150 Pesos. Here is 150 Pesos. ”
He decided not to argue with her, took it, and sped off.
When Rose walked up to the door, all eyes were on her. Noticing that she was the center of attention, Rose strutted through the door in her five-inch red high-heel shoes that accented her long shapely legs. She didn’t have the legs of Tina, but she sure could give her a run for her money. She paid the entry fee and started walking and dancing to the beat. She walked around the club to get a feel for which floor she wanted to spend the majority of her time on. She loved all types of music. She chose the rhythm and blues room. For the moment, no one realized that she was the actual singer of the fast song that the DJ was spinning. She got herself a drink and stood at the bar. She tapped her feet to the beat of the music. Across the bar, she locked eyes, with a handsome olive complexion Spanish gentleman.
He walked over to her side of the bar and asked her to dance.
“La Srta, puede yo tener esta danza? Senorita may I have this dance?”
“Si, Yes, Senor.”
The handsome Spanish gentleman was a very good dancer. Rose was having a great time. She danced; she drank, and danced some more. He offered to take her to her room, but she declined. Instead she asked him to get her a cab. “Por favor consígame un taxi.”
He hailed the cab and opened the door. “Su taxi la espera. Your cab awaits you.”
She thanked him. “Gracias.”
He took her right hand and kissed the backside. As the cab pulled off, he told her “Adiós señora.”
She waved good-bye and went back to her hotel. She didn’t have problems out of this cab driver when it came time to pay.
The next morning, the sun shining through the window blinded her; she tried to hide under the covers. She was thankful she remembered to take an aspirin before going to bed, because otherwise, her head would be hurting along with her eyes.
After taking a shower, she decided to eat a light breakfast on her balcony so she could enjoy the ocean view. She looked up from reading the American paper and looked out across the beach. She saw the same couple that she had seen the day before a few doors down on their balcony. This time, she knew she recognized the man. She did a double take, because she didn’t recognize the woman. She made it a point to count how many rooms down, so she could confirm it was indeed the man she thought it was.
She fini
shed her meal. She made sure she had her sun block, her sunglasses, and the rest of her beach gear. While she walked down the hall, she counted the doors and knocked on the one she thought belonged to the couple. A maid opened up the door. She apologized to the maid as if she had the wrong room. “I’m sorry. Wrong room.”
***
Maybe he just has a look a like. I hope I’m wrong. I guess I’ll lounge around all day and just enjoy this good tropical weather.
***
Rose headed to the beach and spent the entire day there.
25
VIOLET
These numbers are not adding up. I’ve got to have this report to the board in less than a week and I can’t figure out where some of the funds have gone. I know I haven’t used them. I need to get Janice in here to help me with this, because right now all of the numbers are running together. Looks like I’ll be putting in some overtime this weekend.
***
Violet dialed Janice’s extension. “Janice, can you come to my office for a minute?”
“Sure. Be right over,” Janice kindly responded.
She heard Janice as she walked up. “No. Don’t sit down there. Let’s go over to the table. We’re going to need some elbow room. I need you to help me figure out something. The auditor the city uses has brought back a report and it shows some funds are missing from the community center. I need to have a counter report in the Board’s hands by next week. I’ve looked at it over and over, and honestly I can’t see where the money went.”
Janice scanned over the report. “We keep our own records and we’ve been very thorough.”
Violet tapped the head of the pen on the table. “I know. Our numbers don’t match their numbers at all. It’s as if the money went into a black hole.”