Maggie's Turn

by Deanna Lynn Sletten

  Maggie frowned as she reached up and touched her blond hair. “Is there something wrong with my hair the way it is?”

  “Oh, no, don’t take offense. It was just an idea. It’d be a great way to get a free color job. I was just thinking that you could use highlights, and I could help you get rid of that little bit of gray at the roots.”

  Maggie hadn’t realized the gray in her hair was so obvious. “Thanks, but I’m not sure if I’ll even still be here tomorrow.”

  “I’m sorry if I offended you,” Bobbi said, looking contrite. “I just thought you might like to freshen up your color.” When she’d finished everything on her plate, she asked Maggie if she’d mind watching her bag while she went to get more. Of course Maggie didn’t mind.

  Maggie felt full and satisfied by the time she’d emptied her plate. She and Bobbi had a pleasant conversation about Reno and Tahoe and the many things to do around there. They also talked a little about their lives. She found out that Bobbi was thirty-two years old and single, but still looking for Mr. Right. Maggie told Bobbi a little about her husband and kids, leaving out the details of why she was here without them. Bobbi seemed like a nice, normal person, and Maggie enjoyed her company. She was happy she hadn’t eaten breakfast alone.

  Bobbi looked at her watch and then said it was time to go to her workshop. “It was so nice visiting with you,” she told Maggie. “This is my only workshop today. Any chance you might want to get together later and go casino hopping or see a show?”

  “That sounds like fun, but I plan on spending the day driving around and taking pictures. I’m heading to Lake Tahoe in a couple of hours and hope to get a few good shots.”

  “Oooh . . . Could I go with you? I don’t have my car here, and I’d love to see Tahoe. I mean, if I won’t be in your way or anything. We could even eat dinner at one of the casinos there.” Bobbi looked hopeful.

  Maggie thought about it for only a moment. Bobbi had an easy, friendly way about her, and she seemed like good company. Maggie thought it might be fun to have someone go along. “I don’t mind, but I have to warn you, we’ll be walking a lot, especially in the woods.”

  Bobbi clapped her hands joyfully. “That sounds great. I’ll be sure to put on my walking shoes and jeans. I can be ready by noon. Is that okay?”

  Maggie smiled. She couldn’t help it. Bobbi sounded so excited. “That’s fine. I’ll meet you at the door to the parking garage at noon.”

  Bobbi waved and left with her big bag slung over her shoulder. Maggie thought she might be in for an interesting day.

  Maggie decided not to drive around in the busy traffic while she waited for Bobbi. Instead, she walked through downtown Reno and snapped a few pictures. She walked to the famous Reno welcome arch and shot a few pictures. She planned on taking pictures of the arch when it was colorfully lit up on her way back at the end of the day. She then walked across the street and took shots of the new CommRow building, where the historic Fitzgerald’s Casino used to be. She stopped in front of the 164-foot climbing wall, the tallest in the country, located on the outside of the building, and marveled at the people who were brave enough to climb that high above the streets of Reno.

  Downtown Reno was definitely not as colorful or exciting by day as it was at night, but Maggie managed to take a few great shots of the city and the interesting people strolling around. She was sure that tonight, from her hotel-room window, she could get a few great shots of the city lit up in all its glorious colors.

  As promised, Bobbi was ready and waiting for Maggie at noon by the door leading out to the parking garage. She had changed from her hot-pink top to a yellow T-shirt and now wore jeans and sneakers. She’d also traded in her large bag for a smaller one, and she had a pair of sunglasses sitting on top of her head and a sweater slung over her arm.

  “Ready to go?” Bobbi asked.

  They were soon heading south on Highway 395 toward the curvy Highway 431 to Incline Village. From there, they would drive down Highway 50 along Lake Tahoe toward South Lake Tahoe.

  They couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day to drive the curving, tree-studded road along Lake Tahoe’s shore. The view was crystal clear, and the snowcapped mountains in the distance were spectacular. The traffic wasn’t too heavy, so Maggie was able to periodically turn off at roadside stops to take pictures of the lush scenery that lay before them.

  As the pair rode along, they talked about their lives, the best vacations they had ever taken, and the most beautiful scenery they’d ever seen. Both agreed that there weren’t many places in the United States that could top the beauty they were enjoying today.

  “Do you know what we really need?” Bobbi asked at one of the stops along the highway. “A convertible. Wouldn’t it be amazing to drive along this highway, in this gorgeous weather, in a convertible sports car?”

  Maggie agreed. With the warm sun on their backs and the sparkle of the lake below, riding along in a convertible sports car would’ve been perfect.

  They turned into Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park at Sand Harbor, paid the fee, and parked in the tree-lined parking lot. From there, they walked down to the natural harbor, an inlet just off the larger body of water, where pine trees lined the shore and large boulders jutted out of pristine, crystal-clear water.

  The air coming off the lake was fresh and crisp, and both women were happy they had brought heavy sweaters along. They walked over to some large boulders protruding out of the water along the shoreline. The rocks were bleached white from the sun, which made a sharp contrast against the blue-green water of the lake. The wind was just a whisper, and the huge body of water sat quiet. Maggie and Bobbi both stood a moment in awe of the beauty of the lake, the shoreline dotted with pines, and the snowcapped mountains in the distance. It was a spectacular view.

  Excitedly, Maggie raised her camera and began snapping photos of the picturesque scenery. The beach was empty of tourists, enabling her to capture some breathtaking photos of unmarred shoreline.

  Bobbi climbed up on one boulder and then made her way from boulder to boulder along the rocky shore. Once, when she almost fell into the icy-cold water, Maggie laughed out loud, which made Bobbi giggle. Bobbi finally sat down on a large boulder that sat far out in the water.

  “Pose,” Maggie called out to her, and turned her camera on Bobbi.

  Bobbi smiled, then lifted her knees up, put one hand behind her head, and pursed her lips into a kissing pout, pinup girl–style. Maggie laughed again and took her picture, plus several more as Bobbi adopted different poses. With her bright lipstick, voluptuous figure, and mane of shiny hair—plus the blue-green water and the mountains as her backdrop—Bobbi actually did look like an old-time movie star glamming it up for the camera.

  After a time, they walked along the shore to the strip of beach, then strode in the sand to the other end of the inlet. Tired at last, they sat on a boulder and enjoyed the view from the point.

  “You’re going to love those pictures I took of you,” Maggie said. “The scenery is amazing.”

  Bobbi giggled. “I bet I looked silly, but I don’t care. It’s so beautiful here. This is nothing like a Southern California beach. It’s so clean, and the water is clear.”

  Maggie agreed. Lake Tahoe wasn’t an ocean, of course, but it was so large that it reminded her of one. “My husband and I came here when we were in college. It’s exactly as it was then, beautiful.”

  “Why isn’t your family here with you, Maggie?” Bobbi asked. “If you don’t mind me asking.”

  Maggie sighed. She figured it seemed strange, her running around the country alone when she had a family at home. “I don’t mind. I sort of ran away from home.”

  Bobbi’s brown eyes grew wide. “Ran away? Really? Why?”

  “It’s kind of hard to explain. I hadn’t planned on leaving. It just happened. Our marriage has had problems for a while, and I’ve had some family
tragedies that added to the stress. I think I sort of lost it.”

  “Wow,” Bobbi said. “You just seem like you have it all together. I guess even the best of us crack up now and again.”

  Maggie frowned at this, which only made Bobbi laugh.

  “I don’t mean you’re crazy or anything. We all need to let off some steam once in a while, and it sounds like that’s what happened to you. You just had to let go.”

  Maggie thought this over as she stared at the mountains in the distance. Maybe Bobbi was right. She had been holding in her feelings for so long, she finally just had to let them out.

  “I know exactly what you need,” Bobbi said, her eyes lighting up. “Tomorrow, we’re going shopping, and tomorrow night, we’re going to get you all dolled up. You’re going to attend the banquet with me. We’ll get some snazzy dresses, do up your hair and makeup, and you’ll feel like a million bucks.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Maggie said. “I’m not really looking to go out and party like a teenager.”

  Bobbi chuckled. “Don’t worry. You won’t be. You’ll be in a room of mainly women hairdressers and makeup artists. You can be my plus one. Come on. It’ll be fun.”

  Maggie wasn’t so sure about dressing up and going to a party. But then, she’d ridden on a motorcycle with Wild Bill and had a blast. It might be fun to dress up and look pretty for a change. Maybe even dance a little. The more Maggie thought about the idea, the more she wanted to do it.

  “Okay,” Maggie told Bobbi. “It sounds like fun.”

  Bobbi grinned. “That’s the spirit!”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Maggie and Bobbi walked back to the van and headed farther down the highway to South Lake Tahoe. They stopped several more times by the side of the road to take pictures of the lake. After crossing over the California state line, they entered South Lake Tahoe. As they drove through the town, trying to decide where they should stop to eat, Bobbi suddenly pointed and said excitedly, “Take a left. Pull in over there.”

  Startled, Maggie turned left into the parking lot that Bobbi had indicated. Once there, Maggie realized it wasn’t a parking lot after all. It was a car dealership.

  “Drive up ahead,” Bobbi said, practically bouncing up and down in her seat. “Look. Right there.”

  Maggie pulled up and saw what Bobbi was pointing at. Two Mustang convertibles sat side by side. One was royal blue with a black top, and the other was cherry red, its black top down.

  “Why in the world did you have us stop here?” Maggie asked, turning toward Bobbi. But Bobbi was already opening the passenger door and heading outside to stand beside the two convertibles.

  “Aren’t they beautiful?” Bobbi asked as Maggie stepped out of the van. “Can’t you just imagine yourself driving the curvy Lake Tahoe road in one of these? I vote for the red one.”

  Maggie shook her head, and then smiled. Bobbi was as excited as a little kid with a new toy. “Yes, they’re very pretty. But I don’t need a new car today.”

  “Can I help you ladies?” A tall, slender middle-aged man wearing dress slacks and a sport coat walked up to Maggie, his hand extended. “I’m Jerry. What can I do for you today?”

  Reluctantly, Maggie shook Jerry’s hand. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to a salesman, especially since she wasn’t serious about buying a car. “We’re just looking,” she said. No sooner had the words left her mouth than Bobbi piped up.

  “She’s interested in this red Mustang. Any chance we can take it for a test drive?”

  Maggie looked at Bobbi, frowning and shaking her head. “No, I’m not really interested—”

  “Sure. A test drive would be fine,” Jerry interrupted. “You have good taste. I’ll go get the keys.” He smiled wide at Maggie, then hurried away to the office.

  “What are you doing?” Maggie asked. “I don’t want to buy a car.”

  Bobbi walked over to Maggie. “You don’t have to buy it,” she said. “We’re just going for a little ride in it. It’ll be fun.”

  “We’re wasting this man’s time.”

  Bobbi brushed her hand through the air. “Oh, he won’t mind. Besides, I think he likes you. I saw him give you the once-over. If you decide to buy it, he may give you a great deal.”

  Maggie rolled her eyes. “He gave me the once-over to make sure I wasn’t some insane person who’d drive off and not return. Come on. Let’s get out of here before he comes back.”

  Bobbi grinned and pointed. “Too late.”

  Jerry headed toward them and handed a set of keys to Maggie. “All I need is to see your driver’s license a minute. While I’m writing down the number, you can pull your van out of the way. Park it over by the office.”

  Maggie sighed. She didn’t want to argue in front of the salesman, so she did as he said.

  Jerry handed back her license. “Here you go.” He walked over to the red Mustang and opened the driver’s-side door for Maggie. “You picked a beauty. You know how to drive a stick shift, I hope.”

  Maggie walked over to the car and looked inside. The bucket seat did look inviting. And a stick shift? She thought back to her first car, when she was seventeen. It was a late-1970s-model sports car, beat-up but fast and fun to drive. She had loved that car.

  “Oh yes, I know how to drive a stick,” she told Jerry. As she climbed into the small car, Maggie felt twenty-five years younger.

  Maggie and Bobbi were sailing up the Lake Tahoe road once again, with the sun on their faces and the wind in their hair. The Mustang hugged the curves in the road beautifully, and both Maggie and Bobbi laughed with delight at each turn. It felt delicious and decadent, driving along the scenic road in a gorgeous sports car.

  “See, I told you this would be fun,” Bobbi said, smiling over at Maggie. She turned the radio on and blasted it so they could hear the music above the rumble of the engine and the wind whipping around them.

  Maggie gasped when she recognized the song, “Hollywood Nights,” another song from her favorite Bob Seger album. He sang about driving miles and miles on those twisting, turning roads. Maggie laughed. It shouldn’t have surprised her that Bob would be on the radio, singing that song, at this exact moment in time. First, Bob the teacher in Deadwood, then Bobbi the hairdresser. Now, Bob as background music for their wild drive. It seemed to be a running theme for this entire crazy trip.

  Eventually, Maggie turned the car around and headed back, even though she didn’t want to any more than Bobbi did. As they pulled into the car lot, Bobbi looked over at her and winked.

  “Think you might buy yourself a car?”

  Maggie laughed. “You’re crazy. I can’t buy this. But you were right. It was fun.”

  Jerry was there to greet them as they stepped out of the Mustang. Maggie handed over the keys. “So did you have a great ride?” he asked.

  Maggie nodded. “It’s a fun car. Thanks for letting us give it a try.”

  “Is that your van, or is it a rental?”

  Maggie looked over at her new van. She’d just bought it a few months ago when her old one was on its last legs. At the time, she’d thought of getting a car instead. Now that the kids were older, she didn’t need as much room. But Andrew had told her to buy another van. He’d said they might want it for family vacations. So she bought another van, even though she hadn’t really wanted one. As usual, Andrew got his way and she had just let him.

  “It’s my van,” Maggie replied.

  “It looks new. Is it this year’s model?”

  Maggie nodded. “I just bought it this past spring.”

  “Well, it’s your lucky day,” Jerry said, grinning. “I can give you a great deal on the Mustang if you want to trade in the van.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so,” Maggie said. She’d seen the price on the Mustang, and she knew the van was worth a little more. “Besides, I’m not from California. I live
in Minnesota.”

  “That’s not a problem, as long as you have the title and it’s in your name. We can take care of everything online or over the phone, however you like. I’m assuming you have a loan on the van.”

  “Well, yes. It’s through my bank.”

  “That’s even better. You can switch your loan up and be off. If you’re interested, I can hold the car for you over the weekend, and we can do the paperwork on Monday.”

  Maggie laughed. Even considering trading in her new van for a used Mustang was crazy. “I’ll think about it,” she told Jerry, though she didn’t plan on giving it another thought.

  It was late afternoon by the time Maggie and Bobbi parked in the Harrah’s Lake Tahoe parking lot and were seated in the dining room of the Forest Buffet on the eighteenth floor. They were both famished from their long day. The view of the mountains out the floor-to-ceiling windows was breathtaking, and the food was delicious. They feasted on seafood, steak, and a variety of other entrees, and then loaded up on dessert as well.

  “That sure was a beautiful car,” Bobbi said as they both sat contemplating another dessert.

  “Yes, it was,” Maggie agreed, eyeing her cautiously.

  “It was in really great shape for a 2010, too.”

  “Yes, it looked almost new.”

  “I think it was the GT model.”

  Maggie stared hard at Bobbi. “Are you getting a cut of Jerry’s commission? You sound like you’re trying to sell me that car.”

  Bobbi laughed. “No. I just think you’d have so much more fun driving around in that Mustang than in your mom van.”

  “Hey, I like my mom van. It’s comfortable, it handles well, and it’s practical.”

  Bobbi shrugged as she stood to get one more dessert. “Who wants to be practical? There’s no fun in that.” She threw Maggie a mischievous grin and headed to get another dessert.

  Maggie sat there, gazing out the window at the snowcapped mountains. “Practical.” She remembered a time when she hadn’t always been practical. After spending years caring for her father and sister, going to college had opened a whole new world for her, giving her the freedom to be carefree and spontaneous. When she and Andrew started dating, he said it was her impractical side that he loved so much. Her ability to drop everything at a moment’s notice and pack up a picnic, go for a drive or even a midnight stroll on the beach. Somewhere along the way, she’d lost that spontaneity. Had she simply grown up and become responsible, or had she just become too tired from responsibilities to try anymore? She’d stopped looking for the fun in life and had let herself become boring. Was that what caused Andrew to stop looking at her as a desirable woman, and instead only as his wife and the mother of his children? Is that what had made him search out another woman’s affections?