"Hey, where are you going?” she called after him.
"Back to the room. I'd rather fuck a dead rat than be here.” Michael shot back, and quickly made his exit. Shauna glanced over to Angela, who saw the whole exchange, and shrugged her shoulders. “My weird brother.” Shauna stated, smiling sheepishly.
"Good riddance.” Angela retorted, taking a sip of wine. Beverly had filled her in on her sweet little cousin and her sicko brother. She knew the whole story. Beverly wanted to spend some time with Shauna, and now Angela knew why, it was only fair. She would find something interesting to do this weekend, like think about her future with Beverly. She needed to think about lots of things.
"How about a refill?” Joe was smiling at her and holding the wine bottle.
"Sure, why not. I don't have anybody to impress here,” she said, grinning at him He poured her some more wine and raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, really?” Joe asked foxily.
"Well, I'm not anyone's relative or anything. I'm just here for emotional support,” she said nodding in Beverly's direction.
Joe gave Angela a knowing look. “Ahh, I see.” Joe nodded his head, all too familiar with his overbearing Aunt Allison.
Angela glanced at Joe, and their gaze locked. She could not take her eyes away. He was incredible, simply incredible.
CHAPTER 3
The three men had slept the whole length of the flight, and the stewardess’ announcement of their landing roused them all up. The flight from Philadelphia to California was very long, and they were exhausted. Andrew Bell and his twin sons Justin and Jason knew that they had to get a taxi and ride for a good hour the rest of the way, a thought none of them relished.
Andrew was a huge, imposing African American man of fifty-five. Andrew was once the chief of police of Philadelphia, and had been married to Kathy Henderson, who grew up with her second cousin Linda down in Mississippi. Even though Andrew and Kathy had been divorced for four years, the two remained friends and both agreed that it would be nice for the boys to meet some distant relatives.
Kathy was Caucasian, so the boys were bi-racial. Both were twenty-five, handsome and exotic, with mocha-colored skin and dark, soulful eyes. They were identical twins, but one would have little trouble telling the two apart.
Justin was the eccentric, artist type. He had attended the Julliard School of Music as a piano major. He was a musical child prodigy who began composing songs at the age of six. His appearance was more funky and Rastafarian, with his nose and ear pierced and his hair all long, curly and wild. He was a musician to the core, and could play anything from Mozart to Bach at the drop of a hat, and never left the house without his guitar.
Jason was a clean-cut version of his brother. He preferred polo's to peace sign t-shirts and wore his hair in a short, military style. Jason had just completed FBI training at Quantico, and was now a special agent.
They both were black belts in karate, at the insistence of their father, and were extremely well built. Both were single, lived in New York, and shared an apartment on the Upper West Side. Neither had been to California before and were excited to be here, but were also tired and hungry. The guys quickly grabbed their luggage, exited the terminal, and hailed a cab.
"Let's see, we might just make it in time for dinner.” Andrew pulled out the itinerary of the trip
"Good, ‘cause I'm starved. Airplane food sucks.” Jason was the more aggressive of the twins, Justin the more sensitive, spiritual one.
"Relax bro.” Justin assured. “We'll get there when we get there."
"Good, because I get cranky when I'm hungry.” Jason quipped.
Justin snickered. “Tell me something I don't know.” The taxi zoomed up the Pacific Coast Highway, and the sunset over the ocean transformed the water into an electric pink glow. Andrew smiled at his sons. “You guys did remember to pack your bathing suits?” he asked the twins.
"Hey, we grew up on the beach, remember? You know, that beach in Philly?” Jason joked around.
"What beach in Philly?” Justin eyed his brother.
"You know, Liberty Bell Beach. It's frozen and dirty all the time,” he chided.
"Shut-up, Jason.” Justin burst out laughing, and then his brother joined him. Andrew rolled his eyes and glanced out the window at the sparkling water. There was another reason for the pilgrimage to California. Very important business that the boys were not to know about. He was there to meet somebody, somebody he had not seen in a very, very long time. Lost in his thoughts, Andrew nodded to himself, the boys dozed off, and the taxi sped along the highway.
* * * *
The hotel bar was dark and dingy. The man sat down and ordered a draft beer. He watched the football game on the television that was behind the counter and lit a cigarette. He was in a terrible mood, and wanted to get drunk and crazy. The man was depressed and wanted to drink away his sorrows in the empty hotel bar. He guzzled the last of his Budweiser and summoned the barmaid.
She sauntered over. “What can I get ya'?"
"Another Bud, please.” he mumbled.
"Sure thing.” she said, then turned and scooted away. He eyed her as she disappeared behind the counter to retrieve his beer. She was cute, young and blonde. Probably a collage student trying to make ends meet.
She returned with his cold glass. “Three dollars, please” she smiled.
He reached for his wallet. “So, what's your name?” he asked pleasantly.
"Brianna.” she said, smiling.
"That's a very pretty name. You live around here?” he asked. He grinned as he gave her exact change, no tip. He did not believe in tipping people. Screw them for taking a job with little pay. She remained polite and professional.
"Yes, I live a few blocks from here. I'm trying to save some money for college,” she explained, setting a bowl of nuts on the bar in front of him.
"Which college?” he questioned her.
"U.C.S.B."
"Wow, you must be really smart."
"I have to get the bread to pay for it first."
He liked her, yes, she would be perfect. “Tell you what, Brianna, what time do you get off?"
She smiled “I get off at eight."
"Can I watch?” he sneered, bursting out laughing at his own tasteless, perverted joke. She looked at him, blankly. “I'm sorry, I just had to say that. Listen, my name is John Smith. I would love to buy you a drink when you get done with your shift. Would you like that?"
Brianna eyed him, he seemed all right. “Okay, I'll meet you here at eight sharp, but I can't stay up too late. I have to open tomorrow morning” she told him.
"Open? What are you going to open? Your legs?” He sneered at her, and she smirked at him. Then he smiled sweetly.
"Sorry, I'm an asshole. Look, I'll see you at eight, all right Brianna? I'd really like to buy you a drink. I'm here all alone and I could use the company of a nice girl like you,” the man told her.
"All right, one drink can't hurt. I gotta get back to work though. See you later, John.” Brianna turned and walked away. He watched her go, eyeing her tight little ass bounce seductively in her clingy skirt. He chuckled to himself. Oh, yes, he would have fun tonight after all, lots of fun.
* * * *
The Velvet Room was impeccably decorated with fresh flowers and colorful helium balloons. A huge picture window overlooked the beach and the blue ocean, though it was hard to see since it was now dark. Each table was adorned with fine china and various party favors. The family had adjourned from the cocktail party to the dining hall, and they were all filing in. Other guests were joining in with their group, too. Joe glanced around the room. There had to be about fifty people. Some Joe had never seen before. Relatives of relatives of relatives. Allison seemed to be the gregarious one, introducing herself to everybody and introducing people to each other. Did his father know all these people?
"I didn't know we had so many cousins.” Beverly stated.
"Me neither.” Paul answered.
Joe no
ticed his father standing on a small stage at the front of the room. John and a hotel employee were fussing with a microphone, trying to get the thing to work. “Testing 123, testing.” John's deep voice boomed through the dining hall. Joe, a little tipsy from the booze, reached up and grabbed a yellow balloon. Angela, also a little buzzed, giggled and yanked it out of his hand.
"Hey, hey! Cut it out.” he chided her. Allison was busy herding everybody in.
"I hope we don't have assigned seats, or anything hokey like that.” Beverly whispered to her brother.
"I hope the menu is good. I'm starved.” Paul whispered back.
As everybody seemed to be taking his or her seats, Joe felt a tap on his shoulder. “Hey, Joe.” He turned around and saw Cindy standing there. She looked tidy and sweet in her waitress uniform.
"Oh, hey you. Working hard?” Joe grinned.
Paul, who had downed a few too, noticed her right away and joined in.
"Or hardly working?” Paul teased.
"This is Cindy, she was kind enough to show me to my room this afternoon.” Joe introduced Paul, who shook her hand.
"I'm Paul, and I don't know my way around this hotel either, you think you could show me around later?” he asked, winking at her.
Cindy laughed. “I guess I'm going to be serving you guys tonight."
"No comment!” Paul chuckled.
"Well, I gotta go back to work, enjoy your dinner.” she said, prancing off with Paul watching her. What a cutie, he thought. Maybe that could be something to explore. The rest of the family sauntered in. Shauna and her father were looking around for a seat. She wondered what her brother was up to, she knew it was to no good.
"Should I go find Michael?” she asked Stephen.
"Nah, he'd just spoil it for everyone. I wish he'd stayed home,” he told his daughter. She silently agreed. Michael had mental problems, and she was scared of what he was capable of.
Patrick and Joyce were greeting everybody and chatting with the neatly-dressed wait staff. As everybody was taking their seats, Allison noticed a large black man with two handsome younger men in the hallway, their luggage still in tow. They seemed to be lost. She smiled sweetly at them. “Looking for someone?” she asked.
"We're here for the family reunion party.” Andrew stated.
"You just found it, right here in the Velvet Room. I'm Allison Collins.” she introduced herself and extended her hand to Andrew, who shook it with civility.
"I'm Andrew Bell and there are my sons Justin and Jason,” he told her.
"Welcome, right this way.” she said, holding the door open for them.
"Thank you,” the twins said simultaneously. The three entered the room. Andrew looked around and spied Stephen Petersen. He waved. They were connected by marriage only, but had kept in touch. His ex-wife was the second cousin of Stephen's now deceased wife, Linda, whom his wife had grown up with and was raised like a sister.
Stephen had kept in touch with Andrew over the years, and was sorry that Kathy could not make it, but glad to see the twins, who had grown up into nice young men. They headed over to their table. Stephen went to hug his long-lost, cousin-in-law.
Shauna looked up and noticed the twins right away, the preppy one and the hippie one. “Wow!” she muttered to herself. “So many cute cousins in one weekend!"
"Andy, Andy! How have you been?” Stephen was genuinely excited to see them. “You remember my daughter, Shauna?” Stephen smiled.
"You remember Justin and Jason? All grown up now, huh?” Andrew introduced the twins to Shauna and the guys smiled broadly at each other. The two men continued to babble.
"Won't you sit down and join us?” Stephen asked. The three of them sat down at the round, dinner table, with Jason sitting next to Shauna, Andrew next to Stephen, and Justin in the middle.
"I'm sorry I did not make it to Linda's funeral, man.” Andrew apologized to Stephen.
"It's okay, you were there in spirit.” Stephen said pleasantly.
Jason turned to Shauna. “So, how are we related?” he asked her, grinning.
"Her mom and our mom were second cousins.” Justin chimed in.
"He's right.” Shauna nodded.
"So that makes us...?” Jason asked.
"Second cousins once removed.” Shauna told him.
"Third cousins, right, Dad?” Jason asked his father. Andrew nodded.
"So, if we get married our kids wouldn't have eight heads?” Jason laughed, his puckish eyes sparkling.
Justin took a sip of water and rolled his eyes. “Jason, Jesus! We just met.” he scolded his cocky twin.
"That's not true. We met before with Mom when we were about five, remember? Mom put us all in the bathtub together, so actually I have seen her naked.” Jason corrected.
Justin shook his head. “Please excuse him, Shauna. He has this twisted since of humor."
Shauna snickered. “Yes, I remember that one time you guys came to New York, and no, I don't think third cousins are still blood related."
"Not technically.” Justin added.
She could hardly believe they were twins, they were so different. Jason was clearly the cuter one. She preferred the more preppy type to the hippie type. Shauna grinned at her distant cousin Jason. Dark eyes met dark eyes. Yes, this was going to be a very interesting weekend indeed.
* * * *
It was an odd sight. A dilapidated, old, junk heap of a truck pulling up in front of the majestic Hotel Del Moor. The valets stared as the three shabbily dressed inhabitants got out and looked around. Lilly and Shelly looked out of place in their dirty t-shirts and tattered blue jean shorts, Donnie and his enormous beer gut hanging out over his ill-fitting pants. He grabbed the family's bags from the bed of the truck and shoved them at Shelly, who strained as she lifted them over her shoulder.
"Ain't we supposed to be havin’ supper sometime soon?” Donnie bellowed. “Ain't that what that there piece of paper say? I'm so hungry my stomach thinks my throat's cut.” Lilly was silent. He smacked her across the face. “Answer me, girl, I'm talking to you."
"I don't know, Poppa.” Lilly was close to tears. She hated it when he humiliated her. Lilly glanced up to see the valets busy parking cars, and not seeming to notice. Donnie was very cunning, and only hit the girls when nobody was looking.
Donnie's way of getting her attention was to strike her. He smacked Shelly around too. Hey, it's how you get a woman's attention in the South, at least that's what Donnie always told them. The valets returned and parked their noisy; rattling car as the three of them proceeded into the stately hotel lobby.
"Hey, where is the place where I sign in?” Donnie yelled loudly to a uniformed doorman.
"The front desk is around that corner, sir.” the doorman said politely, and pointed Donnie in the right direction.
"Come on, move it.” Donnie barked, giving Lilly a shove. Shelly trailed silently behind, carting their heavy, dirty bags.
"Classy people.” the doorman muttered to himself, shaking his head.
They approached the front desk. A pretty brunette did a double take, then smiled warmly. “Hello, welcome to the Hotel Del Moor. How can I help you?” she asked.
"We done got a room here. I wanna sign in. My name is McCoy,” he said rudely. Donnie did not want to deal with a woman behind the desk. He gave her nasty looks. She remained polite and professional and handed him the keys to Room 312.
"Enjoy your stay here, sir.” she smiled.
Without so much as a ‘thank you’ he grabbed the keys out of her hand.
"Come on girls, let's get movin'. I wanna drop off these here bags and then fetch me some supper.” he snarled at them.
As they were heading for the elevator, Lilly glanced out the window. Even though it was night, she could still see the glistening pool, illuminated by an underwater light. A few yards beyond that, the golden beach. She had no bathing suit, but she was going to go swimming anyway. The hotel was the most magical place she had ever seen. She had read stories a
bout California, this far away, mystical place she had only daydreamed about. Now she was here.
She looked around for some movie stars, but she did not see any. She was more excited to be here than she had let on, for unbeknownst to her father, she had plans—big, big plans. When her father was busy, she planned to pack her bags and leave. Maybe she'd go to Los Angeles, maybe to San Francisco, but she was going. She would get as far away as possible from Mississippi, her abusive jerk of a father, and his version of her life. The opportunity was here, she was going to take it and not look back.
* * * *
Joe, Beverly, Paul, and Angela found themselves at a table together, with none of the “old fogies” around. The waiter was taking drink orders. They decided that they were going to start with a round of White Russians. It was the weekend, and they were going to party.
Joe was relieved that his cousins turned out to be cool. Other people that Joe had never seen before were milling around. Various cousins, relatives, and friends were hugging, drinking, and just hanging out. Joe noticed Shauna and his Uncle Stephen sitting at a table with people he did not know. The tall, prominent, black man who looked like he could be an ex-police officer or something. He also spied the two younger men who appeared to be brothers. One looking very muscular in his tidy, yellow polo shirt and jeans, the other looking like a Bob Marley wanna-be with a dark wild afro and a dangling peace-sign earring.
Weekends Page 5