The Millionaire Myth

by Jennifer Taylor

  “What do you think about getting out of here?” I was hoping I could get Gina removed from the bar while she still had the ability to walk on her own.

  “Nah, I like it here. They have comfy bar stools and good,” she held up two fingers toward the bartender. “Margaritas!”

  The bartender responded by crossing his arms. I shook my head sharply behind Gina, moving my hand across my throat, signaling that we'd had enough. I don't think it mattered, he didn't look too inclined to serve us anything more.

  “Hey, I've got an idea!” I turned Gina to face me. “Why don't we go to my apartment? It'll be a lot more comfy there, I have a couch, it's way better than these bar stools.” I saw Gina start to shake her head. I had to up the ante, anything to get her out of the bar. “And, I have Margarita mix!”

  Gina smiled and climbed/fell down from her bar stool. “Well what are we waiting for?!”

  I helped her outside and into my car. While she'd had three drinks, I'd barely sipped at one. I was in no hurry to have another hangover. I drove toward my place as I watched her laugh at nothing. She was going to be in a lot of pain in the morning, I sure hoped the fun she was having right now was worth it.

  I got her out of the car and into my apartment. Again, I was grateful to live on the first floor. Dragging groceries up a flight of stairs was tough enough, I imagined dragging a drunk girl was a much bigger challenge.

  By the time I got Gina to the couch a lot of the giggle had gone out of her. She was leaning against the arm of the couch quietly running her fingers over the material.

  “You okay, Gina? You want some water?”

  She shook her head. “This couch is butt-ugly Stella. You should get something nicer.”

  “Uh, okay Gina. I'll take that under advisement.”

  “I'm serious! She sat up straight. You are a wonderful person Stella! Wonderful persons should have wonderful couches!” She looked at me, her face so serious that I had to work hard not to laugh. I knew that in her drunk head, she meant what she was saying. “I have a wonderful couch. But I don't have a wonderful husband anymore.” She looked like she might start to cry. I was about to try and comfort her when she sat up straight again, determined. “I will give you my couch. I don't need a couch for me. I have chairs!”

  “Okay Gina. That sounds good. We'll figure it all out later, okay?” I approached her as if she were a rattlesnake, I wasn't sure what to expect from her next.

  She laughed again. “It's figured. Time for more Margaritas.”

  I nodded. “You got it, hang out here and I'll whip some up.” I went into the kitchen and grabbed my margarita mix out of the cabinet. I was true to my word, I made a pitcher of margaritas. Virgin margaritas.

  I came back into the living room with the pitcher, and Gina was nowhere to be found. I checked the bathroom , but it was empty too. There was only one room left to check.

  There she was, passed out on my bed. I couldn't help but laugh as I took in the sight of Gina, in all her glory. She was on her stomach, one leg halfway off the bed, that foot naked, with her black heel dropped to the floor. Her hair was halfway covering her face, but I could see her mouth, wide open, some drool escaping from it, soaking into my pillowcase. “Make yourself at home Gina,” I whispered as I grabbed my cell phone and took a picture of her. I couldn't wait to show her the picture in the morning.

  I got a bottle of aspirin and a glass of water and put in on my nightstand, then quietly left the room. I hoped she managed to get some sleep. I knew that this whole thing with Steven was killing her.

  I went back into the living room and dropped down onto my couch, grabbing the remote. As I looked through my list of shows, I thought about how awful it would be to have someone you trusted so much completely betray you. I also wondered if I'd ever find someone I could trust completely.

  Halfway through the latest episode of Restaurant Impossible, there was a knock at my door. I immediately muted the TV. Out of instinct, I pulled my feet up onto the couch and froze, hoping whoever it was would just go away. After a few seconds of silence, I started to relax. I waited another few seconds before I moved off the couch. I was tip-toeing toward the peep hole when whoever it was knocked again. “Stella? You home?”

  I recoiled, automatically thinking it was Charlie. It took a second for my mind to register that the voice wasn't Charlie's. It wasn't Slick's either.

  “Stella? It's me, Drew...Are you home?”

  I let out a long breath of relief as I unlocked the door. I looked down at myself, quickly grateful that I hadn't changed out of my work clothes yet.

  I opened the door and smiled automatically. Drew looked so happy, standing in front of me. He had a big smile of his face and my magazines in his hands. He held them up. “Thank you so much for getting these!”

  I stepped back and waved him inside. “How do you know I got them for you? I'm sure you have a lot of women randomly leaving you gifts.”

  He walked over and sat down on the couch, instantly at home. “Well, sure. But they usually leave me cash, chocolates, love letters in which they beg for my affection,” He waggled his eyebrows. “No one but you would leave me these magazines.”

  I locked the door and moved to sit next to him. “You got me, I did leave them, but only because I already gave out all my cash, chocolate, and love letters to the other men I'm stalking.” I laughed as I grabbed a magazine from him. “So, did you get any ideas from these?”

  He nodded and turned toward me. “I really did. It's funny, it never occurred to me to look in magazines for ideas.”

  “Really? That's what I do before I get into any project. I'm always trolling the internet, looking for inspiration.”

  “Funny you should mention that.” Without another word, Drew got up and walked to my kitchen table. He pulled some paper out of the back pocket of his jeans.

  I got up and followed him. “Whatcha got there?”

  He grinned. “Internet ideas I printed up.” He unfolded the papers and spread them out on the table. I liked a few of the pictures in the magazine, so I went online and got some pricing ideas.” He winced. “I guess there's a reason some of those pictures were so impressive.” He pointed at a sheet of paper. “The tile in the bathroom alone will cost a few thousand.”

  I sat down and looked at the paper he'd pointed to. I could see the reason for the cost. He was looking at marble and travertine as possible tiles for the bathroom. Fancy. Once again, it was killing me to keep my thoughts about Trina to myself. “You sure you want to put this kind of material into that bathroom?”

  He pulled a chair up next to me and sat down. “I guess so.” He shrugged. “Here, look.” He opened the bathroom magazine and showed me a page that he'd dog-eared. “See, this is what I think Trina would love.” The bathroom was done completely in travertine, with a white, modern square jacuzzi tub, a glass enclosed shower, and very white, sleek dual sinks. I struggled to come up with an answer that wouldn't offend him. After a few moments of waiting for a response, he leaned closer and waved his hand in front of my face. “What do you think?”

  I jerked my head up and looked at him quickly, before looking back at the picture. “It's stunning. I mean, what else can I say?”

  He scoffed. “I should think you'd have a lot to say. I mean, you looked at the kitchen in my place for a few seconds and came up with a ton of possibilities.” He scratched his head, clearly puzzled. “You don't like it, do you?”

  “No, Drew, I do like it,” I answered quickly. Here I had been trying to not offend him, and I'd done exactly that. “I really like this bathroom, it's gorgeous. But, honestly, it's a bathroom that I've never really seen in real life, you know? It's like a showroom bathroom...can you imagine dirty towels tossed on the floor? Or toothpaste in the sink, and water spots on the mirrors? I can't. I guess I just picture something more relaxed. I'd be afraid to use a bathroom like this.” I looked up into his eyes, and I saw the hurt there. He'd been so excited when he came in and I was ruining everythi
ng. I put my hand on his shoulder. “Never mind. I suck. Just do whatever you want, and don't listen to me. This bathroom is perfect, and Trina will love it, okay?”

  He shook his head while he stared at nothing. I could tell that he was mad about something, but I wasn't sure what to say. Before I could come up with anything, Drew started talking, “You're right. I know exactly what you mean.” He waved his hand toward the magazine. “This bathroom is stuffy and way too perfect, but that's what Trina likes.” He chuckled again, “Besides, Trina would never let dirty towels just lay on the floor. She's a neat freak; toothpaste in the sink, and spots on mirrors would drive her crazy.”

  All I could think was that maybe Trina would like to come and live with me. I couldn't remember the last time I'd cleaned my bathroom mirror. “Well, there you go then. This is the perfect bathroom for the two of you.”

  He smiled in that sweet, far off way. You know the one, when they're thinking about how wonderful their significant other is. It's annoying. To break him away from his Trina-is-oh-so-perfect thoughts, I switched topics, “Since you've got the bathroom squared away, have you decided on anything for the kitchen?”

  He met my eyes and the sweet smile turned devious. “I do, but it's different.”

  “I like different. Hit me.”

  “Okay,” he said as he pulled another set of papers from his pocket. “Tell me what you think, and be honest.”

  I crossed my heart in response. He handed me the paper. “Wow,” was all I could say when I saw it. If there was anything that was the opposite of the bathroom style, this was it. The kitchen had white cabinets, black and white floor tile, and white marble counter tops. The back splash was a lime green glass tile, and all the appliances were also lime green.

  “Well? Give me something more than 'wow'. What do you think?”

  “I have to admit, it's really cute. I'm just surprised that you picked this.” I looked up at him and continued quickly, “Don't get me wrong, the marble tile and Sub Zero fridge are just what I would expect, but will Trina like the bright color?”

  He shrugged. “I don't know. I just really liked it when I saw it. But, here's the thing,” He handed over another picture. “I don't want the green.”

  The newest piece of paper held pictures of a stove and an old fashioned fridge -the rounded kind with the freezer on the top- both in bright orange. “Orange, huh?”

  He nodded, excitement coming out of his pores. “Yeah, orange! I couldn't believe you can get all this stuff in all these colors. I mean, you have to special order all of it, but I have plenty of time, so that's not a problem.” He tapped the paper. “What do you think of the fridge? I know the picture with the green has a big fancy one, but I think the old fashioned one is cooler.” He smiled at me, and I couldn't help but share in his excitement.

  I nodded. “I'm with you. Not that I'd pass if someone was giving me a Sub Zero, but I think the rounded shape fits more with the bright orange.”

  “Exactly!” Drew exhaled loudly, shaking his head. “Man, I am so glad you were home. I've been dying to show you these since I found them a few days ago, but I've been working so late I haven't had time to come over.” I started stacking all the papers together. “I wasn't even sure if I'd catch you tonight, I thought you might be out on a date or something.”

  “Oh, I was. My date is passed out in the bedroom...recovering.” I gave him an over the top wink. “I just plain wore her out.”

  His face was priceless. Shocked, but trying hard to hide it, he asked, “Her? I thought you, you know...I thought you were dating Mick?”

  I waved my hand, dismissing his question. “Well I typically do like men, but this girl was just such an easy catch. She was so drunk, she let me bring her home. How could I pass that up?” I started laughing as his face showed more shock. “I'm kidding! Geez, it's a joke, buddy. My friend Gina is having some problems with her husband, and had a few too many after work. I brought her here, and she's passed out in my bed. No sexy business, I swear.”

  He tried to cover his earlier shock. “Hey, it's okay, even if you were...I mean, whatever makes you happy.”

  I slapped his shoulder. “Yes, it is fine to be gay. But I'm not.” I laughed again. “Relax. You want a drink or something?”

  He put his hand to his chest, pretending to be shocked. “A drink? What are you trying to do? Get me drunk too?” It was his turn to give me the over the top wink.

  I went over to the fridge and reached inside. “You must be a real lightweight if you can get drunk on soda.” I tossed him a can of Pepsi.

  He looked at the can. “Oh. And here I thought you were going to take advantage of me.”

  I laughed and returned to the table. We spent a while longer looking at the magazines together, Drew pointed out his favorite pictures, and I did the same. We liked almost every idea, except for one bathroom that was wall to wall gold; from the wallpaper to the faucets. “That's just hideous,” Drew groaned as he pointed to the gold towel bars.

  “I know,” I agreed. “And I'll bet it took a lot of cash to get a bathroom that ugly.”

  I was about to say something about the gold sinks when there was a knock at my door. Drew raised his eyebrows and looked at his watch. “Busy place around here, you have people come over this late?”

  I looked at the clock. It was almost ten. I was surprised that Drew and I had killed over an hour looking at house stuff. “Uh, not usually,” I answered, thinking to myself that Charlie had finally decided to appear.

  “C'mon Stella, I know you're home, your car's right out front.” Once again, the male voice coming from outside my front door wasn't Charlie's. It was Slick.

  I winced at Drew. “Give me a second.” I walked over and opened my door just long enough to step outside. I shut the door behind me, making it clear that he wasn't welcome inside. “What are you doing here?”

  Slick grinned at me and ran his hand down me cheek. “I missed you, Babe. And I know you missed me.”

  He leaned in to kiss me. I leaned back so far it probably looked like I was practicing my limbo moves. “Wait a minute. What do you mean, 'you missed me'? This morning you said we had no relationship!”

  He looked hurt. “C'mon! I was just pissed off about that client. But I know I can make it up to you,” he whispered, leaning in again.

  I help up my hand. “Hold it right there, cowboy. You can't keep acting like a prick at work, then coming around later, expecting to charm your way into my bed.”

  “Who said anything about a bed?” Slick pushed me up against my front door and ran his hands up the front of my shirt. “I'm fine right here.”

  “Mick, knock it off!” I was trying to yank his hands out of my top when I felt myself falling backwards.

  More hands were on me, but this time on my back, outside of my shirt. Drew pulled me inside the apartment and quickly stepped in front of me, blocking Slick's path.

  Slick took a second to recognize the large man in my front door. “Drew? What are you doing here?” He looked past Drew to question me, “Stella?”

  “It's none of your business, Mick.” I shook my head in disgust. “We're not together anymore, right? Just get out of here, and please don't come back.”

  Slick sneered at Drew. “Fine, I'll go. Maybe I'll give Trina a call, maybe she'd be interested to know that her boyfriend is keeping another woman company.”

  I saw Drew stiffen and take a step toward Slick. I pulled on his arm. The last thing I needed was a fight to the death on my doorstep. “Knock it off, Mick! We're friends, and that's it. We saw each other at the grocery store a while back, and we realized that we live across the street from each other.” I wiggled my fingers in his face. “Oooooh, sexy.”

  Drew finally spoke, “You run off and tell Trina whatever you want. She trusts me a hell of a lot more than she's going to trust an idiot like you.” Before Mick could say anything else, Drew slammed the door in his face.

  I didn't even get a chance to thank Drew for helping me get
rid of Slick. He quickly walked to the table, gathered up all the papers and turned on me. “I thought you said you quit seeing that ass hole?” His whole body radiated his anger.

  “I-I did stop seeing him,” I stammered, trying to understand why he was so mad. He'd been flirting with me a lot. I thought it was just harmless, but could he really have feelings for me? “Look Drew, I'm sorry. But there's no reason to be jealous. I mean-”

  “Jealous? I'm not jealous! Why would I be jealous?”

  Okay, no need to spare my feelings. I tried to ignore the feeling of my self-confidence draining out through my feet. Message received, he was not attracted to me. “Why are you so angry?”

  “Because Mick is probably on the phone with Trina right now! He's probably telling her that I'm having an affair, which is ridiculous!”

  Is it physically possible to shrink down to the size of a cell phone? That's what I felt like. No, scratch that, cell phones are sleek and sexy. I more like a stapler; clunky and gathering dust. So far I was a girl that no one would be jealous of, and the idea of sleeping with me was ridiculous. I was starting to wish for Slick again.

  Drew didn't notice that he'd hurt my feelings. “She's going to want to know what I was doing over here, and I'm going to have to tell her the truth.”

  I held up my hand to stop his rant. “Wait a minute! Why is this the end of the world? Can't you just tell her that you were here hanging out with a friend?”

  He shook his head. “She wont believe me. She's always been the jealous type. She will automatically think we're sleeping together.”

  “But you told Mick that she trusts you.”

  “Yeah, only because I was hoping it would keep him from calling her, but I know he did. I'll just tell her the truth.” He ran a hand through his hair and shrugged. “I've gotta go. Have a good night.”

  Without so much as an awkward hug, Drew left my apartment. I stood in the middle of the room, staring at my front door. What had just happened? Five minutes ago, we'd been having a great time. How was it possible that my night had been ruined so quickly?