by Nancy Hopper
Tasha and Elaine laughed quietly at him, then settled down to look at the room service menu.
"We didn't think to ask Tim what he'd like." Elaine realized.
"He probably is going to be a lot more interested in sleep, than he is in food." Tasha predicted. "Crazy man flew from Venezuela to New York to L.A., non-stop. He made it to the studio right as I was finishing."
"Oh, my." Elaine marveled. "He deserves that nap, doesn't he?"
"You could say that." Tasha giggled. "So, do you like him?" she asked hopefully.
"He's delightful." Elaine assured her. "Bigger than life, too, isn't he?"
"Way bigger." Tasha exclaimed. “You ought to see him when he's on a roll. He's like a lightning bolt.”
Their friendship deepened and became very solid that night. It was uncanny that they shared so many interests and opinions.
Tasha discovered that Elaine didn't much care to talk about herself. Slowly, though, Tasha began to piece together a picture of neglect, heartache and abuse.
"My father liked to drink." She admitted, "And when he did, he'd be hell on wheels. Us kids would all climb under the house and stay there, until he went to sleep. He never did find our hiding place. One time Billy got bit by a snake, and his leg swelled up twice it's size before we could come out; but that boy didn't make a peep."
As Tasha talked about her life, Elaine also opened up more and more. She clearly could relate to many of Tasha's experiences. They had many more similarities than either one of them would have thought.
"We were so poor. We might have done all right, if my father had been able to keep a job and keep his paycheck in his pocket. But, most of it went to booze." Elaine recalled.
"My father used to drink a lot, too. Not anymore, but it was pretty bad for awhile." Tasha admitted hesitantly.
"Wasn't he happy?" Elaine asked skeptically.
"No. Never, while I was growing up. He wandered from one woman to another, and it seemed nothing and nobody could satisfy him."
Elaine raised her eyebrows, as if in consolation. "Sometimes rich people have a harder time, I think, because they so expect their money to solve all their problems. They forget that the only real happiness is in relationships with other people."
Tasha smiled. "Yes. So, tell me how you got away from home."
Elaine shrugged. "That is quite a story." She sighed. "It was just one of those things. Back in 1965, one of those performing miracle tents came to town. Down South, it was still a good circuit, and a big event in our little wide spot in the road. My friend Susie pinched a dress for me from her big sister's closet, and we went to see the show." Elaine shook her head, remembering.
"It was quite something, Tasha. This circuit preacher was awfully exciting. He had people coming out of wheelchairs, tossing crutches and braces, and I saw boils and tumors disappear before my very eyes."
"This preacher had a nephew by the name of Ben. A very handsome young man. He was helping his uncle; you know, getting rid of wheelchairs, helping people to the front; ushering, that sort of thing. When I saw Ben, and finally got him to look at me -- well, that was all she wrote." Elaine sighed.
"He stopped me outside the tent, and asked me to go for a walk. I was more than happy to go. We didn't go far; just into a stand of trees. Susie was very sore at me for dumping her, so she went home and told my mama what I'd done. Meanwhile, I was down by the river there with handsome Ben, thinking I'd died and gone to heaven."
Elaine smiled bitterly. "We sat by the river, and he told me all about his exciting life on the road. I thought he'd never kiss me. When he finally did, I was ready for it to go on forever. And it just about did. It went on while we laid down; while he rolled on top of me, and on while he fumbled with his pants. I was so innocent that I still didn't have a clue. When he pulled his pants down, I finally began to question him.”
She laughed self-consciously. "I can't believe I was ever that naive. He told me that God had revealed to him that I needed inner healing, and he knew exactly what God had told him to do for me. He told me if I wanted to be filled with the Holy Ghost, I had to just trust him, and be very quiet and obedient. He said it wouldn't hurt much, and that it would be well worth the pain."
She sighed. "Well, I never did get the Holy Ghost, but I got something else from Ben."
"Elaine; I can't believe it." Tasha gasped.
"I couldn't, either. Although I wasn't real sure just what had happened, I had a good idea that it wasn't what he'd told me it would be. I guess he did it all the time; they just went from town to town, and when the preaching was over, the boys would sneak off and have their fun with the local babes. Generally there were no consequences because they were always moving on.”
"But, Ben wasn’t quite so lucky. He hadn't figured on my mama. When Susie told her what I'd done, she came a'runnin' with her shotgun."
Elaine shook her head. "Boy, she was a mean old cuss. When Ben got done with me, she was standing there with his uncle and a cocked gun. She had it in her mind that there was going to be a wedding. The uncle had other ideas. He didn't have any money, but he told mama I could be a regular source of income to her. They'd take me on the road, and the money that I'd earn would come back to her every week. She didn't like the sounds of it, and thought the wedding was a better idea. Finally, the preacher gave in."
Elaine paused. "At least, mama thought he did; but she was illiterate. The preacher said all the right words, then and there, but there sure weren't any witnesses. Then mama said goodbye to me, and went on home. The preacher didn't let me see the license until we were hundreds of miles away. It was nothing but an old copy of the preacher's papers and it had nothing on it to do with a wedding. He just had everybody sign the stupid thing. He was as crooked as a broken legged goose."
"Mama meant well, I'm sure. She thought she had one taken care of; one less mouth to feed. You know, if it hadn't been Ben, it would have been my father. So when she saw the opportunity, she married me off.
"The preacher went ahead with his initial idea, but mama didn't get any of the money. After Ben got tired of me, it was time for everybody else. I was passed, for a fee, through all the unmarried men, and a few of the married ones, in the show. Then they started offering me to the men who came to the tent. I daresay, I earned my feed."
Tasha could only shake her head in horror. "I can't fathom it." She denied.
"It's common, Tasha. Poor people just do things. And people without consciences do as they like. Especially to pretty, poor girls with no one to look out for them."
"So Ben didn't do much for you?"
"Oh, heavens, no. He hated my guts because of what my mother had done. Besides, he already had his appetite set on what the next town had to offer him. And I kept trying to run away. It got so that they tied me up, at night."
Tasha couldn't take it in. "They tied you? Elaine, however did you survive? How did you get out of such a mess, and become who you are today?"
Elaine laughed. "That is a more pleasant story. One night, a man came by and saw me tied, on his way out of town. I just happened to peer out of the back of the station wagon and he looked my way. He came over and looked at me as if he thought I was the most abhorrent creature he'd ever seen. He asked me why I was tied. I was too frightened to answer, so I just shook my head. Ben stuck his head out of the wagon and asked the man if he'd like to have a go at me. Ben told him I was 'right good fer fun'. It made the man look even more outraged."
Elaine blinked as though the memory made her want to cry. "He told Ben to cut me loose, and he'd pay. When Ben asked him how much, the man told him he'd give him a hundred dollars if there would be no questions about where I'd gone, or who with. Ben readily agreed. I went with the man."
"He held my wrist tightly, and took me to a very fine car. We drove a long time, and neither of us said a word. It turned out that the man was very rich. He took me home, bathed me, bought me some lovely clothes, and voila -- he had himself a princess. He waited until he'd had
me checked by a doctor. Then he proceeded to make me his own private whore."
"Oh, Elaine." Tasha sighed.
"No, don't pity me, I adored him! I loved him madly. He gave me everything, and he spoiled me rotten. And I learned from him how to be a lady. I learned everything I needed to know. He just wouldn't love me. He had no intention of marrying me. So, eventually I left him."
"Where did you go?"
Elaine shrugged. "Across several states, so he couldn't find me. I got a job in a seamstress shop, and learned the secrets. When I had enough money, I started buying my own material from the wholesalers, and I was on my way."
"Wow." Tasha complimented. "And you never saw the rich man again?"
Elaine got a funny, faraway look in her eye as she stared at Tasha. "No. But I will always love him, and no one else. It's a pity he's not capable of the same."
Tasha sighed heavily. "So, he was unfaithful to you, too?"
Elaine's smile flashed with bitterness. "Yes. Actually, he was. But again, I really can't be sorry. It helped me understand that he was just another stepping stone, although I've never been in love with another man. He wasn't holding any illusions before me."
"Harsh, if you ask me." Tasha objected.
"Yes. But darling, that's life, isn't it? All too often, anyway.”
Tasha considered. "I guess it certainly can be."
“Like you losing your husband, with a little girl and a baby boy to raise.” Elaine said softly.
Tasha and Elaine went back to Elaine's place for the night, and left Timothy sleeping in the hotel room, with a note and a phone number. He called at eight-thirty the next morning, sounding very foggy.
"Tim, did you sleep well?" Tasha asked with a yawn.
"Yeah, but what about your flight?" he asked worriedly.
"Oh, it's at noon." She replied lightly.
"I hope you're ready for some fireworks at the airport today." He warned softly.
"Huh?" Tasha stammered.
"Chances are, Pattie's caught on to your plans, and if I don't miss my guess, she's going to be there with bells on."
"Oh. I thought she was on her way to Venezuela?"
"She's been there and back again. I wasn't there, and if I know her she's steamed up, and ready to sting. Let me see if I can get a flight around the same time, and ward her off. Better yet, I'll come to Salt Lake. She might be smart enough to try to catch you there, instead. Give me your flight information." He prodded.
Tasha obliged him.
Tim called Norman Nielsen and promised him a television spot if he'd wrangle a flight to Salt Lake for him with Tasha. It worked, and he threw in limo service for the morning, as well. Then Tim called Tasha, and told her and Elaine to be ready at precisely nine o'clock. That's all the information they got.
Elaine could not help laughing when she peeked out the curtains and saw the black limo pull up at nine o'clock sharp. "Oh, my. Tasha, I do hope you are ready to go."
"Is he here?" Tasha called.
"Oh, boy. He sure is." Elaine confirmed. "My Lord in Heaven! You'd better brace yourself. This man means business."
Tasha went to the front door with her suitcase in hand, and opened it. She promptly stopped cold, and stared.
There was a limo at the curb. It was the finest black stretch limo that Tasha had ever seen. Coming up the walk to Elaine's house was a man. He was wearing black Western Alligator boots with an undercut heel; and a very fine, collarless black suit. Under the coat he wore a stunning, royal blue collarless shirt with black leather trim. He carried a calf-length leather coat; and he wore a black Stetson. His belt was also black Alligator, and it had a buckle of Sterling engraved to sparkle in the sun, and an Onyx running horse carved and inlaid, rippling muscles and all. A fiery diamond sliver was fit for the horse's eye. But it was nothing to match the sparkle in the man's blue eyes. He carried a dozen red roses.
"Well, good morning." Timothy drawled. He took off his hat and gave her a sultry smile as the unruly lock of hair fell into his eye. He pulled her into his arms, and kissed her as if he hadn't seen her in a year. Tasha swore her bones were melting, and when he stopped, she was amazed to find that she could still stand up. She did notice that she was still kind of swaying in his direction, and he settled his arm around her waist to keep her ambulatory.
"You are looking more beautiful than I've ever seen you, and that is saying something." He complimented, taking in the teal suit and royal blouse that she'd bought from Elaine. She had royal blue shoes to match, and her royal blue coat.
She had her hair done in a very feminine, turn of the century kind of bun, that was very fluffy and had tendrils falling here and there.
“Well; excepting the red dress.” He qualified with a grin.
"Thanks." She gasped. "So are you, Tim." She said brightly.
He laughed at her, in a low voice. "Hope you haven’t changed your mind, again. You look ready to bolt this morning, young lady." He answered carefully.
"No. Not at all." Tasha assured him shyly.
He grinned. “Good. I’m going to get a ring on your finger as soon as I possibly can, so you won’t ever forget that you’ve promised.” He teased, filling her arms with roses.
"Mr. Rain, you'd make Waylon cry for envy." Elaine accused him dryly, putting Tasha's bag out, and locking her front door behind her. "The girl doesn't stand a chance, does she?"
Tim cocked an eyebrow. "I sure hope not." He growled. "It has required some convincing." he told Elaine succinctly. The flash and twinkle in his eye revealed his frustration; and yet also, his delight in the woman under his arm.
His flashing smile was all the brighter as he'd let his mustache get fuller and longer than ever, while in South America. Tasha found him even a bit more dashing than before, if that were possible.
Tim took them to breakfast at a restaurant that served a superb breakfast buffet, and then the limo finally took them to the airport. On the way, Tim turned to Tasha and prepared her for what he suspected was coming.
"My sources tell me that we can probably expect to have company at the airport when we get there. I hope you ladies are up to it, this morning. It's going to require some faith. Can you stand?"
"I think so." Tasha answered uncertainly.
"I know how rough she's been on you in the past. But I think she's out of ammo. Actually, I think she's going to come after me this time, because I haven't backed down. So, you may well be watching some real fireworks. Just pray, and stand in faith. Have faith in the Lord; and trust me, Tasha. I won't let you down, no matter what it looks like. I may have to be both very kind, and very harsh, in turn. It’s Pattie’s day of reckoning. Can you do it?"
Tasha looked none too confident or excited, but she nodded.
"All right, then stand back and watch the hand of your God." He chuckled. "He will have His way, today.”
"Now, you two please, just stay put in the limo for ten minutes. That should give me time to be located by our friends, once I'm inside. Just come in the same entrance I go through, and look for the ruckus. If there isn't one, go directly to our gate and wait for me there. The flight number is 510. All right?”
Tasha nodded nervously.
"Now, if there are any reporters at the gate, you tell them that you have no comment at this time. Do the broken record routine, if you have to. Any questions?"
"I don't think so." Tasha answered hesitantly.
"And don't be afraid. I think I'm going to finish the game, this morning. Hang in there, all right?" he encouraged.
He smiled down at Tasha, and kissed her lightly. “Don't worry. Trust me.” he urged gently. Then he got out, and walked away. The limo driver followed, with Tim and Tasha's luggage.
Elaine gave Tasha a worried glance She looked a bit pinched, poor darling. How much more could she be expected to endure? Elaine wondered tiredly.
They waited patiently in the limo, talking about little things, for ten full minutes. It seemed like an hour. Then they got out, grabbed Tasha
's carry-on bag and purse, and went into the terminal.
All was quiet until they went up the escalator; then they saw Tim standing in an open area, talking to reporters in front of two television cameras. A crowd was building.
Though Tasha and Elaine were scared spitless, it seemed a very friendly atmosphere – and Tim was smiling, obviously at ease. He had the crowd chuckling, and he looked incredibly handsome and swarthy, in his black suit.
A woman dressed in a bright red pant suit came stalking into the area, just as Tasha and Elaine approached from the other side. It was Pattie Danniels with her camera crew, and she was clearly steamed.
"Timothy Rain, why didn't you tell anybody you were leaving Venezuela ahead of schedule?" she shrieked. "I spent money I didn't have, just to go down there and find you! Only to find out that you were gone, and back here! What does this mean?”
Tim turned and looked surprised to see her, as her crew scrambled to set up. "Hello, Pattie. Sorry about that. I wasn't aware that I had a responsibility to keep you posted. I'll try to do better." He teased.
The crowd chuckled, and Pattie finally seemed to realize that she was throwing a tantrum in a less than ideal situation. She eyed the other television camera crews with anger, but she buttoned her lip.
Tim smiled at her; and the glow of his warmth fell on Pattie, and spread over her like warm honey. He stepped close to her, and put a hand on her arm. His hat was in his hand, and his hair was falling into his eyes as he looked down at her.
"Pattie, I guess I really do owe you an apology. I had no idea that you were so upset with me. Why don't we stop this media war, and deal with the issue that's really bothering you? Come on, now. You're angry because I embarrassed you at that party in Cincinnati, aren't you? Isn't that what started this vendetta against me? Tell these people the truth."
Elaine grabbed Tasha's arm, and they stared into one another’s' eyes with alarm. Tim was really pouring it on -- absolutely oozing the charm. It was extremely unnerving to watch him operate.