Finding Justus

by Bretz, Amanda

  “Are you ready?” she asked Krystal forcing a smile.

  “You bet. Let’s go. Oh, look at that!” Krystal said as she pointed to a tray full of desserts passing their table. “I wish I had room left for dessert,” she said wistfully.

  “Well,” Justus began, “Since we are walking around the boat, and working off our dinner, we could come back for dessert.”

  “Now you’re speaking my language,” Krystal said with a laugh.

  ***

  Justus woke up the following morning with a pounding headache. She supposed it was from worrying about Krystal’s promise that she wouldn’t let her stand up Miguel. She knew Krystal would make good on that promise, and would stop at nothing to make sure Justus showed up tonight. Justus rolled over and moaned long and loud.

  “Jus?” Krystal said skeptically.

  “Hmm?”

  “Are you all right? Are you even awake?”

  “Yeah, I’m up. I’ve just got a helluva headache.”

  “Really? Well, that makes my idea even better.”

  “How’s that?” Justus asked around a yawn.

  “I thought we could get pedicures and manicures, my treat. Since you’ve got a headache, let’s go ahead and get a massage. How about it, Jus? We can have a day of beauty.”

  “Sounds pretty good, actually. Hey,” she said sitting up and eyeing Krystal suspiciously, “This wouldn’t have anything to do with tonight, would it? Are you trying to make me beautiful for Miguel? As if he’ll even show up.”

  “Oh, please. I only wanted us to have a nice, relaxing day, and if you happen to look prettier on your date tonight, consider it an added bonus.”

  “Yeah, right. Hey, you’re already dressed and ready for the day. What time is it?”

  “Almost eleven thirty.”

  “Whoa, I must’ve been tired, I’ll get ready and then we can eat breakfast, or lunch rather, and start our day of beauty.”

  “With you sleeping in so late, I guess your Latin lover must have really worn you out yesterday.” Krystal gave her a smile as Justus rolled her eyes and went into the bathroom.

  They arrived at the salon two hours later, by which time patience was worn thin. Justus was sick of hearing about Miguel this and Miguel that, she began to wonder if Krystal didn’t want him for herself. She knew it wasn’t true, but she was irritated at Krystal.

  “Hi, what can we do for you two ladies today?” a pretty redhead at the reception desk asked them.

  “Well, I know we would both like manicures and pedicures, and I want a massage and my eyebrows waxed as well. What about you, Krys?”

  “I might as well get the works. I’d like the same, please. I’m a cosmetologist, too. It’s nice to be on the receiving end of things for a change.” The receptionist and Krystal engaged in salon talk as they walked to the manicure tables.

  Suddenly Krystal exclaimed, “Oh, Justus I can’t believe I forgot one vital step in our day of beauty! We have to get facials, too. If you’re looking for complete relaxation, then you have to get one.” Justus agreed, it felt good to know she was going be pampered all day.

  “Hi, I’m Janet and I’ll be your manicurist today.” Justus was greeted by a plump woman who looked to be in her fifties with light brown hair and friendly blue eyes. Justus liked her instantly.

  “Hello, I’m Justus.”

  “Oh, what a pretty name, it’s very unique. So, are you enjoying things so far on the ship?” Janet asked as she lined up her tools, creams and bottles of nail polish. Justus could hear Krystal and her manicurist chatting it up about salons where she and the receptionist had left off.

  “Oh, yeah. That’s my friend there,” Justus said as she pointed to Krystal. “We’ve really had a great time so far. Krystal, as you may be able to tell, never gets tired of shoptalk. She’s a cosmetologist, too.”

  “Oh, that’s great. Let’s put your right hand in this warm soapy water, honey. What do you do for a living and where are you girls from?” Justus filled her in. She quickly discovered she had an easy time talking to Janet, and by the end of her manicure she knew the woman’s life story and Justus had told her quite a bit about herself. She enjoyed the nice break she received from Krystal’s constant chatter about Miguel.

  “I’ve never felt so relaxed and refreshed in my life,” Justus said happily as the two of them walked out of the salon.

  “Yes and it was all worth every pretty penny. I wish more people came into my salon and asked for the works. I’d be living on easy street if they did. I mean, do you know how soon Aunt Judy could expand The Mane Event like we’re hoping to, if we had a few regulars who dropped that kind of money every week?”

  “Yes, that would help the two of you out a lot. Hey, I just got an idea! You and Judy could advertise, like in the papers and on the radio, a package similar to what we received but make it at a discount. People may be more apt to get full salon services if they can get it a lower price.”

  “Jus, you’re a genius! I’ll be sure to run it by Aunt Judy when we get home. See, you’ve got a knack for business, that’s why I know you are going to be a huge success at your own firm.”

  “When and if the day comes, then yes, I know I can do it. It just seems like I’ve had so many obstacles thrown into my path. I have been working for Katherine for almost five years now.

  “I can still remember my excitement when she hired me. Back in those days, when I was fresh out of college, I thought I could map my whole life out. I thought if I planned hard enough for something, I could make it happen. I don’t know if I should feel like a failure for not having my own firm, but sometimes I do.”

  “As long as you try at something, then it’s not a failure. If it doesn’t come out the way you thought, then you have to just chalk it up to a growing experience. If someone gets things easily, then they don’t feel as rewarded. Challenge is sometimes the best motivation.”

  “Again, Krystal why are you a cosmetologist? You could be a motivational speaker. You give such wise, precise advice, that you may have a future in the bumper-sticker business.”

  “Thanks, I guess. In some ways I already am a motivational speaker. When you have a regular clientele, people really start to think of you as a friend. I’m always hearing stories about divorces, cheating spouses, jealousy, revenge, you name it, and I bet I’ve heard it. I try to offer advice when I can.”

  “I think you’re a little homesick, for the salon anyway. I heard you talking non-stop today, even during your massage and facial. Whereas I was dead to the world and enjoyed every precious minute of silence.”

  “Maybe I am a little homesick for the salon,” Krystal said with a shrug. “Come on, back to the room for you, missy. I still haven’t seen what you’re going to wear tonight,” she said as she grabbed Justus by the arm and virtually drug her in the direction of their cabin.

  ***

  Justus was slipping on her silver hoops when Krystal emerged from the bathroom.

  “Well, well, well, don’t we look hot tonight?” Krystal said in a teasing voice.

  Justus had already noticed she looked pretty, but it was flattering to hear it from someone else. She’d admired the way her skin was glowing from her facial. As she looked at her bare shoulders, she appreciated the sheen that still remained on them from the massage oil. She looked at herself in the full-length mirror, not bad. Who was she kidding, she did look hot. She was wearing a black halter dress which showed off her cleavage, black strappy sandals, and her dark hair was pulled back into a sleek bun at her nape.

  “I haven’t really dressed like this since, well probably since we last went out to a club. You look really cute, too.”

  Krystal was wearing her usual going out attire of pants. She had on a simple outfit, but Justus knew that wouldn’t matter. Krystal always got attention. She was wearing a white square-necked tank top, and black pants, with low-heeled black leather slides. Her long blonde hair was hanging loose down her back.

  “Well,” Krystal said, her b
lue eyes sparkling, “are we ready to raise some eyebrows at this club?”

  “I can’t believe I’m actually going! How did you talk me into this?” Justus asked with a laugh. “He probably won’t even show up there, and honestly, he never said a time. Most clubs on land don’t even get going until well after midnight. I don’t know about ones on water though.”

  Justus knew she was rambling on nervously, but she couldn’t help it. She felt butterflies in her stomach and they were just leaving the safety of their cabin. While she had been getting ready, she started rethinking the whole blonde woman as Miguel’s girlfriend scenario. If the blonde was his girlfriend, then why had Miguel asked to dance with her? Why had he asked Justus out right in front of the blonde, too? No one was that unscrupulous, were they?

  Maybe, just maybe, he really was single, and he wasn’t a cheater. Maybe he had a genuine interest in her. Maybe he wasn’t some ladies’ man, looking for another notch to put in his belt. She begrudgingly admitted to herself that he had been polite yesterday during their dances. During their walk to the club, Krystal steadily chattered away, as usual. Once they arrived at the disco, they were pleasantly surprised by the enormity of the space. There were three bars; one to the left of the entrance, one for beer and shots only, and one very large, centrally located bar.

  Justus wasted no time trying one of them out. “I think I may need loosening up first.” Justus ordered a shot of tequila, and slammed it down in one quick swallow and asked for a second.

  “Whoa, girl!” Krystal exclaimed while putting her hand on her friend’s shoulder.

  “You said you wanted to get loosened up, not trashed,” Krystal reminded her. Krystal leaned forward and ordered a mixed drink and gave an astonished look to Justus when after having done her second salt, lime and Tequila shot, she ordered a drink as well.

  “You must be uptight if you’re ordering two tequilas and a Cosmo right off the bat.”

  “Ready to look around?” Justus asked her.

  “Sure.”

  Energetic dance music spilled out of large speakers and despite her jitters, Justus bobbed her head to the infectious, pulsating beat. There were only a few handfuls of people on the dance floor, but it was still early by nightclub standards, at only eleven-thirty. As they were searching for Miguel, a tall good-looking man with brown hair and his shorter, weasel-like friend came and asked them for dances. Of course the good looking one asked Krystal, Justus would have rather stood alone looking like a loser, or went back to the bar, than dance with the creature standing in front of her. But, Krystal was looking at her with pleading eyes, so she agreed. What harm could one dance with the mutant do anyway?, she thought.

  As Justus walked to the dance floor, she craned her neck in every direction, looking for a sign of Miguel, hoping he would save her from the torture she knew this dance was going to be. She didn’t see him anywhere and she soon discovered he wasn’t on the dance floor either. Damn him! She was dismayed when she found out the Weasel’s idea of dancing was grabbing her ass and rubbing his crotch on her.

  “You’re a great dancer, honey. What’s your name? Mine’s Derek,” he said to her breasts.

  “Justus,” she said without looking at him. She didn’t want to look at his greased-back dirty blonde hair, his large pointed nose, or his flat brown eyes. Instead she longed to look into deep emerald irises, and a face that looked as though it had been carved out of granite, it was so perfect and defined.

  If this joker had been dancing with anyone other than herself, she would have laughed at their misfortune. He not only looked the part of a weasel, but he had a high-pitched nasal voice, which made him all the more loathsome to Justus. After dancing two straight songs with him, she figured she had done her friendly duty toward Krystal, and went to sit down.

  “Thanks for the dance. I’m thirsty now, so I think I’ll grab a drink and sit down for a few songs.”

  “Okay, let’s go.”

  I should’ve known he wouldn’t take a hint, she thought. Subtly was lost on the poor sap. During their dance Justus took steps backwards, but every time she put space between them, he moved his crotch closer in a grinding manner he seemed to think was sexy. She took a seat, and thankfully Krystal quickly came over to where Justus was sitting.

  “Hey, let’s go to the bathroom.”

  “Great idea,” Justus told her, glad her friend noticed her unspoken plea for help. Once they were in the ladies bathroom Justus let loose.

  “You owe me! That guy is so gross. I guess I’m supposed to swoon in response to his ridiculous gyrations?” Justus asked with an exaggerated swivel of her hips. “Oh, and did you see him grabbing my ass? I feel violated.”

  “So his friend’s not the best looking or the best dancing man out there.”

  Justus gave her a murderous look and Krystal laughed in response. Despite her agitation, Justus started laughing too.

  “Okay, I admit, it’s a kind of hilarious. It would be funnier if it were someone else going through all that torture and not me,” Justus told her as she looked herself over in the mirror she asked, “Where in the hell could Miguel be? Do you think he stood me up?”

  “Aha! I knew you were into him. It’s about time you’re honest about your attraction. And no, he didn’t stand you up. I’m sure he’ll be here soon, if he’s not here already. We did get here a little early.”

  Justus nodded and followed Krystal out of the bathroom, and into the pulsating rhythm. Halfway to the dance floor, Justus spotted a form that made her heart do flip-flops.

  It was him.

  He was dressed in charcoal pants, and a tight fitting olive green shirt, which only enhanced the taut muscles across his shoulders and back.

  “Isn’t that Miguel? See girl, I told you he’d be here.” Justus took a deep breath and exhaled very slowly. When she reached Miguel she tapped his shoulder to get his attention. He turned around to face her and Justus watched as his eyes roved over her form.

  “Hey, I was looking for you. Have you been here long? You look great, by the way,” he said.

  “Oh, thank you.” Justus felt herself start to blush and was glad for cover provided by the club’s dark interior. “We got here about a half an hour ago. Did you just get here?”

  “Yeah, five, maybe ten minutes ago.” A new song came on and Justus worried if she kept up the small talk any longer she might get cold feet and leave. She grabbed Miguel by the hand and tilted her head in the direction of the dance floor.

  “Come on. Show me what you can do.” Propelled by her sudden boldness, Justus started toward the dance floor with Miguel’s hand in hers. She released her hold on his hand once they were on the floor, slowly getting into the rhythm. She glanced in Krystal’s direction and saw her dancing with the Weasel’s friend.

  When Miguel’s face suddenly moved closer to hers, Justus’ heart jumped into her throat. Was he going to kiss her? She felt a mix of relief and disappointment when she realized he was moving toward her ear.

  “Justus, try to relax a little bit, loosen up. Would you like a drink?”

  “No, not right now. I’m a little rusty, I guess,” Justus mentally cursed herself for having so many drinks when she first arrived. The alcohol hadn’t helped her dancing skills as much as they hampered them, she feared.

  “Nah, you’re fine. You just need to get a little less stiff. Remember I saw how you moved yesterday, so I know you can dance,” he said as he grabbed her arms and shook them gently at her sides. He smiled at her, and despite herself, she gave him a genuine smile back.

  He really is more handsome than should be allowed, she thought. Justus tried to relax, but it was hard when she was staring into one of the best looking faces she had ever seen. When she thought about the total sexy package that was Miguel a shiver of excitement coursed down her back. As she stared into his beautiful, sparkling green eyes she remembered the way his pants hugged his firm backside when they were in dance class together the day beforehand. Before long she was caugh
t in a lusty daydream about what he looked like under those clothes. She snapped herself out of the lascivious folly. What was it about the man that made her fantasize like a horny teenager?

  A tingle ran down her spine when Miguel put his hand on the small of her back and moved closer to her. He started doing some kind of combination of hip roll and short quick steps. Justus did her best to imitate, but she felt lost. She knew she didn’t have any of his Latin dance moves down and she’d never even done them until the day before, under his tutelage. The thought made her feel a little inferior.

  As she was studying his footwork, her eyes landed on his crotch. She was sure looking in that vicinity would only create a problem for her. She forced herself to bring her gaze back up to his eyes, but as she looked into his handsome smiling face, she felt herself getting a dose of alcohol-induced courage. She leaned into him.

  “So,” she said into his ear, “do you--I mean--are you single?” Justus stammered.

  “Yes.” He paused for a moment and looked at her with squinted eyes. “You didn’t think the blonde from the pool was my girlfriend?”

  “Oh my God! You remember me? Yeah, that was me at the pool, and I stepped on you before dance class, although I’d love you to forget that,” she paused to give him a mortified grin. “When you didn’t say anything to me about it yesterday, I kept hoping you didn’t recognize me.”

  “No, I didn’t forget you. I was trying to be a gentleman by not bringing up the fact you stepped on me,” he told her with a sheepish grin. “And yes, I wanted to talk to you at the pool, but Tammy, the blonde, wouldn’t stop talking my leg off, asking me how to do this dance or that dance. If I would have been rude to her though, she could complain and then I could lose my job. She’s a very spoiled woman, I’ve seen her before. I mean, she’s been on this ship before.”