by Joan Rylen
“Twenty minutes,” Wendy yelled from the other room.
Vivian picked up the tossing and stuffing pace, did a final sweep of the bathroom and grabbed her razor. Need this baby!
She zipped up her burnt orange bag and hauled it off the bed. “I’m ready!” She then started packing up the bar. “What time is it?”
“11:45,” Lucy called from the bedroom.
Close enough, she thought, and poured herself the last of the rum with a splash of Coke. Gotta get ready for that flight. She swirled her drink around with her finger, took a taste, then added more Coke.
“Look who’s starting early,” Lucy teased and picked up an unopened bottle of tequila. “Should we tip the luggage guy with this?”
“Definitely,” Vivian agreed. “I can’t believe we have extra.”
“I think wine was our beverage of choice on this trip, but don’t be fooled, we drank a lot of everything else.”
Vivian finished packing the bar and Lucy called down for a bellman and for the valet to bring her SUV around.
“Did y’all do one last check of your room?” Kate said, rolling her luggage to the door.
“I did,” Lucy said as she peeked around the bedroom door. “I think we’re all set.”
Wendy emerged with her suitcase and purse. “I’m sad to leave.”
“We’ll just have to come back sometime,” Vivian said. “Sans stalker.”
“Amen to that!” Wendy said. “All of it.”
“Let’s take one last ride to the spa, just to smell it,” Vivian said, hitting the B button in the elevator.
The doors opened and they all inhaled the fabulousness of the spa before the doors closed again and they were taken to the lobby. Trey greeted them and had their bill ready to review.
“Guess it’s time to settle up,” Kate said.
“Can you divide the total by four?” Wendy asked.
“Of course,” he said with a smile.
Vivian tapped her credit card on the marble countertop. “Wish we didn’t have to leave. Just when I’m finally beginning to relax!”
Trey handed each of them a leather bill presenter.
Vivian flipped hers open and started to slip her credit card inside. “Something must be wrong. Mine has a zero balance.”
“Mine, too,” Lucy said, handing it back to him.
Trey gave them a big, broad smile. “We’ve comp’ed the entire stay. Food, room, spa services, all of it. I’m sorry things didn’t go the way we intended, but we’d love it if you came back to see us another time.”
“Shut the front door!” Vivian yelled.
Trey nodded.
“Y’all rock!” Lucy said, digging in her purse. “I can’t believe it.” She tried to hand him some cash, but he declined.
“It was our pleasure.”
“Thank you so much!” Kate said, smiling at him. “Truly.”
Wendy shook Trey’s hand. “Thank you. And we’ll be back, you can count on it!”
“I’m just glad everything turned out well.”
They said goodbye and headed to the SUV. The bellman had it skillfully loaded, leaving a space for Lucy to see out the rearview. She handed him a tip and hopped in. Vivian got into the passenger seat, and Kate and Wendy slid into the back.
“We need some good goin’ down the mountain tuneage!” Vivian said and plugged Lucy’s phone into the radio jack. “What are y’all feeling?” She scrolled through about 50 songs before they decided on James Brown’s “I Feel Good.”
“Cuz you know what…I do feel good!” Vivian squealed, dancing to the music.
They zoomed down the mountain, passing the Continental Divide and rocking out to a variety of upbeat music.
Around Idaho Springs, Lucy looked at Wendy in the rearview mirror. “You said on the drive out here that you’d make a decision about Jake. Did you?”
Wendy fiddled with the cooler lid before answering. “I think he and I need to talk when I get home, but I think it’s over. He likes his new job and being back home and I don’t think I’m factored into that.”
“I’m sorry, Wendy. I know you really liked him,” Vivian said.
Kate patted Wendy’s shoulder. “He’s losing a great girl. Hang in there.”
“What about Nelson?” Lucy asked.
“It’s the long distance thing again, and I’m guessing with his job, that would be next to impossible to make work.”
“He sure did have the hots for you, though,” Kate said.
Wendy sighed, then changed the subject. “We never did decide where we are going on our next trip. We need to start saving.”
Vivian got the map out of Lucy’s console. “New York City… Miami… Vegas!”
“Not Vegas, but New Orleans has a casino…” Wendy tempted.
“Then New Orleans sounds great!” Vivian said.
Lucy shook her head. “You may have a problem. Do I need to get you that 1-800 number?”
Vivian ignored her. “Any other suggestions?”
Kate leaned toward the front and pointed to the West Coast. “What about something like Washington? Seattle?”
Lucy got excited. “Yeah, we could hike Mount Rainier.”
“Dear god, you’re killing me,” Vivian mumbled.
“I don’t mean hike to the top! I mean hike around the back country. Geez! It’s actually a volcano, you know.”
“Great, we can get lava’ed to death while we hike,” Vivian joked.
“It’s not active like that, but snow doesn’t build up around the rim.”
“I’d like that,” Kate said. “Whatever we do, we need to look now.”
“Before you’re lost to motherhood,” Lucy said. “You know it’s coming.”
“We won’t lose her,” Vivian said, patting Kate’s knee. “She’ll always still go. Look at me. I need these trips to maintain my sanity.”
“Yeah, how’s that working out for ya so far?” Wendy smirked.
“True, so far they’ve only raised my blood pressure, but hey, at least we were together, right?”
“Right!” they chimed.
The trip down the mountain flew by, and before long they emerged on a long downhill straightaway.
“I can see Denver,” Kate said, pointing to a hazy clump of buildings.
They hit some traffic along the way, but nothing too crazy. Lucy announced they’d be there in 10 minutes.
“The airport is so isolated,” Kate said.
“Probably won’t be for long,” Wendy responded. “If you build it, they will come, and all that.”
“True.” Kate nodded her head and looked out the window.
Lucy followed the signs to short-term parking.
“I figured you’d just drop us,” Vivian said.
“Nah, I want to make sure you don’t have any issues. Plus, I can help Wendy if she needs it.”
Wendy laughed at that. “I’m able to walk today, and I’m not the one with the oversized, overstuffed suitcase here. I’ll manage just fine.”
“Oh goody, you can help me then!” Vivian said.
They parked and Lucy helped unload everyone’s stuff. What remained of the backseat bar she was taking home as a thank-you for driving.
“One last hoo-rah, ladies,” Lucy said, sticking the cowboy hats on everyone’s head, then putting on her own. “Or should I say, yee-haw?”
The wind whipped up, and Vivian pushed her hat down and tucked some of her curls behind her ears. They made their way to the check-in kiosks at their various airlines, handed over luggage to screeners and then reconvened in the center of the concourse to say goodbye.
Vivian was just about to give Lucy a hug when a deep voice took her by surprise.
“I heard a rumor I’d find you here.”
58
VIVIAN couldn’t believe her eyes. Agent Nelson hobbled toward them using a wooden cane and looking a bit pale.
Wendy rushed up to him as quickly as her ankle would allow and threw her arms around his neck, knocking h
er hat to the floor.
Vivian scooped it up and stuck it back on Wendy’s head after she let go. “Looks like the patient has escaped.”
He nodded and exhaled. “They tried to keep me there, but I was ready to go. Things to do, you know.” He glanced at Wendy.
“Oh, I know,” Vivian grinned, then she gave him a big hug. “Agent Nelson, thanks for everything you did for us. Really.”
“It’s my job. And please, call me Wade.”
“I know it’s your job, Wade, but still.”
“You’re welcome,” he said and bowed his head gracefully.
Lucy and Kate took turns hugging his neck and thanking him, too.
“You really should be in the hospital,” Kate urged. “I can’t believe you aren’t.”
He shifted position and winced a little.
“Do you need to sit down?” Wendy asked.
“That’s probably a good idea.”
Vivian checked her phone for the time. “I really need to get going. My flight’s in 45 minutes.”
“Me, too,” Kate said.
Nelson looked at Wendy. “You have a few minutes? I’d like to talk to you.”
“Sure, my flight’s not for an hour and a half.”
The girls started to say goodbye.
“Oh, wait, I have news,” Nelson said.
“What’s up?” Kate asked.
“There’s a reward for the jewelry.”
Vivian’s mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope, not kidding. It was for the capture of the thieves, and I’m going to recommend it go to you.” He pointed at Vivian. “It’s a bit of an approval process, but I imagine in a few months you’ll be receiving a check.”
Lucy jumped up and down, clapping. “Oh my god, how much?”
Nelson smiled. “$50,000.”
The girls started screaming and hugging. All but Wendy jumped around in a big circle. Vivian tried to compose herself. “Holy crap, that’s freaking fantastic! We need to set up the Getaway Girlz Traveling Trust Fund and use that money for our girls’ trips!”
“Woo-hoo!” Lucy yelled.
“Aye ya yai ya yai!” Wendy chanted.
Kate stopped jumping. “Are you sure, Viv? You might need that money to help with the kids.”
“Seriously, Vivian,” Wendy said. “That is a lot of money for us to travel on. Why don’t you take most of it and leave some in the trust fund?”
“We brought down Craig together, so we should share the money. How about we each take $7,500 and leave $20,000 to travel with?”
“I’m pickin’ up what you’re puttin’ down,” Lucy said.
“Let’s break out the map!” Wendy said.
Kate gave Vivian a shoulder squeeze. “Thank you, I need these trips, too!”
They did another round of jumping, cheering and screaming.
Lucy looked at her watch. “Y’all better get to security. Sometimes the line sucks.”
Vivian and Kate gathered their things, gave goodbye hugs to Lucy, Wendy and Wade and headed happily toward security. Vivian turned to look behind one last time and saw Lucy headed out of the concourse. She didn’t see Wendy or Wade anywhere. Guess they found a spot to sit and “talk.” She grinned.
Vivian and Kate boarded the tram, and it wasn’t long before they arrived at Kate’s terminal. Vivian gave her another hug as she headed out. Once the tram started up again she took off her cowboy hat and set it in her lap. I’m so glad I bought these!
The final stop was her terminal so she gathered up her carry-on and walked to the gate.
“How long ’til we board?” she asked the airline employee.
“Not long, five minutes maybe.”
Vivian took a seat by the windows and pulled out her book. When she did, the adorable porcupine she’d bought in Aspen peeked out at her. She had brought all of the kids’ stuffed animals with her as carry-on, just in case something happened to her checked luggage. She patted it on the head and started reading.
Before long, she’d boarded the plane, turned her stream of air on full blast, closed her eyes and fallen asleep. She awoke as the landing gear went down and they approached the tarmac. That was my kinda flight. She hurriedly went to baggage claim, got her suitcase and made her way to the car. She drove as fast as traffic would allow and was excited to see her cute little house on the cul-de-sac. She carefully pulled into the side-entry driveway, making sure no little ones were playing in the large space, a favorite, protected spot for tricycle riding and wagon-pulling.
She turned off the car and pulled out the four gifts. I’ll get the rest later. She opened the car door and heard her favorite word echoing joyfully through the garage.
“MOMMY!”
***
Guess it’s time to get to this, Vivian thought as she lugged her suitcase onto the bed.
It’d been a week since she’d been home from her girls’ trip, and though she’d unpacked the essentials, most of the items were still crammed inside. Her phone buzzed on her nightstand. She picked it up and read the display. What in the world?
It was a text message from Wendy, and she couldn’t believe her eyes.
Next girlz trip is in The Big Easy!
My bachelorette party!
Love ya!
Appendix
Just a few of the jokes we made at the fire pit about the butt crack girl:
Blue moon, Moon Lighting, moonstruck, moonwalk, fly me to the moon, howl at the moon, moon pie, moons over my hammy, Moon River, Moon Dance. Wonder who the first man was to walk on the moon? Full moon tonight? Why yes it is!
Flying Buttress. Butt…what are you talking about? Sure is cold and breezy out here, I’d go inside, butt, I like the fire.
Ass-tronomical, ass-cot, ass-inine, another word for a donkey, ass-pen, kick your ass, your ass is grass, creav-ass, ass-plosion, assholio. Assuming she can’t feel her back side. I could use some assistance over here.
Crack whore, smokin’ crack, step on a crack. You’re cracking me up. Does that window have a crack in it? Say no to crack. Pass the graham crackers. I love peanut butter crackers.
And finally…
Anyone know a good plumber?
This is the life!
Golden Head is just the right height.
The ugliest beaver snatch ever.
Five Girlz in a tub!
“Oh god, she’s doin’ the wine goggles!”
In Bachelor Gulch with our Girlz.
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeee-haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaww!
Acknowledgments
We’d like to thank:
Our favorite Girlz, Lea Bass Rogers (cover design, story input), whose creative spirit and keen eye never ceases to amaze us. And Angela Wenk (story input, all-around antics), whose whirlwind of adventure provides us a ton of laughs. Thank you both for the continued support!
Thank you to the rest of our Getaway Girlz! Beth Zimmerman, our fan club Prez, Laura Trujillo, our unpaid promoter, Stephanie Surendran, our unpaid accountant, Vikki Shelton, our unpaid entertainment, Gretchen Hoover, our favorite dentist who makes us smile ten times bigger, Ellen Young, our perky cheerleader, Christine Moreno, our world traveler and Gerri Ybarra, Debra Baity, Claire Skold and Rose Benavidez, our new recruits.
John Dycus, the best editor in the world, for continuing to make us better writers and for the wittiness that keeps us looking forward to your next email (JK Rolling down the hill, F and replace…truly, where do you come up with this stuff?).
Janet Neff continues to amaze us with her uplifting personal, professional and never-ending support. Thank you Janet, for your friendship!! And Mr. Bill, for the sustenance and fine (naked) artwork. Keep that man cookin’!
Kimi Phillips, who, besides being a great photographer also took care of Johnell after her cliff-diving incident. Thanks also to the Hamilton ER folks. Y’all did a great job, too!
Kyle Phillips for your help with the book trailer. It turned out great!
Our beta readers – Jackie Meeks, an
d Janet Neff (again)!
Chris Broome, self-appointed CRM with Barnes and Nobles in Pasadena, TX. Your one question got us on the right path. Thanks for that, and for keeping Getaway Girlz stocked on your shelves!
Christina Judge, Alicia Jenkins and April Ciccarello for being our Fort Worth launch party girlz!
Steph, Vik and La for being our Get Down launch party girlz!
Brian Simons for your law enforcement expertise and making our bad guy worse.
Robbyn’s brother, Steven, for the faulty brakes insight.
Johnell’s brother, Reid, who is a great seller of books and full of ideas (like the dude ranch)!
Luis Estrada for your book trailer brain-picking.
Rose Epler for the fashion advice.
Riley, server at Brownstone, for his T-shirt quote: “I’m not Santa, but you can sit on my lap anyway.”
Jono Ayala for designing the fabulous shadow box for Getaway Girlz that graces the wall at Chuy’s.
Thanks to our favorite writing spots across Fort Worth, not only the free electricity, but also the great happy hours. Special thanks to Chuy’s on W. 7th for hanging us up (and sometimes they come crashing down nearly taking out patrons, but we won’t mention that!).
Johnell would like to thank:
Thank you to my kidlets, Danielle, Sadie, Cayce and Cameron. Thanks for being so supportive of my whimsical endeavor, for never complaining when I have to take you to a book signing and for being all-around, darn great kids! Love you guys!
Mom and Dad, thanks for always being there! You’re willingness to keep a bag packed, car gassed up and ready to roll means a lot to me!
I’d also like to thank Robbyn for making me do this. I joke about you being a whip-cracker (which you are), but first and foremost you’re a wonderful friend. Heart you!