by Ann Roberts
She and Bianca had met the day before and made a plan to catch Pratul sexually harassing Bianca and perhaps some other female passengers. Bianca’s friend Norman was a gadget guy and designed surveillance equipment. He’d given Bianca a book with a hidden video camera and microphone. Mazie’s job was easy. All she had to do was board the bus, sit within ten feet of Pratul, and hold the book up to her face. She’d look like she was engrossed in her reading, when in fact, she was filming Pratul. Bianca would get on a few stops later wearing a microphone. Hopefully she’d be able to record Pratul’s advances while Mazie filmed incriminating body language. Then Bianca would get off at her usual stop, but Mazie would remain on the bus for several more stops to catch footage of Pratul’s behavior with other passengers. She wouldn’t have the benefit of audio, but maybe he’d violate another bus policy. Whatever they could collect would hopefully be enough to save Addy’s job.
She couldn’t help but smile when she thought of their date the night before. She’d so wanted to rip off Addy’s clothes, but she tamped her libido because she could tell Addy wasn’t ready. But on the drive back to the Bijou, thinking of the steamy movie and the kissing session on Addy’s bed, her libido busted out of its puritanical prison and she couldn’t find her vibrator fast enough.
She wanted Addy, which was why she was standing at a bus stop at seven in the morning. She was alone since the stop bordered a strip mall not yet open for the day’s business. She zipped up her jacket to fend off the crisp Oregon wind, a reminder that winter was approaching.
She heard an engine roar and Pratul’s bus came around the corner. She took a deep breath and plastered a friendly smile on her face as it stopped in front of her. She’d never ridden with Pratul, so she knew he wouldn’t recognize her, but she needed to stay calm and not act suspiciously, something bus drivers were trained to observe, according to Addy.
As she boarded with her bus pass in hand, he said, “Well, good morning. I don’t usually have such beautiful women boarding my bus this early.”
His sliminess washed over her, but she managed to say, “Thank you for the compliment. I live in Albany but I work in Wilshire Hills. My car is dead and a friend said she’d drop me at a bus stop on her way out to the coast.” Mazie told the lie with ease. She and Bianca had brainstormed a cover story for Mazie which would explain why she was standing in front of a shopping mall when nothing was open.
“Sorry to hear about your car,” Pratul said. “Where do you work?”
“Centerpoint Mortgage Company over on Skypoint Street.”
“Yes, I know it well.”
His gaze traveled up and down, and Mazie felt gross from his stare. She’d chosen the same blue dress she’d worn to Addy’s house, but she’d not bothered to secure the plunging neckline with a safety pin. Pratul was getting a little show as Mazie put away her bus pass.
“When will your car be fixed?”
“Oh, hopefully today. The mechanic said he’d call, but who knows? I could be on the bus for a week, I suppose.”
“How fortunate for me,” Pratul leered. “I would never wish you bad luck, but I’ll be happy to help you turn a negative into a positive.”
“Thank you,” Mazie said. “How might you do that?”
His gaze swept over her once again and landed on her cleavage. “Let me think about it.”
She flashed a sexy smile and chose a seat a few rows back.
“Don’t want to sit too close,” he said, looking at her through the large mirror. “I see.”
“I wouldn’t want to distract you.”
“Oh, you’ve already done that. What’s your name?”
“Vivian. Vivian Bell.” She’d chosen the name of one of the main characters in Desert Hearts.
“Vivian,” he said slowly, almost as if it were a dirty word.
Mazie shivered, suddenly aware the bus still idled. He watched her intently as she removed the book from her shoulder bag and opened it. She’d also practiced the motions necessary to aim and focus the camera lens before enclosing it behind some real book pages. Anyone sitting behind her would just think she was reading.
Pratul didn’t leave, even after Mazie shut down the conversation and focused on her book. Another minute passed and Mazie’s heart pounded. The camera was recording, and although Norman had assured them there was plenty of memory for hours of filming, she wished Pratul would go. The sooner Bianca got on and off and Pratul committed whatever transgressions he might, the sooner they would be done with this and Addy would have her job back.
A Pontiac Firebird pulled up next to the bus. The driver got out and trudged up the stairs. He was a chunky Hispanic man in a Mexican wedding shirt and dark blue jeans. Over his shoulder was a small backpack. “Sorry, I’m—”
“How may I help you, sir?” Pratul interrupted. “Are you lost?”
The man looked oddly at Pratul, before noticing Mazie and her book. “Yes, I saw your bus here, and I was hoping you could help me. I’m looking for Starbird Lane?”
Pratul checked his watch and said, “I have one more minute before I must leave. I’ll show you on a map. Don’t you have GPS?”
The man seemed to think a beat too long in Mazie’s opinion, as if he were making up a story. “My phone’s dead. That’s part of my problem.”
“No worries,” Pratul replied. “Customer service to our community is one of my job expectations.” He actually turned and winked at Mazie, who thought she might be sick.
Pratul withdrew a map and opened it across the console beside him. They spoke in low voices for a few moments, until the man said, “Oh, okay. I see where I need to go. Thank you. Have a nice day.”
The man left and the Firebird sped off. When she glanced back at Pratul, he was watching her.
“We go now,” he said.
Ten more passengers got on and off at the handful of stops Pratul made before Bianca boarded. He knew his regulars and often shook hands, gave high fives—even hugs—to the various men and women who came and went. Two men brought him gifts, a candy bar and a power drink. Mazie was impressed with his demeanor—until Bianca climbed the steps. Mazie inserted the earpiece Norman had provided so she could hear the conversation. When Pratul saw Bianca, the slimy gigolo act returned. “Well, well. Haven’t seen you in a while. Why did you stop taking the bus? I missed you.” He made kissing sounds and touched her elbow tenderly.
She jerked it away. “No way, Pratul. Not gonna happen.”
“I think you should give us a chance, especially if you want that dyke to keep her job. I know why you haven’t been on my bus.”
“Are you serious? You’re telling me that if I do…whatever with you, you’ll let up on Addy?”
“Think about it. You. Me. Maybe some chocolate sauce.”
Bianca looked disgusted and turned away. When she passed Mazie to take a seat in the back, she mouthed, “Yes!”
Mazie nodded. Hopefully what they had recorded was enough.
Addy spent the rest of the day sitting at home and watching three of her favorite lesbian classics, Cloudburst, The Gymnast, and The Incredible Adventures of Two Girls in Love. She’d texted Mazie and said, How would you like to go to the roller derby?
Mazie replied with, Wow! That was quick. I’ll just need to ask Tango to play Assistant Manager again. I’m sure she will.
When Mazie knocked on her door around six, Addy felt a rush of butterflies. She’d thought so much about Mazie in the last twenty-four hours that her brain had almost worn her out. She couldn’t picture her face anymore. It was a relief to see her in her jeans, V-neck T-shirt, and leather jacket. She looked incredibly sexy.
Mazie looked equally happy to see Addy. “Hey.”
“Hey. Come on in.”
When Addy shut the door, Mazie moved closer. Addy automatically wrapped her arms around Mazie’s waist. “I have a confession,” Mazie said.
“What?”
“I’ve thought about you a lot today, and I’d really like to push you against the
front door and smother you with kisses just like they do in the movies.”
“You would?”
“Uh-huh. What would you think of that?”
“I, um, well…”
“Can we try it?”
Addy couldn’t believe it. Mazie wanted to touch her and kiss her. She wanted to do the same to Mazie. What was stopping her?”
Then Mazie’s smoldering, sexy face went away and was replaced by a sad, sorry face. “Hey, it’s okay if you don’t want to. I understand. It’s not like I’m one of those movie fantasies.”
“It’s not that…”
Mazie cocked her head to the side.
“I can’t explain it yet. Please be patient. I just need to figure this out.”
Mazie nodded slowly. “I can wait.”
Addy swallowed. She’ll wait for me. Maybe she’s the one. Her throat was dry and her heart thrummed in her chest. She couldn’t tell if she was ecstatic, afraid or both.
She must’ve looked afraid, because Mazie wrapped her arms around Addy and whispered, “It’s okay.”
“Thank you.” She decided she needed to call Dr. Pfeiffer. Thank goodness Jackie had helped her fill out that insurance paperwork.
Mazie stepped away and tapped the side of her head. “Okay, my mind, like a parachute, works best when it’s open. I’m ready to see roller derby.”
Addy laughed. “That’s a really good saying.”
“I can’t take credit for it. My sophomore English teacher had it on her wall. I’ve never forgotten it.”
Addy opened the door. “We’re supposed to meet Jackie at her car. She’s got the tickets. I think you’ll really like her.”
Mazie looped her arm through Addy’s. “I’m sure I will.”
But when they arrived at the car, Jackie wore her serious expression, the one Addy only saw when the big bosses of the transportation department visited. They thought women couldn’t be tough, so Jackie gave them something to think about. She shook Mazie’s hand and was courteous but not friendly.
Addy looked at her curiously but she didn’t seem to notice. They got in the car, and Mazie immediately illustrated her good manners, thanking Jackie for the invitation.
“It wasn’t me,” Jackie said sharply. “This was Nadine’s doing.” Her gaze flicked to the rearview mirror. As the newcomer, Mazie had offered to sit in the backseat. Jackie didn’t suggest that Addy should join her, so Addy sat in the front with Jackie. “Addy said you’ve never been to the roller derby.”
“No, I’ve just never had the opportunity.”
“Too good for it?”
“Jackie,” Addy scolded.
“What?”
Addy quickly offered Mazie an “I’m sorry” look, and Mazie nodded slightly. She seemed perfectly calm, but Addy thought she might have a heart attack. Her best friend and her possible girlfriend didn’t like each other. This could be bad.
Jackie made everything worse by refusing to answer any of Mazie’s polite questions. Instead, after a long silence, Addy answered the question for Jackie, who would then correct Addy. The conversation gave Addy a headache. Something was definitely not right with Jackie. She wouldn’t even sing along to her favorite songs. Perhaps she was shy in front of people she didn’t know, but nothing had ever kept Jackie from belting out the chorus to “Natural Woman,” when either Aretha or Carol King started to sing. But today Jackie left Aretha hanging.
Completely fed up, Addy turned to Jackie and said, “What’s wrong?”
Jackie frowned. “Nothing.”
“Something’s wrong.”
“Nothing’s wrong,” she said through clenched teeth.
“Please stop lying.”
“Damn it,” Jackie spat. “Now you made me miss my turn.”
“Just go in the other entrance.”
“It’s always blocked.”
“Not always.”
“Most of the time,” Jackie insisted.
Addy pointed. “See?”
Jackie didn’t reply but instead peeled into a space, barreled out of her seat, and slammed her door shut. Addy had never seen Jackie this way. Addy rushed over to Mazie, thinking she might need some protection, but Mazie held up her hand and stepped in front of Jackie, who looked like she might slap her.
“Jackie,” Mazie said softly, “Addy mentioned you once had feelings for her, and while it’s absolutely none of my business, I completely understand, and I respect your feelings. I hope you can respect mine. I hear you’re an awesome person and supervisor. Addy’s said so many wonderful things about you. She’s very lucky to have you in her life, and I feel honored to be invited tonight.”
Jackie didn’t seem to know what to say. A tear leaked out the side of her eye, and she quickly rubbed it away. She just stared at Mazie with a look that defied expression.
“Can I just add,” Mazie said, “that if this evening gets brutal, like in the Australian film Starcrossed Jammers, I might throw up.”
Jackie burst out laughing, and soon Addy and Mazie were laughing as well. Jackie crossed her arms and looked at Mazie thoughtfully. “I wanted to hate you but I can’t.”
“Is that a compliment?” Mazie asked.
“It is,” Addy said. She threw an arm over Jackie’s shoulder and took Mazie’s hand. “Let’s go watch some women kick ass.”
Chapter Eighteen
After they purchased beer and popcorn and found their seats, Addy and Jackie gave Mazie a short lesson on roller derby. “There are five on a team, one jammer and four blockers,” Jackie started. “The goal of the jammer is to get past the opposing blockers two times in a two-minute period.”
“Our friend Nadine is a jammer,” Addy said. “She’s an awesome skater. Completely fearless.”
“How does a team win?”
“When somebody dies,” Jackie said casually.
“What?” Mazie exclaimed.
Addy laughed. “She’s kidding. There might be a little blood when somebody throws an elbow, but nobody dies.”
“Oh, that’s good.” Mazie said.
The teams burst onto the rink and a flurry of women took a lap.
“That’s Nadine,” Addy said, pointing to a tall woman whose helmet bore a star on each side. “Her roller derby name is Squeegee.”
Nadine towered over most of the other players. When she saw Jackie and Addy, she offered a little salute.
“I know her,” Mazie said.
“You do?” Jackie asked.
“I think so. Is she a CPA?”
Jackie eyed her suspiciously. “Yeah. Why do you need a CPA?”
“I don’t, but Almondine does. Nadine is helping us save the Bijou.”
“That’s great,” Addy said. “I feel a lot better knowing she’s involved. You and Nadine can probably convince Almondine to make the changes she needs to make.”
“I hope so,” Mazie said. “Almondine can be awfully stubborn.”
Jackie and Addy laughed. “Ain’t that the truth,” Jackie added.
Nadine made another pass. When she looked over at them, she peered at Mazie and waved frantically, a look of recognition on her face. Mazie smiled and waved back.
The buzzer sounded and the teams went to huddle. Addy leaned back in her chair and put her arm around Mazie. When Mazie smiled at her she asked, “Is this okay?”
“Absolutely.” Mazie put her hand on Addy’s knee. Addy looked away, her cheeks a bright shade of red.
The bout began. Addy explained the strategy, and Mazie quickly realized there was more to roller derby than violent skating. She learned about J-block, passing the star, and ending the jam. Since Squeegee was the jammer for the Yellow Jackets, she was the focus of the action until she passed the star to her blocker, Ninja. Nearly two hours later the battered and bruised teams left the rink. Only a little blood had been shed when one blocker walloped her opponent and went to the penalty box.
“What did you think?” Addy asked Mazie as they gathered their things.
“I enjoyed it. W
atching the teams circle the rink is rather hypnotic.”
“Truth,” Addy said. “Once I came to a bout and I was exhausted. Even though it was super loud, I still managed to fall asleep!”
They laughed and headed toward the exit. Mazie glanced behind her. “Where did Jackie go?”
“Right before the last jam she caught some woman’s eye. I’m guessing they found a place to hook up.”
“Here? At the roller derby?”
“Oh yeah. Definitely at the roller derby. Everybody’s hyped up, watching all these women in tight shirts and little shorts crash into each other. That’s why the line into the women’s restroom is always long.”
Mazie had to admit her libido kicked in after the first tumble—toned arms and legs intertwined and breasts jiggling left and right.
“Let’s go find Nadine. Are you up for getting a beer with her?”
“Sure. I’d like to ask her how she manages to perform in front of all of these people.”
“Perform?” Addy asked, puzzled.
“Well, there’s clearly a lot of ability and athleticism involved in this sport, but the women were getting the audience involved. That’s performing.”
“Huh, I never thought of it like that, but you’re right.”
They waited by the locker rooms with the rest of the crowd until the players emerged. Many had exchanged their colorful uniforms, protective gear, and helmets for shimmering silk blouses, stiletto pumps, and makeup. Mazie was impressed that these women, who’d just spent two hours hurling epithets and elbows, looked good enough now to be seated at Noisette, Wilshire Hills’ premiere French restaurant. She felt guilty about ogling the women while holding Addy’s hand, but the guilt evaporated when she saw the dumb grin on Addy’s face. She was enjoying the view as well.
Nadine was the last to emerge, her arms open for a hug. “Hey girl!”
Addy slipped into her embrace, and when she saw Mazie, her eyes grew wide. “I know you. Get in on this hug.”
Mazie obliged, and when they broke apart, Mazie said, “I was surprised to see my CPA mowing over the competition.”