CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: Fire and Water DO Mix
Debbie and Marlena approached the hotel clerk.
“I thought Henry was working today,” said Marlena.” He’s my cousin and said he could get me a room at a discount.”
“I don’t mean to stir the pot, ma’am. I’m afraid he doesn’t work here anymore,’ said Damien. I may be able to help you out, anyway.” He typed a few keyboard strokes and smiled. “I can put you in a suite for $69.”
“That’s wonderful,” exclaimed Marlena. “Thank you so much, Damien,” as she stared at his nametag. “What’s your last name so I can leave a great comment?”
“It’s Fromelle,” said Damien. “But please don’t mention that discount. I could get into trouble.”
“No problem, thanks again,” smiled Marlena. She and Debbie dropped their luggage off in then hurried back downstairs. They were walking out the front lobby, unaware of Benny and Julie, who were checking in. They got directions to Bourbon Street and started their walk to the party street. Benny and Julie followed the valet to their room, which just happened to be 1155.
Nick was sitting on the patio at Pat O’Brien’s, enjoying his second Hurricane. This was the drink that made Pat O’Brien’s famous. Nick was drinking them down like water. He loved the view from his the cast iron chair. The famous fire and water fountain was performing its duties, while the pigeons ate popcorn thrown by the patrons. The rum helped settle the spooky feeling he had since talking to the old lady.
After testing out the bed, Benny and Julie decided to make the walk to the French Quarter. As they walked out the front entrance, they didn’t see Andie and Harold checking in. Andie and Harold followed the valet to their room - room 1157, the room they were just assigned to by Damien Fromelle. They walked into the room and Andie attacked Harold. She threw him on the bed, kissed him with uninhibited passion, and rubbed her hands all over his body.
“You hold this thought while I go freshen up,” she told the excited Harold. He turned on the TV while he waited.
“In this late-breaking news,” said the newscaster on TV, “a plane carrying William Joseph Wainwright, founding partner for the prestigious Wainwright and Grimes Law firm in New Lake City, crashed on the coast of Cameroon in Western Africa. It is not known if there were any survivors.”
Andie came running out the bathroom, wearing a skimpy negligee with thong panties. “What did that report say?”
Harold glared at her with open- jawed amazement. “Oh, my God. You look amazing,” he said.
“Did they just say something about Mr. Wainwright?”
Harold grabbed her and started kissing her neck. “I wasn’t paying attention,” he whispered in her ear.
She pulled away and looked at the TV. Mr. Wainwright’s picture was being displayed.
“Are they saying he’s dead?”
“No, baby. They’re just assuming right now. You know how the media is always jumping the gun.” He walked up to her from behind and started rubbing her breasts. Once again, she pulled away.
“I’m sorry, Harold. This is terrible news. I kind of lost the mood.”
“I understand. Why don’t we just go get a drink, relax a bit, and I’ll make some calls later to find out what happened.”
“That’s a good idea. I’m sorry to get you all worked up for nothing.”
“That’s okay. We’ll have plenty of time for that later.”
Andie went back into the bathroom to change into street clothes. Harold grabbed her hand and led her down to the lobby, out the front door, and made their way to the French Quarter.
“Where’s Pat O’Brien’s?” asked Debbie. She remembered Nick talking about the famous bar and wanted to sample it for herself.
“I’m sure somebody around here knows,” said Marlena. They were directed a half block off Bourbon Street, down St. Peters Street, right to the front door. They walked through the dark, narrow entrance. They looked in the piano bar on the right, but kept walking to the patio section. They sat at a table near the fountain, which happened to be on the other side from where Nick was seated. They had ordered their drinks when Marlena stood up.
“I need to find the ladies room,” she said. “You want to come with me?”
“No, I’m okay for now. I’ll just wait for the drinks.”
As Marlena walked to the ladies room, Nick noticed her. That sure looks like the bartender from Balls & Burgers, he thought to himself. After taking another sip of his drink, a different pretty brunette walked in front of him. She looks like she could be her too. I guess I’m just drunk.
Debbie was throwing popcorn to a pair of hungry pigeons. “Are you two together?” she asked the nibbling birds. “You better be careful,” she said to the smaller one. “Sooner or later, this little guy next to you is going to cheat and break your heart.”
“Do you always talk to birds like that?” asked Marlena, as she came back to the table.
“I’m sorry. We’re supposed to be having a good time and I started thinking about Tony and Kat.” The waiter returned with the drinks.
“I’m sure this will take care of your problems,” Marlena said with a smile.
Benny and Julie were enjoying the sights of the French Quarter. They booked themselves for a dinner cruise on the Riverboat Natchez. With a little time to kill they decided to walk to Pat O’Brien’s and get a couple of Hurricanes. Julie was still wearing her baseball cap and dark sunglasses so she wouldn’t be recognized. Benny was wearing a huge smile. They walked into Pat O’Brien’s and went into the piano bar. The singer welcomed the couple in as they sat at a table.
“A couple of fresh ones,” said the beautiful, sultry singer, who kept playing the piano as she talked to the crowd. “Where are you guys from?”
“New Lake City,” said Benny.
“First time in New Orleans?” she asked.
“Second,” replied Benny.
“My first,” said Julie.
“Well, let me extend some good-old southern hospitality to you. What do you want to hear?”
“How about Love Blender?” asked Julie.
“Sorry, honey. Don’t know that one. Try another one.”
“How about It Had to Be You?” asked Benny.
“Looks like we have a romantic here, ladies and gentlemen,” said the singer. She started singing the song with a smooth, sensuous tone.
“I know that voice,” said Benny. “I don’t remember from where, but I’m sure I’ve heard that voice before.”
The crowd in the patio area was getting larger. Nick was sitting alone at a table with three empty chairs. They happened to be the only ones left. A group of three drunk, but extremely attractive ladies stumbled to his table.
“Are these seats taken?” asked one of them.
Nick just smiled and said, “Help yourselves.”
She extended her hand. “Hi. I’m Marcia. This is Sara and Melissa. We’re from Dallas and we’re plastered. What’s your name?”
“I’m Nick. What brings you guys over here?”
“I’m getting married,” said Sara. “This is my last fling.”
“You ever made it with three women at the same time?” asked Melissa.
Nick just smiled. “No, I can’t say that I have.”
“Me neither,” laughed Melissa. Marcia pulled her chair close to Nick.
“Have you ever been to Dallas? You look awfully familiar.”
Nick started thinking about the time he met Andie. “As a matter of fact, I have.”
“You’re not supposed to say that,” said Marcia. “Don’t you know a pick-up line when you hear one?”
“Where’s a good place to party here?” asked Sara.
“How about your place?” said Melissa, as she rubbed Nick’s arm.
“You’re cute, in that gross kind of way,” said Marcia. She stood up and hollered, “Hey waiter. Get your ass over her and get us some drinks.”
Debbie saw Marcia’s head from over the fountain. “That girl sure is having a good time
,” she said.
“That’s what it’s all about,” said Marlena. “You want to go over there and join them?”
“No, that’s okay. I’m having a good enough time over here. I think I’m going to go to the bathroom.” She pushed her way through the crowd and found the bathroom, right next to the piano bar. As she went in, Andie and Harold walked past her on their way to the patio.
“This sure is a crowded place,” Andie told Harold.
“Why don’t you wait right here and I’ll see if I can get us some drinks,” said Harold.
Andie stood in the crowd as Harold left her alone. She noticed Marcia standing on a chair, screaming for a waiter. She looks like somebody I knew from Dallas.
Marcia got tired of waiting for service. “I’ll get the damn drinks myself.” She climbed off her chair and shoved her way to the bar. As she passed in front of Andie, Andie tapped her on the shoulder.
“Excuse me,” said Andie. “Are you from Dallas?”
Marcia looked at her for a few seconds. “As a matter of fact, yes, I am.”
“It seems like I’ve seen you before,” said Andie.
“Maybe it was from my waitress days at Andiamo.”
“That’s it,” said Andie. “I used to go there all the time. You were that cocky waitress who always made fun of my name. You always said Welcome to Andie’s Ammo.” It was a reference to the t-shirt she was wearing one night when she was dining with some of her classmates. They had just worked at a charity blood drive and the shirt she was given to wear was two sizes too small.
“Oh, yea, I remember. Small world, ain’t it?” said Marcia. “We’re at a table with some guy named Nick who said he’s been to Dallas. Maybe you know each other. Ha, yeah, right.” She laughed as she struggled through the crowd to get to the bar.
Andie froze. No way. What are the odds of that being the same Nick, she thought to herself. After getting the drinks, Harold had difficulty locating Andie. He walked right in front of Marlena without noticing her. She looked at him and thought he resembled Debbie’s sleazy boss. When he found Andie, she had a strange look on her face.
“What’s the problem?” he asked. “Oh, nothing. I’m just noticing how much this place looks exactly how Nick described it.”
“Did you like Dallas when you were there?” Melissa asked Nick.
“Yeah, it was pretty cool. I met my best friend there.”
“Is he here, too?” asked Sara.
“Actually, it’s a she and, no, she isn’t here.”
“Lucky for us,” said Melissa.
Marcia returned with a handful of drinks. “I just ran into some chick that knew me from when I was a waitress at Andiamo.”
“My friend told me she went to that place often,” said Nick.
“Maybe it’s the same person,” said Marcia. “Wow, what are the odds of that?”
“What did she look like?” asked Nick.
“I thought you wanted all of us,” said Marcia.
“Yeah, that’s kind of silly. There’s no way she could be here,” said Nick.
“Yeah. Why settle for a tall brunette with classy looks when you can have all three of us,” said Marcia.
“Just how tall?” asked Nick.
Marcia held her hand around the five-foot ten-inch level. “About like this.”
“The old lady said Debbie and Benny would be here. She didn’t say anything about Andie.”
“What in the hell are you talking about?” asked Sara. “Are you married?”
“No. Why?”
“You’re talking about your old lady. It’s okay. No problem. We don’t want any ties anyway. It can be our little secret.”
“I’m not married. It’s just when your friend here…”
“Marcia, sweetie,” said Marcia.
“Right, when Marcia said she saw a tall brunette who remembered her from Dallas, I thought it could be someone I know.
“Let’s see,” said Melissa. “There’s about a million and a half people in Dallas alone, not counting the ones who are in and out everyday. There’re also about four million or so people in the Metroplex. I’d say the chances of this being the girl you’re thinking about are pretty good.”
“You’re right. I guess she’s kind of been on my mind.”
Benny and Julie listened to the lady sing a few more songs, then decided to get some fresh air outside.
“I’m sure I’ve heard that voice before,” said Benny. “I wish I could remember where.”
“It’ll come to you, baby,” said Julie. “I need to use the ladies room. I’ll be back in a flash. She bumped into Debbie as she walked in. “Excuse me.”
Debbie didn’t recognize her. She walked out the room and right past Benny, who was facing the other direction. When she got back to the table, Marlena was talking to a couple of guys.
“Hey, Debbie. Look what I found,” screamed Marlena. “This is Jay and Lonny. They’re from Dallas.”
Debbie looked at the two handsome guys and felt a little strange. She shook their hands and sat at the table.
“We’re here for our friend’s bachelor party,” said Lonny.
“Yeah,” said Jay. “He’s around here somewhere.”
“It looks like you guys are having a pretty good time,” said Marlena.
“Hell, yeah. New Orleans kicks ass,” said Lonny.
“Can we get you beautiful ladies some more drinks?” asked Jay.
“Sure,” Marlena said. “You might have a tough time finding a waiter, though.”
“No problem,” said Lonny. He stood on the table and screamed, “Hey waiter guy. We need some drinks over here.” He looked over the fountain and was face-to-face with Marcia, who decided she liked standing on the chair. “Hey. Is that you, Marcia?” he hollered.
Marcia let out a scream. “What the hell?” She jumped off the chair. “Hey y’all. I just saw Lonny on the other side of the fountain.”
“No way,” said Sara. “They told me they were going to Key West for their party.”
“Are you sure it’s him?” asked Melissa. “You’re pretty wasted.”
“It’s him, and I can see the top of Jay’s head, too.”
“Let’s go meet them,” said Sara.
“So I guess our foursome is out of the question,” Nick said, as a joke.
“Don’t lose that thought,” said Marcia.
“We’re just going to tell them hi and send their happy asses on their way. They’re just here to spy on us. We’re supposed to be having separate parties in different cities. We’ll set them straight. Come with us and meet them, Nick.”
“No, thanks,” said Nick. “I’ll just stay here and keep the table.”
We’ll be right back,” said Sara. The girls walked through the crowd and found Lonny and Jay standing next to Debbie and Marlena. Marcia gave Lonny a big hug then punched his arm.
“What the hell are you guys doing here?” she asked.
“Our flight to Miami ended up here because of some storm, so we decided to party here,” said Lonny, as he rubbed his wounded arm. “I thought you girls were going to Vegas.”
“Well - we lied. We didn’t want y’all to know where we were.”
“This sure is a small world,” said Marlena.
“Who’s this?” asked Melissa.
“I’m Marlena and this is my friend, Debbie. We were actually headed to Key West ourselves and our flight got grounded, too.”
“What a coincidence. I bet we’ll be on the same flight tomorrow,” said Lonny.
Sara looked at the way Lonny and Jay were staring at Marlena and Debbie.
“Where in the hell is Tony?” she asked.
“Tony?” asked Debbie.
“Yeah, Tony. My fiancée. Are you hiding something?” asked Sara.
Debbie started crying and ran off.
“Now look what you did,” said Marlena. She took off after her.
“I just asked where Tony was,” said Sara.
Debbie ran right past An
die and Harold.
“That girl looked just like Debbie,” said Andie.
“They must put a lot of alcohol in these drinks,” said Harold.
Nick was alone at his table when a lost man staggered next to him. The man looked at Nick and said, “I’m so fricking lost.”
“Who are you looking for?” asked Nick.
“My two buddies. I’m here for my bachelor party and I got a little lost.”
“This must be a popular place for bachelor and bachelorette parties,” said Nick.
“Man, I’m tired of all this partying,” said the man. “I just want to go back home, marry my sweetheart, and get on with my life. This is all bullshit.”
“Why did you come here in the first place?”
“My friends wanted to take me to Key West for a little blow-out before I got married. Our plane had to land here because of some storm in Miami.” He looked at his empty Hurricane glass. “What do they put in this shit? I’m so fricking wasted.”
“By any chance would your fiancée’s name be Sara?”
The man looked at Nick and was stunned. “Wow. Are you some kind of psychic? I’ve heard New Orleans is full of people like that.”
Nick noticed Sara walking to the man from behind and decided to have a little fun.
“Yes, I am. I have powers that you wouldn’t believe. How much do you love this Sara?”
“More than anything else in the world,” said the man. Sara could hear everything and just smiled.
“I bet if you wish hard enough, she’ll appear before your very eyes.”
“You mean right here?”
“Yes – right here.” Nick smiled. He could tell Sara knew what he was doing and played along.
The man closed his eyes as tight as possible and said, “I wish Sara was here right now.”
Sara was about to grab the man when Nick waived her off. He put his finger over his mouth for the shhh signal.
“You have to say how much you love her, at the top of your voice, to make it work,” said Nick, as he tried not to laugh.
“I love you, Sara. You’re the best woman in this whole world.”
“Louder,” said Nick.
“I’d go to hell and back for you. I’d scrub the bathroom floor with a toothbrush while wearing my Fernelli boots for you.”
Nick was stunned. “Why did you say that?”
Sara grabbed the man and shouted, “And I love you, too, Tony.”
Both of the men screamed.
“How did you do that?” Tony asked in disbelief.
“Did she call you Tony?” asked Nick.
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s my fricking name.”
“It’s you,” screamed Nick. “Get the hell away from me.” This is the other form of the devil that the old blind lady was talking about, he thought.
Tony and Sara hugged each other as they watched Nick run through the crowd. He bumped into Benny, who was waiting for Julie, and made him spill his drink.
“Hey, watch it, man,” said Benny.
“I’m sorry,” said Nick, as he picked himself up and came face –to-face with Benny.
A crowd of Brazilian soccer players came rushing though at that moment, taking Nick with the surge of bodies. Benny stood there, dumbfounded.
“Nah,” he said, as he shook his head. “It couldn’t have been.”
Nick was trying to keep his balance as the soccer team made their way through.
“That man sure looked like Benny,” he said. He got pushed aside and found a spot against the outside bar. He looked at the spot where he thought he’d just been, but didn’t see Benny. “I might as well get another drink while I’m here,” he said to himself.
Debbie had also been lost in the shuffle of the soccer team’s entrance. There was one person standing between her and Nick. It was a huge linebacker for the New Orleans Saints, who noticed Debbie crying.
“What’s wrong, little lady?” asked the linebacker.
“Oh, nothing,” sobbed Debbie.
“There must be something wrong. A pretty lady like you doesn’t come into this bar crying for no reason.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not exactly in the mood for conversation right now. I’d just like a drink.”
“Well, let me get that for you.” He turned to the bartender. “Would you mind fixing this pretty young lady with a drink?”
“Let me get this gentleman first, “ said the bartender, as he pointed to Nick.
The linebacker turned to Nick. “You don’t mind if I get this lady a drink before you, do you?”
Nick looked up at the man and said, “No problem at all.” He had enough confrontations with football players this week.
“Thank you,” he said, as he turned back to Debbie. “I didn’t get your name.”
Nick tried not to pay attention, but could hear every word of the conversation between the two, even in the deafening noise of the bar.
“That’s because I didn’t give it to you,” said Debbie.
“Okay, I get it. You really don’t want to talk to me.”
“It’s nothing personal. No offense?”
“None taken.”
“By the way, it’s Debbie.”
Nick stopped giving his drink order. He recognized Debbie’s voice.
“Nice to meet you, Debbie. Mine’s Tony.”
“Shit,” screamed both Debbie and Nick, as they ran in different directions.
Tony the linebacker watched them run. “I never thought I’d scare people off with my name.”
“And just what is your name, big guy?” asked Marlena, as she stepped up to the bar.
“What do we have here?” he asked.
“My name’s Marlena. Why don’t you tell me that scary name you were just talking about?”
“It’s Tony.”
She started laughing. “I don’t meant to be rude, Tony, but that name seems to be upsetting to my friend these days. Did you happen to see a cute girl, about this tall, dark blonde hair, with an aversion to your name?”
“Funny you ask. She just ran off that way a few seconds ago.”
“I’ll find her in a few minutes,” said Marlena. “I’d like to talk to you for a while.” She smiled as she rubbed Tony’s muscular forearm.
“My pleasure,” said Tony.
Andie was pulling the cherry out of her Hurricane, when she got bumped by one of the soccer players. Her straw fell to the ground.
“I’ll get you another one,” said Harold. He strolled to the bar and saw Tony.
“Excuse me, sir. Aren’t you Tony Brunella of the New Orleans Saints?” Harold was a close follower of the NFL. Many of his previous clients were troubled players from the league.
“Can’t you see I’m trying to talk to this pretty young thing here?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, sir.”
“Now apologize to the lady for interrupting our conversation.”
Harold walked to the other side of Tony, only to become eye to eye with Marlena – who recognized Harold without any doubt.
“You’re that pervert,” she said. “What in the hell are you doing here?”
“You say this guy is a pervert?” asked Tony. “He goes around screwing sixteen-year-old girls.”
Tony gave Harold a look that would scare Satan himself. Harold shoved his way to Andie, grabbed her, and led her out of the bar.
“What’s wrong, Harold?” asked Andie.
“It’s just too crowded in there. Let’s go find a quieter spot.” As they walked past the piano bar on the way out, Nick walked in the door, not noticing them as they left. He was hoping to hide out in a dark corner.
“I really should go find Debbie,” said Marlena. “It’s been real nice talking to you, Tony.” I hope Debbie doesn’t see that asshole, she thought.
“My pleasure,” said Tony. Marlena walked right past Benny and Julie as they walked up to the bar. Benny turned his head to look at her.
“Hey,” said
Julie. “You’re supposed to have eyes on me.”
“She looks like the bartender at Balls & Burgers,” said Benny. “I saw someone who looked like Nick a few minutes ago, and…” He stopped and stared.
“And what?” asked Julie. Benny saw Marlena walking out with Debbie.
“And that girl is walking out with another girl who looks exactly like Debbie.”
“Do I make you that crazy that you’re seeing things?”
Benny smiled. “You know what? That’s probably it.” He gave Julie a huge kiss.
“Aren’t you Julie Templeton?” asked Tony Brunella, who was still standing in his spot at the bar.
“I was hoping no one would recognize me with these glasses and hat, but, yes, I am.”
She looked up and saw Tony’s face. “Tony!” She gave him a big hug. “Benny, this is Tony Brunella, linebacker for the New Orleans Saints.”
“Pleased to meet you,” said Tony, as he looked down and shook Benny’s hand.
“How do you two know each other?” asked Benny.
“We went to high school together,” said Julie.
“I had a big crush on her,” said Tony.
“Really? I never knew that,” said Julie.
“You’re more beautiful than ever. I’ve been following your career ever since you became the BreastMaster girl.”
“And I’ve been following yours ever since your freshmen year at UCLA.” said Julie.
“Really? I’m honored.”
“You shouldn’t be. I’m still the same old Julie.”
“Excuse me for saying this, but there is nothing same old about you.”
“You’re such a flirt, Tony.”
“I wouldn’t call it flirting, Julie.”
“I would,” inserted Benny.
“You got a problem with me talking to an old friend?” asked Tony.
“I didn’t take you for the jealous type, Benny,” said Julie.
“No, everything’s cool,” said Benny. He watched Julie and Tony talk about old times then slipped away. He walked outside and heard the faint sound of the steam whistle coming from the Riverboat Natchez, signaling the start of the dinner cruise. He walked back into Pat O’Brien’s and went to the main bar, across from the piano bar. He ordered another Hurricane and began to drown his newfound pride.
The Devil's in My Bathroom Page 37