Black Hearts Dance

by Gerald Lopez

  “Do you believe that?” Alex said.

  “I believe it’s entirely possible,” Mrs. Carson said.

  “You don’t think a ghost can possess someone, do you?” I said.

  “No, well not unless the person was willing to be possessed. But the idea of a ghost being able to heighten someone’s emotions or play on a person’s deep feelings isn’t unbelievable, especially compared to what we’ve already seen. I’m just saying let’s all be a little extra cautious. We’ve already experienced some supernatural activity due to the change in the court’s ownership. Still, that’s no reason not to have fun tonight. Although, you might want to talk to Shannon. Bye-bye.”

  She left and I turned to Alex. “I’ll be talking to Shannon tomorrow. You do seem to be more insecure than usual.”

  “And hornier,” Alex said.

  I thought you were always horny around me,” I said.

  “And I thought that was you around me,” Alex said, then got serious. “Do you think that explains how we acted around Forrest?”

  “Come to think of it, I’m not usually so forthcoming with people,” I said.

  “Jimmy did mention rumors of love affairs, maybe the ghosts are making us more lusty than usual,” Alex said, then chuckled.

  I thought about his comment for a moment. “Actually, Alex, I think you may be on to something. We need to keep an eye on one another and see if we really are acting strangely.”

  “OK,” Alex said.

  “But, for now I need recharging before we go downstairs,” I said.

  “What?” Alex said.

  I leaned over and kissed him, then smacked his ass. We held hands, then went downstairs.

  THE BACKYARD had been transformed. A tent covered the entire courtyard, small white twinkling fairy lights hung above the outdoor sitting area to the left, which hadn’t been tented over. The alley of trees leading to the guesthouse was also lit with tiny lights as was the Indian pavilion.

  “I’ve never been inside one of these party tents before,” I said to Alex, while we stood on the back porch.

  “I have, and they can be pretty amazing sometimes,” Alex said. “Let’s check this one out and see what secrets it holds.”

  Chapter 25

  Welcome to Glitter World

  IT WAS NIGHT outside when Alex and I walked down the steps of the back porch and around the first tent. There was another, more narrow tent in front and a tunnel of open metal arches strung with gold lights which went down to meet the street. The setting was impressive and we hadn’t even been inside the tents yet.

  “I moved the truck across the street earlier,” Alex said. “Shannon moved her car and Elise and Rory moved theirs. Rory parked Mrs. Carson’s car at Miss Maribelle’s house. Party guests will park in the field where attendants will be on hand.”

  “You don’t sound new to any of this,” I said. “Your family must’ve thrown these sort of parties a lot.”

  “Yeah, and I went to society events to promote my work in the beginning. Thank God I don’t have to do a lot of it now. They weren’t much fun.”

  “Well, your life is different now,” I said. “For one thing, you’ve got me… and for another this isn’t about business. This is my first party in a fancy tent and I intend to have fun.”

  “Then I’ll make it a point to enjoy myself,” Alex said.

  We saw a familiar face once we got to the edge of the property and were standing beside the arch entryway.

  “Hello, hello,” Shannon said.

  “I thought it was supposed to be club going attire, not dressing like royalty,” I said. “Do a turn and let me check you out.”

  Shannon lifted her hands and turned slowly. She was radiant in a floor-length, sleeveless dress in shades of copper and gold. The dress had an empire waist and the skirt portion had a nice flow from there which followed the body closely enough so that it didn’t make Shannon look heavy or pregnant. And the colors went well with her skin tone.

  “Gorgeous,” I said.

  “I love your fascinator,” Alex said.

  “Oh, it’s nothing that fancy,” Shannon said. “It’s just a jeweled barrette I stuck some glittery tulle on.”

  “It’s still impressive,” I said, as I admired the barrette which was fastened on the left side of her head. There was a large champagne colored rhinestone in the middle of the barrette that was surrounded by smaller, bright gold rhinestones. The aforementioned tulle which was glittery and gold was just the right crowning touch to the ensemble.

  “Elise asked me to meet her here before she went into the main house to help her grandmother with something,” Shannon said, then her cell phone rang. She reached into a hidden pocket in her skirt and took out her cell. “OK, honey. I’m down here by the arches.” She closed the cell phone and turned back to Alex and me. “Elise is on her way.”

  “Then we’ll wait and see this grand tent together,” I said.

  “You sound excited, Layton,” Shannon said.

  “I’ve never been to a party in a tent,” I said. “That makes another first for me. It’s my first time dealing with ghosts in a haunted house, and my first time attending this sort of party.”

  “I’ve never been to a party held in a tent before either,” Shannon said. “I guess it’ll be something really different for a soldier who’s used to being on the field in a tent. I’m curious to see how everything looks.”

  “Hi, everybody!” Elise said. “Sorry I’m late.”

  “You look freakin amazing!” I said, caught off guard by Elise’s appearance. She wore a platinum blonde Marilyn Monroe style wig and a tight gold lamé dress. The sleeveless dress with heart-shaped bodice showed off her ample bust, cinched in her waist, and accented her curves in a very positive way. Gold, elbow-length gloves completed her look. “You really know how to bring it, don’t you, Elise?”

  “I do my best,” Elise said, and smiled.

  “You look glam and golden,” Alex said. “I miss the pink hair, but the platinum definitely suits the dress.”

  “It’s just a wig,” Elise said, then patted the side of her hair. “Don’t worry, the pink’s still underneath.” She chuckled, then lifted the hem of her skirt. “How do you all like my shoes?” She pointed her gold platform stiletto shoes our way.

  “Girl, those shoes are everything!” Shannon said.

  “Oh, they sure are, girl,” I said, then laughed with everyone.

  “Layton, I can tell you’re gonna have fun tonight,” Elise said. “You’re in just the right mood to party!”

  I put my arm around Alex’s waist and held him close. “We’re all gonna have fun tonight cause we look damn good and we deserve to have a wild and crazy time.”

  “Let’s check this place out,” Elise said.

  We walked through the arches and stepped into the first tent. Elise and Shannon had locked arms, and I kept my arm firmly around Alex.

  “It’s amazing!” Shannon said, then gasped as she looked around the first tent.

  “We could almost be in one of those glitter-filled snow globe things,” I said.

  We were walking on some sort of carpet that was made of or featured gold glitter. While the outside of the tents were white, the inside walls were swathed in silky gold fabric. Gold swags hung from the ceiling, and along the sides were long, clear, cylindrical tubes filled with water that had gold lights and gold glitter inside.

  “You haven’t had the glamour fan experience yet,” Frankie, who was standing in front of us, said. He wore slim black pants, a gold T-shirt, and a sequined jacket that was an amazing array of gold and copper colors.

  “I love your jacket,” I said. “You match Shannon.”

  “We’re all gonna match in a second,” Frankie said. “Get ready for the glam fan!”

  He flicked a switch and we felt a breeze fill the room. Shannon struck a pose and I joined her, then gold glitter filled the space.

  “A photographer appeared from behind Frankie and spoke. “OK, everybody,
strike a pose all together.”

  Elise and Alex joined us and we struck a few poses while the photographer clicked away.

  “This is wild!” I said, then laughed, lifted Alex’s hand to my face and kissed it.

  “This is nothing, my friend,” Frankie said. “Let me show you the rest.”

  Our group followed Frankie into the main tent which was directly over the courtyard behind the house.

  “I’m so glad they continued the glitter carpet in here,” Shannon said. “It’s much easier to walk on than brick, especially when I’m wearing my skinny heels.”

  She lifted her skirt to reveal her strappy, stiletto-heeled, metallic gold shoes.

  “You two are making me feel underdressed,” I said.

  “Oh no, honey,” Shannon said. “Don’t feel like that. Elise and I have to give those drag queens a run for their money. And you know they won’t be wearing any less than seven-inch heels tonight!”

  Alex laughed loudly which made me happy.

  “That’s the truth,” Elise said.

  “What’re those scattered, round, gold platforms for?” I said, earning myself looks from everyone.

  “Layton,” Alex said, smiling and waving his pointer finger at me. “What gay man doesn’t recognize a platform for a go-go boy?”

  “Apparently a happily partnered gay man who’s not thinking about go-go boys,” I said, then smiled and winked at Alex.

  “Now that was the perfect answer,” Frankie said.

  “The ceiling of the tent is so high,” I said, looking up at all the gold streamers hanging down from the metal supports along with crystal chains and gold balls which served as lights.

  “It’s like Fort Knox threw up in here,” Elise said, then chuckled. “I love it! It’s fabulous.”

  “I’m glad you approve,” Frankie said. “Remember us for next year.”

  “Oh, I will,” Elise said. “More importantly, my grandma and Henrietta will be impressed.”

  “Where’s Jimmy?” Alex said.

  “He’s set up a workstation in the old servants’ quarters. Look to the left side of the tent. Do you see the tables with gold tablecloths? They will be covered with all sorts of delicacies that Jimmy and his crew are working on as we speak.

  “The divas in the crowd will love posing in front of those large fans,” Shannon said, looking at two enormous fans in square metal surrounds at the back of the room. They’d been painted gold to match everything else.

  “I smell something tasty,” I said. “Methinks it’s time to locate the chef.” I spotted an exit sign to the left and noticed there was a slit in the tent fabric. Looking around, I saw two exit signs near the back and one more across from the one nearest me.

  THE OLD servants’ quarters were abuzz with activity, and Jimmy was in the center of it directing everything and everyone.

  “Hi, everybody,” Jimmy said. “Let me grab you a small tray.” He walked into a room on the left and while we were busy watching people at work, Jimmy returned with a small tray he handed Frankie. “Frankie, hon, show them the bar area—we’re sort of busy in here right now. I’ll talk to you all later, OK? Enjoy.”

  We left and walked around, rather than through, the main tent. When we were on the grassy area Frankie presented the tray to us. There were meatballs, shrimp, chicken nuggets, and a cardboard container of straw fries. Four shot glasses filled with a cloudy liquid were also on the tray. I picked one up and smelled it… the aroma was intoxicating and I drank the contents in one “shot”.

  “Wow! That hit the spot,” I said. “A shot of french onion soup.”

  “Really?” Shannon said, then picked one up.

  Alex handed a shot glass to Elise, and kept the last for himself. He then lifted his glass and made a toast. “To tonight.”

  Everyone lifted their glasses, including me, then they drank their soup. I waited for their reactions.

  “That’s as good as I’ve had in France,” Alex said.

  “Mmm, your man’s cute and he can cook,” Shannon said. “You hit the jackpot, Frankie.”

  “I think Layton’s favorite part is coming up in the pink bar,” Frankie said.

  The outdoor seating area had been completely made over. Clusters of powder pink balloons tied to pink poles floated in the air. There was a pink rug over the bricks, scattered pink sofas, chairs, and tables on top of the rug, and a large pink bar to the side. Everything had a generous dusting of pink glitter. Then I saw it—the candy bar with cones of pink cotton candy held up in trays on either end of the bar. I was all set to go to it when a handsome, muscular man popped up from behind the bar. His high pompadour hairstyle was bubble gum pink in color and his smooth bare chest was covered in sparkly pink body glitter.

  “That’s true dedication with the pink do,” I said.

  “I’m a dedicated bartender alright,” the bartender said, then walked in front of the bar.

  “Yeah, baby!” Elise said.

  The bartender was dressed in low hung, skintight, shiny, lycra short-shorts, and pink flip-flops.

  “My name’s Cheyenne, can I fix you folks some Pink Glitter Bomb cocktails?” the bartender said. “We have alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. The alcoholic version is a mix of mango rum, and Grenadine.

  “Cheyenne, you can fix me anything,” Shannon said, then giggled.

  “Excuse us, please,” a voice behind our group said.

  Two young-looking men stood behind us dressed in pink robes and flip-flops. One was white with a pink crew cut, the other was black with a bubble gum pink Afro.

  “Loving the Afro, my brother,” Shannon said, and laughed.

  “I’ll let you borrow it when I’m through, girl,” the man said, then took it off to reveal his smooth, bald head.

  “You don’t need that wig, baby,” Shannon said. “Just for the record, are all you boys working tonight gay?”

  “Yes, Ma’am,” the black guy said. “Tonight, we gays are the majority and the straights are in the minority.”

  “Hey, that’s fine with me,” Shannon said. “I’m still allowed to look, right?”

  “Oh yeah,” The black man said. “That’s what me and my boy are here for, right Brent?”

  “That’s right, Tye,” the white man said.

  In unison the two stripped out of their robes, revealing perfect, ripped bodies wearing nothing but pink rhinestone thongs and body glitter. They walked over to the two round tables in the front of the space and got on top of them.

  “Music please, bartender,” Tye said.

  Seconds later, “Vogue” by Madonna began to play and the men started to dance atop the tables.

  “Bartender, Pink Glitter Bombs for everyone,” Frankie said.

  “Well, you folks know where you’ll find me tonight,” I said, then smiled before I continued. “I’ll be here with a drink in one hand and cotton candy in the other, admiring the view.”

  “Why don’t I get you started on that cotton candy while we wait for our drinks?” Alex said, then dragged me to the candy bar. Elise and Shannon followed behind.

  Frankie walked to the candy bar, then handed the four of us small white bags to fill with candy. In front of us were clear jars which held pink licorice, pink bubble gum balls, and pink mints. Along the back were three rows of pink cardboard containers filled with pink popcorn. I put the white bag Frankie had given me in my pocket, and reached for a container of popcorn and a cotton candy cone.

  “We’ll be refilling this area all night,” Frankie said.

  Alex, Frankie, and I located a grouping of chairs to sit in while the ladies went to the bar.

  “Frankie, all this stuff must be costing a bundle,” I said.

  “People pay a lot to attend,” Frankie said. “So Mrs. Carson insisted they not be let down.”

  “There’s no chance anyone will be let down by this,” I said. Alex looked at me and laughed. “What?”

  “You have cotton candy on the side of your mouth,” Alex said, then leaned
over and licked it off.

  “I love candy and sweets,” I said.

  The ladies had joined us with drinks for themselves as well as Alex and me. We were having a good time talking and eating sweets when I heard Forrest calling my name.

  “Hi, Layton,” Forrest said. “Hello, everybody. You folks certainly make a pretty and handsome group.”

  I resisted saying the words out loud, but turned to Alex, blocked my mouth with my hand so only he could see and mouthed the words “Damn”. He nodded in agreement. Forrest wore tight black jeans which hugged his perfect ass while pushing his impressive package forward. The black tank top he wore was like a second skin, highlighting his well-developed chest and muscular arms.

  “The street’s been blocked off, per usual and only residents or guests with invitations are being allowed in,” Forrest said. “Cars are already lined up and Mrs. Carson and Henrietta are almost ready to make their grand entrance.” He walked to me, took a big bite of my cotton candy, then grinned with a full mouth.

  “It’s show time, everybody,” Elise said.

  Chapter 26

  Show Time!

  BY THE TIME our group had made it back out front, there was a huge commotion in the street. My left arm was around Alex’s waist and my right hand held the cone of cotton candy I was still lustily eating. The normally two-way street had been converted to one-way in order to control the flow of traffic. There were two lanes of cars on the right side of the street. Some were directed to parking spaces in the field across from the house. Other cars—those dropping off partygoers, were lined up behind a large strip of red ceremonial tape or ribbon that went across the street and was tied to trees on either end. A colorfully attired and excited crowd gathered on the sidewalk in front of the parking field was held at bay by two security guards. A large van came up from the left side of the street and stopped in front of the house.

  “Look, it’s Rory!” Alex said, then pointed to where Rory was exiting the van.