Chapter 4. A Day off Work

It was Saturday morning and I had the entire day off; it was the first one in 2 months. This schedule was killing me. But, I needed the money. I could quit, or at least cut back to every other weekend at the vet, if I could get a little money in the bank; and I had a way to do that. The idea had been rattling around in the back of my mind for a few weeks, but I hadnt been able to bring myself to do it.

I looked out my window at the Range Rover parked on the street. It was worth more than I would make in an entire year at the vet clinic. It had been a good idea for all the snow in Maine.and a couple with more money than they knew what to do with, but here, it was a gas guzzling monster that was bleeding me dry. There was no reason to keep it; but, I hated the idea of getting rid of it.

The phone rang. I continued staring at the Rover and let the machine pick up.

Hello, I, um, wanted to leave a message for Freddie. I hope this is the right number; Um, Sue at the Attic gave it to me. Anyway, this is Dana. Some of us were going to go out tonight. Alices band is playing at Milk. If you are interested, give me a call. She left her number and hung up.

Hm. Milk. Id heard of that bar; they would have a cover charge and probably $10 beers. I shook my head and laughed to myself. That was certainly not in my budget; but, a night out sounded like fun and I wanted to hang out with these women again. That did it. Id lived the paupers life long enough.

I called Shanes cell and asked her if she could meet me that afternoon. Of all the women, I knew she was the only one that would understand the money situation. I also suspected shed have the connections to help me off load the rover as quickly as possible.

I showered and pulled on some jeans, a T-shirt and my favorite baseball cap. As I walked out my door, I smiled to myself, it was gonna be a good day.

Shane was sitting at a table with Marina when I arrived at the Planet. Marina eyed me up and down as I made my way to the table. She was stunning. Her hair was pulled up into a twist and she had on a sleeveless blouse that left me wanting to kiss my way over those broad shoulders.

You look cute today she said as a grin curved her lips ever so slightly. Her voice threatened to melt me.

I stopped and spread my arms out, doing my imitation of a runway model turning for the crowd and said Why, thank you, mam. I was shooting for the mid-western soccer mom look, but Ill take cute.

They both laughed at me. Then, Marina rose and pecked us both on the cheek saying I have to get back to work.

I sat down and watched her as she walked away.

What an *****, huh? Shane said.

I looked at her, eyes wide with shock and she said What? No, its not like that. I dont sleep with my friends, they are strictly off limits. But, you gotta admit, shes hot.

You dont sleep with your friends? I repeated as I clutched my chest in fake agony and pouted, I guess theres no hope for me, then, huh?

She didnt miss a beat. I never said we were friends? And with that we embraced and kissed in mock passion. We were both laughing hysterically when Marina placed a plate of fruit and cheese on the table in front of us.

“For the lovers” she said and stood there staring at us, eyes slightly narrowed and right eyebrow raised questioningly.

Neither of us said anything, just stared back and shrugged our shoulders. She shook her head and returned to the counter. I resumed my giggling as I again watched her ***** receding from us.

What an *****, indeed I sighed. Shane just snickered as I sat staring and shaking my head.

I pulled my attention back to the table and took a piece of cheese as I began So, Shane, I need your help with something.

Shane listened patiently as I explained about the car. I was afraid, at first that she would ask questions about how I could have afforded it to begin with and why I suddenly needed the money; but I should have known better than that. Shane respected privacy more than anyone Id ever met.

Yeah. Yeah, no problem, dude. She said nodding her head. I can help you with that. Let me think about this and make a few calls. I’ll get back to you in a couple of days.

Thanks Shane. I paused shifting my eyes down at the table for a moment before looking her in the eyes and whispering, And, can we keep this just between us? I dont want the others to know.

Keep what just between us? she asked with a look of confusion as she stood to leave.

Thanks, Shane. As an afterthought, I added, Will you be at Milk tonight? I hear Alices band is playing.

Totally was all she said as she backed away from the table and left.

I sat at the table for a while longer watching people come and go. Couples holding hands, friends chatting animatedly, people alone with their laptops. My favorites were the Dads with their kids. Clearly giving mom the afternoon off, they were totally at a loss and overwhelmed as their kids nagged and pulled on them or ran around the tables.

I saw it coming before it even happened. A little boy, maybe 3 years old at best, was struggling to pull away from his dad as they waited in line at the counter. The child lost his balance as dad lost his grip; he tumbled backwards knocking over a display table that held a large basket of coffee beans. Beans flew everywhere and the little boy, who was more startled than hurt, began to wail; it was the high pitched screaming of a child hoping to avoid punishment by faking an injury. I struggled to contain my laughter. I looked over to Marina, expecting to see her boiling with anger, or at the very least steaming with annoyance; but I was surprised by what I saw instead. Her eyes were filled with laughter as she came around the counter smiling and patting the father on the shoulder as if to say dont worry about it before turning her charm on the child and ruffling his hair as she calmed him with a cookie. She did not appear to be bothered by this at all.

She amazes me, in more ways than one, I thought as I stood to go.

********************

I smiled as I walked through the door. Milk was just as Id imagined. Full to overflowing with beautiful women. Alices band was rocking the building when I got there and the dance floor was full of hot bodies dancing seductively, leaving little to the imagination. I got a drink and scanned the room. Dana waved to me and I moved towards them. I had not even set my drink down when Dana grabbed my hand and tugged me out onto the dance floor saying, in a half scream over the music, Im so glad you are here, none of these fuddy-duddies will dance with me. We danced through 3 songs before returning to the table to sit with the gang.

Hey, Jenny. I smiled and glanced around. Where is Robin tonight?

She is out of town for the next 2 weeks working with some documentary about the circus. She said with a frown.

Oh, poor baby..youll get by, I teased. She just rolled her eyes and sighed.

Shane seemed pre-occupied, looking at something—or more likely someone across the bar and didnt seem to notice me as I joined the table.

Bette and Tina returned from the dance floor and Tina asked if anyone else needed another drink. I looked down at my empty glass and back up at her. What are you drinking, she asked?

Anything but tequila. I replied and we all laughed. A vision of Marina passed out on the pool table made me ask Where is Marina tonight anyway?

There was a moment of silence before Bette answered We asked her, but she never comes out. She loves the Planet—-its her life, but she doesnt ever go out to other clubs or bars.

Does Freddie have a crush on Marina? Tina teased. But every eye at the table, even Shanes, turned to me and I found myself the center of attention.

I cocked my head a bit as I looked at them, Doesnt everyone? I asked with a wink, trying to break the awkward spell that had fallen over the table.

Tina laughed and left to get the drinks.

I gestured around the bar, Wow, I didnt know Alice was in a band. They are pretty good. The women on the floor were going crazy, screaming and dancing; Alice seemed to really be enjoying it. She was a bit of a ham and had an incredible rapport with the audience.

Hey, Freddie. Glad you could make it out tonight. Shane finally acknowledged me. I glanced back over my shoulder and found the cute red head she had been making eyes at. I turned back to her and nodded my approval with a grin. She just looked away as if blushing and shrugged her shoulders. Well, Ill see you guys later she said as she headed off to complete her seduction.

No you wont Dana threw at her as she left. The laughter erupted from us all.

The band took a break as Tina returned with the drinks. Alice took the glass from Tinas hand with a sheepish grin as she fell into Danas lap and kissed her hard. She was clearly loving this. She reached out to touch my shoulder with a smile and a nod of welcome as she gulped the drink.

Suddenly, Dana and Alice were lost in each other and Bette and Tina were talking to a woman at the neighboring table, so that neither couple even noticed when Jenny and I got up to go out and get some air.

We stood outside enjoying the cool evening breeze. I asked Jenny about the band, and she explained to me about how Alice had played in a band in college and really liked it, but had given it up before Bette had even met her. Then about 8 months ago, she had written one of her famous best of articles about local bands. After that she drug out her old guitar and began playing again. It wasnt long before she auditioned for one of the bands shed included in her story.

The conversation died and we stood in silence watching the women coming and going from the bar. I looked up at the night sky but there was not a single star. It wasnt cloudy, there was just too much light from the city for them to be seen.

My mind wondered back to the night sky of my youthMy father and I with the telescope I got for my 9th birthdayall the constellations hed pointed out to me on those long summer nights.

I shook the thoughts out of my head and looked at Jenny who was now gazing into the dark sky.

Without looking at me, she asked in a whisper, Freddie, do you miss it? Your old life?

Taken aback, I looked at her for a long moment without replying.

She continued without looking at me. I just remember when I first came to LA; how hard it was for me. I at least had Tim, but you are all alone. I cant imagine how hard it must be for you. Dont you miss your friends and family? Now she turned to face me.

Unwilling to meet her gaze, I looked back up at the sky for a long moment remembering the life Id left behind more than 4 months before. I released a slow, drawn out sigh and nodded my head whispering, Yes, I do, Jenny. I stared into the darkness for another moment before turning back to her; she was staring at me intently; her eyes questioning me. Not wanting to continue this discussion, I looked down at the ground momentarily, before returning my eyes to the sky. I raised my hand as if pointing to something in the dark sky, and said, But theyll be back to get me soon.

There was the briefest beat of silence before I busted out laughing. A look of confusion flitted across Jennys face before understanding settled upon her. At that, she quickly reached out to shove me away saying Okay, ET and began laughing herself.

I grabbed Jennys hand pulling her back inside and said, Come on. I want to dance.