Chapter 15: I Got You Babe

Dana came over early on Saturday to help me get set up for our game night. We had both done a bit of begging and arm twisting in order to get everyone to come, but they would all be here in a little over an hour.

We were in the kitchen working on dinner and talking about our favorite games and how amusing it would be so see some of the gang playing them.

Can you see Shane playing Trivial Pursuit? Dana chuckled.

Yeah, this is gonna be a hoot! Im so glad we did this. I looked up and grinned at Dana. This was the first time wed spend any time together, and I found that I really liked her. She was a dork, like everyone had teased, but she was comfortable with it and managed to be cute in her shy awkwardness.

Where do you want these? Dana asked, holding up a large platter of cookies.

Oh, just put them in the living room somewhere. Anywhere people can get at them.

Dana came back into the kitchen and hopped up on the counter to watch me chopping cucumbers for the salad. She quickly snatched a small pile of the veggies and popped one into her mouth; she just sat grinning at me as I glared, pointing the knife at her threateningly. At the knife waving, Dana arched her eyebrows mischievously and tossed a chunk of cucumber in the air. I did my best at an open mouth catch, but we both laughed as it bounced off my nose and fell to the floor.

You might want to practice that a bit, Freddie. Ive seen seals that are better at it. Dana teased.

Ha. Ha. Ha. I sneered. Just wait till the sangria slurp later on this evening; thats really my event. I winked and returned my attention to the salad prep.

Dana grabbed an unpeeled carrot and held it up as a microphone, Ms. Gordon, your fans are very excited to see you take the gold in tonights Sangria Slurp, but before you go to get ready for your event, we need to know one thing Dana paused until I looked up and she thrust the microphone in my face. What is the scoop with you and Marina?

I grunted in shock and stood mouth gaping for a moment before returning to the pile of tomatoes I was now slicing.

Oh, dont give me that. She teased, throwing the microphone/carrot at me. We all know something is going on. Marina hasnt been at the Planet on a Friday night in the past month. I want the details! Dana demanded.

And just what makes you think Id have those details? I asked as I finished chopping and tossed the salad together. Dana quickly jumped down from the counter and grabbed the large bowl from me, putting it on the opposite counter and backing me into the corner with her demanding stare.

Hey, if youre going to take the salad, at least finish it. Toss in the olives there. I gestured to a small deli container of fat black olives.

Dana looked at the olives and then back at me. Ill toss, you talk.

I hefted myself up onto the counter and sat there, feet swinging, trying to decide what to tell Dana. Marina and I hadnt talked about what we were doing since that night at the Planet; and that hadnt exactly defined anything that night. Even if I did have an answer, I wasnt sure I wanted to be the one to out us to Marinas friends. Were just friends. We hang out. I said shrugging.

Dana looked up from the olives with narrowed eyes and grimaced as she considered my words. No. It is definitely more than that. Marina had me help her re-arrange the outdoor seating for you and Duncan. Then she made me sit there holding the perfect table for over 30 minutes. No. This is more than hanging out.

Id suspected Marina of making a production out of that dinner, but hearing one of her friends say so, sent a tiny shiver of joy through me.

And that Dana cried, waving in my direction. That goofy smile. Something is definitely going on.

I do not have a goofy smile. I defended as I looked out into the living room attempting to conceal any further betrayal from the wave of happiness coursing through me. You are making stuff up, just for the sake of having something to talk about.

Come on. Alice saw you two making cow eyes at each other in the kitchen at Tina and Bettes party. And then you both left right after we ate—-Marina said you didnt feel well, but that was a load of *****; we know why you were leaving together.

I just stared at Dana, not sure what to make of the small pieces they were assembling.

After a moment of silence, she added, If you wont give us the truth, well be forced to make something up. Dana threatened. When I still didnt respond, Dana whimpered Ah, come on Freddie. Give me something.

Im sure the stories you are making up are far better than anything I could offer. I laughed, as I hopped off the counter. Come on. Everyone will be here soon. I want to set the table.

Dana stood with her hands on her hips with her mouth an exaggerated pout as I slipped past her and out of the kitchen.

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After dinner, as I cleared the table, Dana pulled the games out. I could hear her corralling the women as I quickly stacked the dishes in the dishwasher.

It was delicious. Marina said as she placed the last of the dishes next to the sink and pulled me to her.

I looked up into her eyes and sighed.

Marina released me and stepped back a moment staring at me. What were you just thinking? Marina asked. The most lovely expression crossed your face.

I grazed her lips with mine whispering, You. I was thinking about you. Marinas look intensified and I arched my eyebrows suggestively, Ill be more descriptive later this evening. As for now, we should get back out there; Dana corned me earlier today asking me what was going on between us.

Now Marina grinned, pulling me back into her. What did you tell her?

I glanced around the kitchen as if looking for eaves droppers, and leaned into Marinas ear, Name, rank and serial number is all she got out of me. I sighed into her ear as my tongue teased her earlobe.

Marina caught my mouth as I pulled away and kissed me deeply as she simultaneously pushed me back into the counter. A chill ran through me as she roughly captured my nipple in her fingers. I tried to break the kiss, but Marina would not release me, instead her other hand slid beneath the waste band of my pants.

As her fingers found their target, I gave in to the pleasure and abandoned my efforts trying to dissuade her, as I instead tried desperately to silence my cry as she brought me to a quick release.

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Okay, choices are Dana announced, with as much excitement as a child at the circus Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly, Risk, Pictionary or Cranium.

Im getting more beer; anyone else? Shane asked as she moved off to the large tub of ice Id set up on the patio. Thats all thats gonna save this night. She mumbled as she fished out a half dozen beers.

Marina stood as Shane returned to the table. Wine? A few heads nodded as she moved off towards the bar.

I vote for Trivial Pursuit. Jenny said.

Me too. Seconded Bette.

Oh, no.none of that intellectual *****. If we are going to do this, then we all make asses of ourselves. Said Robin, as she eyed the pile of games. I think Cranium should do it.

Dana was now bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet and nodding her head. Yeah, Cranium. I love that game. Lets start with Cranium.

Kit just laughed and gestured to Dana, How can we deny that? Cranium it is. There were a few moans from the table, but no real protests.

Cranium? Ive never heard of this. What is cranium? Marina asked as she returned to the table with 2 more bottles of wine.

Youll see. Alice smirked as she set up the board.

I glanced around the table and quickly stood up. Okay. Wait a second guys. No couples as partners. I let that slip by once and no one has a chance against a team that has been married for umpteen years. I said waving Tina and Bette apart. And that goes for you too Jenny, Robin.

Yeah, and you too, Dana and Alice. Shane said. Alice, get over here you can be my partner.

Oh, no Tina piped up. You three MUST be separated: Alice, Dana and Shane. No two of you on the same team.

Everyone grumbled good-naturedly, as we shifted seats until finally we had formed our teams; we were odd pairs, to say the least; but no girlfriends, present or x-, were playing together. Alice and Marina. Bette and Jenny. Kit and Dana. Robin and Shane. Tina and I.

Rules say that the team with the next birthday goes first. Lets see, Bettes was a few months ago, Alice and I are both February. Whos next? Dana asked, glancing around the table.

Jenny is December. Robin offered.

Thats before me Shane said.

Me too. I said.

Dana glanced around the table, but all heads were nodding and gesturing to Jenny as the next birthday at the table.

Okay, then Jenny and Bette, you go first. Dana said handing them the dice.

Wait a second, Jenny said slowly. When is your birthday, Marina. Arent you October.?

Marina just looked at her as if she was confused by the concept of a birth date.

Marina doesnt have a birthday, remember? Bette cut in. She quit aging years ago.

Everyone laughed at that, but Jenny wasnt giving up. No. I remember. Youre a Virgo. Youre birthday is next.

Marina said nothing, taking the dice.

So Tina said. With no reply from Maria, she added, When is your birthday?

Marina looked around at all the expectant faces and gave a small sigh. Obviously, it is next. Well go first.

Everyone just stared at Marina for a long moment waiting for the birthday.

Okay, then; well take green. Alice said.

Grunts and sighs filled the air as we all looked at each other a bit bewildered, but Dana drew a card from the box and cleared her throat.

Green. Okay. Dana looked at Alice and Marina as she read the card. To win this Copycat, you must choose one person who can get you to guess the answer on the back by acting like this famous person or character. The actor should mimic their speech and actions but say no names of people or places. Who is going to act?

The soon to be birthday girl. Alice said as she shoved Marina out of her chair.

Oh. No. Marina protested, but Dana thrust the card into her hand saying , Good luck and start..now. as she flipped the hour glass.

Marina grimaced as she took the card. She looked at it and then back at Dana then at Alice. What am I suppose to do?

Mairna! Alice yelled. Go, the time is going. Act like the person on the card. Go!

Marina stood for a second with one hand on her hip staring at the card, before suddenly looking up at Alice.

She nodded her head and in an exaggerated move, Marina tossed her hair over her shoulder saying Ive got you babe.

Screams and laughter filled the air; Alice was laughing so hard, she could barely get out Cher. Its Cher!

Marina plopped down with a humph and sat with her hands crossed over her chest, as if pouting. This only made us laugh harder. Finally, Marina, grabbed the die and tossed it; but no one was paying any attention because now the entire table was flinging their hair—-imaginary or real—-and singing.

It took nearly a full round of Ive Got You Babe for the outburst to calm down enough for the game to continue. Marinas lucky roll, landed them on the next purple brain.

Bette and Jenny selected yellow and Bette easily got her gnilleps by spelling broccoli backwards and they moved their game piece to red.

Robin and Dana selected blue and Dana excitedly drew; but, as the last grain of sand fell through the tiny hourglass, we all sat at the table clueless. She had repeatedly drawn the same pathetic head with crazy spikes coming out of it and now that time was up, she sighed heavily frowning at Robin who only shrugged and Dana looked up at us expectantly, as if we would of course know what she was drawing.

Punk rocker? Tina offered. Danas frown deepened.

Hellraiser? Jenny tried. Everyone turned to her as if she had three heads. What? It was that movie with the guy with all the pins sticking out of his head. I never saw the movie, but just that picture on the damn poster gave me nightmares for weeks when I was a kid.

Dreadlocks. Dana said in exasperation, as if it was totally obvious and we were all morons for not recognizing it. It was dreadlocks.

Of course it was. Shane patronized, patting Dana on the head. Okay, then. Well take red.

The game progressed with more and more laughter as we added a drinking challenge to every question. Before anyone had worked their way to the center of the board and collected a card of each color, the empty beer bottles piled up and the last of the wine was gone, so we left the game and moved inside.

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In the living room there was a small lull as people staggered off to the restroom, partners reformed and everyone found a place to sit. Tina stretched out with her legs draped across Bettes lap on the sofa. Robin sat on the large ottoman with Jenny on the floor curled between her legs. Kit slouched in the chair yawning and Shane lay on the floor trying to balance an empty bottle on her forehead. Dana sat with Alice in her lap whispering and giggling at their own private secret and I sat in the chair opposite Kit wondering where Marina would position herself as the last one to return from the bathroom.

It was moot pondering; Marina didnt have time to sit, because as soon as she appeared in the doorway, Alice clapped her hands Okay, we want the story. Whats going on between you and Freddie, Marina?

There was a collective gasp and all eyes ricocheted from Alice to Marina and back to Alice.

Alices eyes went wide. Oh, no. Guys, the only reason we all agreed to come to this game night was to get the scoop. Now, we have all done our duty and played the game; it is time for the pay off. I want to know whats going on.

I looked at Marina questioningly, Should we tell them? Do you think they are ready for the truth?

Marina studied me for a long moment, then looked at the women waiting with baited breath,. Her face was calm and blank as she slowly nodded to me.

I took a deep breath and sighed, It was going to be a surprise, but since you nosey ***** cant seem to mind your own businessweve been planning a party. I glanced at Marina and then quickly took in the disbelieving looks from the other women before continuing. It is going to be on Halloween night at the Planet. Kit knows about it, dont you? I gestured to Kit.

Yeah, Im gonna do the music. Kit backed me up.

Moans and groans filled the room as Marina moved over to sit on the arm of my chair as she spoke. It was all Freddies idea. As it turns out, Halloween is a Tuesday, so it will be a special Radar. Fliers will start being distributed this week as well as an ad placed in the community paper.

I scooted to the edge of the chair excited to talk about the party. Start planning a costume now, cause youre gonna want to win the prize for best costume. Its gonna be good!

Shane groaned I dont know whats worse, Dana and the games, or Freddie and the costumes.

I sneered at Shane, shaking my head.

Marina cleared her throat and casually placed her hand on my shoulder before looking at me and speaking quietly through the din of groans about the Halloween party. Oh, and Freddie and I are together.