Читать книгу Exploring Connections - DH Steppler - Страница 5

Breakfast the day of Wyatt’s ‘Big Bash’ fed the entire group. The big table in the kitchen wasn’t quite big enough so we ate in the main dining room using one of the banquet tables which did accommodate all of us with a little room to spare. We were a noisy and talkative group.

Sam and Rick had a teasing conversation and debate going about which of the ‘Three Women’ were the most demanding. Sam said Denice was because she always had something for him to do and Rick said that it was Amanda because she was always coming up with ideas for Rick to develop. Denice and Amanda must have had some secret signal because they each went to their own man and kissed him soundly. After that each of the men offered up new opinions.

Sam said, “I see your point, it must be Amanda.”

Rick had also changed his opinion.

“Don’t be so willing to concede; because it is now clear to me that the most demanding female is of course Denice.”

Charlie took advantage of the kissing going on and showed me some lovin’. Always ready for him, I turned my body to him and wrapped my arms around his neck, giving myself to him eagerly. When he kissed me and whispered on my cheek that he loved me I breathed deeply and couldn’t hold back the tear.

“Don’t cry Woman,” Charlie said.

“Why are you crying?”

“I’m afraid to be this happy. It makes me vulnerable to deeper pain.” I whispered.

“Woman, be here with me now.” Charlie said.

I mean, come on; see how sweetly he could bring me back to a more positive place?

“I might still cry from happiness, Lover.” I confessed.

“That’s ok,” Charlie grinned.

Even though that morning I woke up with a kind of buzzing in my ears, well more like being under the covers with a mosquito that’s driving you crazy I got into the conversations going on, got our food, and sat at the end of the long banquet table which enabled us to see everyone. Just like it was Sunday dinner I looked to each person at the table to pay silent tribute to them and offer up a personal wish of success for each.

At breakfast, just like anytime, my sister was radiant. She was wearing a playful red and white dress that took me a moment to place. It turned out to be a small change up of a dress that I’d designed for the summer show. It looked beautiful on her. I swear she looked half her age. Denice had an enormous appetite and the metabolism that could handle it. She was wearing her hair up in a style that’s supposed to look like she just shoved up to get it out of the way but on her when the little curls escaped the clip the look just got better and better. I watched as she started a conversation and then ate her food while others joined and carried it. When there was a lull, she threw out a word or two and it would pick up again and she’d continue eating. She had a great talent of keeping the air filled with chatter and lively conversation. She knew everyone at the table so she didn’t have to single anyone out for information. Life seemed to be good to her and that made me happy. She deserves all of the goodness the world has to offer because she’s always been a major part of that goodness.

Sitting right next to Denice was Sam, a barrel-chested man with good manners and a ready laugh. The best thing about him was the way he loved my sister. His eyes sparkled as he looked at her; there was obvious magnetism between them. Their movement around each other was nearly a dance and they were constantly touching. Sam was wearing an ivory and black pullover sweater and black trousers that went well with his silver gray hair, quite nice.

Rick had Sam at his right hand but his attention that morning was on Amanda. He pulled out her chair and kissed the top of her head after he helped her adjust and move closer to the table. Rick must have gotten the memo about wearing sweaters because he was wearing a dark green pullover with what could only be called ‘golf’ pants of checkered greens. The colors were nice and matched Amanda’s pale green pullover sweater and darker green trousers. Rick is about 5’ 10’’ in height and slender with salt and pepper hair that is always neatly trimmed. Every now and then he’d try to grow a mustache or a goatee or a beard but met with little success so that morning he was clean shaven. Rick and I knew each other from way back because we’d dated when I was just out of high school and working in a high rise in downtown LA.

To my very right was Amanda with Rick at her right. Amanda was Charlie’s sister and the third of ‘Three Women’. She’d changed physically since we first met; she’d dropped a few pounds but still held her softer round female look. She’d let her hair grow long and wore it pulled back – allowing us the pleasure of seeing more of her beautiful porcelain skin. In her spiked heals she was still much shorter than Rick. Her breakfast looked to be lacking but she seemed peaceful.

On the other side of the table there were two chairs that were yet empty and the chairs at the opposite end of the table from us revealed two empty places that were, only moments before occupied by Wyatt and Millie. All eyes on the doorway to see Wyatt and Millie return; right behind them were Kevin and Kathy. As usual it took me a minute to catch on that Kevin’s appearance was a surprise for me because no one beside me seemed the least bit shocked to see him.

After hugs we all addressed our meal again and I continued my small pleasure of observing each of the table companions. Millie was the next to receive my attention. She spoke intimately to Wyatt while he lowered his head to assist in the privacy of her words. She looked quite a bit younger than Wyatt but I knew how old they each were and they were much closer in age than anyone could guess. With the height of a model and the creativity of a designer she’d headed the London Office of ‘Three Women’ since its inception and did a fine job for the company. She was instrumental in bringing her brother, David, into the business both as a model and as a designer. She made a joke about David not being there because he needed a ‘spa day’. Everyone knew that David didn’t neglect his self-maintenance.

Millie was wearing a very short skirt that showed off her long legs. It was a fresh young look with over-sized black shoe/boots and bobby socks the same color as the skirt, a vibrant blue. Her blouse was the same vibrant blue with large bright white checks, like I said, fresh.

Wyatt’s pretty tall, nearly as tall as Charlie but rail thin in comparison. The sharp angles of his look had softened since Millie entered his life. I loved to design for him and so did the other women which meant that Wyatt had a new wardrobe every season. His shape and look allowed us to use our artsy and playful sides while creating stylish clothing for him to wear. He’s a trusted friend who’s carried on my bidding and protected me with his knowledge of the law. I counted on him to tell me the honest truth and to give me his opinion. Most of the time I went the way he suggested but there’d been a time or two when I disagreed and he still pushed but saw when I was adamant in my decision and backed off. He was always quick to recognize the wisdom of a decision when it was revealed to be wise. He was wearing office attire with a white shirt, rolled sleeves, open vest of dark blue with matching trousers. He and Millie were a nice compliment to each other.

On Wyatt’s right, at the corner sat Kathy. Her bright freckled face was beaming her happiness. She was one of those gals who could push her sun glasses up on her head and muss up her hair but it looked good anyway. Her hair, a deep red, was very thick with small bouncy curls. She was wearing a traveling suit of a pretty soft pine green that matched her green eyes. She’d had eyes for my Kevin for as long as I’d known her. I liked her; she was funny and real. Whenever she was involved with something, she was involved. Not the lazy type, no she was a mover like my Kevin. They were a good match.

Sitting close to Kathy was my son, Kevin; a handsome man who looked taller than his 6’ height perhaps because of his athletic body. Always dressed to match the occasion, the slacks he wore matched the soft green of Kathy’s suit as did the shirt collar around his white pull-over sweater. He had a great smile and used it often. He was a positive ‘can do’ man whose confidence gave others confidence in him. Working for the Olympic Committee he headed all things ‘Catch’ and his time was valuable; he had to work at not spreading himself too thin. Later I found out that he and Kathy, their schedules so busy, were staying for only the one night. He caught me looking at him and winked and flashed me ‘I love you’ in sign.

Next to Kevin sat Michael a partner in a number of ways. He’s a song partner, a dance partner, a universal travel partner, a red travel partner, and he’d been my unofficial cosmic observer partner, he carried a catch object that I’d made for him named ‘Partner’. His usual attire, while not performing, was a tee shirt and jeans but that morning he was wearing white; white slacks and a white thin knit sweater. He was freshly shaven and looked really good.

Charlie slipped his hand in mine to get my attention. I smiled when he touched me and leaned in close to him.

“What is it, Lover?”

I asked in a voice that only he could hear.

In a voice as quiet as mine he said, “Woman, you’re staring at Michael.”

“Oh,” I said.

“I was offering up a Sunday dinner wish for him.”

“Yeah.,” Charlie said.

“What was the wish?”

“It was a wish that he could ‘get over himself’ a bit and relax more. His ego trips him up, don’t you think?”

Using the same quiet voice Charlie said, “I love you, Helen,” and lifted my chin to receive his kiss. It’s really good being his woman.

I was like a kid who keeps getting distracted while saying prayers at night and then forcing myself to the task at hand. New focus took my eyes to the next at the table, Lu. Michael’s desire and mate. She’s lovely, sweet, truly sweet, strikingly pretty, and funny and I love her dearly. She was wearing white jeans and a white blousy sweater. She and Michael were gorgeous together. Just before I offered up my wish for her I saw her slap at something around her ear and shake her head.

Breakfast was nearly over and I still had one more wish and that was for Charlie. I’d picked out our clothes for the morning and Charlie was as pliable as could be; he always said that he trusted me and I guess I hadn’t failed him yet. His pale yellow sweater coupled with deep chocolate dress slacks were great colors for him and the design I wore matched his in that I was wearing a dress of the same pale yellow as Charlie’s shirt and my light weight cardigan was the deep chocolate. We’d agreed before we left that we looked pretty darn good and then laughed at our selves.

In my hand I could feel the pressure of his and the slight movement of his fingers in my palm. I leaned into him again and breathed deeply nearly craving his scent. Not ‘for a man who has everything’ but ‘for a man who is everything’. For my Charlie I wished for him fulfillment.

After breakfast we all milled around for about 30 minutes gathering information about each other. I got in line to be next after Michael and Lu to talk to Kevin. When I headed for Kevin, Charlie went to find Amanda and Rick for an update.

Kevin and Kathy headed for some rest; they were exhausted and would call later. I blew them a kiss and changed my focus. Michael and Lu still around; I went in search of Charlie but he was only steps away. We hugged up and made plans to sit close during the ‘Big Bash’.

“Put on your dancin’ shoes tonight.” Michael said over his shoulder.

Charlie standing close, I wrapped my arms around his waist and squeezed him to me.

“You ready Woman?” Charlie asked as he found my hand.

We went to a short meeting with the other two women and after that Charlie took some time explaining what the setup was and how the projector should be run to a couple of new young recruits who would later prove to be one of Millie’s good ideas. We parted for the servants quarter’s, a late lunch, and to get ready for the ‘Big Bash’.

“Woman I can almost hear your thoughts in my ears, if not for this buzzing.”

He kissed me a parting kiss and I kind of floated off to pack up more of Miles’ belongings.

By the time Charlie finished with his work I’d cleared out a closet worth of Miles’ clothing, packing up nearly a dozen boxes for the ‘Good Will’ or the equivalent in London. Two hours passed but there was a lot more stuff to go through.

“Glad you’re back; I was just about to call and check on Tut.”

Charlie came to me for a hello smooch and a hug up.

Margaret answered the phone.

“Hello,”

“Hey Marg, I’m just calling to check up on Tut. How’re things going?”

“It’s all good. We’re having a great time together. How’re things there? Did you see Kevin and Kathy? She asked in a hushed voice.

“Why are you whispering?”

“Tut’s taking a nap and I don’t want to wake him.”

“It’s awfully early for Tut’s morning nap. What’s going on? Is everything ok?”

Even though I felt panicky, I tried to keep it out of my voice.

“Tut’s ok but his nap times are changing. He’s lost more feathers but his disposition is good. Every now and then I catch him in a quiet moment and he seems sad. We started playing the guitar together. I think he likes me better because of it.

“Marg, do you know when he’ll be up again? I really want to talk to him.”

“If you call back in about an hour to an hour and a half you can probably catch him while he’s awake.” She suggested.

Good, I thought, I’d be able to talk to him before the ‘Big Bash’. That settled I went on to answer her other question.

“Yes, I was surprised to see Kevin and Kathy at breakfast this morning. They look great and retired for a few hours to catch up on some down time. I’m hoping to get a chance to visit more at the big party tonight.”

We’d be talking later so we ended the call to get to other things.

Back in Miles’ office to continue going through the desk, I sat down and began again the triage process for the paperwork that was found throughout the file drawers down both sides of the large desk. I couldn’t really say, without consulting my ‘recall’ how long I’d been there before I noticed Charlie at the peripheral of my vision smile and shake his head.

Turning my full attention to Charlie, I said, “What is it, Lover?”

As the words came from my mouth, a growl came from my belly.

My eyes on Charlie I waited for his response to my question.

“My wife promised me a late lunch.”

Charlie chided grinning and nodded toward my growling belly.

My involvement so deep, the time had gotten away from me or maybe didn’t exist at all.

Taking Charlie’s hand I pulled him toward the kitchen to make good on my promise of a late lunch. We stood looking into the open refrigerator for a moment and then went into action like the wonderful team we are. Before long we were seated at the table enjoying a couple of nice deli-type sandwiches.

“Find anything of interest?” Charlie asked while we were eating.

“The most interesting things have to do with Tut and Cleo, his mate of some years. She died before I was born; I found a picture of the two of them in the bottom of one of the little compartments in the top of the desk. I recognized them from my red travel. I can’t wait to show it to Tut and then to take him shopping on-line for a mate.”

At that very moment I had an idea that I didn’t voice out loud about traveling on the currents to get to Tut, to help him be well, and to get to the bottom of the feather thing. That annoying buzzing or high pitched hum had me shaking my head to make it stop. Charlie waved something away from his ear at the same time.

“Something bothering you, Charlie” I asked.

“A noisy bug.” He said.

“It’s been bugging me all morning.”

“Like a mosquito under the covers?” I asked.

“Yeah.” Charlie nodded.

“Me, too, come to think of it, I saw Lu swat something away from her ear this morning at the breakfast table. And Michael, well when he was listening to a story that Denice was telling his head twitched a number of times. At the time I thought it was just the weird way he is around Denice, you know what I mean?”

“You saying that we all have it?” Charlie pondered.

“Exactly; we’ll talk to them tonight about it.”

An hour later we were talking to Tut and watching him courtesy of the Internet and my genius husband. Tut could also see us. We sweet talked him; I told him that the next time we came to London; he’d have to come with us because we missed him too much. Charlie whistled and screeched to him.

There was no mention of Cleo because I’d never heard Tut say her name and I needed to be with him in person before I brought her up to him. The research was all part of my effort to find him a favorable mate and companion.

Charlie wrapped his arms around me and nuzzled my neck.

“You got time for me before we get all gussied up?”

His kiss, soft and inviting, had me wanting more.

“You come first with me Lover, now and always.”

To make my stand clear I turned in his arms and helped to bring our bodies closer.

Charlie took control to further an intense and memorable event that pleasured us both and managed to ease our internal itch and need of each other. Before it was over we were crying out and clinging to each other, breathing deeply, and wondering what just happened and could we make it happen again?

Charlie, looking at his watch, said, “Christ woman, we got to hustle.”

We didn’t have time to play in the shower and that seemed unkind and unfair to me. We rushed through everything even putting on our clothes. Stuffing my breasts into a new bra was frustrating at best and I sometimes cursed my large boobs for getting in the way.

“Come on you stupid big boobs.”

I moaned and allowed my irritation to show.

Charlie came up from behind me, wrapped his arms around me and spread his large hands over each of my breasts in a protective move.

“Don’t speak harshly to my girls.” He said as he kissed my neck.

“Oh God Charlie.” I moaned.

“I want to just get back into bed and make love until we can’t walk.”

Looking in the mirror at my frustrated face I wondered how I could be frustrated when Charlie had his hands on me like that.

“Lover, we have to start planning a real honeymoon; a good block of time to concentrate on only each other; at least two weeks. Think about where we could go – a place where we wouldn’t be interrupted – we need total privacy. I want you all to myself Lover. Do I want more than I can have?”

“Ok, let’s think on it; we’ll talk tonight.”

Still holding my breasts, he squeezed me and added, “Remember be kind to my girls.”

He whispered, “I love you, Woman,” and kissed my neck.

We looked at each other and simultaneously said, “Shit, shit, shit,” and then laughed as we scurried around getting dressed as fast as we could.

We arrived at ‘The Bash’ at just the right time. Folks were milling around and introducing themselves to those they didn’t already know. I met a rather interesting couple named Roscoe and Trudy who were friends of Sam. I’d met Roscoe before because he commissioned a signature suit from me after having seen the two that I created for Sam. Roscoe was wearing said ‘signature suit’ that I’d designed for him. It was pretty basic but had great lines and looked really good on his stocky body. Trudy was wearing one of my designs. She looked at my dress and asked me if it was a knock off of a last season ‘Luis Vuitton’.

“No, we don’t do knock offs but if you are interested in last season’s line, I can show you some of the gowns that are my favorite and are still available. I see that you’re wearing a gown from our spring line; no one could wear it better. It could have been made for you; you wear it so well.”

I flattered her in hopes of softening her demeanor and helping her to relax into a good time. People who carry their noses in the air are usually just trying to feel better about themselves anyway. Even though I flattered her, she really did look great in that dress.

The place was lush with beautiful clothes and beautiful people. We mingled and spent a little time catching up before we finally hooked up with Michael and Lu. They looked so bright and clean that I found myself looking for the inner light that they had hidden somewhere. Later I found out that they’d spent the afternoon connecting on a current in the universe, joining their spirits and soles in that complete and satisfying union. No wonder they were glowing.

The comfort that Michael and Lu carried with them spread to included Charlie and me. We sat in one of the elevated circular booths in the dining/show room and sipped on drinks and talked. We needed more privacy to say much but we could lay down our concerns and add them to the agenda of our next meeting and travel adventure; that’s exactly what we did.

We all needed to talk about the buzzing in our ears, and soon. Michael wanted to talk about the intensity of the physical after spiritual travel and Lu seconded that. I wanted to talk about a time line for ‘red travel’. The conversation stopped for a bit.

“That’s enough for now.” Lu said with a toss of her pretty blond curls.

She took Michael’s hand and led him to the large dance floor that was just a few steps down on a separate elevation. We watched as they glided across the floor a beautiful couple owning that waltz and having fun. I knew what that felt like because that’s the way Michael and I danced together, inventive and smooth.

“May I have this dance?”

Charlie extended his hand to me.

The way Charlie and I danced proved to me all over again that we were connected in some cosmic way. Charlie and I blended together as a team, each knowing the other and willingly doing the bidding of the other. We laughed like we were having a catch and spun around the room. We stayed on the dance floor for the next several numbers. Charlie loved the waltzes and got more and more inventive at each dance.

Back at the circular booth with Michael and Lu, we all laughed at Michael’s jokes about taking our act on the road. We had several tables applaud as we returned to our booth.

We’d just ordered our meals and received our drinks when the lights dimmed and the music softened. Charlie gently stroked the skin on my arm as the atmosphere was manipulated and changed. I recognized his work and raised my eyes to see him lower his head to kiss me. Nice!

Wyatt was standing on a raised podium that had been placed in the middle of the dance floor/stage under a soft spotlight; he began his short talk.

“Welcome to our party and thank you all for coming. It is my wish that all of you have a genuinely lovely time tonight. Normally I would be the one to give you the numbers that indicate our successes but we have a lovely treat for you tonight in that our leader, Helen, is here and has agreed to say a few words about those numbers and the goals for the following fiscal.”

Wyatt paused for only a second and looked at me, then began again.

“As it turns out, Helen was the wise choice of Mr. Miles K. Henley. He saw in her a person of integrity and honor. He told me that they didn’t always see eye to eye but that he liked her ‘eye level’ because when he took the time to see a situation the way she did, he felt improved as a human being. Many of you knew Miles personally and can attest to the fact that he was grumpy and demanding – not pretty traits in a human being but served him well in his business practices. Through his grumpiness he saw something he loved in Helen, ‘something fresh, bold, and honest and a little bit weird’. Is how he put it.”

It took a bit of time to get to the podium but I didn’t rush.

“Thank you Wyatt. It’s good to see you relax; it’s good to see all of us relax. We know that business really doesn’t have a place during this bash, I still want to take the opportunity while we are all together to say thank you for your diligence and your loyalty and of course the leadership that you’ve provided to all of our work force. Wyatt, you have a designer’s flair plus you know just the right people to join you in your vision. This place is transformed and more fun than adults can usually have in public. So our aim tonight is to have some of that fun. Laugh and dance and enjoy the company of talented and fun people.”

“In parting I have only a few more words. In these tough economic times a chief really doesn’t get to say these words very often.”

“The New Holdings has seen record profits in the last quarter. We decided that these profits need to be shared with those who are helping to make our success happen. ‘The New Holdings’ has mailed to all employees profit sharing checks that were cut on Friday morning. So, don’t throw them away without opening them. When you get your check please cash it with my warmest regards and personal thank you. So it shall be that when there is profit for ‘The New Holdings’, that profit will be shared with the work force. This is a new policy that will be adhered to until further notice.”

There was polite applause as I returned to the booth where Charlie stood waiting for me. He kissed me on the temple and let me slide to the inside. It was nice to see my drink waiting for me as well.

“Woman, were you nervous?” Charlie whispered.

“No, Lover, I wasn’t nervous. I was as comfortable as I would be talking to my kids. That’s kind of odd, really. Did I sound nervous?”

“No, you were great.” Charlie said and kissed me again.

In a matter of minutes we were joined at the circular booth first by Denice and Sam and then by Rick and Amanda. When Kevin and Kathy came by we had to squeeze together to fit everyone into the booth.

When our meal was delivered everyone left for their own tables and only the connected four of us were left to eat with more room. After dinner the night brought us a great deal of dancing and laughter. When I was on the dance floor with someone other than Charlie, I’d see Charlie ask any gal who was standing or sitting alone to dance. Charlie and I made it an unspoken deal to dance every other dance together. Michael and I got a chance to show our skills on the dance floor again but honestly we weren’t any better than Michael and Lu or Charlie and me for that matter. Charlie was my dance partner, my life partner and I was his. We swirled around on the dance floor and moved with the grace of angels but sometimes devilishly sexy.

Sought out by Kevin and Kathy before they retired for the night, I had a chance to tell Kevin how proud I was of him and he echoed my words right back to me. We belonged to each other’s ‘fan club’.

“Mom, you’ve always impressed me but watching you take command during your talk was inspiring. Kathy and I had a ‘kick ass’ time tonight. We’re taking off at first light but you’ll hear from us officially with news about the paperwork for the Olympics.”

Kevin moved in to kiss me and whispered in my ear.

“Kathy agreed to marry me, shh, mums the word.”

“Email me, I need more.”

I said in an urgent whisper before he left me. He smiled and nodded. Kathy hugged me and whispered in my ear.

“Kevin agreed to marry me, shh, mums the word.” I laughed.

“You guys email me, I need more!”

I said without regard to privacy.

Charlie and I stayed at the bash until after Michael’s session that started at midnight and ended at 2 a.m. His intimate stage was set up like a piano bar. But there was an audience of about 100. Michael’s audience banter was more adult than in the larger venues and stadiums.

“I’ve never been a fan of boxing but there is one aspect of the boxing presentation that would enhance any show. So I thought I’d add it to mine, strictly for the fans to enjoy, of course.”

While Michael was talking a shapely scantily clad ‘Las Vegas’ showgirl strutted out and around his piano holding a sign that said, ‘Another Song’ and then a second gorgeous showgirl also nearly naked, came in right after the first, also holding a sign, that one said, ‘Please Michael’.

Close to the end of his act Michael invited me on stage for a song. We immediately went into an act that we’d put together for a PBS Special. It was sexy and sultry and fun. I got to sing in a scorching and sexy voice and drape myself across the piano during the routine and then we shared a little innuendo banter. It was all fun.

We stayed to see Wyatt bid farewell to all and were the last of his guests to leave. We left to the servant’s quarters to get out of the way of the caterer’s clean-up crew.

Michael, Lu, Charlie, and I sat at the dining room table sipping on a really nice sherry that Wyatt had given me and talking about the great fun we’d had and that we didn’t want it to end.

“I gotta tell ya, Lu, the two of you made a stunning pair on the dance floor tonight. You guys are so connected.”

“Thank you Elena. You and Charlie are wonderful dancers. It was fun, no?”

“Yes, it was fun.” I nodded my head.

“Baby, Lucy’s right; you and Charlie shined on that dance floor.”

Michael joined the praises.

“Charlie, I always knew you could move, ever since I first saw you jump Helen’s fence, but tonight you were a guiding star.”

Their praise and recognition met with a ‘Thanks” from Charlie, “It’s all Helen.”

“No Lover, it’s all us.”

I whispered and touched my lips to his neck.

At that very second my recall insinuated a memory into my mind’s eye. It was Charlie and I dancing our first dance at our wedding. Charlie had made me dance with him many times before the event so that he’d do well. Those quick few seconds showed me just how good he was. My heart raced with that vision reminding me that Charlie was my man. Without warning I wanted, no, I needed a one on one with my man.

Charlie left the table a few minutes before and when he came back he had one of my larger sketch pads with him.

“Helen was fooling around on the plane.”

Charlie said as an introduction to the fun pictures I’d drawn of the four of us in super hero costumes.

There were four completed sketches and a dozen or so with only the beginnings of a picture or a jacket which were for me reminders of an idea that I wanted to explore and develop.

The reaction I got from them was not what I expected at all. I’d expected that they would laugh at seeing themselves depicted as comic book superheroes but they were instead intrigued by the costumes I’d used.

Lu said, “I like this one the best. I’d look good in this one.”

She pointed to the completed picture that had us wearing tuxedoes with capes.

“But, then again, I like the black with the red sparks.” She mused.

Lucy flipped to a page that had only three of four pencil marks on it and asked what was going to be there. I took the pad from her and after finding a couple of semi sharp pencils, I filled in the picture around those pencils marks. The outfits were leather and I used a background of Harley Davidson motorcycles. Black leather was everywhere from the caps to the boots. I drew whips in our hands; Charlie and Michael had the whips unfurled whereas the whips the women carried were coiled up and ready to cast if necessary. I was standing just inside Charlie’s right side with his arm around me and mine around him. Charlie had steel eyes that looked down at me sternly while the picture of me was looking up into his face with admiration and love. Michael was sitting on the Harley and Lu was standing next to the bike and leaning her back on Michael with her arms folded all sass and attitude. We laughed at each new addition to the picture. When it was finished in a matter of a few minutes we just sat there and looked at it. Finally Lucy broke the silence.

“Can I have?”

I tore the picture out at the perforated top and gave it to her. She gave it her attention for a bit longer and laughed every now and then as she examined it.

Like on cue we all raised our glasses for a night ending toast that we each participated in.

Charlie started it with. “To a night logged and happily remembered…”

I added, “To love shared with friends…”

Michael didn’t hesitate to add to the collective. “To multiple tomorrows of good fortune and understanding…”

Lucy added, “And to us for surviving all of our happiness…”

We all finished with “Cheers, thanks a lot, eh?”

Watching Charlie laugh and smile my heart swelled. I’d gladly say good bye to everyone except him. The great party was over but I still had Charlie to look forward to. I was all gratitude remembering that I had Charlie to look forward to every day.

After they left and Charlie and I were alone I was surprised at how happy I was that they were gone, that everyone was gone but Charlie. We had a lot of pent up need that’d been waiting for our attention. That need started manifesting itself during dinner. I remember thinking that we should be thinking of ways to satisfy ourselves in stealth. We’d employed a stealth attitude in the past and joined our bodies secretly in public when we couldn’t wait to be at home and alone which enabled us to gain some satisfaction and relief.

Right then it didn’t matter because we had each other and were completely alone.

“Well Crazy Woman, let’s go make crazy love.”

“Damn straight.”

I answered him with words and then I answered him without words.

It was nearly dawn before we actually crawled into bed. Our lovemaking was warm and sweet and tender but the second go round took on a raw animal feel, the itch for him agonizingly unbearable and the way to scratch that itch became a ‘free for all’. We worked to please each other as well as ease our own need. Satisfied and completely exhausted, sleep took me while I was cradled in Charlie’s big arms with his large hands stroking my breasts and his lips kissing my neck. For those hours, my life was perfect.

After only a few hours of sleep I got out of bed and showered while Charlie remained sleeping. The four of us had made tentative plans to spend more time going through Miles’ things but it was plainly evident that they’d need to sleep like Charlie.

With toast and coffee I padded off to Miles’ office and jumped right in to the rest of the contents of that old roll top desk. Under the need to complete the task was the desire to learn more about Tut and in that effort I examined everything, every piece of paper, every picture, every note. Again all of the thoroughness was part of the hope of discovering more about Tut.

For the most part, Miles was a fairly fastidious man and kept his personal files as neat as the office files. Still, every now and then I’d find something out of place. Stashed, laying sidewise in a file drawer with household files (paid bills and receipts, etc) was a narrow box about the size of a shoe box lid. Inside the box was a couple of old photographs, one was a group shot of an athletic association of young boys. The picture was taken in front of an ornate school building and at first impression religious in nature. The two other pictures in the box held my attention for a long time. The larger of the two was of a young couple without smiles but their expressions imparted comfort, ease, and optimism. On the back of the picture were the date ‘1927’ and two initials ‘M and C’. The other photograph was of a man in a business suit and a fedora. The man’s expression was kind of a smirk, like he knew a secret. There was nothing on the back of the last picture. All of the photographs were old and extremely worn and for an unknown reason were from that moment on extremely important to me. That thin box became the receptacle of what I deemed most important. Before I forgot about it, I added the picture of ‘Tut and Cleo’ to that same box to keep my treasures together.

The contents of that desk captivated me until I was weak from hunger and went off to the kitchen to see what I could get to bring back to have while I worked. While I was filling a plate full of stuff that would keep my hunger at bay and not mess up my hands, Charlie approached me from behind, wrapped his arms around my waist, cupped his girls and kissed me several times on the back of my neck.

The dilemma was as I heard Charlie’s tummy growl, which was more important to him, food or sexual satisfaction as I could also feel Charlie’s erection poking me from the back, another reminder that I was without clothing.

As food suddenly had no draw for me I turned around to get myself involved in touching Charlie. Charlie liked that and just picked me up and took me back to the bedroom.

After all was quiet and still again I laid, satisfied in Charlie’s sweet embrace.

“That was wonderful, this is wonderful. Being able to react to our need for each other and respond in the moment is what I’d like to have all the time.”

“Woman, have you thought of a place to honeymoon?”

Charlie was on the same page.

“Let’s search the Internet for secluded places after food.”

I pulled Charlie out of bed towards the kitchen.

Back in the kitchen Charlie caught on to what I’d planned with the ‘snack plate’ but wanted a full on breakfast.

“How bout I call you when it’s ready?”

Charlie handed me the plate, kissed me on the mouth, and patted me on the butt at the same time.

Engrossed into a world of searching for clues the time passed without my noticing and Charlie came for me. I found it difficult to switch gears and get into the world of the present. Charlie made the transition easier and his breakfast was delicious and nourishing; I felt his love with every bite. I also felt his eyes on me as I ate the hot scrambled eggs and cottage fries and drank the tomato juice.

Not looking at Charlie until I had eaten all I wanted was due to knowledge and experience. When our eyes did meet, I saw his need for me. Get this, he cooked me a delicious meal, he came for me when it was ready, he was happy that I enjoyed it, and to top it all off he was turned on and wanted me again, physically. That so worked for me.

We didn’t dress the entire day though we did put robes on when we called Tut. Charlie helped me with Miles’ things and removed all of the filled and labeled boxes to a central location for easy dispatch. My focus was still on the desk; the going was slow because I was thorough in my examination of everything.

Before I was satisfied that I’d not missed anything of importance from the desk, I’d put several more things into the box of treasurers that I’d set aside. One was a file marked ‘Tut’ that was stuffed in amongst old mortgage payments and receipts, another was a small address book, and the rest were pictures that I planned to question Tut about.

Charlie and I called Tut twice during the day to satisfy ourselves that he was ok. He was in a good mood at each call and made us laugh with his crazy antics. He squawked and whistled at Charlie and when I heard him make those sounds, I truly wished that I knew what he was actually saying.

The second morning after the ‘Big Bash’ during my meeting with Wyatt I found out that Cary Colton had been there and tried to gain entry to the party but was blocked from getting through the door and escorted off the premises after making a scene. The scene was, however, caught on camera and would probably appear in a number of English tabloid newspapers. Wyatt said that there was no telling which way the tabloid would slant the article and we’d just have to wait it out and then either weather the storm or try to set the record straight.