Chapter 10
Marti wiggled her toes in the warm pulsating water. “I think I’m damaged. Or ruined. Wouldn’t surprise me after all the shit I’ve been through. Do you know my mom hasn’t even wanted to have lunch with me? She says she’s busy. Now what kind of mom is that? Probably that asshole she married.”
“Yeah, your mom surprised me with that one. But I wouldn’t say you were damaged…you’re a spoiled little brat, but damaged goods? Probably not.”
Marti and Annie were getting pedicures for the upcoming Christmas Party. Mountain View had one every year and it was a place where the small town could get together, have a Christmas dinner and dance. The booze was free and the girls could get all dolled up in their party dresses.
“Yep, damaged. I mean look at me. I am thirty years old, married to a man I don’t even live with. He’s in a different state, his mom is amazing and he’s probably the best thing that ever happened to me. And I’m in this podunk town getting ready for a lame ass Christmas party. I could be in Paris or something getting it on in the Eiffel tower. I tell ya…I’m fucked up.”
Annie laughed. “You’re not fucked up, you’re human. Take it easy on yourself. You can’t be everything to everybody. Have you talked to him?”
“Yeah, I talk to him every day. He’s coming in this afternoon for the party. But Annie, I would have to sell my soul to be with him. I mean….he’s cool and all but when he’s around Ellie, he’s a different person. I think he’s trying to hide something.”
“Okay, you’re damaged. He told you there was nothing there, so you need to give him the benefit of the doubt and believe that there is nothing there. DUH!”
Marti sighed, “I know. I just don’t know what to do. I mean we had so much fun and when he was here for Thanksgiving, it was so cool, but when he’s in Memphis, he’s just so….different.”
“Well, he is a working man, gotta keep your credit cards paid, ya know? Speaking of credit cards, you got your dress all squared away for tonight?”
“Yeah, one thing the old man does is keep those credit cards paid up. I mean he’s filthy rich, like a fuckin gazillionaire. Annie, what to do?” She sighed.
“I don’t know, hell, paint Christmas decorations on your toes. That’ll make ya feel better,” Annie replied, nodding to the gals that were doing their toes. “I really don’t know Marti, you got me stumped on this one.”
“Sure,” she said, smiling at the manicurist, it felt good to hang out with Annie, no tension about Tommy or what they were doing. Just two friends enjoying the little things in life. Like toes. They had been together for a while now. Marti had started looking for a place to stay, but Annie and Tommy insisted she stay at the ranch.
When the girls’ toes were finished and dried, they got into Annie’s Mercedes and drove through town. “Hey, what’s goin’ on at Robinsons? Are they remodeling it? I wonder if Mr. Robinson is around, pull in there.”
Annie turned the car into the parking lot. Marti lowered her window. “Excuse me? Sir?”
A tall construction worker walked over to the car. “Can I help you ladies?”
“Yeah, what’s going on with the store? Where is Mr. Robinson?” Marti asked.
“Well ma’am, some company from out of state bought it and we got the bid to have it remodeled. Redoing the whole store. It’ll be closed till after Christmas. They moved everything over to Krogers on Main. You’re going to have to shop there for now.”
“Oh my gosh, he sold this place? Poor guy. I bet that was hard.” She paused, looking over him at the store. Smiling at him she waved, “Thanks a bunch and Merry Christmas!”
He tipped his hard hat, “My pleasure, ma’am and Merry Christmas to y’all too!” He walked back towards the store.
She looked at Annie, who was maneuvering out of the lot. “That man has an amazing ass.”
‘Marti! Why you lookin’ at his ass?”
“‘Cause I can.” She laughed. “How sad, though. I wonder who bought this store… I hope it’s not one of those stupid corporations. I loved this store. Damn it!”
“Well, girl, things change, times change; I just hope Mr. Robinson is okay. He’s such a nice man. I felt so bad for him when his wife died, they were a perfect couple. I sure hope they gave him a lot of money for this little store.”
“Yeah, they were a perfect couple…like you and Tommy.” She sighed.
Annie chuckled. “We are nowhere near perfect. We have our days, you just have to learn to pick your battles. Now let’s go get ready for this party. I’ve got do my hair and everything. It’ll take me forever. Too bad Millie isn’t working today or we’d be at the salon, getting some amazing up do’s.”
“Y’all think you’re not perfect, but you’re so lovey dovey. The ranch has some thin walls; I hear what’s going on in there all night.” A sly grin slid across her face. “Y’all really go for it, don’t ya?”
“Marti! You are my best friend and I love you, but I am not telling you the details of what goes on in my bed with my fiancé.” Shaking her head. “You’re crazy. Damaged, even.” She told Marti a lot of things, but her sex life with Tommy was not one of them.
When they got back to the house, Annie put on some Christmas music and Marti went to call Nick. He was supposed to be there and they would all go to the Christmas party, but he hadn’t arrived yet. No answer. He was probably already on the plane, no service yet or driving through the mountains. She jumped in the shower and quickly washed up.
Tommy came home from work early and got ready as well. Annie and Marti were running around, getting ready singing Christmas carols at the top of their lungs. Marti grabbed a hair brush and used it as a microphone. They stood in the hall singing, “Hark The Herald Angels Sing, Glory To The New Born King!” and busted up laughing when they were both off key.
“Y’all better get ready, we’re leaving shortly. Marti have you heard from Nick?” She laughed at how silly they were together. Having Marti there was like a breath of fresh air for Annie, a pick-me-up.
Annie looked amazing as always, in a red sequined dress and a beautiful long white faux fur cape to keep her warm. Marti was in an ivory satin gown with a green velvet cape. She felt like Belle, and both ladies looked incredible.
“Nope, let me try again. I hope everything is okay with him.” She sat on the sofa and dialed his number again. Straight to voicemail. “Guys, I don’t know what’s going on, I don’t know whether to be mad or scared. He doesn’t pick up or call me back.”
Straightening his bow tie, he tried to assure her. “Well, he’s a big boy and pretty damn smart, so I’m sure he’s alright. When is the last time you talked to him?”
Tommy looked amazing in his black tux with red accents. Annie had ordered it so they would match. He was a country boy, not used to the dress up of cocktail parties and fine dining. Well, semi fine dining, the party was at the Elks Lodge and the local steakhouse was catering.
“I talked to him this morning, he said he had some work to do and would be here on time. I took it to mean he was flying in. How’s the weather from here to there?”
“Should be good, let me double check.” He pulled out his phone and scrolled, “Says it’s clear, bit chilly, 38 and getting down in the 20’s tonight. Are y’all going to be warm enough?”
“We’ll be fine, honey.” Annie pulled the cape around her bare legs, “these capes are like blankies.” She smiled, walking over to him. “Ya wanna crawl up in here with me?” she cooed to her fiancé.
Marti cringed. “Stop! Get a room. I’m getting worried over here.”
Tommy was holding Annie and looked up at Marti, “Relax, he’ll be okay. Why don’t you text him the address and he can meet us there? If he’s flying over the mountains, he may not have service and he will get it when he lands.”
Marti bit her lip, she was worried. It wasn’t like him to not answer, or at least text her. “You really think he’s okay?” She sent him a text with the address to the party, not like he couldn’t find it in the small town, everyone would be there.
They grabbed their things and headed out the door. “Dang, it’s cold.” Marti wrapped herself up in the cape as she slid onto the cool leather seat. She was concerned, but she knew Nick was a grown man and could take care of himself. And she needed a drink….Now.
The four minute drive was silent. Marti checked her phone again. No answer from Nick. She called, still no answer. “Okay, guys, I’m really worried.”
After parking the car on the gravel lot, Tommy got out and opened both doors for the ladies, helping them out of the car. “He’ll be okay, Marti, now say a prayer and don’t be a party pooper.”
As they walked into the Lodge, they saw half the town, the other half was still showing up. Christmas music was strumming through the speakers attached to the four corners of the ballroom. The colorful lights were blinking around the room and the smell of filet mignon and roasted vegetables filled the air.
Tommy chatted with the Mayor and his wife, with Annie by his side. Most of the small precinct was there with their wives. Marti slipped over to the bar and ordered a drink.
“Gimme something to take my mind off things, please,” She knew her smile was fake, but she couldn’t help it.
The bartender laughed, “That bad? I got just the thing for you right here.” As he pulled out a tall glass and various forms of booze, Marti checked her phone. Nothing. “Hey, aren’t you Marti Odell?”
“Yeah, do I know you?”
“Oh man, you don’t remember me? Jason? Jason Billings, I was one class ahead of you.”
“Billings, Billings…” she thought, “oh yeah, you were on the football team, weren’t you?”
“Yeah, quarterback. That was so long ago. I own ‘The Bistro’ now. You should stop by,” he said, handing her a large, orange colored drink. “This should take your mind off things. You aren’t driving are you?”
Giggling, “Oh gosh no, I’m not driving.” She picked up the drink and took a long sip, “Mmm, this is good. Frosty. Thanks a ton!”
He winked. “See ya around.”
Marti walked back to the table Tommy and Annie were at and sat down. “You remember that guy Jason Billings from the football team? Well he’s mixing drinks tonight, says he owns ‘The Bistro’.” She leaned in to Annie and whispered, “He’s so fuckin hot, I remember him from High School. He can sure as hell put those boots up under my bed anytime. I can’t believe he remembered me.”
Annie leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Marti! You are a married woman.” she really didn’t think Marti would go astray, now she wasn’t so sure. “I’m gonna have to keep an eye on you.” She winked.
“Hah!...married...like where is my so called husband?” Swallowing the last frozen bits of her drink. “Probably stuck up in bed with Ellie, I knew that bitch was up to no good.” She walked over to the bar and ordered another drink.
“Hey, Jason, can I get another one of those yummy, frosty things you just made me? What’s it called?” Playing with the bright red tendrils of hair that fell along her neck, she leaned forward, just enough so he could see the cleavage above her dress. She giggled out a, “this is so yummy” in a little girl, coquettish voice, checking out the way his tux grabbed his quarterback-like shoulders, how his blonde hair fell over one eye. “So what have you been doing all these years? Are you married?”
“After high school, I enlisted and did a tour in Iraq, another one in Afghanistan. I just recently came back to Mountain View, I stayed in Atlanta for a couple years, bought ‘The Bistro’, never been married and here I am.
You?” he asked, nodding at the huge ring on her finger.
She took a big sip of the frosty drink and started. “This?” Looking down at the rock on her finger, all her guilt was in the bottom of the glass. “Well, this was a…probably a big mistake.”
Her tongue slid out to grab the straw and she sucked down another huge drink. Thoughts of Nick and her marriage were being swallowed, little by little with the frosty beverage. She wasn’t living with him anyway.
“I get it, not happy?” He handed her another drink.
“Not really. We don’t even live together. The bastard was supposed to be here tonight and he stood me up. I guess he had better things to do.” She bit her bottom lip. “I don’t really want to talk about that. Tell me about the ‘The Bistro’…”
“Sure. I’ll be right back.” He made his way to the end of the bar, mixing drinks for a few customers that had been waiting. Marti slid off the chair and grabbed the bar to balance herself. Shit! Oh shit, where’s Annie?
“Annie?” she yelled across the room, her head was spinning with the effects of the alcohol and her vision was blurred, “Annie?”
“I’m right here. Shit! girl, how much did you drink? You can barely walk.” “I know, just get me to the toilet please. I gotta pee.”
Wrapping her arm around her to steady her, she glanced at Tommy and made a face. “Come on girl, no more for you. You are supposed to be dancin’ and having a good time, not drowning your sorrows.”
The words barely slid out of her mouth. “Shit, that frosty thing hit me hard. How many did I drink? Fuck.”
Opening the restroom door, Annie walked her to the stall and helped her with her dress and panties. “Girl, you gotta stop. Your drunken ass can’t even find the flippin’ toilet.”
Marti grabbed Annie’s hand and put it to her breast. “Remember these big titties?” She looked up, her eyes half closed, smiling a half crooked smile. Annie yanked her hand back. “Marti you need to stop that. It’s not like that anymore.”
“Oh hell, Annie, and you call me the party pooper. She stood up and stumbled, Annie caught her. ”Marti, I think it’s time we went home. Come on girl, get your dress straightened up.”
Giggling, she said, “You mean you don’t want to straighten it up for me?” Holding onto Annie, her hand went around Annie’s neck and she pulled her in tightly, she grabbed her face and kissed her. Annie removed her arms from her grasp and shoved her away. “Marti! Please don’t do this. This is not funny.”
Marti let go and flopped down on the small settee that was in the bathroom and started crying. “I’m sorry Annie, I’m so sorry,” Sniffing, she continued, “I feel like a piece of shit. Where is my husband? Where is he?” Her crying turning into sobs and Annie sat down next to her. She pulled her phone out of her bra and texted Tommy. ‘need some help in here’
“Honey, what’s wrong with you? You’re drunk and we need to get you home. You can’t act like this here. Tommy is the freakin’ sheriff, have some respect. Have some self-respect.”
Stammering through the sobs she yelled, “What home? No one wants me. You don’t want me, my mom don’t want me. My fucking husband doesn’t want me.” She wiped the snot off her face with her arm, “I shoulda wore my fucking boots.” Kicking her leg out, “Why’d you put me in these fucking heels? Heels are for bitches, I want my boots!”
Annie grabbed some toilet paper and handed it to her. “Don’t snot up your arm, here. Now come on, let’s go home”
“Hell, Tommy didn’t even want me. Look at you, you’re perfect. Everyone loves you. Annabelle Gibbons, Miss Fucking Perfect. Shit, where’s my drink?”
At that moment, Tommy opened the door and glanced at Annie, questioning her with his eyes. She whispered, “it’s okay, no one’s here.” He stepped in. “Come on Marti, let’s get you home.”
She threw her arm out. “No Tommy! You don’t even like me, fuck you, go away.”
His deep voice was soft, but stern, “That’s not true, now come on.” He took her arm and stood her up. She tried to push him away, so he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. “Grab y’alls stuff, hon. We’ll meet you at the car.”
“Put me down!” Kicking her legs and hitting his back. “Dammit! Tommy, put me down!” He carried her through the party, an embarrassed, somber look on his face, glancing to the bartender, and nodding his head goodbye.
Annie was waiting at the car, the snow had begun falling again and Tommy carefully put Marti into the waiting car and slammed the door.