BOMAW Vol. 10-12 (166 page)

There was silence on the phone, a very deep sigh and then, "The divorce? Was it finalized?" Natalie asked.

"Yes - it was, you should be happy, he's free - of me."

"Em, then why are you phoning him?"

"We do have two sons, remember them? The oldest is Isaac, the second is Darren."

"Excuse me, do not address me as if I'm an idiot, a slow wit, I know my own grandsons."

"Good, happy to hear it, you see that's the reason I'm calling, I would think since he hasn't seen them in weeks, he would want to make arrangements to do so. That's all I want, can you please have him call me?"

"If I see him, I will - he's not here however."

"Didn't he work last night?"

"I suppose."

"You suppose? Oh come on Mrs Prescott, I didn't call for this! You've gotten what you wanted, your son and I are over, the least you could do, is be civil for his sons sake - forget it, I'll call his mobile, goodbye!" She hung up, shaking her head. "Lady needs a heart and personality transplant, big time!" She then took a chance and dialed Victor's mobile. Sure enough, she had been right, wherever he was, he was sleeping, it rang four times and went to his answer phone. 'Victor Prescott here, not the man, but a message - hear the beep, you leave one too.........beeeeeep'

"Hi Victor, it's Crystal, we're back from out of town, give me a call, we need to arrange time for you to visit the boys. Bye." She hung up, feeling better. Now, she would need to prepare herself for when he called her back - and - for when he showed up. She sat wondering what would it be like to see him again after being away for two weeks? She hoped that she was right, and could take seeing him again with new eyes and new found wisdom. Also, she had to face the fact that if he wasn't at home sleeping, that meant he was elsewhere sleeping. More than likely, that meant he was with Jeanine, or - someone.

"Oh well - what else is new, since when has he ever had a problem getting a girl? Any girl? No telling whose bed he's in, now that he's free."

Crystal glanced over at her laptop, scooting back onto the floor, she brought up yahoo messenger to see if Ben might be online, she smiled, couldn't believe it, he was. Double clicking on his yahoo id name, 1/4lb-BigMac, seeing it made a fat grin burst upon her face. She sat shaking her head, because she could only wonder what the first part meant, a quarter pound? And then, big mac, she knew Mac - really meant McPherson, but what about the first part of it? Seeing his mischievous face in her mind made her chuckle out loud. Trying to think of what to say to him, she laughed out again and started with...

crysbell: Emmm, yu-u-um, quarter pounder big mac huh, sounds delicious, you deliver?"

1/4lb-BigMac: roflao, you naughty girl!

crysbell: Who me? Why does that make me naughty? I'm not the one claiming to be a quarter pound big mac, LOL, yeah - right!

1/4lb-BigMac:aren't we brave now, back home, with mumie and daddie standing guard - Big bad Ben not close by to meet that tease,

crysbell: Hehehe - I'm just playing, calm down.

1/4lb-BigMac: Hey, I'm calm as can be, you're the one with my big mac on your mind

crysbell: Excuse me, your big mac, whatever that is - is not - on my mind.

1/4lb-BigMac: 'whatever that is?' - come on Crysta'bella - I've seen you looking enough, you know what that is.

Crystal sat nervously biting on her bottom lip, stunned by how fast he went for the jugular and of course, she had no one to blame but herself. Shaking off the effects of his words and knowing how he could be, which was working to stir her, she thought to redirect this chat session.

crysbell: Ben I'm sorry, can we not - go there? My fault, I shouldn't have been teasing with you.

1/4lb-BigMac: I don't mind you teasing me, I can take it.

crysbell: I shouldn't do it, I'm sorry.

1/4lb-BigMac: Don't apologize.

crysbell: I have to, I care too much about you not to, and - how you see me.

1/4lb-BigMac: How I see you, will never change, teasing or not.

crysbell: Change subject?

1/4lb-BigMac: Sure - where're my boys?

crysbell: here, watching TV.

1/4lb-BigMac: They miss me yet?

crysbell: Of course they do, asked about you all morning.

1/4lb-BigMac: I'll be by there today, helping my dad #2 with his house, can I see them?

crysbell: LOL, #2, cute - Jake?

1/4lb-BigMac: LOL, yeah.

crysbell: Funny, and yes, you can, me too if you wish, I miss having you around, we are friends, right?

1/4lb-BigMac:oh yeah, friends, right - whoopeee!

crysbell: You're so silly - I wouldn't have you any other way.

1/4lb-BigMac: unfortunately you won't have me at all.

crysbell: Ben, that's not true - you say you know me? If that's true, no need I explain further. See you later?

1/4lb-BigMac: You know me, what's the answer?

crysbell:Yes...

No sooner had she discontinued her chat when someone was knocking at the door, she was about to stand when she heard someone upstairs going to it, and then the raised voices of women, "Vivian." She murmured her name out loud.

Moments later, all were up. The phone rang, it was Deidre, she was in town, checked into the Holiday Inn, in Tomah, the larger town that was a fifteen minute drive from them, and would be there soon. The house was a center of hustle and bustle.

Vivian and Sylvia talking, laughing, squealing in joy to be together again.

Shawn dealing with Angela's guards who had checked in, temporarily to the Super 8 down from them. They were now present.

Mundo finally coming home, and was chewed out by Shawn, because no one knew where he was, where he'd been. His excuse, he had a sudden call to do a set, didn't have time to call, that hadn't gone over well, so he was on Shawn's shit list; which Crystal enjoyed laughing and teasing him about. Sylvia stayed out of it. Ben arrived on the scene, for Shawn to take him, with Sylvia and Vivian following, to check out the new studio. Crystal joined them with the boys, Angela had one, she had the other. There was a subtle but tangible air between her and Ben she noticed, for one, they were struggling not to look at each other - for some reason, there was an unspoken, hovering claim between them.

Not long after that, Deidre showed up, and the crew that had been working on the studio and house was there as well.

Because her mother wanted to leave, Shawn, Deidre and the bodyguards and the hired builders were left to sort out what they would. Sylvia, Vivian, Ben, Angela, herself and boys, went for a walk to Vivian's new home, Jake would be meeting them there soon, he was taking a late lunch. They laughed and talked all the way, with Ben telling Sylvia how he drove up and found Vivian in the truck. By the time they arrived, Jake was there, giving Vivian a certain, "look".

"What? Why are you looking at me that way?" She asked, grinning. She knew why he was looking at her, he'd wanted to get at her again during his lunch, but she smoothly stated all that was going on, so he caved in.

In answer, he winked at her, "That's okay, there's still tonight."

"Shanna will be back tonight, she called." Vivian was quick to inform him.

"As I said, there is still tonight."

Turning her nose up cutely, they once more took a tour of the house, Sylvia and Vivian holding on to each other. As it turned out, no critter activity took place, more than likely due to Jake being there first, the rush through the house to make noise. They all had a good time gathered there, listening to his plans about the layout while he told Ben what they would be doing that day. For Crystal, all felt right, as it should. While she laughed and smiled with the rest, there was still that nagging edge of having to face Victor at some point that day, she wasn't looking forward to it.

*

Victor yawned and turned to his back, moving slowly, feeling like he had to pee. Turning his head to check the time, he noted that it was almost two in the afternoon. He lay looking at the clock, wondering if he could hold it a little longer, get another hour. That strained, tight, tingling sensation told him, no. He rolled up from the bed and stumbled to the bathroom, using it, went to the sink, washed his hands, looking at himself in the mirror.

"Fuckin' life - workin' nights shit - gonna have to cease!"

He walked back into the room, sat on the bed, and heard his mobile beep. Meaning, he'd missed a call. Leaning over, he grabbed it, keyed in the numbers to check his messages and couldn't believe the voice that came through.

"YES! She's back! Get ready to pack, you're coming home!"

He was quick to retrace his steps back to the bathroom, jumped in the shower. Five minutes later, he was rushing to dry off, dress and get there to see her. His heart was actually pounding like mad, his adrenaline high. Right then, right there, he knew he couldn't wait to see her. Tell her about all that he'd done to make sure this time, things would be better. Running through his mind was all the things he'd thought about while she'd been gone, all the stuff he knew he had to correct. As he walked out of the house, locking it up, he wondered what he would say to her? He couldn't get his thoughts to stand at one place, they were scattered and disjointed. He wondered if her mother would keep the boys for them? That way they could be alone this first night. So he could wine her, dine her, treat her extra special - bring her back there, so she could see, that he wanted to make things right again. Now, that she was back, he was glad that he'd moved out of his mother's house. It had been tough, living alone, but he wouldn't have to endure that again. Once Crystal was back, things would be better. He'd even tell her that she didn't have to work anymore, he'd been making good with the second job and had put some serious money away, that way, she could chill, relax and just enjoy being his wife again, taking care of him and their home.

He was so excited as he drove there, in a hurry to see her. He just hoped Sylvia would watch the boys, just tonight - so they could be together, just thinking about it gave him an erection, "I'm calling into work tonight. It's going to be, you and me babe, all night long. Oh I can't wait." Twenty minutes, he would be there. If he could snap his fingers, he would be there now.

Holmby Hills, Ca.

Chakadayayami Pippa Willow Wentworth, named after her African grandmother, and her mother's late best friend; stepped carefully off the bus, went down the block at a reasonable pace to the mall, through the spacious parking lot and up to the waiting limousine. Pouting, her eyes glanced up at Bradley, the family chauffer, who stood waiting by the door to open it for her, after spying her distinctive limp from the corner where she stepped off the bus. Smiling, apologetic, Chaka sighed, "Sorry I was gone so long, it's daddies fault. If he would just part with my allowance, stop trying to control my life-..."

"Not here Ms Pippa-..."

"Shorty! Or, Chaka, not Pippa, I hate that name!" She grumbled easing into the seat, settling in as her driver closed the door and got in to drive her home to her family's massive estate. Which stretched out upon five aches, settled in the midst of 25 acres, that boasted an outdoor Olympic size swimming pool; a tennis court; basketball court; a miniature golf course for her father to play about and entertain and a guest house with three bedrooms, kitchen, two baths, living room, and sun room - situated at the west of the grandiose estate. The mansion itself, contained 10 bedrooms; 14 baths, 1 to each of the 8 bedrooms and six remaining ones about the mansion for guests. There was also, a movie theatre; three dining rooms, one of them a wine parlor; her father's den; her father's office; her father's game room; her father's smoking room. Her mother's sun deck; her mother's office; her mother's kitchen; the family chef's kitchen; the large store pantry and walk in freezer; the family room, which she and her two sisters and two brother's were allowed into while they were growing up; the cloak room; the front parlor; the ball room; the study/library; a solarium; fitness/gym room; sauna room; indoor swimming pool; indoor squash court and the exotic conservatory filled with plants from the most austere trees to the table top Coleuses.

"Your sister is furious with you by the way, she wanted me to drive her to Palm Springs, but of course, your father insisted I wait at the mall for you. I also might add, he's not happy that you've resumed your visits to, the "hood" - in fact, he's furious. Were it not for the meeting he could not postpone, I have serious reason to believe, he would have gone looking for you himself." Bradley informed her.

"I'm 24 years old! When is he going to get that through his head? I'm not a baby, nor a teenager, I don't need to be sat with as if I'm one!"

"Ms Pippa..."

"Stop calling me Pippa, Bradley!"

Bradley smiled, "You remind me of a Pippa, you have the personality of a Pippa, almost all in the family call you Pippa and so you'll have to live with me calling you, Pippa."

Chaka crossed her arms, and would have crossed her legs if her hip wasn't aching so, looking out of the window at the passing scenery, her bottom lip rolled out. Bradley caught sight of it in the mirror, "Your father doesn't like that either, roll that lip back."

"Bradley, I'll thank you to let me worry about that when my father is present! And uh, can we park at the east entry, so I can slip in through the side door; if he see's me, he'll excuse himself just to come and tell me off."

"It's a father's prerogative to see to his daughter's welfare. You only have yourself to blame. Getting in the midst of a shoot out! Car blasted to bits, you in the hospital - it scared him and your mother to more greying. He tried Pippa, tried to give you space, hoping that you would work this insanity-..."

"It's not insanity!"

"Excuse me, how shall I phrase this? Time to work through your antics of boredom? Is that better?"

"Last time I checked, I had only one father, if I'm correct, his name is William Ezra Wentworth. Have you and my mother had an affair? Perhaps I'm your secret love child and therefore, you have come to work for the family, to be our driver to be close to me and give me direction when Mr. Wentworth is not around to see it? Could that be so? Yes? No? Hmmm, because if not, I assure you, my father does a sufficient enough job as it is - so, is that what you're trying to tell me Bradley? That in truth, you are my father?"