Running Home (6 page)

After handing the cab driver a twenty, Cherri and I stepped out of the car
, and stood staring at the neon sign flashing the word Coconuts above our heads. “It’s going to be so much fun tonight,” Cherri cried, as she wiggled her little body in excitement.

I nodded my head
and adjusted my dress, as it rode up my thighs during the short drive over here. Glancing over at my roommate, who was already heading over to the roped off doors, I let out a small sigh.
I need to have fun tonight
I think to myself as I followed suite.

Cherri looked back and flashed a naughty grin
, as she held the door open for me. The lights were dim and the music was bumping; scantily clad women were swarming around the place, followed by sleazy men staring at all the skin that was being flashed about. Yep, this was a typical porn party; now all I need to do is find me a drink, and the night would be complete.

“Hey Baby, you want a drink?” Ace questions as he inches closer to me.

I
can’t deny that this man is good looking; shit, his body was sheer perfection. He also knew how to work his ‘other’ appendages, which is a huge plus in my book, but that’s about all he had going for him. I was sure the amount of time put in at the gym had left very little for expanding his knowledge, other than how to properly mix a protein shake, and the correct amount of steroids to inject into his body. None the less, it didn’t stop him from trying to get into my panties outside of business.

“I already have one, but thanks,” I mentioned
, while holding my drink above my breasts to maybe catch his attention.

It’s not like I didn
’t date or enjoy male attention; it just wasn’t what I was looking for in this environment. I realize my profession isn’t going to win me any Emmys. If I was lucky a Woody would possibly be in my future, but I at least deserved a guy who wasn’t tested for STI’s once a month. I never had any vision for my future, other than seeing my name in lights, and this industry actually allowed me to capture that dream. I might be naked for most of it, but events like tonight make me feel like I’m finally someone. All the attention I was getting was fantastic, even if I have no intention of it ever going anywhere but this room.

“Come on
, Carmen, you know after tonight and the press junk we have to do we will never work together again. You’re going to be this big leading lady and my small cock isn’t going to bring you top dollar anymore,” Ace mentioned as his lips curled up into a small smile.

I couldn’t hel
p but laugh at his last comment. This man was relentless when he set his sights on something. As if the last two days shooting didn’t give him enough booty to satisfy his appetite for pussy. “Ace, the truth of the matter is, I like girls,” I lied. The look on his face was priceless; I couldn’t tell if he was turned on by that announcement, or if it came across as a challenge for him. I tried to keep a smile from emerging on my face, as I quietly sipped on my whiskey sour.

“So
, you only do guys in movies? Shit, girl, you are a fantastic ride for being a carpet muncher!” he exclaimed, while slapping his hand down on the bar.

I gave him a quick wink and glanced around looking for
Cherri, or really anyone else in this room to save me from Mr. Beefcake right now. I spotted Cherri over by the DJ booth. I set my empty glass down, and made a beeline for my roommate. I smiled and greeted people as I wandered over to where Cherri was talking with a couple guys, when the director grabbed my arm at the elbow.

“Carmen
, can I get a second to talk a proposition over with you?” he asked.

“Um
, sure,” I replied, as he led me down a dark hallway and opened a door to what looked like an office. He quickly shut the door to the small room, drowning out the booming sound from the party.

“Carmen
, you were absolutely fantastic in this film; I was completely blown away with your ability to act so naturally. I know you have a couple minor things lined up with our agency in the next couple of weeks, but I was wondering if you wanted to earn a little extra cash with my side business.”

I crossed my arms against my chest as I l
istened to the man speak; his voice was clear and smooth. I knew he was a pretty big director in this industry, and to be able to work with him outside of the agency would surely boost my popularity in future bookings.

“What kind of things are you taking about?” I question
ed, as he took a seat behind a large mahogany desk.

“I run a small company out of my office for event girls. You know
, trade show girls, swim suit things, arm candy events. I’m sure you would be a top booker with us; a pretty young thing as yourself has the potential to earn thousands.”

I mull the offer over in my head. I knew a coup
le of girls who worked trade shows; basically showing up in very little clothing and presenting things. That seemed easy, but being someone’s arm candy for the night wasn’t my cup of tea. I never was the quiet girl, so just standing there and looking pretty wouldn’t be an easy task.

“I don’t know;
it sounds like a fantastic opportunity to earn a little extra. Can I think it over?” I asked, as he tapped a pen on the solid desk in front of him.

“Sure
, Baby, here take my card and give me a call,” he smiled, reaching over and plucking a business card out of the holder on the desk. I carefully grabbed it, and held it up to read the writing on the front.

‘Vanity Affairs’ was written in red on the front of the card with a phone number, and for some reason I thought there was more behind this business then just “arm candy” kind of nights.

“Whiskey” Jana Kramer

Walker

“Hey Gloria, I’m going to head out for a while. I’ve got my radio on, if anyone needs me.” Waylon lifted his head from the plush dog bed the ladies bought him last month, then immediately dropped it back down. “Even the dog doesn’t want to go for a ride today,” I mumbled, while grabbing a radio from the charger and meandered for the back door. Maybe a drive out on the old highway would help clear my mind of the fogginess that has consumed me. As long as I stayed away from the gravel driveway my heart should stay intact; too many painful memories came flooding back once gravel started to crunch under the tires.

As I cruised down the desolate old highway
, I noticed what looked to be a car on the side of the road about a thousand or so yards up. “Hey Gloria, I have a broken down vehicle out here on highway 55; I’m going to step out and see if they need assistance,” I radioed back to dispatch.

“Got that
, Walker,” came over the frequency, as I started to pull my patrol car behind the old broken down Ford. The car was a mess; the back bumper was holding on by several bungee cords, both of the back windows were gone and replaced by black garbage bags held up by duct tape. It looked like the paint had seen better days, the color of rust was coming through in spots where the paint was no longer sticking, and walking up to the front of the vehicle I’m amazed that the driver could even see out the front windshield. “Sheriff’s department; need any help?” I said in a clear tone, not knowing who would come out from behind the open hood.

“I think I’ve got it
,” a sweet voice came from behind the hood. Abruptly the hood slammed shut, and standing in front of this rust bucket was a stunningly beautiful woman. She tossed me a sweet smile, and then proceeded to wipe her hands off on the back of her shorts. “Sorry, this piece of junk hasn’t ran right since I left. Well actually it hasn’t run right ever,” she offered with a laugh and a shrug. “I’m Sadie,” her voice laced with an amazingly confident tone, as she shoved her hand outward to me.

“
Walker, Walker Mason.” I stammered, while looking into her eyes. I don’t think my body has reacted to a woman this way since Carmen left. It’s not like I didn’t look; I even dated just no one has ever struck me the way Carmen did, until now. She obviously wasn’t from here, and it wasn’t from the apparent out of state plates, or the fact that this town was so small that someone passing through was almost the front page news on the gazette. There was a different way she carried herself; reminded me of Carmen in a way.

There was a hint of
‘I don’t take anyone’s shit, and back off, I can do this on my own’ feeling hanging in the air. Definitely not like the women in town, who are on the prowl for husband number one once they turn sixteen.

Her light
wavy brown hair just graced the top of her shoulders, and her jeans and black tank top stood out on her creamy skin. Her eyes sparkled with the sun, and the blue color seemed to draw you in and never let go. A faint sprinkle of freckles graced her cheeks and across her tiny nose, and her lips were the prettiest shade of pale pink. I was lost in her beauty; so different than what we had here in town.

“Um
, Officer Mason?” she says in a concerned tone. Shaking my head to bring me back from the trance she placed on me, I chuckled and tossed a smile at her. “I asked if you knew a place to stay for the night,” Sadie mentioned again.

“Oh yeah
, sorry about that; must have been lost in thought. There is a small B & B down the main road just go past the stop light and turn left on Maple,” I manage to stammer out as my hands started to fiddle with the pen I had carried with me.

“Perfect! I need a shower; I swear I must smell something fierce!” Sadie stated with a smile that could make a man want to chase rainbows and get all girly and shit.

“So
, you good here? Think it will start?”

“Yeah
, I’ve tweaked the old bad boy so much, that I can make it run on just about anything.”

“Okay
, well nice meeting you, ma’am. Have a safe drive to your destination,” I muttered as I turned back and headed to my car. ‘Ma’am? Drive to your destination?’ Did my social skills go right out the damn window once I met her? Mentally cursing at myself for looking like such a dork, I crawled back into the car and radioed dispatch. “Hey Gloria, all done here.”

“
Well, it’s your lucky day; Mrs. Elderbush has called for the seventh time this afternoon, complaining that someone is living in her garage. Good luck with that, kid,” she laughed.

“On my way
.” I sighed. That woman was bat shit crazy, and if she didn’t hoard things like the end of the world was coming, I’m sure all the raccoons would say out of her garage. Little did I know when I took the oath to serve and protect, I would be the resident vermin catcher as well.

I couldn’t seem to get Sadie out of my head all afternoon
, while I played raccoon trapper for Mrs. Elderbush.

“Son
, what’s going on in that mind of yours?” the older lady remarked, as she stood in the doorway of the garage, holding her Remington shotgun at her side. Now, most people would tell this woman to put her gun away, but I’m pretty sure she is a better shot than I am, having been born and raised in this town.

“
It’s nothing, Mrs. Elderbush, just been a long day,” I mentioned, as I turned over a cardboard box with my foot.

“Don’t give me any of that bullshit
story, young man. I’ve been on this earth for eighty-six years; you can’t tell me it’s nothing. Spill it,” she said, with a tone you were sure she was going to take you over her knee and cane your ass. I tried to ignore the old hoot, as I looked for the elusive rabid intruders when I was swiftly smacked in the back of a head by something heavy. I instantly brought my hand to my side arm, wincing from the altercation. “You answer when your elders ask you a question. I know your mom and dad taught you better than that. Why, I ought to tell them tomorrow when I pick up my bread; it’s going to break your momma’s heart when I tell her,” she threatened, while standing next to me holding a large ceramic ashtray in her hand. Releasing the tension in my arms I gently grabbed the culprit to my now headache, and set it down on a higher shelf in the garage, knowing damn well she couldn’t reach it.

“I don’t think he is in here anymore
,” I said, as I stacked an empty crate on top of pile of junk.

“Did you no
t learn the first time I bopped you, Walker?”

I force
d a smile, and tried to squeeze out the door, knowing the quicker I got out of here the better my odds were at not getting a lecture from the old coot. “Mrs. Elderbush, I need to get going. I promise to come back with a trap once I get off work,” I declared, while walking out to my car.

“Don’t let her get away Walker, you deserve happiness too
,” she hollered as I climbed into the vehicle.

Why did everyone in this town seem to think I’m not happy? Just because I don’t want to settle down with someone
, doesn’t mean I was miserable. I actually think that’s smart of me. Why get drug down with a miserable marriage, when I could live that life alone? Besides, mom still did my laundry anyway. Who really needs a wife, when I have her?

“Hey
, Aunt Patty,” I yelled into the old Victorian home just off Main Street. It was close to dinner, and I knew she had a couple guests staying in town, so my luck of getting a good home cooked meal tonight was in my favor. Not getting a response I began to wander back to the kitchen in the B&B, glancing in each of the open rooms to see if Sadie decided to stay. Yep, I’m sure I looked like a creeper if I ran into her, but I could not get her out of my head for the life of me. Poking my head into the large commercial style kitchen, I noticed my Aunt over by the stove, stirring something that smelled absolutely delicious. “Hey, Aunt Patty,” I called again, as she jumped back from the stove, almost knocking the pot off with her.

“Good Lord
, Walker, you about caught me with my pants down.” Aunt Patty chuckled, while centering the pot back on the burner.

“I didn’t mean to scare you
; I yelled from the front door.”

“Boy
, you know I can’t hear you clear in the back of this house. What are you doing over here tonight? Thinking I’m going to feed you?” she teased, as she pulled out fresh rolls from one of the double ovens. “No, ma’am, I was wondering if a new guest checked in today? However, if you are offering to feed, me I wouldn’t tell you no,” I replied.

“You mean the pretty dirty blonde
who checked in this afternoon? Tell me, Walker Gene Mason, how do you know I have a new guest?”

My face turned
a light shade of red as my aunt grilled me on the new guest. Why can’t I just be curious; what’s the harm in that? I didn’t say anything as the timer went off on the other oven, and I went over to help pull the fresh blueberry pies out as Aunt Patty gave me the questioning eye. I couldn’t help but let a shit eating grin spread across my face; my aunt knew exactly why I was here and there was no trying to deny it now.

“Alright
, boy, go set the table. It’s just the four of us tonight; the Gracen’s checked out earlier this afternoon.” My aunt smirked as she started to place the dinner in serving bowls.

I let out a low laugh as I grabbed the pla
tes and glasses from the hutch. How was I going to explain just showing up here tonight to Sadie? “Hi, remember me? I’m the officer that stopped and asked if you needed help. I then proceeded to send you to my aunt’s place to stay, and promptly made a fool of myself when I went to leave,” I mumbled to myself as I set the flatware on the table.

“Are you talking to yourself over there
, Walker?”

“Maybe
, Aunt Patty,” I laughed, and walked over to the counter to grab the filled dishes.

“Well
, go holler at your uncle and Sadie, who are out in the garage looking at her car,” she said with a wink.

“Yes ma’am
.”

“Hey
, Uncle Jim?” I called out, as I wandered back to the garage.

For as long as I could remember I
would always find Uncle Jim out in the shop. He was a man who knew a little about everything in life and could fix just about everything. I spent weeks with him during the summer going into my junior year, getting my old Bronco up and running, finally making that motor work two days before school started. I noticed the old beat up car of Sadie’s up on blocks and two pairs of feet hanging out underneath. I took the opportunity to listen to the muffled conversation; Sadie’s voice was like magic to my ears. Completely cheesy, I know, but I could listen to her talk for hours. Rapidly, the pair of them started to wiggle out from under the car, as I panicked on what to do next.

“Oh
, hi, Officer,” Sadie said, as she brought her body upright from the concrete and wiped her hands on the back of her little shorts.

I couldn’t
seem to bring my eyes away from the grease spots she left on the thin khaki material. “You, um, have grease all over,” I mumbled, as I tried to break the obvious staring problem I was having.

“Happens when you crawl under a car
,” Sadie laughed, and walked over to the front of the old car, and began to fiddle with something under the hood.

“Dinner, I was sent out here to tell
you dinner is ready.” Seriously, can I be any more of a dork?

“Thanks S
on, Sadie you ready to head in? We can head over to the parts store tomorrow and see if we can’t get a replacement for that pump. Hopefully, they won’t have to order it,” Uncle Jim said, as he wiped his hands on a work towel that was draped over his shoulder.

I watched as Sadie closed the hood
, and dabbed the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand, leaving a black streak across the delicate creamy white skin. “Thanks Jim; I’m sure this rust bucket is finally on his last leg but I just need it to survive for a little more,” she mentioned, while smiling at me, and heading out the door.

I reached out and grabbed her arm as she started to walk by, causing a spark between us when our skin connected. “You have…..” I started to say
, as my voice trailed off and I reached up and wiped the grease off her skin.

“Thanks
,” she replied in a hushed tone. It was then that I realized I couldn’t let this woman walk out of my life, too. I already made that mistake once, and I refused to let it happen again.

“Dinner was absolutely fantastic
, Mrs. Mason,” Sadie gushed as she stood and began picking up her dishes from the table.

“Oh dear
, you call me Aunt Patty; Mrs. Mason sounds too much like my mother-in-law,” she replied with a chuckle.

Everything just
seemed to fit with Sadie here; I already knew my aunt and uncle were in love with the girl, and I could probably say my mother would feel the same way once she meet this woman. She possessed every quality a man could ever want, or even need; not only was she gorgeous, but she could hold a conversation with you on a very high intellectual level. It wasn’t like talking to most of the women in this town. No, when Sadie spoke she had something to say, and it wasn’t about the weather or who wore what to Sunday church. Looking into her eyes was like reading a story; she was a book that would keep you captivated for hours. Not once during dinner, did I wish she would shut up; I wanted her to talk forever. I wanted to know everything about Sadie. I needed to know everything about her. This wasn’t a woman I was going to be able to walk away from. I was pretty sure I just may fall ass over feet for this girl, tonight.