The Prince Charming Hoax (5 page)

Now we
’
re both panting and laughing at the same time. Then, D.J. leans back and I get my first real view of his equipment. Leah, I swear the man was built like a bull and still hard as a rock! He still had his fingers in me and I started moving up and down on his hand, without taking my eyes off that beautiful cock. While I
’
m rocking up and down, he hoists me up on the back seat and says,
‘
Woman, let me fill you up right.
’
Then he pushed his dick in and we fucked up and down and sideways. When we finally finished, we were both soaking wet, and the back seat was covered with all sorts of body liquids. Whew!
”
Roxie exhaled like it just happened again.
“
Quite a first date, wouldn
’
t you say?
”

“
I
’
ll say, Rox. I think I just came, too. Guess I
’
ll have to live my life vicariously through yours for a while,
‘
cause my life is in the toilet right now.
”

“
Oh yeah. That
’
s the other reason I called. I may have a lead on a place for you and Ali. I won
’
t know for sure until tomorrow, though.
”

There was a click in the connection.
“
Leah, that
’
s D.J. on the other line. I
’
ll call you tomorrow. Bye.
”

Leah leaned over and took out her vibrator from the nightstand.
“
I have a feeling that this could be the start of a beautiful new relationship,
”
she muttered. Relaxing back into the pillow, she pulled her pants and panties around her ankles, spread her knees, and let the device do its magic.

Her little toy may have fulfilled one need, but left her emotionally unsatisfied. She took out her journal. Still writing, she didn
’
t hear Ali come home and barely noticed when her daughter came in her room and sat on the bed.

“
Mom, do you think I could take some art classes this summer before I leave for school?
”

“
Mm hmm,
”
said Leah, intent on her writing.

“
Imagine studying art in New York! I
’
m going online and see if maybe Parsons or one of the art schools will let me take one or two courses without being enrolled. Even if they don
’
t, I bet there are amazing studios that teach classes and stuff. And if I like it, I could probably take classes while I
’
m visiting you during my vacations! This is so cool, moving to New York!
”

That got Leah
’
s attention.
“
Ali, we need to talk.
”

The glow of excitement in Ali
’
s eyes turned to a suspicious stare.
“
About what?
”

“
About moving to New York. I
’
ve decided that now
’
s not the right time. It
’
s too soon. I need to be more established professionally before I take on such a big financial commitment.
”

“
I thought Doug was going to help you. I thought you guys were going to be together.
”
Realization passed through Ali in a flash.
“
I knew it. I knew this morning when I walked in and you looked all mopey. You and Doug had a fight, right? And now you
’
re not going.
”
She said it as an accusation, not a question.
“
Why didn
’
t you tell me before?
”

“
I wasn
’
t sure yet what I wanted to do and needed some time to work out all the details, Ali. Doug and I didn
’
t exactly have a fight. It
’
s just that things have changed. I wanted to tell you earlier, I really did. But then that whole thing happened with Justin and there wasn
’
t time.
”

“
So what are we going to do? Can we keep this house?
”

“
I
’
m afraid it
’
s too late for that. But Roxie may have found a place for us. At least temporarily.
”

“
In Florida?
”

“
Yes.
”

“
I thought you wanted to get out of here. You said it was time to move on, and you needed to get back to New York where all the creative people and writing opportunities are. What are you going to do here? And what about all the great things you said we
’
d do together this summer in New York before I left for school?
”

“
Ali, I know you
’
re disappointed. I am, too. But, you know how I feel when things don
’
t work out the way you hope. It means something better is going to come along.
”

“
Can we still go to New York this summer and go shopping and see some shows like we planned? We already have our plane tickets.
”

Leah looked at her daughter
’
s hopeful face. She hated disappointing Ali, but the cost of hotel and food alone would be more than she had saved to pay for the new clothes and shows they had planned to see. Without Doug
’
s help to pay expenses, it just wasn
’
t possible.

“
I
’
ll tell you what. I
’
ll try to change our tickets for later in the year. Maybe we can go during your winter break.
”

“
But, what am I supposed to do now about this summer? Most of my friends have plans to go away right after graduation. Or they
’
ll be working, and I won
’
t have anyone to hang out with during the day.
”
Ali got up and headed for her room.
“
Great, I
’
ll just keep working until it
’
s time for me to leave, too,
”
she added without turning around.

Leah thought frantically to come up with a suggestion for a happy ending.

“
Ali, wait,
”
she called out.
“
How would you like to visit Uncle David in Philadelphia for a few weeks after graduation? I
’
m sure Debbie could use help with the babies, and I bet Aunt Carol would jump at the chance to go on a shopping spree with you—she might even take you into New York for the day or overnight.
”

Ali whirled around, face beaming.
“
That would be great! Do you think they
’
d let me? And why don
’
t you come, too? You said you were dying to see those babies.
”
She jumped back onto Leah
’
s bed.

Leah smiled.
“
I am, but I can
’
t go anywhere until I get this whole moving mess figured out. But maybe I could join you later. Your poor cousin…triplets, can you imagine? I told Debbie when she started on fertility drugs to be careful what she wished for.
”
Leah reached out and touched the side of Ali
’
s face.

“
I
’
ll call your uncle tomorrow. I
’
m sure it
’
ll be all right.
”

Ali leaned over and hugged Leah.
“
What about you, though? Who
’
s going to help you move and stuff?
”

“
I don
’
t know yet. But you know me. I
’
ll figure it out. Now, let me go to sleep, I
’
m exhausted, and I have a lot do tomorrow. Give me a good night hug.
”

“
Can I sleep in here with you tonight, Mommy? I
’
ll keep the TV low so it won
’
t bother you.
”

“
Ali, I
’
m so restless at night. I
’
ll keep you up.
”

“
Are you kidding? You know I don
’
t hear a thing when I
’
m sleeping.
”

“
Not tonight, Baby, really. You may sleep like the dead, but I don
’
t. That
’
s one thing you got from your father
’
s side. They all sleep soundly and talk in their sleep. And so do you, which is why I don
’
t want you in here. By the way, have you spoken to your father lately?
”

“
No, you know Dad. Every time I call he says
‘
I can
’
t talk now, I
’
ll call you back.
’
And then he never does. I don
’
t know why I bother. Have you talked him?
”

“
No.
”
Leah wasn
’
t planning to share today
’
s conversation with Ali, who would be hurt and feel more rejected than ever.
“
I
’
m going to bed now, Ali. See you tomorrow.
”

“
Love you, Mommy.
”

“
I love you, too. Mmmwah!
”
Leah threw her a kiss and got ready for bed.

No longer pretending to be in control for Ali
’
s sake, she lay in the darkness, fighting the terror. Some nights visualizing the people and things she loved helped her fall asleep. Leah thought about Ali. Their little conversation tonight could have won an Academy Award for Leah. No wonder Ali thought she was so strong. Well,
“
fake it
‘
til you make it
”
was the strategy that always worked for her. It was easy fooling others. Now if she could just believe in herself, maybe the demons would go away. For tonight, though, she
’
d just have do a Scarlett O
’
Hara and think about it tomorrow.

Chapter
6

Leah heard noises downstairs. Someone was in the house. She had to warn Ali! She tried to get out of bed to make sure Ali was all right, but she couldn
’
t move.
“
Ali,
”
she tried to yell, but nothing came out. Leah panicked. She had to get to Ali first. She tried to pull herself up and call out, but her muscles were frozen, and her throat was dry and scratchy. What was holding her down?

“
Ali,
”
she managed to get out a whisper. She was sweaty and the sheets were sticking to her. She heard someone coming up the stairs.
“
Ali, Ali! Run!
”
she screamed.

Leah felt someone pushing her.
“
Mom! Mom, wake up.
”

Finally she could move. She opened her eyes.
“
Ali!
”

“
Mom, what
’
s wrong with you?
”

“
I was having a nightmare. I thought someone was here, and I was trying to warn you to run away, but I couldn
’
t move or talk.
”
Leah sat up and rubbed her eyes, relieved that the terror was over for now.

“
Someone
is
here. Roxie
’
s downstairs. She told me to wake you.
”

“
Roxie
’
s here?
”

“
Yeah. Mom, I have to go to school and take my English final. Are you all right? You look all confused.
”

“
I
’
m just trying to wake up, that
’
s all.
”
Leah got up and stretched.
“
Tell Roxie I
’
ll be right down, and start some water for tea for me, will you? Show Roxie where the coffee is, in case she wants to make some.
”

“
I
’
ll do it on my way out. But, I gotta go now. Will you be here when I get home?
”

“
I don
’
t know what I
’
m doing. I
’
ll leave you a note if I
’
m not here.
”

“
OK. See you.
”

Leah heard Ali talking to Roxie and the front door slam as Ali left for school. She went into the bathroom and groaned at her reflection. Well, nothing that a shower and a little make up couldn
’
t fix…she hoped. She
’
d have to clean herself up later, after Roxie left.

Roxie had her tea ready on the kitchen table.
“
Oh, you are the best! Thanks, Rox.
”
Leah took a sip.
“
What are you doing here at this hour, anyway?
”

“
Rescuing you. And you need it. Right now you look like one of those bag ladies down by the tracks. Better get a grip, Leah.
”

“
Thanks, my friend. And did you come here to kick me while I
’
m down?
”
Leah sat at the table opposite Roxie.

“
No. I
’
m serious about rescuing you. Remember I told you I had a lead on a place for you and Ali? Well, I just talked to a former client who has a place where you can stay. And, it
’
s a fabulous penthouse apartment. I ought to know. I decorated it.
”

“
Rox, I don
’
t want to use all my money on rent and—
”

“
Shh. This is the deal. These people have millions and they have several residences around the globe. They
’
re going on an extended trip with their teenage son to Europe and want someone to take care of their place while they
’
re gone.
”

Leah drummed her fingers on the table.
“
Where is this fabulous penthouse apartment?
”

“
The Sands on Fort Lauderdale beach! There
’
s a whole wrap-around terrace so you can see the ocean and the Intracoastal—an absolutely amazing view.
”

“
But a place like that must rent for like ten grand a month! Are you crazy?
”

“
How
‘
bout no rent? These people don
’
t need your money. They just want someone to house-sit and do two things while they
’
re gone.
”

“
What
’
s that?
”

“
Take care of their dog, and water the plants.
”

“
Roxanne! I hate dogs, and I kill plants. When those people come home, they
’
ll find their dog and plants dead!
”

“
What are you talking about, Leah? Your gardens outside are gorgeous! And you
’
re a good mom. It
’
s got be a hell of a lot easier to take care of a dog than a child! You can do it!
”

“
Roxie, my gardens are gorgeous because they
’
re outside and a gardener comes once a week to take care of them. You notice there
’
s no greenery in here? That
’
s because I kill even silk plants. They get all dusty and turn brown from neglect. And, there
’
s a big difference between kids and dogs. Did you forget? I
’
m the mother who sold the dog while my kid was at a movie with her father.
”

Roxie shrugged.
“
Look Leah, it
’
s up to you. But free is free. All you have to do is keep the dog alive. We can always replace the plants with new ones before they come home. It might be hard to fool them with a new dog, though. So, you
’
ll just have to deal with the dog. She
’
s one of those little breeds. How bad can it be? Leah, think about it. You could probably pay the doorman to walk the dog. All you
’
d have to do is feed her.
”

“
The penthouse at The Sands? For free?
”

“
Yeah!
”

“
For how long? When will these people want their place back?
”

Roxie shrugged.
“
I
’
m not sure. Not for a year, at least. They
’
re trying to get their son away from here. He
’
s been hanging out with some kids who are the wrong type, you know? I think the kid got in trouble with the law. But, what
’
s the difference? You need some time to regroup. You could do a whole lot worse than this, Leah Gold!
”

“
You
’
re right. When is this place available?
”

“
Right away. They
’
re leaving today.
”

“
Wow. You are the best friend ever, Roxie.
”

“
We stick together, don
’
t we?
”
Roxie paused, like she was deciding what to say next.
“
Look, I have to say this,
”
she finally blurted out.
“
I
’
m sorry you have a broken heart. But I am happy you
’
re not moving, and I
’
m especially happy that
’
s over between you and 3D.
”

“
Please don
’
t start. I
’
ve been trying to avoid thinking about him at all.
”

Roxie squinted her eyes.
“
Let me just say this about Douglas D. Dowling. A man who cheats on his wife with you is going to cheat on you with someone else one day. He probably already has.
”

“
Rox, we
’
ve been through this before. He didn
’
t do that to me.
”

“
Oh really? And what do you think he did on those long trips to Paris, London, and Athens?
”

“
It
’
s different. Doug loves me.
”

“
Love, schmuv, Leah. Men were given two working body parts—a brain and a dick. Unfortunately, they can
’
t use both at the same time.
”

“
Roxie, you don
’
t understand. Doug
’
s not like that.
”

“
Leah, you read too many romance novels. It just so happens, all men are like that—go ahead and ask one. They don
’
t even think there
’
s anything wrong with that scenario.
”

Leah stared at her friend. Was there a grain of truth in Roxie
’
s crude words? She shook her head.
“
Look, I can
’
t think about this now.
”

“
Then don
’
t.
”
Roxie shrugged.
“
Think about creating a new life for yourself, beginning with your move to the Sands!
”

Leah nodded.
“
So, do I need to fill out some kind of application or something for these people? They
’
re not going to let just anyone stay in their place, are they?
”

“
All you need is my recommendation, which I already gave Vanderholts. Look, I
’
ll call right now and leave your name and information with The Sands
’
management and tell them you
’
ll let them know when you
’
re moving in.
”
Roxie reached for her phone.
“
Oh by the way, the only thing you and Ali can bring is your clothes. No room in there for any of your furniture. Sell the rest, or put it in storage.
”

“
I don
’
t go anywhere without my laptop, Roxie.
”

Roxie rolled her eyes.
“
Fine. You can bring your toothbrush, too.
”

She looked at the light flashing on her cell phone.
“
Oh crap. Five missed calls. I
’
ve got to get to my office, Leah. Elaine already text messaged me that my email box is full. I
’
ll call the Sands later to tell the management you
’
re coming.
”
She gathered up her keys and grabbed her purse.
“
Don
’
t worry. Everything will be fine.
”

Leah nodded and smiled.
“
Hey, you have a big date tonight, don
’
t you Roxie?
Where are you going again?
”

“
Some club. I
’
ll tell you all about it tomorrow. Bye now,
”
Roxie said as she gathered her things. She blew Leah a kiss and walked out the front door.

Leah ran to the door and yelled out,
“
Thanks for everything, Rox. Have a good time tonight!
”

Roxie waved back from the Boxster and took off.

“
Everyone
’
s got somewhere to go except me,
”
Leah thought.
“
Well, now that
’
s not true, is it? The Sands!
”
Leah ran her fingers through her hair. Yuck!
“
First I better shower. If I go to The Sands looking like this, they
’
ll hand me a mop and show me the maintenance closet.
”