Just borrowing from Janet E.
Ocean's 3 Week 32 Challenge
"Skinny White Girl, I don't know what is going on! I think Batman is doing something to my Tankie!"
"What do you mean, Lula?" Stephanie asked from the passenger seat of her Firebird.
"Tank was around a whole lot. I think that Batman is giving him cold feet because I've hardly seen him and he has broken off two evenings at the last minute. That's not like him. He likes his Lula lovin'."
"I didn't hear about any important rush jobs around Rangeman."
"Well that 'I look so hot in black' Ranger who wants you when he wants is playing with my man's mind, I know it! I'm fighting back. Two can play that game and you're coming with me."
Stephanie looked at her dumbfounded. She was right about Ranger. He has been scarce since she and Joe called it quits in a big blow-up in Pino's. They were going away to Niagara Falls and he just happened to have his mother's wedding dress in a box. Stephanie threw it out just as the Merry Men were pulling in and ran over the dress. She had pizza with them and got a ride home.
Sightings of Ranger since have been few except for a couple of kisses in the alley.
Lula handed her a brochure for the Ocean Wave Hotel in Ocean Grove.
"I got us booked there. It caters to singles. A friend, who is an ex-ho, is a manager. She was working to put herself through hotel management school."
She was looking at picture of a massive Victorian hotel right on the Atlantic Ocean with a white beach. "It looks nice but is it expensive?"
"Carina gave us a big discount since we worked together in the past," Lula told her as she pulled up to the Cut n' Curl to pick up Grandma Mazur. "They have activities you can sign up for to meet other single people like dancing, cooking, painting, and Yoga or volleyball on the beach. Let Tank and Batman just wonder what we're doing and with who."
Grandma got in and saw the pamphlet, "Where you going?"
"Me and White Girl are going to meet some single guys. My friend says a lot of guys from New York come down to meet real Jersey girls."
Grandma nodded, "I'm in. I just want to get me some."
Stephanie shrugged, "OK, there's not much going on around here."
"We need some beachy shopping," Lula told them excitedly as she headed towards the mall, "at Vicky's."
"Hot damn! Sexy undies. I may go crotchless for more action. Also, I need a new hot string bikini! Is this place clothing optional?"
Stephanie groaned inwardly and knew a lecture would be coming from her mother. Maybe if she was lucky by 2015 she would taste her mother's pineapple upside down cake again.
"Got for it, Granny!" Lula cheered.
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Tank and Ranger walked into Vinnie's. Connie was painting her nails. Never looking up, she slid files across her desk. Both men looked around the empty office.
Ranger asked, "Where's Stephanie?"
Connie replied concentrating on her fire engine red nails, "Not here."
"What about Lula?" the massive man of a Tank took his turn.
"Not here," Connie said again and didn't offer any more information.
Tank picked up the files before he and Ranger walked back out the door.
Opening his cell phone, Tank hit his automatic dial. Lula's rang three times and went to voicemail. "Hi, leave a message. I'm not here and maybe I'll call you back if I ain't too busy."
He just closed his phone. "That's not like my Sweetie."
Ranger dialed Stephanie's. It rang. "Hello," a male voice sounding a lot like Lester answered.
"Santos? What are you doing with Stephanie?" he growled.
"I'm not. Her cell phone was ringing in her desk drawer at Rangeman."
"Did she say she was going anywhere?"
"Nope, just did her searches yesterday and left."
Ranger disconnected and dialed the control room, "What's the location of Stephanie?"
"Rangeman and her apartment. Her CRV is there," came Cal's answer.
He closed his cell phone, "Damn her. Let's go to her apartment."
Her used CRV was in the lot. Checking her apartment, Ranger found no Rex in his usual spot. Her bed was made. Some clothes were on the floor. He found a crumpled receipt on floor from Victoria's Secret. Stephanie had purchased a new bathing suit, 3 bra and pantie sets, and lingerie. His black cargos grew a little tighter.
"It looks like her and Lula went away and didn't tell us," Tank looked concerned.
"I shouldn't have broken those dates. You and your 'Tank, before you know it, Lula's going to be running your life. I listened to the man who has no concept of a relationship! I hope Stephanie meets someone else where ever they are!"
Tank headed out of the apartment muttering 'how could he be so stupid to listen to a relationship reject and Ranger was sitting on his brain."
Ranger started his truck, "Tank, I didn't want you to get hurt."
"Bull Shit! You didn't want me to have Lula because you can't get your head out of your ass about Stephanie! You love her! Take me to Vinnie's. Connie knows where they are and I'm finding my girl! You should enroll in relationship school!"
Seeing the black truck pull in out front, Connie quickly snuck into the bathroom. She didn't want to be interrogated. Let Vinnie spill the beans.
The two men in black walked directly into Vinnie's office.
"Where are they?" Ranger's voice was as demanding as intimidating as his stance, arms folded over his painted-on black t-shirt, feet planted firmly on the floor.
Tank was towering over a smirking Vinnie.
"Wow! My cousin and her sidekick take off for a few days without telling you and you got your panties in an uproar," chuckling as he knew and they didn't.
Ranger asked again, "Where are they?"
"It's good," Vinnie was smiling like the Cheshire Cat. "They went searching for men at a singles resort in Ocean Grove. I guess you two couldn't cut it."
Tank glared at Ranger, "You!" and stalked out.
Turning towards Haywood, Tank ranted, "I'm going to get my Lula. Don't talk to me about relationships anymore. I hope Stephanie meets someone who treats her right because you don't deserve her."
"That's my Babe."