Disclaimer: If you recognize the character, I don't own them. This is purely for entertainment purposes. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews. I appreciate every one. :)
Part Twenty Four
Mabel and I were driving up to Newark to meet Rosa. I needed to pay my deposit for the trip, and Rosa wanted to plan more. Ellen didn't want to let me leave the house after the strip club incident last night. I don't know why she's mad. I was the one who was discriminated against.
It all started when I read all about men who love older women on Angie's computer. She got this email; it was all about wanting to watch sexy older women perform. At the bottom of the email, it had a box about Camelot Cabaret. I didn't know we had a Cabaret show in town. When I clicked on the box it went to the site, and it said they had great floor shows from three till three.
Last night was amateur night at the Camelot Cabaret, and I printed out the application. I was sexy, and I'd learn how to perform. I could already sing, learning how to do sexy dancing wouldn't be hard.
You had to dance in a show. It's all about stage presentation. I learned that when I joined the What. Sally said you needed a good show. Since they wanted it to be sexy too, I'd do a striptease performance. Like Demi Moore did in that movie.
The contest rules only said you had to be over twenty one. Grand prize was fifteen hundred dollars. Who knows, I may like it, and it can be my new career. I always wanted to be a dancer.
On the application, it said I needed a stage name. I picked the name Red Vixen. Men went wild over redheads. I went to the Clip 'N Curl and had my hair dyed flame red.
Mabel took me to Pleasure Treasures to find my stripper outfit. I wanted to use those shoes I bought when I was performing in "The What", but needed a new outfit. We stopped by the movie store and rented the movie. I would learn Demi's moves, and wow them tonight. I spent the afternoon, practicing at Mabel's because Ellen would've had a fit.
Mabel dropped me off at Camelot Cabaret. Inside the place was packed with stud muffins. Men were everywhere. I wasn't having any luck at those senior trips, maybe I would have luck finding one here. I dropped off my application, and paid my twenty dollar entry fee.
When I took the stage, the lights were low. I had my chair and everything. When the lights came on the men went crazy for me. The stupid club owner said I was too old, and dragged me off stage. Of course, he was wrong. The men were screaming and hollering for me. I threatened to call AARP on him, I have rights. He ignored my threat. I'd look into legal action after our trip. I didn't want to have to worry about my court date ruining me and Rosa's plan.
The owner gave me my money back, and called Ellen to pick me up. She, of course, fussed all the way home. Maybe I should buy her some of those instructional movies from the Treasure Pleasure. I had seen one that said "Reignite your Love Life." The back of the movie said it showed six positions to guarantee orgasm after orgasm. Maybe Frank isn't performing so well anymore. Could be why she's so uptight. Yeah, that would help, and I would make a care package before the trip for Stephanie.
We were all sitting in the dining room eating diner. Alice was just staring at her plate. She didn't like what was being served. Alice stayed in the bedroom until dinner. When she followed me out here, she immediately began complaining about the chicken dish. I didn't think she had anything to complain about, since Ella's precooked meals were even better than my mother's. Of course I would never tell my mom that. I cleared out the messages earlier, and she is almost ready to disown me. I hope Annie's advice is right, otherwise, I'll be eating frozen deserts for the rest of my life.
Ranger ignored Alice's complaining until she began demanding someone make her another dish. Ranger just looked at her and said "No, eat or go hungry". She continued to complain until everyone else was finished. We all left her be, and ignored her. Melissa helped me and Hal with cleanup in the kitchen. When Hal went to take Alice's untouched plate to wash it, Alice realized Ranger was serious. She began eating. I decided to be nice. This would be a very long stay if she kept this up.
"Would you like me to nuke that in the microwave?" I asked.
Alice looked up at me, and she looked sad. "Please?" she simply said.
I took the plate, covered it with a paper towel, and popped it into the microwave. Hal looked at me and smiled. I shrugged.
When the timer went off, the food was sizzling so I figured it would be hot enough. I took the plate and some extra marinara sauce for the pasta to Alice. When I sat everything down, she looked at it for a few minutes.
"It's safe" I gave her a smile and turned to leave.
"Is he always that way? Would he really let me starve?" Alice asked me out of nowhere looking up from the plate.
It took a few seconds, but I realized she was talking about Ranger. I sat across from her while she ate. How do I explain Ranger to her?
I nodded, and then explained. "Ranger doesn't talk much. When he does, he never says something he doesn't mean."
My brain began screaming. Ranger never says something he doesn't mean, and it wanted to think about all those things he's told me, but not now.
"This whole job has been weird. Your clothes were bugged, and Anthony isn't a nice guy, but you already know that. While Harry was hiding you, there were several security breaches."
I looked at her, and when she nodded, I continued.
"Ranger is the best you could possible want to protect you. He takes his work very seriously. He will make sure your safe, and make it out of the country. He doesn't talk, and he can be pushy, but he has his reasons. You should trust him."
"Do you trust him?" Alice asked and looked me straight in the eye. Being a mother, she was probably checking to detect if I was lying or not.
"Implicitly" I responded, looking her straight in the eyes. I didn't have to lie. I've always trusted Ranger, and he has never given me a reason not to trust him one hundred percent.
Alice nodded, and returned to her plate of food. "Is there a reason you didn't want to eat the dinner?" I asked.
"I'm a vegan." Alice said.
"You mean you don't eat meat?" I asked, surprised.
"No meat, no animal products."
I noticed she was still pushing the chicken around her plate. "We weren't told that Alice. Do you want me to get you more of the pasta dish and veggies?"
She said she could get it if I had something to do. "Hal will probably like me to help finish the kitchen."
We both walked into the kitchen, and Hal and Melissa became really quiet. I helped Alice find the leftovers and she got some out and popped it into the microwave. She looked really nervous around Hal. I walked over and bumped him with my hip. He scowled at me, because it caused him to splash dishwater all over his front. I giggled, and he threw a wet rag at me. Of course it hit me right in the face. One day, I need to learn to duck.
I began putting away the dishes Hal and Melissa washed and dried. When her food beeped, Alice took her dishes into the dining room, and brought back her other plate. She scrapped the chicken into the trash, and handed Hal the plate. She apologized for accusing him earlier and for being rude. Hal just nodded. I bumped him again, and then looked at Alice.
"You have to excuse Hal; most of the guys only know a few words. That nod meant, apology accepted. It also can mean…. " I dodged the flying rag.
"We can talk, it's just hard to get words in while you're around Bombshell" Hal said. He looked back at Alice and said "Don't worry about it."
Alice took her food, and went to finish eating. I tried to retaliate for the dish rag, but ended up over Hal's shoulder. Of course Ranger chose to see what the noise was at that moment. Hal immediately put me down, and began washing dishes again. I looked at Ranger and said "party pooper". Ranger lips turned upward before he left.
After we finished the kitchen everyone began work on the next puzzle. It was named "Everlasting Cathedrals" but it was actually an outdoor mountain scene. It was really a beautiful scene. There was a lake, trees and mountains in the background.
We had already completed one puzzle before dinner. I guess five adults take significantly less time than a teenager. The only people who didn't join in were Ranger, Tank and Alice. Ranger and Tank were busy doing some paperwork. I guess being Ranger's second hand, also gave you paperwork to do. Alice was just being a bitch before dinner. She smiled and sat next to Hal when we started the second puzzle. A few minutes later Lula chose to voice my concern too.
"We need to buy some more of those puzzles. We only have two left. They ain't going to last very long since there isn't anything else to do here."
Everyone's head swung to look at Ranger. "We have other things to do."
Alice decided to finally speak up again. "Television?"
"No service this far out." Ranger answered without looking up from the laptop he turned on.
How was he getting service out here? I would've brought mine, if I knew there would be service. Maybe he doesn't have service, and is just typing up stuff. I never considered that. Something else to ask him about later.
"What else is there to do?" Melissa asked while sorting a pile of pieces by color.
"Movies, books." Tank answered, setting his paperwork aside.
He left the room, and returned with a large plastic container. It was filled with DVDs. Those could be helpful too.
Around eleven most people decided to go to bed. I wanted to talk to Ranger before I turned in. I had some questions about things.
He went outside to check the perimeter. I looked at Hector and smiled. He nodded at me, and continued sitting still. I stared at him, lost in thought. I was thinking about his tattoos. When he cleared his throat, I blushed and looked away.
"Why you stare at me?" Hector asked.
"Uh, sorry. I was looking at your tattoos." I was really wondering what some of them were.
"Which one?" he asked.
Do all of Ranger's men have ESP? Hector just smiled. I glared. It wasn't fair. I wish I could learn it.
I pointed to the one on his lower arm. It was a simply three large dots in a pyramid shape. I didn't understand why someone would tattoo dots on themselves.
"This means Mi Vida Loca, my crazy life." Not what I expected him to say.
"I think I need that one." I smiled. I don't think many people could claim their life was crazier than mine.
Hector began laughing at my comment. "What do the others mean?" Once again, my mouth takes over. Hector stopped laughing and looked at me.
"You don't have to say, I was just curious." I shrugged.
Hector pulled off his shirt, and I noticed he had tats all over his chest and back, and both arms. He started showing me several others on his body too. I noticed several names, and he explained they were friends who were killed. I looked at him. I'm beginning to think I've lived a sheltered life. Lula and Hector both had hard lives. Wonder if any of the other Merry Men have too?
Hector continued to explain the different symbols woven into his large tattoos. His back was a large picture of clouds and scripture in Spanish. It was surrounded by other pictures. He showed me tombstones with names on his lower back. They were more friends who were killed by a rival gang. When I pointed to one that just had a number on it, and what appeared to be bars behind it. He explained that was for his how long he spent in jail, lost time in his life. There were pictures of women over his heart, which I questioned him about. I knew Hector was gay. He gave me the names of his sisters, mother, and grandmother who faces were on his chest. People didn't know they were family, and he never told. They were only women in his life, but it helped him while in the gang. He got the tattoos because they always supported him.
I noticed two theater masks on his left bicep. I pointed at them, and Hector explained that they meant "Smile now, Cry Later. You get that too" he said smiling.
I smiled, yeah that was me. I never liked people to see me hurting. I would rather show them pissed. The only person who I openly cry around is Rex.
I replied "I would get a tattoo of Rex, the most trustworthy man in my life. He's always there for me too."
Hector gave me a weird look, and then asked who this man was. I laughed and explained Rex was my hamster. Hector lost it.
"Babe, what have you done to Hector?"
I jumped because he did it again. "Make some noise like normal people." I snapped while I waited for my heart to slow.
I looked at Hector, who was sitting there, shirtless, with his pants unbuttoned and the leg rolled up. He has done that to show me all his tattoos. Right below his belt, he has writing going across the small of his back. It was his gang's name. All of the tattoos were beautiful. They looked like pictures. The writing was elaborately done too.
"We were just talking" I instantly said.
Hector pulled his clothes back on. Ranger and Hector began speaking Spanish. Ranger broke out into a full smile.
"Rex?" he looked at me and raised his eyebrow.
"Hector has pictures of the women who have supported him. I could get one for Rex. Hamsters are cute, and Rex is the man in my life." I had stood and put my hands on my hips and was giving Ranger the glare, but he wasn't affected.
"Babe." Ranger shook his head still smiling.
Hector smiled at me, and said "But he looks like rat. Maybe just get his name."
"Maybe I'll just get lips on my ass." I shot back. Rex didn't look like a rat.
Hector lost it again. I gave him a few of my favorite Italian hand gestures. He just smiled and said "Tengo un amigo que pueda hacerlo para usted. Le llevaré él cuando conseguimos caseros." (I have a friend who can do it for you. I'll take you to him when we get home.)
I looked at him, I didn't speak Spanish. When he noticed my weird look, he explained in English.
"Thanks, but I'm afraid of needles." I was also scared of who Hector's friend would be.
"Babe, you should get some sleep, you have to be up early tomorrow." Ranger said.
"I wanted to ask you a few questions." Ranger nodded, said a few words to Hector in Spanish, and walked into the kitchen. I followed.
He got a bottle of water, and raised his eyebrow at me. That was my cue to continue.
"Well, let's start with you telling me the client was Melissa's Uncle. Harry is almost family. You could've told me the truth."
"Babe, I was asked to disclose that on a need to know basis. Sort of like a confidentiality agreement. Who paid didn't really matter to the job."
Ok, I had to give him that one. I nodded. He could've trusted me though.
"I do trust you." Ranger simply said.
"One day you need to teach me how to read minds." I scowled, until Ranger used his finger to smooth out the wrinkle in between my eyes. That caused my hormones to begin doing the samba. I stomped them down. I'm going to need more sugar.
"Since you trust me, tell me about those bugs, and what Hector was looking for in the cell phone and laptop." I smiled one point for me.
Rangers lips formed his almost smile, and he explained that the bugs were Government Issue. Hector was making sure no one could track the cell phones location, and the laptop was clean also. They found another camera and bugs when we returned to the cabin. He spent all that time on the phone trying to find out why the cabin was being watched. When I asked him if he found out yet, he simply shook his head, and he didn't look happy about that.
I had just finished explaining Alice's actions at dinner, and her being a vegan when the alarm started blaring. Ranger quickly handed me a gun, he pulled out of who knows where, and asked me to go to check on Alice and Melissa.
Hector was waiting for him at the front door. Tank and Hal emerged from their rooms, and took up positions in the living room and hallway. I quickly went down the hall where the others were. Lula joined me, and had her Glock. When we entered the room, Melissa and Alice were happy to see us, even if their eyes widened at the sight of our guns.
I hollered for Tank, who was in the hallway when I noticed a man's shadow pass outside the window. It didn't look like Ranger or Hector, who I knew were outside now.
Tank entered the room, and had us go into the bathroom. It was a tight fit, but Melissa, Alice, Lula and I all entered the bathroom. Lula took the door, while I stood on the tub and looked out the small window to check on what was happening.
I could make out two men with their hands in the air. Out of the darkness, Hector and Ranger suddenly pushed the men on the ground, and cuffed them
"They have someone; it looks like they are coming inside with them." I said to Lula who was asking what I could see.
A few minutes later, I recognized the voices of the men from that Ranger's station. They were spying on us?
I also heard another man's voice. I opened the door, and whispered to Tank who it was. He said I could go tell Ranger, he would stay and protect everyone. I was surprised he wanted to stay, but noticed him watching Lula in her nightgown. I hid my grin as I left the room.
When I exited the room, I saw one man dressed in all black. A typical burglar getup and next to him were my favorite Park Ranger posers. They, of course, recognized me.
Ranger was questioning them with his gun at his side, while Hector played bad guy and had a gun against agent one's temple.
Ranger must have sensed me, and turned to face me with his eyebrow raised. I waived at him to come to me. He nodded to Hal, who stepped closer and raised his gun to watch the captives.
I quickly explained that I knew two of the guys were those government agents I'd seen earlier.
The bigger ass chose this moment to ask "So honey, where's your boyfriend, huh?"
Tank stepped out of the bedroom, and the guy's eyes widened and Tank returned to the room. If the room wasn't so tension filled, I would've laughed at him.
The guy with the mask began asking what we were doing in this cabin. Ranger asked me to return to the room, and I went, reluctantly. I had a feeling his mag-light technique was going to be demonstrated again.
I smiled at Tank and Lula. She was sitting on his lap. Melissa and Alice looked scared. I smiled and said everything is under control. Thirty minutes later, Hector came and gave the all clear. Everyone said they were going back to sleep.
I noticed Alice still looked whiter than normal, so I asked if she was ok. She nodded, and said. "Your right, he does take it seriously, but thank God for that."
I smiled and went to find out what was going on. I noticed they had un-cuffed the intruders, but Hal and Hector were still holding them a gun point. Ranger was talking to someone on his phone again. I watched his face trying to get hints, but couldn't pick up anything.
Ranger hung up his cell phone, and turned to the men. "You'll leave us alone, and can replant whatever devices you want when we're gone. Call your superior for further information."
He gave Hector and Hal a signal and they lowered their guns. I noticed Ranger was placing another call, and I did have to be up at seven. I walked over to him, and said "Is everything ok, I need to get some sleep?"
"Go to sleep Babe." He began talking on his phone again.
I went down the hall, and joined Lula in our room. She was already falling back to sleep, I brushed my teeth, and slipped into bed.