A Better Day is Coming part 35
PG rating
This story takes place in the mid 1950's
I own nothing and expect even less
Thank you to Chely for taking the time to help me even when she's swamped with work!
Olivia went to the bathroom door as soon as Jorge and Celia were gone.
"Babe your parents are gone. You can come out now." Olivia waited for Natalia to open the door and come out of the bathroom.
"I think you're spending too much time with Tino. That was an extremely dramatic exit. I think there's a rule someplace stating only one queen per marriage." Phillip saw Tino sticking his tongue out at Olivia, as he came back into the room.
"Tino you know better than to stick your tongue out at a lesbian, or are you really offering your services?" Tino shivered at the thought and everyone burst into laughter.
Natalia was the first to recover from laughing. She moved into Olivia's arms and snuggled into her neck. She started to lay down tiny little kisses to Olivia's skin. Olivia smirked. She knew this was Natalia's way of softening her up, so Natalia could get her way. Olivia knew it was unnecessary for the little show, she couldn't deny her love anything, but oh how she loved the little game.
"Livia, you're not tired are you? I know we were going to stay in and play cards tonight, but I've got so much energy I need to burn off. Can we go to The Big Horn and just have a really good time proving my parents wrong again. I don't need shock treatments. I need to dance and laugh and have a good time!" Olivia let her work the whole way. Enjoying every minute of Natalia's tactics. She pulled Natalia close and whispered in her ear.
"The only way I'll agree to go out is if you promise me, that when we get back here I can have my mouth all over your body and your juices all over my face." Natalia flushed in anticipation. The boys smiled because they knew, not only were they going out tonight, but also, not to expect Natalia to be up early making the coffee.
They all went to change. Phillip, Tino and Olivia into suits and ties. Natalia put on a lovely sharkskin deep purple dress. It was an A line with a very fitted top. Olivia's tie was made out of the same material as Natalia's dress. Somehow they were all dressed and out of the hotel in less than an hour.
They decided to walked to the L station. The cab drivers didn't like to drive in such a bad neighborhood. If they took you at all, it was at twice the rate. Then when they dropped you off, you still had to walk down the street so they would know where exactly you were going. Either way it could be dangerous. It was just much easier to take the train.
This was the first time Natalia had been back to The Big Horn since she had moved to Springfield. She was hoping to see all her old friends. It was Saturday night so the chances were good she would get to introduce Olivia to everyone.
When they got off the train and back down onto the street, the boys thought it would be safer if they looked like straight couples walking down the street. Olivia took Phillip's arm and Natalia took Tino's.
Natalia was excited to be back in the old neighborhood. She loved it here as much as she hated it. She knew that didn't make any sense but it was they way she felt. All of her old instincts kicked in and she became very aware of everything around her. She had a big dimpled smile all over her face.
Phillip opened the door to the bar and allowed everyone to enter in front of him. He and Olivia had just been there the night before so he made his way to the bar to order the drinks so everyone else could say their hellos. Phillip was always very gracious but he wasn't really a people person. He thought that was why he and Tino got along so well. He leveled Tino out and Tino helped him to fly a little bit higher.
It seemed to Olivia that Natalia knew almost everyone in the bar. She had been introduced to so many people she would never remember who was who. All of a sudden Natalia squealed like any kid on Christmas morning when they find a bicycle under the tree. She grabbed Olivia's hand and dragged her over to on of the tables in the back.
"Olivia you have to meet two of my guardian angels. Next to Sadie, they have helped me so much. They're right over there at the corner table!" Olivia looked to where Natalia was pointing. A huge smile formed on her face. It had been years since she had seen them. It had even been a while since she had spoken to them on the phone. By the time they made it over to the table, the ladies were standing to greet their old friends.
"Robin, Pearl, it's so good to see you! I want to introduce you to my Olivia." Natalia turned to Olivia just in time to see Robin pulling her into a huge bear hug. Pearl reached out and did the same to Natalia.
The girls looked at each other and at the same time both blurted out. "You know them?" Then everyone started to laugh.
"Yes, I've know Robin and Pearl for years. They were friends with my late husband Josh. Remember I told you I bought the Beacon with the money I got from Josh's inheritance? This is who I bought the Beacon from. They're the ones who taught me how to run a hotel and they were the ones that started the policy of making the Beacon a safe haven for family to work and live." Natalia seemed to be amazed by this information. She had a thoughtful look on her face as the switched people and hugged again.
Phillip had all the drinks. He found Tino and they both walked over to their wives.
"Robin, Pearl let me introduce you to my husband Phillip Spaulding. Phillip this is Robin and Pearl. They are the women I bought the Beacon from. This handsome man is Phillip's lover Tino. Tino is Natalia's husband. This Robin and Pearl. They were dear friends of my first husband Josh." Hand shakes were made all around. Pearl invited them to join them at their table. Phillip and Tino went to see if Sadie had any champaign. Olivia felt like this was the perfect night for a celebration.
"It is so good to see you guys. It's been way to long. We have so much to catch you up on. Starting with the fact that we are an us." Olivia pulled Natalia down to sit on her lap. Natalia still hadn't said a thing. She still had that wistful look on her face.
"We've been in Florida mostly. We finally got our beach front hotel running the way we want it. We even decided to name it Safe Harbor. It works for us on so many levels. Having family living and working there. It has its own little cove that keeps our little strip of sand safe from the public and it just is our place to go to hide from the world. I think it's where we will go when we finally get ready to retire." Pearl saw the look on Natalia's face.
"So say something Doll. You were always quiet, but not this quiet." For some reason, Natalia loved when Pearl called her Doll. She got another big smile on her face and gave Olivia a big kiss on the cheek.
"I've just been thinking. I think you two really are my guardian angels. You always listened to me and gave me good advice. You never told what to do, just listened. Now I find out that if it weren't for you, I would have never met the love of my life. You two are truly amazing." Pearl raised an eyebrow at Natalia. They had not been in the Chicago area in almost two years. How could they have had anything to do with Natalia and Olivia meeting.
Phillip returned with the bubbly and poured a glass for everyone. Olivia raised her glass for a toast.
"To unexpectedly meeting up with old friends. To finding out what a small world it really is." Everyone sipped their drink. Pearl raised her glass for another toast.
"No toast is ever complete without my favorite. Please raise your glasses. Cheers for queers!" Everyone laughed and echoed "Cheers for queers!" They clinked their glasses and quickly emptied them.
Everyone grabbed a chair and sat down. Pearl really wanted to know how they had helped Olivia and Natalia meet. She loved playing matchmaker, but she knew they had nothing to do with this match.
"So tell me Doll, how did Robin and I help get you two together?" Natalia told them all about the trouble she had at the diner and having to leave town to keep everyone here at The Big Horn safe. She told them how Sadie called Olivia and set up an interview for her at the Beacon. They both told them their own version of their first meeting. Pearl and Robin were very happy about their putting safe haven into place at all their hotels. This was all the proof they needed that it was the right thing to do.
In between all the story telling, there was a great deal of drinking and dancing. Pearl and Robin loved to dance. They could Lindy with the best of them. Robin was thrilled to hear they were both pregnant. Pearl was glad she didn't have to be around all the mood swings that would be coming.
While Olivia was dancing with Pearl, Natalia told Robin all about the confrontations she had with her parents during the day. She and Robin had very similar personalities and just always seemed to end up chatting. Now Pearl had Olivia to show off with. Tino got into the act and showed off his dancing skills. It was nice to have a group of people that all enjoyed dancing.
By the end of the night, the six of them had so much fun together, that they made plans for dinner the following night and for them all to meet in Florida at Safe Haven in two months. The girls would not be showing all that much and they could get their last vacation before becoming parents.
Natalia was so happy about meeting up with Robin and Pearl and having such a good time together. Just as they all were getting ready to leave, Natalia went up to the bar to find Sadie.
"Sadie do you still have your little brownie camera behind the bar?" Sadie smiled and nodded her head yes.
"Would you please take a picture of us, so we can always remember what a good day this ended up being for us." Sadie grabbed the camera and came out from behind the bar.
"Come on everyone, let's go outside where the light is better. I think I can get all of you and the name of the bar in the picture." Robin wasn't to sure she wanted her picture taken in front of one of the most known gay bars in Chicago, but one look at Natalia's face and everyone egging her on, she gave in.
"Ok everybody line up just under the sign." Natalia and Nicky, Olivia and Phillip, Robin and Pearl quickly lined up and Sadie took the picture. They all kissed Sadie goodnight and headed to the L.
Tbc