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Chapter 4 - Dinner and Departure
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"Dr. Ramirez, come sit over here, Darling," Gladys said, pointing to the chair next to her.
As Carla walked past Footloose, she couldn't resist commenting, "So, I see you're still stuck in the eighties."
"Like, totally so ma'am," Footloose replied, taking his seat at the dinner table.
Lifeline walked to the only remaining open seat, which happened to be next to Carla. "This smells wonderful," he said, referring to dinner. Duke cast a conspicuous glance at the medic wondering if he meant the food and/or the person sitting next to him, just as Scarlett kneed him under the table.
Mrs. Vasquez started passing the plates of food around the table. Even after everyone had taken what they wanted, there was plenty left.
"Hey, Zook, how is it Conrad, Ron, and even Ed, get to sit next to the pretty women, and I'm stuck sitting between you and Lance?" Shipwreck asked, spooning a small glob of guacamole on his plate.
"Dunno," Bazooka shrugged, his mouth full of a spicy hot tamale. The conversation was scattered and jumped from subject to subject from that point on. Every so often, the room was filled with laughter as the Joes told of some of the pranks that had been pulled.
At some point, Carla turned to Ed as the others were chatting. "I'm sorry about Sandstorm. He thinks he's human at times and thinks he can just join in the party at his own will, which is usually at the worst possible moment," she laughed, thinking of the impromptu football game. "I know they say a coyote is not a dog and should not be kept as a pet, but Sandstorm, he's safer than a lot of dogs I've seen or heard about, and he's very protective of Mrs. Rudat and this house."
Lifeline nodded and chuckled. "It's no problem. He just caught me off guard; however, I am sorry about landing on you. You weren't hurt were you?"
"No," Carla smiled, taking a bite of her tamale. "Mrs. Vasquez, this is wonderful as always."
"Gracias," Mrs. Vasquez replied, smiling. She was elated to see all the Joes enjoying the meal she and her helpers prepared.
Slowly, the dining room began to clear as each person finished their meal. Gratitudes and praises for her marvelous cooking were expressed to Mrs. Vasquez as each person left the table. "Ah, but these two wonderful ladies helped me out quite a bit," she said, pointing to both Cover Girl and Scarlett.
The Joes, knowing the two ladies could barely fix a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, burst out in laughter. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Vasquez, but you see, we know Shana and Court better. Let's just say cooking is not their forte," Alpine explained as he excused himself, knowing he would be in hot water if he lingered.
The men eventually left to see what was on television, while Scarlett, Cover Girl, and Carla helped Mrs. Vasquez clear the table and clean up the kitchen. While they worked in the kitchen, Mrs. Rudat chatted with the four women, mainly keeping the conversation centered on Vegas and some of the strange predicaments that tourists seemed to get themselves into. She regaled all sorts of events her and the late Mr. Rudat had witnessed over the years as she watched everyone work expeditiously at picking up the mess in the kitchen leftover from the wonderful meal.
Eventually, the conversation turned to the subject of significant others. Carla found out that Dusty and Cover Girl had been together for several months, while Scarlett and Duke had officially been a couple for a year and a half. "What about you, Dr. Ramirez? Do you have a significant other?" Cover Girl asked, ignoring the sharp glare that Scarlett gave her. She mouthed to Scarlett, 'What?! I'm not shy'.
Carla answered, smiling, "No, Courtney. My work keeps me very busy. Most guys have that male machismo thing going on and can't get past the demands of my work."
Scarlett nodded. "I understand what you mean, but never fear, there is that special someone out there for you. Just keep your eyes open since you never know when he will show up."
"Maybe you need to focus on a gentleman who is also in the medical field," Mrs. Rudat hinted softly, quickly trying to stifle a yawn.
Scarlett and Cover Girl both exchanged a glance. It appeared as though they might have some potential 'inside' help as well. 'Operation CarEd could be implemented', each one thought, repressing a devious smile. Mrs. Vasquez caught the look between the two female Joes. She smiled, knowing that fate would take its course, if things were meant to be.
"Excuse me, señoritas," Mrs. Vasquez interrupted. "I will be back soon." Turning her attention to Mrs. Rudat, she said, "I think you need to get some rest."
Mrs. Rudat nodded. "Yes, I am a bit tired. I haven't had this much excitement in years. Shana, Courtney it was very nice meeting you both. Enjoy your stay in Vegas. Please come back to see me. Night Dr. Ramirez."
"Thank you for you hospitality," Cover Girl quickly said then joined Scarlett and Carla in saying 'goodnight'. The three ladies continued to make small talk amongst themselves.
Dusty saw Mrs. Vasquez rolling his mother back to her room. He walked over to his mom and kissed her good night. He continued going into the kitchen and stood next to Cover Girl, wrapping his arm around her. Cover Girl looked up at him, smiling warmly.
"I'll go see what's taking them so long," Duke said, also heading towards the kitchen, ignoring the hoots and catcalls of his team. Seeing that everyone was talking and relaxing, he took a seat next to Scarlett, saying, "I thought you ladies were cleaning."
"Everything's done. We're just waiting on the dishwasher, dear," Scarlett said, giving him a quick kiss.
Mrs. Vasquez returned. "Ron, did you have anything you wanted to do while you are home? Don't worry about your mother. She's doing just fine, right Dr. Ramirez?"
Carla nodded. "Yes, she is doing much better these past couple of months. The medications I have her on seem to be doing their job."
Dusty looked around the room, knowing his mother's medical bills had to be adding up. Carla noticed the worry building in his eyes and took him to another room. "Ron, don't worry about her bills. It's all taken care of."
"How?" Dusty asked, knowing that was impossible.
"Look, just between us, I get tons of samples from several pharmaceutical companies, especially the ones your mother needs. I only have a couple of patients who I subscribe them for, and the other has plenty of funds. So, anything I get and can spare, I give to your mother instead of writing her a prescription for them," Carla explained quietly.
Dusty nodded, part of his worries relieved. "But, you have your fees."
"Yes, but Medicare pays what they allow, and the rest, well, your mother and I have an arrangement. Actually, Ronald, Gladys has done quite a bit for me," Carla said, shaking her head. "Ron, you have a wonderful mother. I'd treat her for free if I could. She's become more like a counselor or advisor for me than a patient."
"Thank you," Dusty grinned. "But if she needs anything at all, let me know. I don't want her to have to worry about anything."
"I will," Carla said as they walked back to the kitchen.
"Mrs. Vasquez, does the Wayne Newton's show still play at the Stardust?" Dusty asked, taking a hold of Cover Girl's hand.
"Sí, but you know his shows always sell out way in advance. I doubt you can get tickets on this short notice," Mrs. Vasquez sighed. "Is there..."
"Mrs. Vasquez, I have a friend there who owes me a few favors. If you all are wanting to go, I'll be glad to see if he can arrange something for tomorrow night's showing," Carla offered.
"Sure," Mrs. Vasquez replied for the others.
"It's legit, no scalpers or scam artists," Carla assured everyone. She stepped outside to call her contact and make the arrangements. A few minutes later, she peeked back in and asked Duke to join her. "Conrad, does your team have a hotel room booked already?"
"Well, no ma'am," Duke answered. "May I inquiry why you are asking?"
"My friend, the hotel owner, is very grateful that your team drove Cobra out of Vegas, but he regrets that he can only give your team six seats for the show. He wishes he could provide them for everyone, but the busy season seems to have started early this year. In order to compensate, he has offered to provide hotel accommodations for your team, if you need them," Carla explained.
"That would be great, Dr. Ramirez," Duke grinned. "The guys have been working extremely hard these past few weeks and have been living in tents. They'd be thrilled just to have a bed and hot shower. As for the tickets, six will be fine. Most of the others would prefer seeing why Vegas is called Sin City anyway."
Carla laughed. "I'm sure they would. I'll finish making the arrangements. How many of you are in town?"
"Thirteen," Duke stated. Carla finished her phone conversation and walked back into the house with Duke. They stopped in the kitchen to tell Dusty they were able to obtain six tickets for Wayne Newton's show. As quickly as they said that, Scarlett walked over to Lifeline, pulling him off to the side, while Cover Girl approached Carla.
"Why don't you go with us?" Scarlett asked Lifeline as Cover Girl convinced Carla to join them. Scarlett turned Lifeline's head in the direction of Clutch, Shipwreck, Ace, and the others, "You don't want to gallivant around town with them, do you?"
"Uh, no," Lifeline said, shaking his head. "But I also don't want to interfere with your dates either," he said, looking Dusty and Duke's way.
"You won't," Scarlett assured him, smiling as she caught the thumbs up from Cover Girl.
Meanwhile, Duke had left to gather the others and held a small meeting to explain the arrangements that were made. "Quiet! Mrs. Rudat went to bed, remember," Duke ordered. "We'll leave for the Stardust Hotel in fifteen minutes. Your 48 hour leave begins right after we get checked in and get the rooming arrangements taken care of."
"Yes, sir," the others whispered.
Mrs. Vasquez, Carla, and Sandstorm walked towards the door as the team headed outside. "Hush, Sandstorm," Mrs. Vasquez commanded sharply at the coyote's growling. Dusty hugged both women thanking them for their help with his mother before walking to the vehicles.
Duke stopped him before Dusty climbed into a jeep. "Ronald, stay here if you want. We can meet up with you later."
"I think I will," Dusty smiled. He got his duffle bag out of the back of the jeep and ran back to the house. "Have fun," he said, waving to his teammates as they walked towards the three jeeps.
Duke reached in his pocket to make sure he had the small piece of paper Carla gave him. "What is that?" Scarlett asked.
"Dr. Ramirez' phone number. She said to call her if we had any problems checking in," Duke answered, laughing at the look on his girlfriend's face.
'This couldn't be more perfect. He has Carla's phone number', Scarlett thought to herself.
"I don't even want to know," Duke chuckled, knowing she was up to no good, even more convinced of that since Cover Girl seemed involved as well.
TBC