Scarlet Billows
Part One
...one month later
Dina continued to bite her tongue, literally, as Drake convinced her that driving to Las Vegas would
be a better idea than flying there. It would be a celebratory blow out considering that Dina was
going to go to the University of Arizona to get her degree in Health Sciences. I-125 North was not
becoming I-515 North. They never should have stopped at that McDonald's because Drake had to
have a chocolate milkshake.
Dina couldn't hold it back any longer.
"Drake, please admit that you are lost!"
"I'm not lost."
"Beg to differ," Dina waved the print out from Yahoo maps, "I-125 North is supposed to become
I-515 North. You better get off at the next exit and ask for directions."
"I'm NOT lost."
"I'm at the mercy of an idiot driving a crappy Impala. Idiot!"
"Remind me why I thought this would be a good trip to take?"
"Headaches…."
The normal four hour and a half trip turned into a six hour trip. By the time they got to the
moderately priced Station Casino hotel that was just off the Strip, the only thing Dina wanted to do
besides empty her bladder was to crawl into bed and stay there.
"What are you doing?" Drake asked
"What does it look like? I'm tired from that long ass car ride."
"But this is Las Vegas! Don't you want---"
"Drake, go have your fun. I want to go to sleep."
Drake felt odd about leaving Dina alone in their room.
This trip was supposed to be for them. But if his sister said that she wanted to sleep then he had to
respect that. But did she have to claim the bed by the window?
It still didn't stop him from throwing his blue duffle on the alternate bed and taking out his black
swimming trunks.
Hopefully, there would be someone in this town who would put out, since most of the girls back
home were all teases.
Dina closed her eyes when she heard Drake close the bathroom door. He was probably going to
leave his clothes on the floor and there was absolutely no way that she was going to clean up after
him on her (their) vacation.
PoolsideIt couldn't have been no more than an hour that Dina was in her room sleeping, before she decided
to get up and check to see what Drake was doing. She unpacked her suitcase and put all of her
clothes in the closet and drawers. She did leave one drawer for Drake. Dina never tired of seeing
her feminine clothes hanging in the closet or piled up in the dresser. She laid out all of her cosmetics
and skin care by the sink and tried to give Drake some space by the coffee maker.
She washed her face and did her whole make-up routine.
"Aw jeez," He did leave his clothes and underwear on the floor, "I'm not picking them up."
Dina had a simple one-piece black tank bathing suit. She smoothed her hands over her chest and
really wished she could go up a cup size. But that cost money. It was more important to add to the
chest then to get a lip injection. But it always made her feel incomplete that she couldn't improve on
her canvas. In the back of her mind she hoped she wasn't becoming one of those "addicted to
plastic surgery" people.
Then Tommy could see what he's really been missing out on.
A tear was forming in the corner of her eyes thinking that Tommy should be brushing her hair and
then they'd make love and would never have made it to the pool.
Why did he have to be the one to break her heart?
Dina tied her white sarong with the butterfly design at her waist. It might have taken longer to get
ready. But it was very much worth it. Now, she just had to figure out if she wanted to do the wedge
thing or the flat sandal thing. Dina wished there was an operation that could shave inches off her
height (yeah, she was a supermodel all right…damn Tommy) and her feet. She would have loved to
wear a dainty size 7. But at least the 10's were still women's shoes. Still it was a real concern of
many m-f who unfortunately were born with the tall gene and there wasn't any surgery that could
change your height.
Dina chose the flat sandals because it showed off her vivid orange painted toenails.
She threw some things into her wicker pool bag and hoped that Drake was not getting into too much
trouble.
But she knew better.
It was a Drake Parker world record. He wasn't in the pool area for about three minutes before
some red headed; sexy tart with a very large chest in a barely there (do you think he really noticed
the color?) bikini came on to him.
Dina rolled her eyes when she saw Drake in the PUBLIC hot tub area (gross to her!) making out
with some flame haired skunkbag.
Did he even know this one's name?
"Oh, hey," Drake said when he came up for some air.
"This is my sister, Dina."
The tramp was about ready to bolt until he said the magic word of "Sister".
"I'm Marti."
"Continue on. I'm going to the bar. Nice meeting you."
Dina knew Drake didn't know her name until she mentioned it again. What an unsatisfying love life
he obviously had. It was at that moment that she realized she would rather be alone than living a lie
like her brother was.
"I'd like to buy the lady a drink…."
Oh damn. She supposed this is the kind of thing that would happen when you came down to a
public pool area in your sexy bathing suit.
"No, thank you."
He had to be about forty-five and was left over from the disco era with a mound of gold chains
around a hairy chest and beer belly. And of course he had the dreaded come over.
"Come on, pretty lady, it's only a drink."
He was touching her shoulder.
"I said no thank you. And kindly remove your hand from my shoulder."
How come the bartender wasn't saying anything?
"You heard the lady…."
This was one time where she welcomed her brother doing the typical male
macho "saving the day" credo.
"And who are you?"
"Her brother," Drake pushed the guy hard as a warning shot, "Now
leave my sister alone or you'll be fucking sorry."
The mildly overweight guy sized Drake up and down before shrugging his shoulders to find the next
woman who wouldn't give him the time of day.
"Thank you, Drake."
"That's what a brother is for. You didn't get your drink did you? I know you like drinks with
umbrellas in them. Two Pina Coladas…" Drake said to the bartender
"What happened to Marti?"
"Who?"
He couldn't be that shallow. He really couldn't.
"The person you were locking lips with in the hot tub."
"Oh. She told me to come upstairs to her room in an hour she's having a party. Do you want to
come?"
"You know you don't have to go if you don't want to." Dina smiled, she liked getting drinks with
umbrellas in them. She was collecting them for the purpose of scrap booking.
"I want to. We got here so late…I guess I did get lost a little bit. We can do something tomorrow. I
mean it." He added for good measure because Drake Parker really did mean it, but he also had to
satisfy his urges.
He couldn't wait like Josh or Dina. It wasn't natural to him.
"It's okay," Dina played with her tiny cocktail umbrella, "I think I'll just write in my journal."
"Are you sure?" Drake asked
Dina really wanted to ask her brother how could he be so shallow? How could he move from girl to
girl as if they like tissues out of a box?
Drake was so lucky to not be saddled with a child he didn't want or a disease that wouldn't have
happened if he just kept his dick in his pants.
But Dina knew that Drake hated being put on the defensive and the last thing she wanted was for
them to fight ever again.
It wasn't her place to judge, it was only her place to love and support.
"Of course. Have fun, brother."
"Cool. Wake up early because we'll be hitting the breakfast buffet. I promise."
"Sure…" but Dina was certain he'd either a) not be back at the room or b) be sleeping off his
fuckfest.
"It's official— you're the best."
"I know." Dina replied as she drank her Pina Colada with tight lips.
Next DayDina didn't want to open up her eyes. Tommy coming back to her was all a dream and the reality
was that she was in a Las Vegas hotel with her brother. Or was he still gone? She opened her eyes,
but didn't otherwise get up.
The alarm clock was facing Drake's bed and she left her watch in the bathroom so Dina had no idea
on what time it was. She stretched her legs while lying down, but she didn't want to get up.
"Oh good, you're up…" Drake came in the room wearing the complimentary white robe and was
towel drying his hair.
"I'm not…" Dina closed her eyes
Usually it was the other way round. Drake would be the one you'd have to drag out of bed with the
promise of a hot breakfast and Dina would be the one up two hours earlier making it.
"Come on," Drake lightly shook her shoulder, "All you can eat for under five bucks…my treat."
It was cheaper than the IHOP back home.
"I thought you'd be still be sleeping…" she moaned
"I promised. Come on…."
"You're not even dressed yet…"
"It'll only take me five minutes, Dina."
"Drake, get dressed and then wake me up." She held onto her pillow and closed her eyes again.
Later
Dina wanted to watch her weight. Nothing was worse in her mind than an overweight transgendered
woman. So, she was slightly envious of Drake's mountain of eggs, bacon, pancakes, and hash
browns on his plate.
"Is that all you're eating?" Drake asked looking at Dina's fruit cup, small bowl of corn flakes, and a
glass of orange juice.
"Yes. You know Drake, this is a buffet, you can go back for second helpings."
"Are you okay?" he asked while reaching for the pepper shaker.
"I'm fine. I'm still tired from yesterday…I guess."
She did like eating outside in the patio area and feeling a light breeze. Dina really didn't want to be a
party-pooper. She knew most of this was "missing Tommy" residue.
"I'll give you my coffee for your orange juice…"
"I'm fine, Drake, but thanks."
"Looks like there will be band playing in five minutes. I hope they're good."
Entertainment was always sketchy in Vegas.
It was either the kitschy camp or the seriously dull.
The sign near the buffet entrance read
Breakfast with the Thunderbirds
A '50s Revival Show
Dina figured one pancake wouldn't ruin her figure. She wasn't paying attention when a man who
looked like he graduated from the looking like the worst host on a game show academy announced
the musical act. She silently rolled her eyes as Drake was "borrowing" the sugar from the next table
over because someone that he deemed attractive was sitting all by herself in her skimpy summer
dress.
Dina figured this cool brother of hers was all act. His self-esteem probably felt like shit, just like hers
used to back in the day. But she would never bring this up. She didn't want to fight with Drake just
so she could prove herself right.
In five seconds Dina was about to drop her plate and leave the breakfast buffet.
Drake who could easily get lost in a pretty female's eyes finally realized the band was playing Bobby
Darin's Mack the Knife and right on the words
"Scarlet billows start to spread" his heart started to race.
He was also shocked.
Where was Dina? He looked over at the buffet line and she wasn't there. He did notice the cleaning
staff taking care of something that was dropped on the floor.
Drake stood up almost afraid the spotlight would shine on his face when all he wanted to do was
make a clean exit. His heart was fluttering a million pieces as he noticed one of Dina's sandals by the
exit.
What were they going to do now?
In the room
Dina was face down in her bed crying. Drake put her shoe down next to the other one that was on
the floor and hoped that he could help stop her pain.
"I'm s-sorry." He rubbed her back.
"N-not your f-fault, D-drake."
"We can stay at another hotel. I'll go to the front desk…"
"No," She turned her body slightly and held out her arms, "I just want you to hold me…"
"I don't know what to say…"
"H-how do you feel?"
It wasn't just about her.
"I don't know. I have a good mind to go----"
"NO! Please don't make it worse. Do you think he saw us?"
Drake brushed the bangs out of Dina's face and kissed her on the cheek, "I don't think so. So,
Dad's an oldies singer at a Vegas resort?"
"We have to tell Mom so she can stop worrying about his whereabouts."
And God only knew how Megan was going to take the news.
"I know. Why don't you rest, Sis?"
"You're going to face him aren't you?"
"Yes," Drake stood up to cover Dina with a light top sheet, "I think I should. For the sake of our
family…I think I should."
…to be continued