Ghost Writer
Chapter 5
"I don't have money to buy something. Well, shoot." Kate was bummed. "Now what do we do?"
Angela sighed. "We stay put for a while, sorry."
Kate tried to soothe her. "It's not your fault. You don't have to be sorry. You tried." Kate hugged and kissed her.
"So now what?" Angela asked.
Then, an idea struck Kate. "Ange, where were you searching?"
"Manhattan, why?"
"What about expanding your search, including Queens and the Bronx? Maybe that will help?" Kate suggested.
Angela tried just those areas, and she scored, too. "Here's one in the Bronx – 5 Lincoln Avenue #W1A. It's a two bedroom, two bathroom. The complex has a weight room and a basketball court. That's interesting. It has a common area, laundry, and a pool. The kitchen looks nice, and it has a dishwasher. The two bedrooms are on the second floor. That's interesting.
"This next one doesn't have a pool, though it has an exercise room and a common area, and nothing else," Angela told her. "That's it for the Bronx. I'll try Queens next."
"Here's one, and it's big – 3 Court Square #2911. It's a two bedroom, two bathroom, dishwasher, and laundry. The complex has a pool, exercise room, kids' playroom, a pool table, and an outdoor patio area with the unit.
"That looks to be it. Now I'll see if there's anything around them," Angela said and began looking again. "The one in Queens has lots of restaurants nearby. One or two are within walking distance. There's a grocery store just across the street and another close by."
"What about the one in the Bronx?" Kate asked.
Angela shook her head again. "Sorry, there's nothing close. There is a view of the river, but that's it."
"So we're down to one. That sucks." Kate sat back and tried to think. "I can't afford to purchase something, and there's just the one in Queens. Do we go look at it?"
"Couldn't hurt, but I'll remind you we only just got into this one. It'll cost us a fortune to break the lease and pay the first and last month's rent on the new one, not to mention hiring movers. We'll have to pack everything again." Angela waited to see what she wanted to do.
"Okay, okay! I get the point. We stay where we are for a year. Thanks for looking." Kate kissed her for that alone.
~oo0oo~
Kate had an idea. "Where are your parents?"
"London, they live there now." Angela had no idea why Kate asked, but she wanted to know. "Why?"
"That rules out my meeting them unless... Do you have any upcoming vacation time?" Kate inquired.
"I don't." Angela sighed and said, "I'm not eligible for three more months."
"Well, shoot," Kate grumbled. "I can write from anywhere."
"Lucky you. Speaking of writing, how's it going?" Angela waited expectantly.
"Pretty well, actually. I finished a chapter recently and sent it to Gina. She called and told me she was happy with my work, so that's something at least."
Angela didn't say anything for minute. "Now, what do we do?"
"We've got dresses for the party. I don't know, pretend we're visitors?" Out of nowhere, Kate changed the subject. "Have you ever been to the Statue of Liberty?" She watched Angela shake her head. "Neither have I, and I've lived here all my life. Could we go there tomorrow?"
"Sounds like a play. It'll be cold. Traveling over the water to the island, I mean," Angela warned her.
Kate shrugged. "I have a coat. So we know what we're doing tomorrow. What do we do with the rest of the day today?"
"I can think of something." Angela raised her eyebrow over and over again.
"I love the way you think." Kate went with her into the bedroom, where they made love to each other for hours.
They were both worn out and fell asleep in each other's arms.
~oo0oo~
They took the ferry to the Statue of Liberty, climbed to the top, and admired the view for a while. It was back down after that, and they walked around the island until the ferry could return them to the Battery at the southern tip of Manhattan.
Then they made love to each other that night.
~oo0oo~
It was finally time to attend the party. They each got ready in their own space, met downstairs, and took a taxi to get there.
Kate looked around the room. "I thought you said we weren't wearing costumes?" She was confused since everyone she saw was in costume.
"It isn't, or it wasn't, Kate. Blast it all. I must have missed something. We're not dressed for this at all." Just then, her boss came up to her. "Angela, glad you could make it. Where is your costume?"
"We're well-to-do socialites that are too good for this party," Kate told him with a sultry smile.
"OH! Well, help yourself to the punch, it's killer. And don't forget the snacks, they're to die for. Get it? Killer punch, snacks to die for," her boss told her, waiting for her reaction.
Angela nodded. "Yes, sir, I got it."
He sighed. "It needs work. Have a good time, ladies." He moved on to the next person.
"Who was that?" Kate whispered.
"He's my boss, my immediate boss," Angela clarified. "The boss of the entire group is someone else. She's probably around here somewhere."
"Let's get some killer punch and some snacks that are to die for," Kate said and strolled into the room. All around them were people in costumes, and there they were, dressed to kill.
"These aren't bad," Kate commented and had another snack.
"Dance with me, please," Angela told her. Kate agreed, so out to the dance floor they went. The music was fast, so Kate danced to the beat, as did Angela.
The music changed to a sexy number, and Kate gyrated her hips. She was actually having fun. Then, the following number was a slow dance, so they held each other close.
"I adore your backless dress," Angela murmured.
"So do I. You keep that up, Angela, and I swear I'll ravage you."
"Lucky me," Angela purred, running her hands up and down Kate's back.
The next song was another slow one, and they continued to hold each other. "My panties are soaked," Kate whispered.
Angela answered her by running her hands slowly up and down her back again, causing Kate to moan. Just then, Angela stopped. "Uh-oh. Trouble."
"What?" Kate looked where she was looking and didn't see anything.
"My boss is going around to every member of our group. That could only mean one thing." Angela watched as he came her way.
"I'm sorry, but we've got a case, and I need you. Cars are waiting for us downstairs. Ten minutes." He turned and walked to the next person.
Angela sighed and looked at her. "I'm sorry, Kate."
Kate squeezed her hand gently. "Don't worry, I understand. Go get the bad guy." Angela gave her a quick kiss, gathered her skirt up in both hands, and hurried away, leaving Kate standing there.
She decided to move to the killer punch and poured herself a drink. Someone approached her and looked her up and down. "Whoever you are, you're not in costume."
Kate looked down her nose at her. "I'm a wealthy socialite that's too good for this party."
"OH! Well done, and I love your dress." She leaned in closer. "Maybe a bit more fake jewelry next time."
"Thanks. You're a…mummy?" Kate asked.
"I got my husband to wrap me up as much as he could until we ran out of bandages. Now, I'm here all alone."
"Me too. Alone, I mean," Kate said quickly.
"It was good meeting you. Enjoy the party." She walked away, leaving Kate all alone again. She decided to have some more of that killer punch.
Ultimately, Kate decided the party wasn't fun without Angela, so she left.
~oo0oo~
Angela was sitting at her computer when her boss came over to her. "Who was the woman you were with?" He stood there waiting for an answer.
Angela raised an eyebrow and stared at him. "She's a friend."
"Must be some friend." He clapped his hands. "Okay, listen up, everyone. We're searching for this guy." He waited for the man's picture to come up on one of the screens. "His name is Edgar Alan Poe. No relation to the American writer and poet. We need to find him; there's nothing better the FBI does than finding someone. Let's get to work, people!"
Angela sat there in her gown, surrounded by others also in costume.
~oo0oo~
Angela finally came home after they solved their case. It was late in the day, really late. The sun was about to come up. She unlocked her door, closed it, and locked it. She took a couple steps into the room and saw Kate curled up, asleep on her sofa. They had long since exchanged keys, so she wasn't that surprised to find her there. She came closer to her, looked her over, and decided she looked cute like that. Angela knelt to her level and called out, "Kate." Then she jostled her and said, "Kate," again.
Finally, Kate opened her eyes. "Elle?"
"Come to bed." Angela helped her up and into the bedroom, where she took the dress off her. It wasn't exactly how she dreamed of taking her dress off her. Then she got her into bed.
Angela removed her own dress, hung it over the chair so she would remember to get it dry cleaned, and climbed into bed with Kate. She spooned her and draped an arm over her. Giving a contented sigh, Ange went to sleep.
~oo0oo~
Kate woke up in bed alone. She slowly got up and held her head. Then, still naked, she walked out into the main room.
"Well, hey there, sleepy head. How do you feel?" Angela asked.
Kate was a mess, and her hair was everywhere. She sat down at the table and moaned. "What was in that punch?"
"He did say it was a killer punch," Angela reminded her. "Just how long did you stay?"
"A little while? I dunno know. But I seem to remember I talked to a mummy."
"I'm sorry about that. I must have missed the 'costumes mandatory' part. Here's your breakfast. Eat up, it'll help you feel better. And here's your coffee." She set a plate of eggs, two pieces of bacon, and a cup of coffee in front of her.
Kate picked up the cup and sipped the coffee. It did and didn't help. "I'm going back to bed. Wake me up when it's tomorrow." Kate put her cup down and staggered back to bed.
Angela just smiled, feeling bad for how Kate felt. But she couldn't do much to help her, she sat down and ate Kate's breakfast.
~oo0oo~
It was almost time for dinner when Kate came out of the bedroom, naked yet again, and curled beside her on the sofa. "Feeling better?" Angela asked.
"Somewhat." Kate yawned. "There must have been something in that punch."
Angela eyed her. "Any idea how much you drank?"
"Three or four, or maybe five or six," Kate told her and yawned again.
Angela laughed at her. "He warned you it was a killer punch."
Kate looked around blearily. "What time is it?"
Angela checked her watch. "Almost time for dinner. Want some?"
She shuddered. "None for me, thanks. I'm not sure I could keep it down." Kate looked down at herself. "And why am I naked?"
"Because I took your dress off you and put you to bed."
Kate looked down at the floor, her face red with embarrassment. "Oh, not exactly how I dreamed the night would go."
"Me, neither," Angela remarked dryly.
"I guess I better get dressed and go home. Maybe straight back to bed," Kate told her, but she wasn't in any hurry.
"Good night, Kate. I'll see you tomorrow after I get off work." Angela kissed her, watching as she got up, stumbled into the bedroom, and came out wearing her dress. She headed for the door and left. Angela just smiled and shook her head.
~oo0oo~
Kate got up and showered, which helped her feel better. Her night out gave her an idea. She had inspiration and did some writing. She ate lunch, kept it down, and went back to writing. She sent the finished chapter to Gina, closed her laptop, and waited for Angela to come home.
She was watching TV when suddenly her door opened and in walked Angela, who grinned and began to tease her. "It lives!"
"Barely." Kate watched as Angela sat beside her, leaned over, and she gave Kate a quick kiss.
"Feel like cooking, or do we eat out tonight?" Angela asked.
Kate made a face. "I think we better eat out."
"In that case, I'll go home and change clothes, while you decide where we should go." Angela gave her another kiss, got up, and left.
That got Kate to open her laptop and search for a restaurant.
It wasn't long before they were downstairs, flagging down a taxi. Fortunately, the yellow vehicles were everywhere.
"Las Margaritas," Kate told the driver, and he was off.
"It's Mexican," Kate said hurriedly, "I hope that's alright. If not, there's a Greek place right next door."
"Mexican is fine," Angela assured her.
"Did you catch the bad guy since he interrupted the party," Kate asked out of curiosity.
"We did. Though, it took a while. Far longer than usual," Angela replied.
They arrived and were seated straight away. "I'll have the three tacos, soft, and chicken, please," Angela told their server.
"I'd also like the three tacos, soft, but with steak, please. Oh, and I'd like a margarita, too." Kate smiled and handed the menu back to her.
"Make that two, please," Angela said. Their server nodded and went to put their orders in.
"Were you able to get any writing done at all, or did you spend it in bed?" Angela asked her.
"The party gave me an idea, and I wrote an entire chapter, smarty pants. I sent it to Gina before we left."
"That leaves you with how many? Twenty-something chapters left to go?" Angela inquired.
"Don't remind me," Kate groaned. "I should be long since done with my children's book."
"You'll get there." Angela patted her hand. "You have nine or ten months left, right?"
"I just need you to keep telling me that." Kate told her.
"My boss questioned me about you. I said you were a friend, and he said you must be a good friend. Kate, I'm pretty sure he saw me kiss you."
"I am your friend, Angela. Maybe even more than just a friend. You're my girlfriend. That doesn't really explain who you are, to be honest. You're more than that. I just can't walk around telling everyone you're my lover."
"I know what you mean. You're more than a girlfriend, so what do I call you?" Angela asked her.
"I guess you're my girlfriend even if you're more than that," Kate contended.
"Girlfriend it is then," Angela agreed.
Their server cleared her throat so they would know she was there. "That was fast." Kate commented as she served their dinner.
"This is very good," Angela told her, while Kate just hummed her approval since her mouth was full.
They paid their bill and left a generous tip, then went home where they made love to each other.
~oo0oo~
"It's almost Thanksgiving," Kate reminded Angela. "Are your parents coming?"
Angela shook her head. "No. Instead, they're going to Germany. That's where my brother Michael lives."
"I can see where they might want to do that." Kate could also see there was something else troubling Angela. "Elle, do your folks not like you or something?"
"I'm nowhere near number one on their list," Angela replied with a shrug.
Kate persisted, knowing there had to be something more to it. "Why not? You're sweet and kind and lovable."
"BECAUSE I'M A LESBIAN. OKAY?!" Angela yelled.
Kate took her in her arms immediately. "I'm so sorry. Their loss is my gain. I love you, Angela."
Hearing her say that got Angela to face her. "You love me?"
Kate brushed a strand of hair from Angela's lips. "Yes, I love you. I had plans to tell you, but not like this."
Angela put her arms around her. "I love you too, Kate, so very much."
"Maybe it would help if I talked to them." But Kate watched as Angela shook her head. "It was just a thought. I do love you, Elle."
"I'm okay, I am. Promise. I've lived with both parents hating me for quite a while now. According to them, I should be married to a man and have his babies. They don't even know I work for the FBI, Kate."
"Alright. Don't worry, those two won't be here for Thanksgiving. My parents are dead. So, who do we invite over for dinner?" Kate asked, watching her closely.
"I don't know. Michael is my only sibling. He doesn't hate me; he understands, thank goodness."
"Do you have any vacation time? Maybe we could go see him," Kate suggested.
"No! It's not fair for me to do that to him. I won't drag my brother into this, Kate."
"Okay, okay. We'll stay home and celebrate it ourselves, then," Kate said, trying to calm her. "Just you and me. Is that alright?" she asked, and Angela nodded.
~oo0oo~
Angela had calmed down. Kate held her hand. "What would you like to do for Christmas? Spend it in Germany? I'd like to meet your brother sometime."
"I can put in a request for time off," Angela replied. "I might get it."
The excitement began to bubble inside Kate. "Christmas in Germany sounds like so much fun! Cheer up, Elle. Christmas in Germany is going to be wonderful. I'll start planning right away. Find out what airfare costs and find us a hotel. I almost forgot – where in Germany is he?"
"Michael lives in Berlin, the Soldiner Kiez area," Angela replied. "You're sure this is a good idea?"
"It's a great idea! Your brother cares about you, and we get to spend Christmas in Berlin. It's a wonderful idea. You just focus on what to pack." Kate's eyes lit up. "And we'll need Christmas presents. We can't forget those!"
~oo0oo~
"I've got a hotel, Elle. It's at the Big Mama Hotel. A one-bedroom costs 86.90 US dollars."
Angela wasn't sure she heard Kate correctly. "Big Mama?"
"That's what it's called. I can't make up stuff like this, even if I am a writer. Now, for airfare. OUCH! Tickets are $2,771 round trip, flying United. It'll take us 13 hours to get there, and we have two layovers. The first is an hour in DC. The second one is an hour and 20 minutes in Munich." Kate shrugged. "Don't ask me why we fly to DC; I haven't got a clue."
"So, the hotel for five days costs us $425, and the airfare costs us $2,771 each, which sounds expensive. Do we still do this?" Kate waited anxiously for her answer. She wanted to go!
"Yes, I'll go ahead and put in a request for time off. Until I find out, we hold," Angela told her.