Chapter 8: Westwood

After two days back in southern California, Dan was coming over to visit with Lila and her son Tim at their apartment in Los Angeles’ Westwood neighborhood. Checking the address on his phone, he found apartment 206 and knocked.

He noticed that the peephole lens darkened momentarily. Obviously, he was briefly being watched. The door swung open and Dan was surprised.

“Um, I’m Dan, Lila’s friend. If you’re Tim, I was deeply misinformed, because you’re shorter and less masculine than I was led to expect.”

Facing him was a disheveled teen female with a slight build and dark circles under her brown eyes. She scowled and griped, “Nobody told me a freak with blue hair was coming, ‘DAN.’ I really don’t need any shit from you. I’m not in the mood.”

“I’m sorry for being impolite. Are Lila and Tim away?”

“Obviously. Eh, you can come in and wait for them, I think they’ll be back shortly.”

“Thank you, uh, please, can I have your name?”

“I’m Pam Dewitt; Tim is my boyfriend. My feet hurt, just get in here and sit here in the kitchen. If you’re thirsty, get yourself some water. My fucking feet!”

Pam groaned and crumpled into one of the upright metal chairs of the kitchen’s breakfast table. Seeing her upset, tearful, and unhealthy, Dan was instantly sympathetic.

“Oh, Pam, let me get YOU some water.”

“Thanks, I am thirsty.”

“Is there anything else I can do to help you? Can I ask, what happened to your feet?”

“I just need to rest. I finished walking here from Watts. Took me about six hours.”

“You’re kidding! That’s miles and miles, in this heat? That’s awful! What happened?”

“Please, I can’t tell the story twice. I’ll explain when Tim and his mom get here.”

Meanwhile, 15 miles east of Westwood in Glendale, Brent was stepping up to the front door of a modest home. It was about 5:30 in the afternoon; still plenty of daylight on the porch. Ringing the doorbell, he was unprepared for what he saw as the front door swung open.

Sally, all six and a half feet of her, was standing there just inside and wearing only a broad smile. Next to her was her roommate, Neena, also nude.

“Don’t just stand there gaping, get your ass inside. Right, Neena, this is Brent, my co-star. No, don’t speak, just get your clothes off. From now on, in this house, your only words are ‘Yes, Mistress’ when either of us is naked. Understand?”

He took a beat trying to clear his head, then unbuckled his belt.

“Yes, Mistress.”

Dan had arrived hoping he could take Lila and Tim out to dinner. Just then, they heard the door unlock and Lila and Tim bustled in with four bags from the supermarket.

Tim caught sight of Pam and cried out, dismayed.

“Pam! What happened to you? What’s wrong? Why are...”

Hurriedly he dropped his two grocery sacks and rushed to her. Unable to speak, the young woman sobbed in his arms as he crouched beside her trying to comfort her.

“Hello, Dan, I guess you’re early. I’m happy to see you, but, sorry for all the drama.”

He put his palms out, signifying to Lila, “It’s no problem.”

“Tim, please, carry me to the couch? I need to explain,” Pam whispered, hoarse.

With her arms over his shoulders and his arms underneath her legs, Tim athletically carried Pam into the living room and placed her down gently on the plush sofa. Briefly, Lila kissed Dan then rushed to the couch herself. Dan brought over Pam’s water glass and placed it on the coffee table.

Trying to keep her composure, Pam described what had happened.

“This morning there was no food in the apartment, so I walked down to the Quickie Mart for a loaf of bread. Oh, yesterday morning, I found a note from my mother. She said she was leaving California and that I was ‘on my own now’ since I turned 18 last month. But when I got back with the bread, the landlord had locked me out. His notice posted on the door claimed my mother had not paid him any rent in the past four months.”

“And you couldn’t call us, because, no phone.”

“Yeah, exactly. Tim, I was homeless, and had no money. My only option was to walk for six hours to get here from Watts. At least I had a copy of your key. About 40 minutes after I got here is when Dan showed up, and then you came home just a bit later.”

She sniffled.

“I didn’t know what to do! Maybe I can...”