Chapter 16

After we received dinner, we ate with the ladies still rambling on about their new cars.

I interjected that it was getting late. They needed to pack a bag for tomorrow night and the weekend. They both asked what was going on. I blew them off and gave them a very vague answer.

Both Dakota and Tina put on their pouty face. Jill said, “Sorry girls, not this time. If David or I find out that either of you two tried to find out what we have planned, then you will sit here at home while we have fun. Got it?”

“Yes, Ma’am” they said in unison.

Saturday morning came much too quickly for me. We forgot to close the curtains in the bedroom and thus the hostile morning sun was blazing through the windows.

I tossed and turned trying to escape the invasion of light.

My bladder won all the battles. “Fuck” I moaned to myself, flipping the covers back letting my feet hit the floor for my journey to the bathroom.

Since I was now up, I decided to stay up. I brushed my teeth, washed my hands, and ran a comb through my disheveled hair. I looked at my cell phone. 10:18am ... really? I slid on a pair of basketball shorts and a white tee shirt. Grudgingly I headed out to the kitchen. I smelled food, it smelled delicious.

“Good Morning Sleepy-Head” Jill said to me kissing me on the cheek.

“Well, what’s new this morning?”

“I’ve made lots of phone calls. I called Bob and Melanie, they’re not interested in a car dealership. Their reasoning is even under new ownership the previous reputation will carry over and smear the brand. I agree with their assessment. I called several of our accounting people and scheduled a meeting for next week. I want to see just where we are financially, in all the brands. I asked Dakota to add it to your schedule. I called the stock broker the company uses. On my own accord, I asked them to send us 1000 shares of stock. I want it to go to Dakota. Her idea and plan about ‘The Pinetree’ is perfect. I want her to know that we appreciate her dedication to this company. Hopefully, both her and Tina will gain confidence.”

“Do you know how sexy you are when you’re thinking?” Yes, it was a rhetorical question.

Jill made me a plate of food, which I gobbled down with a purpose.

“Have any calls to make dear.”

“Um, yes. I want to plan on using both limo companies separate, but together. Black Car Limo has a perfectly clean reputation, but not very much inventory. Happee Happy Limo has inventory and customers/clients. I want to split the customers to one side and the clients to another. All of it under one big umbrella, much like ‘YUM Brand’ ... you know, Taco Bell/Pizza Hut/KFC separate corporations but all under one umbrella brand. It also might give us the leverage to convert the stock to allow our employees to be the majority stockholders and thus protecting all the brands from a buyout by some corporate raider.”

“To use your words ... Spec-Fucking-Tacular!” Jill said.

“Keep an eye on time. The limos will be here soon. You still need to pack. Will you wear the nice blue jeans, the cobalt blue long-sleeve shirt and your cashmere black sports coat? I think you look so hot in that.” Jill said.

“Hun, I’ll wear whatever you want me to wear, you know that.”

“Is everything set up?”

“According to those involved with our little surprise it’s all Game On!”

My head went back to the limo business again. “Hun, we will be carrying some dignitaries, VIPs, and other people who need protection. I was thinking that maybe with Roger’s help we would have part of his security team be armed to offer a level of protection, for an additional price, of course.”

“Absolutely!” Jill replied.

I looked at the clock. Again, wondering how time got away from me. 12:48 ... what the hell?

I got up, put my plate in the sink.

I headed back down to the bedroom, passing Tina and Dakota on the way. Each one gave me a small quick hug and a smooch on the cheek. I noticed three bags by the front door. I was trying to guess which one belonged to whom.

Hmmm ... the pink backpack with ‘Hello Kitty’ Tina; the dark blue backpack, Jill; and the third backpack, the pink camouflage one, Dakota only by process of elimination. I smiled to myself, thinking I’m a fricken genius.

I get to the bedroom. I lay out my clothes for tonight. I grab my garment bag and put my best black suit inside. This made me check my phone for a text from Diane about the garment bags ... no message. I put a couple pairs of Izod shorts, tee shirts, underwear, and sneakers, into my black backpack.

Heading to the shower, my mind was elsewhere. I began thinking about what to do with Sasha. Would she quit? I know she was arrested, but what if she bailed out? What do we do about her? ... too much thinking. Time to relax, from this moment on until Monday night, all play!

I didn’t even noticed Jill entering the bathroom. She again reminded me that time was of the essence. She reached into the shower and swatted my ass.

“Hey now, don’t lite a fire that you can’t quell ... at least not now!” I said with a big cheesy grin on my face.

I finished getting ready and carried my own garment bag and backpack to the front door.

As I sat down in the living room, the door bell rang. It was Fred with two other drivers.

“Hey Fred, c’mon in. Who do you have with you?”

“Hello sir ... oh, sorry ... Mr. Greene.”

“It’s David. Mr. Greene is my Father.”

“Yes, sir. With me is Daniel. He’s been with the company about 6 months. Works hard. Friendly. Never missed a day of work yet. The other guy ... the slacker ... just joking sir ... um, David. He is James. Long-time employee. He worked for another company, the one your wife used to work for: Happee Happy Limo. Worked there about a week before he got let go by some Polish woman. James has been with us for more than 3 years. Hard working. Army brat, did 6 years in the Navy, served on the Dwight D. Eisenhower. Not sure you wife will approve as she is a Marine.”

I laughed out loud. This guy is a hoot.

I explained that we are first going to the Staples center. I gave James and Daniel addresses of where they were to pick up their people. I changed my mind about whom was going to drive what group. I decided that the car of the ‘kids’ would be James. The car with Emilio, Dakota, Paula, and Captain Anderson would be Daniel. I still wanted Fred to drive our car.

My only wildcard was the brother that was added. He would be at Diane’s house, but I wanted him to ride with us and Dr. Ronda, Roger Johnson, and of course the beautiful Donna.

I texted Diane: Hey Diane, it’s David. I’m sending two cars to your home. One with my party in it. THAT will be the car your brother rides in. The other car is the one you and your friends and my wife’s assistant Tina will ride in. We’re leaving in 10 minutes.

Again, I just got a “k”.

I directed Fred to get our garment bags. The ladies would bring their own backpacks.

Oops, I was wrong. Jill had the pink ‘Hello Kitty’ backpack. Dakota the blue one. Tina had the pink cammo bag ... maybe I’m not quite the genius I think I am.

I stopped Dakota. “Do you have some envelopes for me?”

“Oh, yes sir. They’re right here in my backpack.” She removed 20 white legal sized envelopes. Each one sealed with the signature of the manager who filled them initialed in the upper right-hand corner.

I tucked them into my black cashmere coat. I yelled for Jill.

“I’m right behind you, no need to yell.”

I kissed her.

Tina was sad that her and Dakota were not riding with Jill and me.

We got into the limos and headed off.

It took a bit to pick everyone up. Our limo picked up Donna, then Roger, and finally Dr. Ronda. We headed to Diane’s to get her brother Marcus.

I knew the moment their limo arrived. The text from Diane: OMG!!! A Limo, really? You are the BEST! We all love you ... even my stupid brother. Shall we wait for you to arrive?

I texted back: yes.

It took our limo nearly 20 minutes to get thru stop and go traffic. The limo picking up Emilio and Capt. Anderson and Paula already had Dakota in it. They were heading on to the Staples Center. I texted Dakota: Having Fun?

No reply.

As we pulled up to Diane’s house, the whole gang came out to greet Jill and me. I saw our guests in the limo just smiling. Jill got lots of handsy hugs from the college boys. I got just regular hugs from Diane and her friend. Tina was smiling. I believe that she enjoyed hanging out with people closer to her age.

Diane introduced Marcus to Jill. He sheepishly said “hello, Ma’am”

“Ma’am ... what the hell?”

“I’m sorry ... um...”

“No worries Marcus, your little sister put me up to it. She said that you’re a bit shy around women. Just call me Jill. This is my husband, David.” Jill said.

“Him I know. Diane couldn’t stop talking about him. Good thing he’s married, or I would have to worry that he would have a much younger wife, my sister.”

“Nope! He’s all mine.” Jill said as she laughed out loud.

We all got into our respective limos and headed towards the Staples Center.

As we pulled up to the arena, Roger Johnson asked, “Really? All this pomp and circumstance for a Laker’s game?”

Jill looked at me. She smiled. Her friend Donna knew something was up. Even Dr. Ronda knew the sting was on.

“Yeah, Roger, my secret plan was to smuggle everyone to a Laker’s game. Now that LeBron is on the team, why not?”

“Hey, no one’s wearing Laker’s gear. This looks like a concert crowd.”

Everyone busted out laughing. He finally figured it out. The marquee said, “LADY GAGA!”

The limo stopped in front of the private suite entrance. Dakota’s car was already unloaded. Tina’s car unloaded as well. We all stepped out. Roger said quietly to me, “She’s really not my type of music.” I just nodded. “Don’t worry, it gets better.” I responded.

We were greeted by Raquel. Our suite hostess. She gave all of us a ticket, a suite pass, and a souvenir tee shirt as well as a lanyard to put our suite pass into. The kids were literally bouncing up and down, squealing, chanting, cheering, singing ... Oh to be young again I thought to myself.

I walked over to Dakota. “Hey, are you ok?” I thought you would enjoy hanging out with Emilio. He seemed to like you on the plane.”

“He’s ok. Nice enough. But just ok.” She said with a forced smile.

“Would you rather join Tina and her group?”

“If that wouldn’t ruin your plan for tonight. Yes.” Dakota smiled a bit more.

“Hold here for a moment.”

“Paula, Paula ... Can I talk to you?”

“Is everything ok?” I asked.

“Um, yeah, it’s fine.” She said, also with a forced smile.

Wow, did I misread this one?

“What can I do to make this right?” I asked.

“Let me change cars.”

“Any car you want to join?” I asked.

“The car with Tina. She’s my friend from work.”

“Done!” I answered.

She leaned in and kissed my cheek.

I went back over to Dakota. “I’m moving you to Tina’s car as well as her friend Paula.”

Dakota was now smiling a big smile.

I asked Fred to move the two ladies’ bags to James’ limo. The other limo, the one Daniel was driving would take Emilio and Capt. Anderson to the airport when they were ready to go.

Everyone piled into the suite. The food smelled delicious. It certainly was a grand buffet set-up thanks to my friend in the box office. Our suite hostess, Raquel, showed everyone the suite. 18 suite level arena seats. Couches, love seats, reclining chairs, high top tables, a bar, a fridge, and the MOST important item to a woman ... a clean private bathroom.

Raquel handed me a note and a buzzer. The note was from my friend in the box office. The buzzer was to page Raquel when we needed something.

Diane’s crew were already filling their plates with food. Most of them were grabbing either a soda or water, but a couple of the guys grabbed a beer. Roger and Donna just stood there stunned. Apparently, we truly surprised them. I noticed that they were holding hands. Jill leaned into me and kissed me passionately.

I quietly watched as Dakota, Tina, Diane and her crew all were having a wonderful time. Paula and Dr. Ronda seemed to be enjoying hanging out with the younger crowd.

One of the guys in Diane’s crew started the chant, “Speech, Speech, Speech” directed towards me.

“OK, OK, settle down. Don’t get us kicked out before the show even starts. If I may say, Jill and I are so happy that everyone is enjoying tonight so far. I have a couple of more aces up my sleeve, but I want everyone to know just how much our two assistants Dakota and Tina mean to us. They work really hard keeping us on point and this was truly set up for the both to enjoy.”