Chapter 10

As soon as I was back in the office, I was grilled about our trip, the ladies that ran my office being very interested in all the lurid details of my Caribbean getaway. It seems a couple of pictures of me in different situations with Cindy, Consuela, and, of course, Alicia, had gotten back to them. I did not foment, nor did I deny any rumors. I actually felt good about my situation and kept my damned mouth shut. Then I told all the busybodies to get back to work and help us make a profit so I could provide gruel, porridge, and celery for the troops.

My secretary asked when I had added gruel to our normally meager wages of just porridge and celery. She must’ve been spending time talking to my fiancée. I told them to stop worrying about the changes and just get busy. Laughter filled the office for a minute or so, then paperwork started flying. Forecasts, contracts, reports from the floor, R&D status briefings, and general business ‘stuff and things’ soon took over.

Elaine called me on my first afternoon back to work and asked about Angel Sound having a board meeting, as regular meetings were required by corporate law, thinking that evening, over a baked chicken dinner, would be a good time. I accepted. I’ve already mentioned that Elaine was a wonderful cook.

After dinner, and a meeting of the board, at least on paper, Alicia, Cindy and I went to my place for the night. We were pretty sure that over the next few years, or less, our places would be combined, and we’d all probably wind up on the Broderick ranch. Our next board meeting, to be held whenever Consuela and Elaine decided to go nuts with a chicken or a Boston butt roast, was the occasion on which we’d cover such things. In the interim, the three of us needed to make sure we were all ready to make that kind of move. Well, at least Cindy and me. Alicia just needed to make sure she was comfortable having the five of us under one roof, for all intents and purposes, for eternity. She claimed she was.

“Sounds like a plan, Charlie. As soon as you and the princess of pop get your collective poop in a group and tie the knot, instead of just tying one on, I’ll put my house on the market, Consuela has already said she’s in the process of moving to the ranch. It’s not only doable, but it makes sense from so many angles. Keep in mind we’re only seven or eight weeks out from a big wedding and I think Elaine wants to have it out there.”

I agreed and told them so. “It makes sense to me. This place isn’t an heirloom, like your place, Alicia. I bought this property on my own, and don’t mind selling it. There is plenty of room there if your mother and you are absolutely sure.”

“You’ll have to ask Mom yourself, Charlie, but I’m sure. Be careful about asking her, though. We’ve talked. You might want to make sure you have had your Wheaties that morning.”

“Oh, Lord, what am I getting myself into.” Both of them laughed at my comment.

Life was normal for weeks. Work, dinner at the ranch, often, and the five of us attending parties, galas, and fundraiser balls, for one reason or another, always together. I was asked once, by a very brash, rude, and gauche man, a very successful used car dealer, how I managed to have four women in my stable at one time. He made to correct himself and change it to “on your arm”, but the damage had already been done.

His rudeness and vile comment raised my ire so much, I smiled a threatening grimace at him and told him I only bought new, so he and his comments, no matter how base and gross, meant pretty much nothing to me. His wife walked over to us about then and I very politely asked her if she’d like to join my entourage for lunch and a swim one day while her husband was at work.

His face turned red as a beet, understanding the implications. He took her hand and as she was nodding to me, attempting to accept the invite, he pulled her away and off to another insult, I’m sure. She was a doll, but ... Never mind. He and I haven’t spoken to each other since.

I needed to make an out-of-town trip including a couple of stops in Colorado, one in Utah, and another in Arizona. I was going to be gone for at least a week. The business week, meaning Monday morning through Friday evening. I discussed it with Alicia in bed one night as we were relaxing after a long day.

“Honey, I know you normally travel alone, and always have, for work, but I’d like Cindy to go with you to keep you company. You have her on your company roster now, she has a clearance to follow you around, you’ve already taken her on a successful day trip, and I’d feel better about you not being alone.”

“Are you sure? That would leave you here alone.”

“I’m positive. I won’t be alone. I have your horses here and my mother there, and a million things to do for my own career. I have about five songs in the works, I’m considering another tour in a few months, after I drop the new album, and I’ve also got a board of directors that has been bothering me to make some money.” She and Cindy both giggled. Alicia pinched my nipple softly and snuggled into me. “Just understand this. We’re both busy. My work gets done better when I’m alone. Your work gets done better when you have someone with you to help. Period. Kiss me and plan for next week to be a little less lonely than usual.”

“Cindy, you’re on board with this?” I asked.

“Yeah. Ali and I have talked about it quite a bit. She and I are up to date, pretty much. If she needs me to do something, I can do it while I’m running around with you. No problem. It’ll be fun and give us a chance to talk and such.”

“OK, then. It’ll be a trip for two around the country solving countless national defense problems and associated corporate difficulties. Sounds like fun. Good night, girls. I love you both so much. Thank you, Alicia, for taking care of me like you do.”

“Same here, Ali,” Cindy said.

“You two take care of me far more than I do you. If not for you, Cindy, I wouldn’t know which side of my appointment book was up. As for you, mister,” she fondled my nipple again, “now that I have you, I can’t even imagine life without you. Good night, guys.” She tucked into my side, threw a leg over my hip and went off to slumber.

Cindy kissed me, said, “Goodnight, love,” and tucking into the other side followed her boss to the Land of Nod.

Not exactly a novel concept, having Cindy with me, since we’d discussed it a while back, and she’d done the one-day thing, but it was now time for it to happen for real. A whole week of gallivanting around the country together. Her assistance would really help, come to think of it.