Chapter 74

I went to my study and turned on the computer. I didn't realize until my home page appeared that it was July Fourth, Independence Day. It made me think of the day I won the lottery; that was my independence day. So much had happened since that day.

With it being a holiday, there wasn't any stock market activity. I checked my e-mails but there weren't any that needed answering. I shut the computer down and went back to join the women.

Tamara and Susan were out on the patio drinking coffee. Lena stumbled down the stairs and joined me in the kitchen.

"Good morning," I said. "How did you sleep?"

"Pretty good considering I slept alone," she replied in a pouting voice.

"Your mother and I needed to sleep with only each other last night. I haven't been neglecting you, now have I?"

"No, but I sleep better next to you."

I gave her a hug and a light kiss. "Just chill on that for a while. I still find you as desirable as ever." I squeezed her butt and grabbed my coffee cup.

I walked outside and noticed Sam was sitting near the garage where he could see the entire backyard. I walked over to him and asked if he needed a coffee refill. He reached down and showed me his thermos. "Thanks, but I'm set for the morning."

"Today is the fourth. Do you think it would be okay to go to the fireworks display this evening?" I asked.

"Should be okay. There will be lots of people but I doubt if anyone there will be a threat. There is a sponsor's tent that I think I can get us into."

"That would be even better. I don't know if Tamara needs to be out in the heat the whole time."

Sam picked up his cell phone and made a call. I turned to go ask Tamara if she wanted to go to the Balloon Fiesta Park to partake in the festivities. Trish came outside as I was headed to the table.

"Is anyone up for going to the Independence Day celebration at the Balloon Fiesta Park?"

"That sounds like fun," Tamara exclaimed.

"What is it?" asked Susan.

I explained that it was a carnival with a mini balloon glow before the fireworks display.

Sam walked up and said he made the arrangements for us to get into a sponsor's tent.

"Trish, do you want to go with us?" I asked.

"I don't know. I need check with Stephanie. She's still asleep. She was real quiet on the trip back. She went up to bed almost immediately when we got back from the airport."

"I hardly noticed her on the trip," I commented.

"She didn't join in on any of the activities. She has been distant since she got back from L.A.," Trish said.

"I think I'll go talk to her," I said and headed inside. I passed Lisa on the inside. She stopped me and gave me a hug.

I don't know what it was but I didn't have the emotions for her that I had for the others. I would have to think on that some. I told her most everyone was on the patio and I went upstairs.

I opened Marie's door and Stephanie was lying in bed. She turned to me when I walked in.

"Steph, we're planning on going to the Balloon Fiesta Park today. Would you like to go with us?"

"No!" she replied.

"What is the matter?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"You have been acting funny since we got back from L.A. What's wrong?"

"I told you what was wrong."

"When?"

"I told you that you should be with my mother."

"I don't feel that way about your mother."

"Is it because she's not young like Tamara? Is it because you get to have sex with Lena? I would have sex with you like Lena does."

"Where is this coming from? Do you think it is Tamara's age or sex with Lena?"

"Isn't it? I know my mother has offered to fuck you. You turned her down."

"I didn't turn her down. I don't feel that way about her. I love her as a friend."

"You have been fucking all the other women. Why not Mom?"

"This can't be because of me not having sex with your mother."

"If you were with Mom then I would have a Corvette and all the other stuff Lena and Marie have."

"So this is about having stuff. You are so shallow."

"It's not fair. I should be living here!" she exclaimed.

I turned to leave and saw Trish by the door just out of Stephanie's sight. She had tears in her eyes. I turned back to Stephanie and said, "Steph, we'll finish this discussion later. I am afraid to say anything more right now." I walked out the door and closed it.

"I'm so sorry," Trish said through the tears that were flowing down her cheeks.

"It's not your fault."

"Some of it is. Stephanie has heard me bitching about you and Tamara. I have been so envious of her. Of the attention and affection you shower on her. I have always wanted someone to love me that way. I seem to hook up with losers like Jim and even Jerry to an extent."

"You are very special to me but I never fell I love with you. Maybe the timing was wrong because you were with Jim when I met you. You were also carrying on with Jerry. I made a decision to not get involved with you that way," I commented. "By the way, I was the same type of loser when I met you; living paycheck to paycheck. However I have always been the thoughtful, caring, non-macho kind of guy. You seem to be attracted to the opposite, the more the macho the better. Unfortunately the macho guys are also the ones that usually mistreat and ignore their women once they are in a relationship."

Trish's tears were flowing even more.

"As for Stephanie, I don't like her attitude and I don't like her right now."

"I'll take her home. I need to be alone for a while myself," she said. "Answer me one thing."

"What?"

"Would you have approached me if neither Jim nor Jerry had been in my life?"

"Probably, but in becoming your friend I found out things that would have made a relationship with you impossible. I'm not the macho guy."

"You are too. You have killed one guy and hospitalized three others."

"There is a difference in being able to defend oneself and being macho. The macho guy will boast and brag about being able to kick ass. I on the other hand I try to avoid violence but am prepared to use it."

"Does this mean my job is in jeopardy?"

"Not at all. You have proven yourself... and I am still your friend. I will be there for you emotionally and financially if you need help."

Trish threw her arms around my neck and thanked me. Tamara happened to walk up. I could see her expression was one of puzzlement and possible jealousy. I held up my hand and motioned her to go back downstairs.

"Trish, why don't you take Stephanie home and relax? Jerry will probably want to see you since you were gone since Saturday."

"You're right. I like Jerry but he is not what I need. I need someone who can go at least two days without a beer."

"I like Jerry, but he is a blue-collar redneck. You have stepped into a white-collar job with a very good future. Maybe you ought to hang out at the country club and meet someone with goals."

"The truth hurts, but it is the truth. Thanks John. You truly are a friend."

I kissed her lightly and told her not to worry. I left her there and went downstairs. Tamara was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs and motioned me to the study.

"What the hell was going on up there?"

"Relax," I said and then told her the whole story.

"That little bitch!" Tamara was fuming at Stephanie. "I ought to go up there and slap her silly."

"Calm down," I said. "Trish will handle it. Trish heard most of what Stephanie said and apparently has vented with Stephanie around."

"I don't care. It's almost like she implied that Lena was a whore. Sleeping with you to get her car and other stuff."

"Stephanie made some comments after the trip to L.A. that she wanted to live here because of all the material things we have. She is just a jealous teenager." I put my arms around Tamara and held her.

"Let's go out and join our guests," I suggested.

Lena, Susan, and Lisa were discussing the office when we walked out. My phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and saw it was Mike.

"Hi, son, how are things in L.A.?"

"It's great. What happened in Scottsdale? Michael told me a lot but I wanted to hear it from you."

I walked over to the fence and continued the conversation. "Michael knows more about the ending than I do. It was some of McKenzie's retaliation for messing up his plan to rip us off."

"Is there a chance he will try again?"

"There is always that chance. I'll deal with it if it comes. How about the movie?"

"It's awesome. They have given me more lines and scenes. I shot the screen test and Michael told me I got the part in the movie. Third billing!"

"That's great. When do they start shooting that movie?"

"After this one. Michael said they haven't finished casting. He said probably sometime in September. By the way, I get to play a Marine."

"Semper Fi," I replied. "Your mother and grandmother will both want to know about your plans for continuing your education."

"My agent said I could take some correspondence courses and enroll in UCLA. He said they are pretty lenient with actors."

"By the way, Terry was asking about you. Do you want her number?"

"Maybe. I might like to see her when I come visit you. Oh I forgot to tell you, I am in line for a commercial. My agent said they are looking for someone like me. I had to go and get pictures made for a portfolio. This acting stuff is hard work with long hours."

"Poor baby, my heart bleeds for you. Just try to keep it in perspective."

I added, "Please stay away from the drugs and hardcore partying."

"I will. I have been offered party drugs and I passed on them. The girl that took me to that party did coke and it turned me off. I don't see her anymore."

"I'm proud of you and I love you. I need to go. I'll talk to you soon," I told him.

"I love you too, Dad," he said and hung up.

My son had grown up and I was proud of him. I stood at the fence for a few minutes watching the golfers on the course. Tamara walked up while I was in deep thought. She touched my back and I put my arm around her.

"How is Mike?" she asked.

"He is having fun. He may even get a part in a commercial. The second movie is probably going to start in September."

"You must be proud," she said.

"I am. Have you calmed down?"

"Yes, but don't get me started."

"I think I will get Sam to take Trish home. Anyone else might just get things riled up again."

"Good idea because I sure the hell am not driving that little bitch home."

I walked her back to the patio and went over to ask Sam. He agreed and I went to find Trish. I told her Sam would take her home.

Lisa asked when she was going to get her company car. "In New York you don't have a car unless you are rich or crazy."

I picked up the phone and called Jim Reeves. I asked him if he had a demo I could use for a couple of days. He said he wasn't at the dealership but he would check and call me back.

He called back within five minutes and said he had a Sedan de Ville he could have delivered that afternoon. I thanked him and hung up.

"There will be a Cadillac delivered this afternoon for you to use for a couple of days. What kind of car would you like for a company car?"

"What are my choices?"

"What do you want? With you being the main office contact for Eagle, you may be required to shuttle Eagle Board members from the airport so a nice roomy sedan would be appropriate. If you want a Cadillac, we can arrange it."

"Let me drive the one being delivered and I'll let you know."

Susan spoke up, "Steve said my Lexus will be ready tomorrow."

"A Lexus for the office manager?" Lisa asked.

"You can have one too if you want it. Susan is getting a SUV. I envisioned you in a luxury sedan like a Cadillac."

"You are probably right," Lisa responded.

"Trish has the small Cadillac SUV," I said.

"You are too generous, John," Lisa said.

I mentioned that we hadn't had any breakfast yet. It was almost nine. Lena and Susan offered to whip something up.

I went and brought out the coffee pot and filled our cups. Breakfast came and went without anything exciting happening.

Lisa declined going to the fireworks. She said she needed to visit her parents. I told her that she would have the Cadillac. "Why don't you plan on not coming in to work until Monday?"

Sam came back after running Trish and Stephanie home. We lounged around the pool until about three. We then went in and cleaned up for the evening.

I remembered to call Roy to tell him we would be out late. Sam told me tell him to take the night off and that he would just stay the night. Sam and Roy seemed to becoming part of the family.

Sam did a good job of getting us in the sponsor's tent. We arrived at about five. We had drinks, food and a shaded area to retreat to during the heat. We walked around and watched the people. Susan and Lena paired off and went to browse the park. Tamara and I did the same. Sam followed about twenty steps behind us.

Tamara got tired and hot after about an hour so we went back to the tent. Lena and Susan lasted about thirty minutes longer. The fireworks display was scheduled for nine-thirty so we had a little more than two hours to wait.