Chapter 7: Three

When I walked in, my dear girls were thrilled to see me. Not happy to see me, not excited to see me, but absolutely, positively thrilled to see me. The look of pure joy on their faces caused me to fall in love with them all over again.

They both came running up and gave me big embraces and lots of kisses. It was pretty touching, and reminded me of how different my old life had been. I had not been missed or worried over for years and this was certainly a lot better than that. It also reminded me of just how much I loved the two of them and how happy they made me. I made myself a promise right then and there that at least once a day I would remind myself that these are the women I've always dreamed of being with.

Then the specter of telling them about Kim Borden saddened me I wondered if after telling them they were going to see that I didn't deserve them. The girls noticed the sudden change in my demeanor and asked me what was wrong. I asked them to sit down and then I told them everything. I even tried to explain the feelings and emotions I'd felt at the time. My anxiety at confronting Eddy, my revulsion, distress and concern for Kim Borden because of what Eddy forced her to endure, my unemotional, yet at the time seemingly unavoidable sex act in order to keep Lonzell away from Kim, my instant dislike of Jess Borden, my apprehension that Chewy would screw things up, and then most importantly, my fear that the two loves of my life would not forgive me for being unfaithful.

By the time I finished talking I had tears in my eyes. The girls remained silent for only a second or two before Jen took my hand and squeezed it reassuringly. Then looking over to Vicky she said, "I don't know how you're feeling about this Vicky, but for me it's his special selfless caring for others that is one of the reasons I fell in love with Sam in the first place." Then looking at me she said, "Thank you for being honest with us Sam. You could have just as easily lied or said nothing about it. That's another reason I fell in love and trust you." Then she smiled and she kissed me on the lips.

I looked at Vicky. I knew there was still plenty of concern in my expression. She smiled sweetly and then getting a girlish grin on her face she said, "Don't be such a spaz. The way I see it you didn't have a choice. If it had been me in this Kim's place and some dude was giving me the hairy eyeball I'd sure want someone like you to be there to look out for me. I think what you did for her is off the hook. And even if it didn't happen exactly like you said it did, you're still not going to stop me from loving you, you big oaf." Then she kissed me on the lips just as passionately as Jen had.

"But it did happen just like I told you," I insisted, "Here you can call her." I handed over the note with Kim's phone number written on it.

The girls looked at the note then both of them said in one voice, "Sir Galahad?"

"Ah, yeah well, she kind of told me the same thing you did Vicky. She said I was her knight in shining armor."

"Well I think you acted very much like her knight in shining armor." Jen offered.

"Me too." Vicky said, and then she added, "But Sir Galahad?"

The girls laughed I didn't.

They asked me some additional questions concerning Eddy, Chewy and Lonzell, but they were both too polite to ask anything more about Kim, so I spent the next half hour filling in any minor details I had missed during the first telling.

Finally Vicky asked, "So what now? How does all this Kangblabla affect our plans?"

"Well," I answered, "I think we'll need to be more aggressive at the race track. In two or three days at the most I'd like us to have enough money to get out of Hollywood all together. I was thinking Malibu or Santa Barbara or maybe even San Diego, anywhere along the coast. Nobody would ever think to look for Jimmy on the coast."

"But if I'm the only one old enough to place a bet how do we get more aggressive?" Jen questioned.

"That brings up an interesting point." I said, "Both Chewy and Eddy told me I looked older to them. What do you guys think?"

They both looked at me closely. Jen said, "You know now that you mention it you do look older, maybe eighteen or nineteen even. I guess because Vicky and I have been around you so much we didn't notice the change."

Vicky agreed.

"Do I look old enough to place a bet?" I asked.

Jen shook her head, "I don't think so. Not quite. Hmm ... Maybe. You could try, but they might not buy it."

"What about this Kim Borden?' Vicky asked. "Do you think she feel's grateful enough because of what you did for her that she'd be willing to go to the track and place some bets for us?"

"Even if she is willing could we trust her? Jen questioned, "You said her husband was some kind of mobster or something."

"I don't know," I answered honestly. "What I do know is that she didn't say a single word to her husband when she left Eddy's office, but if looks could kill Jess Borden would be pushing up daisies right now."

"Well, if we really do only have a couple of days before this Eddy character comes sniffing around looking for you then I think recruiting Kim Borden makes sense. Sam, you should at least give her a call and feel her out." Jen suggested.

"Bad choice of words Jen," Vicky commented snickering.

"Phone line groping I can deal with." Jen returned.

"Okay, let's try calling her." I said picking up the phone and ignoring their little dig at me then I dialed the number Kim had written down.

After three rings a feminine voice came on the line and answered, "Barr residence."

"Hello, Kim?" I asked.

"I'm sorry," the voice returned, "you must have the wrong number there isn't any Kim here."

"Oh, I'm sorry," I responded, "this is the number she gave me. Well, thank you anyway."

I was in the process of hanging up when I heard a tiny voice quickly asked, "Would you mind telling me you name?"

I put the receiver back to my ear, "Jimmy." I answered.

"Jimmy ... Hmmm ... no other names?" The voice asked.

I thought about that a second and then I responded, "Sir Galahad."

Both of my girls giggled.

"Hang on," The voice responded, "Here's Kim. Ah ... Mr. Galahad."

"Hello?" a sweet voice answered.

"Hi Kim. This is Jimmy ... ah ... Galahad. You gave me this number. I was just calling to see how you're doing. Are you okay?"

"For now yes. Thank you for calling my knight. Somehow I just knew you would. I left Jess, you know. Big wonder. I'm staying at my sister's right now. That was her that answered the phone. Sorry about all the intrigue but I don't want Jess to find out where I'm staying."

"That's understandable," I commented, "So what are your plans now?"

"After I'm able to get enough money together I'll be leaving for good. I never want to see that bastard I married again unless it's over the barrel of a gun." She pause a moment and then said in a low voice, "Hey Galahad, I really did want to thank you for what you did for me. If that Lonzell ... God I don't even want to think about it. Anyway, I know you put yourself in a bad spot trying to help me, most guy's would have just done me or watched while Lonzell did me only looking out for themselves. Thanks again and thank you very much for being so careful with me ... you know ... when you ... well you know."

"Yeah, I know." I responded. Then having made up my mind I said, "Hey listen Kim, I may have a way to get you that get away money you talked about, if you're interested that is."

"I ... Ah ... I don't know." she sounded very hesitant.

"Kim. What's the problem? This is Galahad remember? You can tell me what's troubling you."

"It's just that ... well hell. Okay, you helped me out and you were good to me and I'm very grateful, but you're also hooked up with Eddy, drugs, prostitution, and God only knows what other dirty little things. All of that is what I plan on getting away from. I'm sorry Galahad but I can't..."

"Kim," I interrupted, "I'm not mixed up in any of that. I swear to you before today I didn't know Eddy from Adam. He thinks I'm some guy named Jimmy but my real name is Sam. Here let put one of my ... ah ... my girlfriend on the line. She'll give it to you straight up. Okay?"

"Sure." Kim didn't sound all that enthusiastic to me.

I handed the phone over to Jen. "Hi Kim my name's Jen. It's nice talking to you. Any friend of Sir Galahad's is a friend of mine." Jen said into the mouth piece.

She listened for a few seconds and then said, "Yes, he showed it to me. He can't help himself, if he cares about someone he tells all."

Jen listened again and then said, "Actually it's kind of sweet. It makes him very easy to love."

A pause and then Jen chuckled, "Sorry for laughing, it's just that I was wondering, are you always so vague on the phone or just for select people? Honestly, if you'd like to know if Sam told us ... ah ... if Sam told me how he came by the name of Sir Galahad by saving you from that Lonzell person and what he had to do, the answer is yes he told me."

Jen waited, "No, I'm not upset, he did what he had to do. I guess it's because I'm one of those right-brained types. Always away with the birds on one concept or another that I find understanding comes easy."

A long pause and then Jen spoke, "I don't know, somebody named Jimmy."

Another pause, "Well from what we've gathered this Jimmy is about seventeen and it should be obvious that Sam is somewhat older than that."

Jen listened and then said, "Uh huh, that's right. No, he's just played along until we can get enough cash together to get away from here for good. Sorry but I couldn't help over hearing when you were talking with Sam that you might be thinking of getting away yourself."

Jen listened again then replied, "No, not right now but Sam has a sure fire way of getting what we need in short order."

Slight pause then Jen laughed, "No, it's all perfectly legal. Sam isn't into any shady dealings."

Then Jen listened for a long time before saying, "Listen Kim, I know you don't really know me but you must have at the least some idea of how sweet Sir Galahad is, and if you truly are that concerned for the safety of your sister and brother-in-law because you're staying with them you're more than welcome to come stay with us. Your husband would never think to look for you here. We have a spare bedroom and Sam can explain his money making deal to you."

Another pause, "Because it's an absolute one hundred percent guaranteed deal we'll even welcome you in on it if you want. Kim honestly, I'm very confident that at the very least you'll come away with enough money to get you a long-long way away from that prick you married."

Another pause while Jen listened, "That's up to you. Tell me Kim, do you think you can trust me and Sam? If you do come straight over to our apartment, if not we can meet you somewhere else, somewhere that you'll feel safe. Do whatever you're most comfortable with."

Jen listened and then said, "Because Sam is a good judge of character and I could tell when he told me about you that he liked you. If Sam likes you I know I'll like you, besides a little bit of Sam has rubbed off on me and if I can help you out Kim I will."

Jen listened and then chuckled when she said, "Not sure but I guess it could be anybody. Who knows, if you hang around him long enough even you could end up picking up every stray cat or dog you find in the neighborhood."

Another pause while Jen listened, "No that's fine. Do you need a ride?"

A few seconds later Jen said, "Sure," then she give Kim the address to our apartment.

Jen listened a while and then said, "Okay see you then. Actually I'm a little curious about what you look like, that's the one thing Sam never told us ... me about. Of course I never asked him either or I'm sure he would have described you in vivid detail. All right Kim, yes, it was nice talking to you too. See you when you get here. Bye." Jen hung up the phone.

"I think I like her." Jen said to both me and Vicky, "She's pretty scared of her husband finding out she's staying at her sisters and of what he may do. She seems to be more frightened of what her husband might do to her family than for her own safety."

"So is she coming to stay with us?" Vicky asked.

"She's just coming over to hear about the deal right now. I could tell she was still a little tentative, not fully trusting us." Then Jen looked at me and asked, "So, tell me Sam, is Kim good looking?"

How do you answer that question without getting into trouble? I gulped, rubbed my neck, scratched my stomach.

Jen laughed then looking at Vicky she said, "Come on honey we better go fix ourselves up. All that fidgeting Sam's doing means she's a knock-out."

A half hour later when Jen and Vicky emerged they looked like two million dollars. Even Kim's good looks had nothing over these two beauties. I wanted to eat them up right then and there, and I told them so.

"I'd take you up on that if we didn't have a guest coming over." Vicky laughed.

"Ditto," Jen added then she growled like a feline.

I just remained sitting on the couch with a big old woody in my pants while the girls went into the kitchen and whipped up some refreshments.