Pagodaville, page 7
Lorna bristled. “I get it. I know I’m taking chances, Steve. But first off, the term “queer” is offensive. We are a minority and the harder we push to open the doors to the rest of world, the quicker we can change the language and break down the stereo-types. I’m not looking to open the motel to deviants or people who don’t care about their lives. This is a huge lifestyle change for me. You see, my father died earlier this year and, well…”
“Oh, I am so sorry. Was he ill?”
“Sudden heart attack during a meeting. He was the CEO of Hughes Tool and Die Company of Northern Ohio. He was in great shape, never smoked, athletic…”
“Gosh, that’s too bad, Lorna.”
“So, with a bit of inheritance and most of my own savings, I decided to do something more than donate money to a cause. Give some struggling artists, ones who are serious about their future as an artist, a chance at having a successful journey.”
Steve’s facial features softened a bit. “You’re really serious about this. And hey, I am sorry about being offensive. You’re right. The language should probably change.” He cleared his throat again. “Well, I have to police the entire county, and you can count on me to be there if you need, it’s my civic duty. But again, I can’t stop people from reacting however they do.”
“Do you think there will be trouble?”
“Hard to say. There isn’t a lot of crime here. People just live their lives peacefully. I don’t think you’ll have Molotov cocktails thrown through your windows kind of trouble. But there might be scuttlebutt and anger thrown your way, or to your tenants.”
She reached her hand out to touch his arm, and he involuntarily flinched.“It’s not catchy.”
He sighed and let her rest her hand on his forearm. She rushed to fill in the gaps in conversation. “I’m going to be very selective about who I rent to. The tenants have to be graduates from an accredited school, have references, they have to have a clear vision of where they want to go. I’m not going to charge a lot of rent because the whole idea of rent is to place a value on the living space, but the main goal is to help them achieve a level of success so they can move on, live as they should. Kind of like a halfway point, make or break point.”
“It sounds solid, Lorna. I’m impressed with your vision, for sure.” He started to get up, “Well, I should hit the road, lots of crime to fight. Thank you for the refreshment.”
“Wait, Steve. Don’t leave just yet. How about you and I have dinner on Saturday night as planned, as friends?”
He seemed so uncomfortable. “I don’t know.”
“Look, why don’t you sit back down for a moment, okay? I know this is pretty heavy news…”
He sat back down.
Lorna refilled his glass with more lemonade. “Tell me a little about yourself, Steve.”
He hesitated. “Why would you want to know about me?”
Lorna pursed her lips. “Come on Steve, let’s start this off right. I understand you’re shocked, but in time, I hope you’ll accept me for who I am.”
He looked down at his shoes then back at her. “Okay. Like I said I’m a small-town guy. I married the prom queen right out of high school.”
“Were you the prom king?”
He snorted. “Yep. Quarterback for the football team, took us to tournament. I was the guy everyone wanted to be like, the one most likely to get a scholarship to the school of my choice. I was going strong until I tore my ACL and had to have surgery. No more football. So, I got married and became a cop. Then two years later while we talked about starting a family, she met some rich L.A. dude who told her she looked like Marilyn Monroe and should be in the movies, and bam off she went. She claimed she had always hated the small-town mentality and didn’t really want to be a cop’s wife.”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah, then when I got over that fiasco, I started dating a very nice woman who moved in with me after the fourth date, then after a year she decided she was ready to go back to her ex-husband in Pittsburgh. She never told me she was married in the first place.”
“Double ouch.”
“And now…you.”
She murmured, “Triple play and you’re out.”
He put his cap back on his head, stood up and headed towards the door. “I should head on out.”
“So, dinner on Saturday?”
He hesitated at the door. “Ah, I don’t know, Lorna.” He started to walk out and she caught up with him. He turned around. “Oh, what the heck. Maybe you can teach me more about the female animal because I seem to be sorely lacking in that department.”
Lorna was so relieved she reached up and hugged him.
“Whoa” He awkwardly hugged her back.
“Thank you. Thank you for being a good guy about this. I know it will take some time, but I’m not letting it go, okay?”
“Well, I have to admit I did not see this coming. But I’m a liberal kind of guy. And I like that you are being honest with me.” She walked him out to his cruiser. “Still want to pick me up or shall we meet where ever it is you want to go?”
“Either way.”
“How about you tell me where it is, and I’ll meet you there?”
He gave her directions to Il Capriccio on The Square and climbed into his cruiser. “See you at six then.”
“See you, Steve. And, thanks again for being cool.”
He semi-saluted her with two fingers to his temple and drove out of the driveway.
Lorna smiled after him, thankful. She was drenched in sweat. She would run down to the ocean in a few minutes to cool off.
Anya approached her looking a bit timid. “What did the policia want?” she whispered.
Lorna cocked her head and regarded Anya. “Why, if I didn’t know you better, I would say you’re a little skittish around the police.”
Anya shoved her hands into her back pockets and did not meet Lorna’s eye. “Oh, nothing like that, no nothing at all. I was just, you know, curious is all.”
“Well he wanted to see the progress, and, we are going out to dinner on Saturday night.”
Anya’s demeanor brightened. “You mean, a date?”
“Not a date date. We’re going to dinner as amigos!”
“Well maybe this little dinner date thing will be good and maybe you and Steve…”
“Annyya!” Lorna waggled her finger at her.
Anya shrugged, giggled, then walked back towards her cabin. “I know you said to keep our money, but maybe Milton and me we will put a little extra in the collection plate this Sunday.”
Lorna shook her head. She couldn’t fault Anya for trying.
Lorna went back into the lobby and the heard the phone ring.
“Hello?”“Hey you! How’s everything going?” It was Avril.
Lorna filled her in regarding her conversation with Steve.
“Wow. Big step for you, Lorn. Glad he took it so well. Sounds like you averted a possible freak out by telling him now rather than on what he might have thought was a date.”
“Exactly!”
“So, I have a question. What if the community down there doesn’t accept you or your idea for the motel?”
“It scares the shit out of me, actually. I’ve tossed and turned many a night going over scenarios. The truth is, Avril, I just don’t know. Sometimes I feel maybe I’m not seeing the reality or enormity of what I’m about to undertake. I’ve been living life in my little protected bubble for so long. Am I being overzealous and blind to the real possibilities that this whole thing might just tank? Maybe. Or am I certain I am going to make changes, one step at a time, and feel safe with those changes? Again, there is no guarantee. It makes me a little crazy, but it’s not going to stop me.”
“Lorn, it’s normal to have these anxieties. It’s what keeps you moving forward. Honey, I know you so well. All of this, all the good and the unknown, the questions. It’s in your blood, you know. You inherited this drive from your father. If I were an artist looking for a soft place to land, I would answer your ad in a heartbeat and move hell and high water to get that motel! Your life has always been about caring for the underdog. Anyone who steps foot in that motel is going to have one hell of a chance at life as an artist.”
Lorna thanked her. “So, does this promote me to Saint status?”
Avril chuckled. “Brat. I actually thought my speech was quite stellar.”
“It was. It was most convincing. Now, I just have to hope that the potential candidates will see things the way you do.”
Saturday night, Lorna met Steve at Il Capriccio at six. They hugged awkwardly in the lobby before being seated.
Lorna said, “I must admit, I’m glad you’re here. I thought you might cancel on me.”
“The thought crossed my mind. At first, I was feeling sorry for myself because I had hoped for a different type of
relationship with you. But hey, here we are,” he shrugged.
Steve was still the gentleman. He pulled out Lorna’s chair first before sitting down across from her.
A young woman approached the table. “Hi folks! I’m Jillian, I’ll be your server this evening.”
Both Steve and Lorna looked at her. She was stunning. Tall, light auburn hair tied loosely behind her head, big brown eyes, a lovely smile.
Steve cleared his throat. “Well, hi Jillian. How are you tonight?”
“I’m doing great, how about you two?”
Lorna bobbed her head. It had been a while since someone turned it. “Great.”
They ordered drinks and when Jillian moved away from the table, Steve and Lorna eyed each other. Steve’s mouth broke into a mischievous grin.
“Stinker,” Lorna whispered.
He laughed out loud.
“You know, Steve, I kind of like this. I don’t have to be on my best behavior.”
The drinks arrived and Steve took a long pull on his frosted mug of beer. “Yep! Me either! Usually when I go out on a first date I get so nervous that I usually end up making an ass out of myself.” He licked the foam off of his upper lip.
“I know. My first dates are always weird too. So, I’m glad we’re just going to get know one another without all the bullshit, right?”
“Right. So, hey, do you play golf?”
Lorna leaned in to the table. “Do I play golf? Oh boy! Let’s talk!”
During dinner they discussed sports, what it was like being a cop, what it was like being a lawyer. By the time dessert rolled around, they opted for a walk on the marina to get ice-cream instead.
Lorna told Steve, “I’ll meet you outside. I just want to freshen up.”
Once Lorna was in the ladies’ room, the door slammed open and in walked Jillian. She approached Lorna in three steps and took her by the shoulders, staring into her eyes. “I’ve been waiting to do this all night.” Then she kissed Lorna passionately on the mouth. She was about to pull Lorna’s blouse off over her head when the door opened and an elderly patron entered.
Lorna nodded, “Hello.”
“Oh, hello dear.” The patron went into the stall and fussed with the lock.
Lorna went back to her deflated fantasy. “One can dream,” she murmured.
The other patron said, “Were you talking to me, dear?”
Lorna dried her hands. “No, just thinking out loud. Sorry! Have a nice night.”
“Oh, you too.”
Steve and Lorna strolled on the marina just as she and Cheenah had done a few nights ago, and stopped at Uncle Izzy’s Ice Cream Joint. A storm front was moving in from the west and the air was sulfurous. Heat lightening went from cloud to cloud, making the sky look like it was full of UFOs.
Steve sighed, “Maybe someday I’ll buy a boat and head south. See where it takes me.”
“Sounds romantic in a solo-kind of way.”
He caught a few chocolate chips as they dripped down the side of his cone. He stopped walking and slurped then said, “I think about what you did. Coming down here by yourself on a wing and a prayer, so to speak, not knowing exactly where you would land, or how any of this would play out. It was very brave.”
“Well, yeah, the jury is still out. Small steps, brick by brick y’ know.”
The lightening moved a bit closer.
“How about I walk you back to your car? Looks like we might get a doozy tonight. Heard about the warnings on the two-way.”
“Okay. Sure! Let’s do this again. I had a nice time, Steve.”
“Me too. And a game of golf next weekend? I’m a member at the Heatherton Country Club. You’ll be my guest!”
“Deal!”
Lorna was so relaxed and peaceful when she arrived back at the motel that the oncoming storm didn’t rattle her. She parked her car and headed to the main building to close the windows and was met with Anya emerging from the bushes.
“Anya! What the…?”
“Oh, Miss. I was just coming up to close the windows. Bad storm coming. Milton is at the cabins right now as we speak.”
A brilliant crackle of lightening illuminated the darkening sky.
The thunder shook the driveway underneath their feet.
“Oh, mi dios!” They both exclaimed.
Then the birds stopped chirping.
Then the deluge.
Then they jumped into the main building.
TEN
Friday, June 20, 1980
The summer heat won. Lorna caved and bought a central air conditioning unit for the main building. The workmen arrived, and in a weeks-time had installed the ductwork, electrical, and the unit itself, with Anya hovering close by to keep an eye on things.
Lorna found relief with the manufactured cool air but still relished the late evening breezes off the ocean. She walked down to the waters’ edge almost every night, taking in the expansive sky.
And she made the executive decision to cut her hair. It was getting harder to tame.
She allowed yet another Mexican relative to take care of what Cheenah lovingly named la pelambrera—the mop.
“You see, Miss, our cousin Kit is used to working with the thick hair because as you know, we all have the very thick hair like you. Are you sure you’re not one of us?” Cheenah giggled. “I think you will like what she will do for you.”
And like it, she did. The cut and style opened up her face. Lorna loved the lightness on her head.
Everyone thought she looked muy bonita!
Lorna asked Anya to take a few pictures with her Nikon. She made a big show of herself in front of and inside the main building to send to Avril, making sure to include the guest bedroom from several different angles.
When Avril received the package, she dialed Lorna.
“Oh my, God! You look ten years younger! I’m so jealous of your tan! And your green eyes, and the hair cut! The cut is adorable! And you’re so buff!”
“Hi, dearest.”
“And holy crap, Lorn! The property looks amazing. I just love my pink room! I can’t wait to come down.”
“Thanks. You can come whenever you want, just let me know, and I’ll come fetch you in Jacksonville. And now, I need your undivided attention to write the ad for The Lesbian Connection. I’ve got so many iterations I don’t even know what sounds good anymore!”
Avril said something to one of her children. “Bud! Do not flush Barbie down the toilet! Noooo!”
“Barbie down the toilet?” Lorna laughed as she tried to picture the scene.
Avril said, “Bud is mad because Lizzy painted red nail polish on GI Joe’s private parts.” Her voice trailed off, “Bud! I said no!” Then to Lorna, “Shit, hang on a sec.”
Lorna heard Avril drop the receiver and go after Bud. There was a fracas with Bud crying, Lizzy crying, and Avril trying to calm the masses.
She came back on the phone. “Okay, I’m booking the first flight outta here tonight.”
Lorna laughed, “Sounds like you need to, sweetie.”
“Honestly, you don’t know how lucky you are sometimes to not have kids.”
“Oh, you love them no matter what.”
Avril sighed. Lorna heard the pop of a wine cork. “Okay, I’ve got my Zin, I’m calm now.”
“Av?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s ten in the morning.”
“I know. Just a sip. I’ve already had three cups of coffee and an attempt at eggs with the kids. This is just dessert.”
They discussed the ad for the next twenty minutes or so. By the time they rang off, Lorna had condensed her version of the ad, as Avril stated it was more like the Cliff Notes for War and Peace, and she was okay with it. She called The Connection and was put through to the ad editor, who condensed it even more. It was clean, to-the-point, and gave the proper amount of information. The ad editor thought the concept was a winner. She even joked about giving up her awful job at the paper and writing the next shake-up lesbian novel.
Lorna asked, “So you’re a writer?”
“Sort of. I only took two years of undergrad work and got discouraged.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.”
“Yeah, my professors told me I would make a better editor than writer so here I am, editing ads for The Lesbian Connection.”
“You must meet some interesting people.”
“Yeah, if you call meeting them writing their ads.”
There was a brief silence then Lorna said, “Well, I should get going. Thanks for your help.”
“No problem. Good luck with your venture. The paper comes out in two days. Look for it. If you need to reach me, I’m at extension one-oh-eight.”
“Thanks.” Lorna jotted down the extension.
Now that she had reached this point, she resigned herself to the waiting game. As the ad editor said, it was very unique and it might take a few more ads, perhaps more space on the page, to catch fire.
The ad came out and four days later the phone rang twice. Once it was Lorna’s mother calling to check in, and the other call was from Southern Bell to ask Lorna how her service was coming along.
No one called from the paper.
During siesta, while nursing her bruised ego, Anya, Milton, and Cheenah tried to cheer her up.
“Now, Miss. Not to worry.”
