Lustful Memoirs
By: Gina - gina@basic-nstynct.com
Chapter Thirty SevenI opened the door to the steamed room, the clouded moisture escaping in a mad exodus, threatening to take with it my newly returned resolve. Taking a deep breath, I shook my head to rid myself of the thought. I entered the room. It was silent. The afghan once again folded neatly on the chair that he had recently occupied. He was gone, the only trace that he had ever been there, the open sliding glass door through which he come to me, as my rescuer, my hero.
Relief filled me, or was it regret, at this moment, I’m not certain. Either way, he was gone and I was alone. I crossed the room, pulling closed the balcony door. Suddenly, without a hint of warning, an uncontrollable, unexpected giggle rose from within me. I had been thinking of Justin, and his heroic rescue mission, when the image of his skinny legs dangling from the balcony roof, entered my mind, and unanticipated laughter ripped through me. Continuing to think of his chicken legs, I laughed for several minutes, thankful for the tension relief. Without even meaning to, he had saved me once again.
With a smile still gracing my lips, I shook my head at the outburst and turned from the window, feeling somewhat better. My mind flooded with a million things that I needed to do. All of them pointed me in one direction, directly back to LA. Making a mental to do list, I picked up the phone. I needed to call Marie. I retreated to the sitting area, lowering myself to the couch, my back ramrod straight, I began to dial the very familiar number, my well-manicured fingers moving over the dial pad. All eleven digits finally entered, I let out a breath. I knew the response I was about to encounter, but my mind was set and there wasn’t anyone on earth that would stop me. Marie’s housekeeper answered after the third ring. I asked for her and was politely put on hold. Three minutes passed before I heard Marie greet me, her tone formal, yet friendly.
"Blake, dear, how is everything. I spoke with Johnny yesterday, he says that they re quite pleased with your work."
"I’m glad to hear that Marie," I replied, keeping my voice neutral not wanting her to know my true feelings. "However, something has come up that needs my attention at home. You will need to send a replacement for them and soon, the tour starts on Saturday. I will be catching the first flight back to California tonight."
I heard Marie gasp. I couldn’t blame her, I had put her in a tough situation, but the circumstances surrounding me were worse then she could imagine. "Blake, I’m not sure that’s possible."
"Make it possible, Marie." I countered. "I’m coming home tonight."
"Listen to me Blake," her tone changed, she became authoritative, she thought that she could control me, "that is not an option. I will do everything in my power to find a replacement for you and get you home, but you have to give me a week."
"Marie, you’re not listening to me," I said, not backing down, "You don’t have a week, you have until tomorrow night to find someone else. I’ll inform Johnny and then I’m booking the next flight home."
I could hear her anger and frustration as clearly as if she were standing by my side. "Blake, if you do not remain with your current client until I have found an adequate replacement, then I will have no choice but to terminate your employment with my firm."
I shook my head, she had thrown the ringer. There was a momentary battle as I tried to weigh the pros and cons. Even with the title given my by JC and my mother before him ringing in my ears, I was surprised by the ease with which the decision was made. "Marie, it won’t take you that long to find an adequate replacement, they’re just looking for a warm body to spread their legs and open their mouth, that shouldn’t be too hard. In fact, even your wrinkled old ass could do it." The words left my mouth, I had sealed my fate. "So, you can fire me if you want, you know as well as I do, that I’m the best you’ve got. Many of your clients will be upset to see me go. Hell, maybe I’ll start my own, ‘firm.’" I accented her word. "But as for my current position, I’m leaving. I’ve told you what the plan of action is, what you do now is entirely up to you." With that, I hung up the phone and collapsed into the couch, no longer feeling the need for perfect posture. A single tear ran down my face, different then all the others I had shed that day. For this tear did not represent my past, but my unknown future. I rose from the couch, quickly pushing it away, I was frustrated and annoyed with tears. Decision made, there would be no more.