"Don't
start," he pointed at her angrily.
"The
paramedic told him it was only food," Drea told her in a
stage whisper.
"I'll
remember that remark," Kirk growled, his eyes flashing
dangerously. "If they still allowed it, I'd nail his skin to a
wall."
"Darling,
that's a tad harsh. He's just a boy."
"Good
for discipline. Teach the masses the truth, that's what I say."
"And
that's a good way to work your way into the hearts of the people,"
Margo said in a matter-of-fact tone. "Rates highly with the
public when you fillet them."
"Shut
up," Kirk said, digging around for a T-shirt in the plastic
shopping bag.
He
pulled out a brown shirt that said, Did You Eat an Extra Bowl of
Stupid Today?, pulling it on without looking carefully at it. He
groaned when he saw himself in the mirror.
"Did
you have to?" he asked Drea.
"They
didn't have much selection your size. Would you have preferred the
ones with scythe wielding skeletons?"
"Not
a lot."
"Well,
then...."
"I
feel the need for an upgrade," he said. "But I suppose that
has to wait until tomorrow."
"You
could go now. Keep in mind that the law doesn't like folks who break
and enter," Margo said. "Before I forget, I brought the
medicine and the lotion." She emptied her pockets, tossing the
items on the bed. "Didn't we talk about this? Keeping it on
you?"
"I
have mine," Drea said. "It was Kirk who didn't."
"I
was hardly expecting to be robbed," he said in his defense. "I
keep some at work and in the car."
"And
you should have some in your pocket."
"Your
concern is noted, Margo. Enough lectures. Want to join us for
dinner?"
"I'm
expected at home. Tommy is cooking." She raised an eyebrow at
the mention of the prep chef's name. "Thanks so much for hiring
him, Kirk. Tasty!" She licked her lips lavishly, slurping.
"Don't
want to know," Kirk replied, putting his fingers in his ears.
"He's
a spicy, sweet, tasty treat," she concluded loudly. "Drea
does, though. Don't you?" She raised an eyebrow, nodding.
"Not
especially. I'm just glad you're happy. You deserve it."
"At
least one of you is happy for me," she said with a fake pout.
"I'm
happy, I just don't want to hear about how well you're getting
along," Kirk said with a shudder. "You have a nasty habit
of consuming your men, Margo. And I happen to like Tommy. He's a good
kid and an excellent chef. I don't want you corrupting him once I
have him trained the way I want him."
"On
that note, I'll be going," Margo told Drea. "See you in the
morning?"
"Probably.
Provided nothing else is stolen, vandalized or broken into, we'll be
there."
"Shall
I come by for you?"
"Sure.
I'll rent a car later in the day," Kirk said. "But I can't
deal with that when I first get up."
"Alrighty
then!" Margo got up, flouncing toward the door. "See you in
the A.M.!" Blowing kisses, she left.
"She's
going to dry that kid up like a weed," Kirk said to Drea.
"I
think she really cares about this one," Drea replied. "She
might decide to keep him."
"If
she does, that's great. I don't mind. But she'll have to train him. I
don't have time."
"I
know, darling. But think how we felt about Margo when we first added
her to the fold."
He
nodded. "Well, we had to, didn't we? I mean, she did catch us in
a rather compromising position. It was that or kill her, and I really
like the way she works in the kitchen."
"I
know. She has been an asset all these years, despite her
histrionics."
They
went downstairs to the hotel cafe for dinner. Neither of them had the
wardrobe appropriate for the dining room. Not that Kirk cared. The
odors coming from the restaurant told him he would not be satisfied
with the cuisine. At least in the cafe he would not be expecting five
star food, and he wouldn't be disappointed when something less
arrived. Lowering his expectations was easier than lowering his
standards.
After
dinner, they decided to catch a movie, then went for a walk along the
pier. Drea was all for a late night boat ride into the bay, but Kirk
was starting to get tired.
"Forgot
your medicine, didn't you?" Drea said, holding him close as they
gazed across the water.
"Mm....
Even with Margo bringing it. As old as I am, as long as I've been
taking it, I can still forget."
"I
do too, on occasion," Drea said. "But it's important. It
helps control those little outbursts like with the paramedic."
"That
kid had it coming," Kirk disagreed.
"But
darling, you almost let your fangs show. You mustn't do that in
public. What will people think?"
He
chuckled, nibbling her earlobe as his lips caressed her neck.
"They'll think, Who's that terribly handsome, well preserved
man nibbling on that beautiful neck? That's what they'll think."
"They're
more likely to grab torches and pitchforks," she mused.
"Typical
ignorance. Let's go."
©
2019 Dellani Oakes
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