By Rachel Torrent

When Roger came home that Wednesday afternoon, Julie was in the loft’s kitchen refilling some of her spice jars. After she had moved in with him, he’d installed a huge, easily accessible spice rack on the wall for her. “If the chef herself is gonna cook for me in my kitchen, then she’ll have whatever she needs,” he had said.

Today, however, he didn’t seem to be in as high spirits as he had that day. Julie watched him walk in and sensed his mood immediately. Not good. He threw down the newspaper he’d brought in and pushed his light blue sweatshirt further up on his arms. Then he kicked the leather ottoman out of his way as he plopped down angrily on the sofa.

“Goddamnit,” he said quietly.

Julie put down the cilantro and went over to him. “What is it, sweetheart?” She bent down in front of him and put her hands on his knees.

He looked up at her with pursed lips and a stormy look on his face that she understood was not directed at her. Then he spoke, “Why can’t he just forget about it, huh? Why does he always wanna start shit with me, Julie?”

“Who, Roger?” He’d gone over to Sahndra’s to feed her Dobermans. She was still in Washington with Earl Ray.

“Your fucking ex-husband.” Ooops, Julie thought. They must have come home while Roger was still there.

“What’d he say, honey?” She ran her hands up his thighs.

Roger sighed. “Oh, fuck it. I just wish he’d let the thing die……..He knows you’re happy, and he’s got somebody else too now……What’s his damn problem?”

Julie moved her body in between his spread legs now, closer to him. “It’s a dignity thing, Roger. You got his prized possession, and he hates ya for it……..You’d be the same way if the situation were reversed.”

He caressed her arms, her arms that rested on his upper thighs. She sensed that he was feeling a little better, calmer. “I’d never let anybody take you away from me.”

Julie smiled. Oh, to hear him speak affectionately. “Well, Earl Ray didn’t have much of a choice, sweetheart……..’Cause I wanted you.”

And now Roger smiled too. She’d successfully soothed the pissed off tiger. “Come up here,” he said, pulling on her arms.

Julie got up and straddled him, sitting on his lap and facing him. He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Just ignore him, Roger. He’ll work it out on his own.”

Now he slowly moved his right hand down her front, beginning with the hollow spot at the base of her throat, down the middle of her breasts, to the top of her jeans. “You smell like Cayenne pepper, baby,” he said so softly.

“That’s because I’m hot……….for you.”

He gripped her sides, just under her breasts and laid her down on the sofa beside him, then under him. They quickly forgot about everything else.

* * *

Earlier, Roger had been out in the backyard at Sahndra and Earl Ray’s house with the two huge dogs he’d agreed to feed while they were away on their trip. He’d taken on the task by himself alone because he knew Julie wasn’t comfortable around the dogs. As he stood there watching the dogs play together, the door on the deck opened.

“What the hell are you doing over here?” Earl Ray had walked out, and Sahndra was quickly behind him, looking slightly worried.

Roger had wheeled around instantly, surprised. “What does it look like? Tending to the dogs…….…like I said I would,” he said calmly.

With squinted eyes, Earl Ray had turned to Sahndra. He didn’t have to say a word.

“Julie can’t handle the dogs, Earl Ray. It was Roger or Scottie, and Julie said Scottie’s out of town ‘til tonight,” Sahndra said, to answer the question that hung silently in the air.

Earl Ray turned back to Roger who was waiting patiently. “Well, we’re home now. We don’t need your services anymore.” The hateful tone was subdued, but evident.

“Earl Ray, what is your problem, man? How much longer—”

“You can LEAVE now, Roger.” Earl Ray was stern, but he didn’t raise his voice. Sahndra felt how tense his whole body was when she touched his arm. She didn’t know what she’d do if he decided to leave the deck and walk down the stairs to Roger.

Roger had stared at him for a second or two and then walked up onto the deck to leave through the house. Earl Ray never took his eyes off him.

“Thanks, Roger. I appreciate it,” Sahndra told him.

Without looking at her, Roger said, “No sweat……..I’ll see ya, Sahndra.”

Then he had come home to Julie and vented. Julie, though, had taken the hostility from him and eased his mind. He was realizing more and more that she could do this for him. And more and more he was letting her. He was beginning to depend on her. To need her.

* * *

Sahndra came over to see Julie at Renaissance the next morning. She had something to tell her, and she wanted to say it in person. Julie was in her office picking out new table linens for the restaurant.

So, as honestly and as openly as she could, Sahndra told Julie the entire angst-ridden saga of the D.C. trip. She watched Julie’s face and saw how the story was saddening her. But when she finished with the part about “the kid” in Vietnam and Earl Ray’s subsequent new attitude towards children, Julie let a few tears fall down her face.

“Sorry, Jules. I knew it would upset ya.”

“He wants a baby now?” Julie’s voice broke up. This was very hard for her.

“Eventually………Look, Jules, I know it’s hard on ya. Maybe ya need to talk to him about it.”

Julie took a tissue from her desk and wiped her eyes. “Aw, I’ll be okay…….It’s just a shock………after what I went through with him.”

“I know,” Sahndra said. “I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t fret it. It’ll work out. Besides, I’m happy for ya. You guys will make a pretty baby.”

“Does Roger want kids?”

“I don’t think he cares either way. He goes along with anything I want……….He’s taking me to some secret place up in the mountains this weekend……….A ‘safehouse,’ he calls it…………He says we need a retreat.”

“Umm………Sounds romantic. He’s crazy ‘bout you, ya know,” Sahndra said.

“Ya think? I bought a gorgeous sexy nightie for him at Christine’s place. Black, of course.”

Sahndra brightened. “I was headed over there today to get something for Earl Ray.”

“To get started on that new baby right away, huh?” Julie laughed.

“Maybe………”

* * *

At Allison’s Closet, Christine’s “bra and panty joint” downtown, Sahndra was looking through the sexiest assortment of lingerie when Christine spotted her.

“Sahndra! How nice to see you again!”

“Hi, Christine! Howya doing? I’m looking for the most drive-him-crazy outfit ya got.”

“Well, I got a few to choose from.” Christie led her over to another collection. “That IS a looker you’ve got, Sahndra. He’s so well-built and handsome.”

“Thanks. I love him to death. He deserves something ultra-sexy,” Sahndra said.

“I guess you know that Scottie doesn’t much go in for this sort of thing.”

Sahndra smiled. Scottie. “Yeah, I know……..He thinks they’re a waste of his precious time.”

Christine laughed a big laugh. “Exactly! He can’t be bothered!………But I like him anyway………He’s loads of fun.”

Sahndra smiled again, remembering “loads of fun.” “Scottie is nothing if not fun…….I’m glad he met you, Christine. He seemed lonely.”

“I’m glad he met me too. He’s such a………unique guy……..Hey, check this little number out.” Christine held up a light pink short gown.

At that moment, the door opened, and Allison’s Closet acquired another customer. Mr. Fun and Unique himself, Scottie LaMont. When he took in the scene of his ex-wife and his present lover chatting gaily over sexy nighties, he froze. This combination was not a sight he was comfortable with.

Christine looked up and saw him first. “Hi, darling!” She didn’t seem to notice his agitation.

Sahndra looked over at him, and their eyes locked. SHE noticed his agitation. “No, I’m not giving away any secrets I kept for you, honey,” she told him silently.

He smiled politely. “Hello, ladies.” He looks huge and out of place standing there among frilly stuff, Sahndra thought. This was certainly not his element.

“Scottie, honey, I’m sorry, but I gotta take a rain check on lunch. I’ve got a bra vendor coming in at noon. Can we do it tomorrow instead?” Christine said.

Scottie looked back and forth between the two women. “Sure, doll. Tomorrow’s fine. I’ll just go down to the Snake Pit and get a burger and a beer.” Sahndra kept her eyes on his.

“Oh, why don’tcha take Sahndra with ya, sweetheart? Sahndra, did you have other plans? Or can you keep my new boyfriend company for an hour? Somebody needs to keep an eye on him, and you’re more than qualified for the job.” Sahndra was glad that Scottie had found an outspoken woman.

She felt a smile breaking out on her face. “Um……..Sure! I can spare an hour…….if Scottie doesn’t mind……”

Scottie smiled, trying to make them believe he was still cock-sure about himself. He couldn’t defend himself against two women in a lingerie store. Two women he’d been intimate with. “It would be my honor. Sahndra? Ready?”

“Oh, and Sahndra……..Come back in the morning. I’m getting in a new shipment of some hot stuff. You’ll be pleased. Earl Ray will be pleased.” Yet another reason for Sahndra to smile and for Scottie to squirm.

He drove her to the Snake Pit in his brand new black Porsche, her first ride in it since he bought it. They saw Roger’s Jeep in the parking lot but didn’t see Roger inside. Not right away.

They sat at a high table near the bar, eating burgers and drinking imported beers. Sahndra assured him that she had exchanged no private information with Christine whatsoever. Then she told him details about the trip to Washington and the rough time Earl Ray had gone through. Scottie seemed only vaguely interested in the tale until the end – when she got to the part about a baby possibility that now existed.

He looked up from his plate then and took notice. “Really now? You two might reproduce? How interesting!”

“What a romantic you are, Scottie. Still”

“Ah, but I’ll bet lover boy is quite the romantic himself………Didya go in Christine’s place to buy something……..for him?”

Sahndra caught herself blushing. “Of course……..He likes it.”

“Oh, I’ll BET he likes it all right.” He glanced down at her chest.

“Stop it, Scottie. Ya don’t havta be crude.”

“Sorry, sweet cheeks……..Old habits, I guess…..”

“I hope you’re nice to Christine, Scottie. She seems like a good person,” Sahndra said.

He smiled. “I’m on my best behavior with her still……..So tell me……..You really gonna have a little one with Earl Ray?” Scottie returned to the original subject.

Sahndra wondered if it bothered him. “Not right away, Scottie. In the future, maybe.”

“Kids! How’s every little thing?” Roger had emerged from the darkness somewhere and now stood at the table. They both said hello to him. He didn’t know they’d been discussing “kids” when he walked up.

“What’s with this happy little reunion, hmm? You two look so damn cozy.” His tone as well as his smile reeked of sarcasm.

“Fuck off, Lococco,” Scottie told him, jokingly.

Sahndra, however, saw a platinum opportunity. She seized it, hoping Scottie could/would follow her lead. “I was just pouring out my soul to Scottie, Roger.” She tried to sound as dejected as possible. “The D.C. trip didn’t go so good……..Earl Ray realized some things about himself, Roger.”

“What things?” Roger seemed genuinely concerned. Or just curious. Scottie said nothing.

“That it’s not me he really loves…….” Sahndra sniffled some and looked down dramatically. “That he’s still got that heavy torch for Julie……” She allowed her voice to trail off.

Roger was astonished. Floored. Almost horrified. He sucked in his cheeks and peered at her ‘til she looked back up at him. Scottie swallowed back a smile and held out his hand across the table. Relieved and glad that Scottie had caught on, she put her hand in his as if for support. Academy- award deserving high drama.

“So he’s gonna want her back?” Roger spoke so quietly, she almost didn’t hear him.

“He said she’s all he’ll ever want again…….And what the hell am I supposed to do now, huh? I feel like shit.”

Roger looked like he couldn’t control what he was feeling inside. Like he was on the verge of imploding.

“Excuse me,” he said and hurriedly left the table.

When he was safely upstairs and behind the slammed-shut door of his office, Sahndra released a loud, whooping laugh. A satisfied laugh. Scottie laughed too, and they “high-fived” each other like children or athletes.

“You’re such a bitch,” he said. Admiringly.

“Yeah, well, he deserved it.” She didn’t elaborate on why Roger deserved it, and Scottie didn’t ask for an explanation.

“We’re still quite a team,” was all he said. And that made Sahndra feel warm inside.

Fifteen minutes later, Roger came back downstairs and walked over to their table again, calmer this time. Julie had apparently talked him down off the ledge. He wore black dress pants and a muted green shirt. Sahndra couldn’t resist gawking at him.

“That’s fucking hilarious, biker chick. Real damn funny………Maybe that comedy club across town could book you for weekend shows,” he said when he got back to the table. Scottie snickered quietly, staying out of the line of fire.

Sahndra wrinkled up her nose and gave Roger an evil smile. “Just a little joke, Roger. Whatsa matter? Can’t take a joke?………Prick? Ya know, Roger? You’re so damn gullible.”

“Are we on even ground now?” He still hadn’t smiled at all. He was really upset, Sahndra thought. Maybe there were circumstances going on that she knew nothing about.

“Sure, Roger. Pay-back is a bitch. But we’re even. Okay?” she said.

“Hey, man. Did Sahndra tell ya that she and Earl Ray might be getting a little package from the stork soon?” Scottie decided to join in the fun.

“You’re pregnant now?” Roger asked Sahndra.

She laughed. “No. Not yet. He’s just more willing now to have a child. No big deal.”

Roger looked stormy all over again. “Have you told Julie about this?”

“Yes. I saw her this morning.” God, he’s really sensitive over this, Sahndra thought.

Roger brought his hand down on the table, a little too hard for casual. He sighed to collect his patience. “Did she take it okay?” He peered at Sahndra.

“She was a little upset……..But she’s okay now…….Didn’t you just talk to her, Roger?” Sahndra asked him.

He rolled his eyes. “I couldn’t see her over the phone, Sahndra.”

“Well, duh, Roger.” She felt a tender spot for him then and touched his hand. “Look…….Roger……. I saw her. She’s fine. She’s got you to come home to.”

Roger looked from her to Scottie then shook his head. To both of them, he said, “I don’t know, man. I think I’m just stressed out.” He seemed tired.

“Julie said you guys are going away for a few days,” Scottie said to him.

“Yeah. This weekend. She needs it as badly as I do.” Roger sighed heavily again.

“You got something special planned, Roger?” Sahndra watched his face for an answer he wouldn’t give verbally. She saw nothing.

“You’ll just have to wait and see, Harley princess. You’ll just have to wait and see.”

Roger left them alone now, and they discovered when they tried to pay the check that he had taken care of it for them. Sahndra had to explain to Scottie all the bike references. He didn’t seem phased at all to learn that she rode on Roger’s Harley with him sometimes. Sometimes when they weren’t at each other’s throats. Scottie had concerns other than Roger now. But he had definitely seemed a little more reserved since he had found out that another man might now be giving Sahndra the baby she had at one time wanted with him.

* * *

Sahndra had already gone home when Julie arrived at the Snake Pit around three o’clock that afternoon. Scottie was playing pool and still drinking beer, so Julie sat at the bar and watched him.

“Hey, Jules! Guess me and you oughtta do some crying in our beer after that news from the EX couple today, huh?” he yelled at her across the room. His ex-wife and her ex-husband. What a tangled web.

Julie laughed. “Right, Scottie. Whatever you say.”

He walked over to her and kissed her cheek. “Did it get to ya? Even a little bit?”

“Yeah, it did. The worst fight Earl Ray and I ever had was over a damn positive pregnancy test,” Julie said, remembering the scene sadly.

“I remember. He left you.”

“Thanks, Scottie. I don’t need you to remind me of the gruesome details,” Julie said dryly.

Roger was behind her then, surrounding her with his arms and hugging her tightly. “Hey, sweet thing. Howya doing?” He kissed her neck from behind.

“Oh, I’m better now, Roger. God, you smell good.”

Scottie quietly walked back over to the pool tables and left them alone. Roger moved around to face her and sat down on the chair next to her.

“You okay?” he asked her.

“I’m fine. Really, honey.”

“I mean with the news about Sahndra and Earl Ray having a baby.” Julie had known what he meant. They were starting to read each other’s minds.

She smiled. “It bothered me a little……..But I’m okay with it. Honestly, sweetheart.”

“I just worry aboutcha.”

“I know, Roger. And I love that.”

Julie and Scottie sat at the bar for several more hours after that, drinking their beers and angsting with each other. Rehashing the past. Making each other feel better. Roger came over to check on them periodically and just shook his head with their progressive drunkenness. About seven o’clock, he came back for the last time.

“C’mon, baby. We’re going home.” He placed his hand on her back.

“No, man! Don’t take my drinking buddy!” Scottie was far more intoxicated than Julie was; he’d been drinking most of the day.

“LaMont, Jake has orders to call Christine whenever you get ready to go home. She said she’ll come and get you and the car. I don’t want that new Porsche in my parking lot all night.” Roger had taken care of lots more than Scottie’s bill.

“You’re a pretty decent guy, Lococco. Even if I do say so myself.”

“Let’s go, Julie. You gotta pack for tomorrow.” He helped her up and put his arm around her to walk her to the car.

“I’m not that drunk, Roger.”

“Yeah. Yeah.” But he didn’t let go of her, and she was glad. They left his Jeep at the Snake Pit.

* * *

The “safehouse” turned out to be a secluded chalet in the mountains, about two hours from town. Julie felt like they were alone in the world, and she liked it. Being alone with Roger when he was feeling this affectionate was heaven.

They made love in the Jacuzzi. They made love in the down-filled bed. They ate all of their meals in bed with no clothes on. Sometimes they just talked, without touching at all. But they always had each other’s rapt attention. No distractions. No books. No television. No telephones. Just each other. Rest, love-making, and food. And each other.

On Saturday night, Roger built a fire in the fireplace and turned the air conditioning on full blast since it wasn’t cold enough outside for a fire. The rock fireplace in the den was huge and inviting. As was the soft big rug laying in front of it. They got some pillows and spent over an hour there pleasing each other. Afterwards, they lay next to each other, propped up on the pillows, and stared into the fire.

“I’ve got something for ya,” Roger said quietly. A sexy bedroom voice if Julie had ever heard a sexy bedroom voice.

“Oh, but you’re enough for me. And this little retreat. I feel like we’re stealing from the gods.”

He reached over to where he’d hidden something at his side. He handed it to her. It was a small, black velvet box.

Julie gasped, and the fire seemed to suddenly get much hotter. “What’s this, Roger?”

“It’s for you. I never gave you any jewelry before,” he said.

Julie was afraid to look at him, afraid he would disappear. “Open it,” he said.

And she did. Inside was a sparkling, glittering, precious stone setting on a thick brushed gold band.

A diamond ring.

Her breath caught in her throat. “Omigod……” she whispered. It was huge.

“Isn’t that your birthstone?” Roger said.

She looked up at him, absolutely stunned. “Yes………..It is……….but……….”

“But what? It’s yours, baby.”

She looked back at the twinkling rock. “Thank you, sweetheart. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen……..Really.” Julie was speechless. Was she breathing?

“So you’ll keep it? You’ll marry me?”

She laughed a tiny, nervous laugh. “You know I’ll marry you, Roger.”

“We don’t have to do it right away. It can wait. Whatever ya want. I just wanna see you wear this and know that it’s mine. That I gave it to you and you accepted it.”

“God, this is so………unexpected, honey……….I never dreamed……”

He laughed his fading-away laugh. “I know. I wanted to surprise you. Nobody knew.”

Julie went to him then, into his arms. He grabbed her and held her tightly. “Thank you, sweetheart……….Of course I’ll wear it. It’ll make me so happy to wear it……….I love you.”

“I love you too, sweets. And I think we oughtta stay together from now on,” he said into her hair.

“Absolutely.”