Grand Opening of �Blue Ice On Da Beach'
Christel, Chinita and Jessica; the assistant manager at Blue Ice (The Original) all stood outside the new store at 8am. They were there to hang the �Grand Opening' signs, make sure everything was in place and the store was ready to open.
"Chinita, you're so lucky I'm your friend," Christel muttered sipping her tea. "It's Saturday morning and I'm actually awake. It is too freakin' early to be out and about on a Saturday."
"Ignore her she's just grumpy," Chinita said to Jessica.
"Is it my fault if I'm not a morning person?" Christel asked.
"No, but it doesn't mean you have to share your mood with the rest of us," Chinita said opening the back of her truck. Christel stuck her tongue out at her.
"Don't you have people who's job it is to take care of stuff like this?" Christel asked with a yawn.
"Yes and that's us," Chinita replied.
"I don't remember signing up for this. Am I getting paid?" she grumbled on still sipping her tea.
"Christel maybe you need some coffee to perk you up," Jessica replied helping Chinita unload her truck.
"I don't like coffee that's why I'm drinking tea," Christel retorted. "Where is Ohniece? She was supposed to help us too, right?"
"She'll be here soon," Chinita said to Christel. Then to herself, "Hopefully in a better mood than you are."
"Why didn't you take care of this stuff yesterday or last night?" Christel asked.
"I had other things to take care of," Chinita retorted.
"I could be in my warm bed right now," she muttered still sipping her tea.
"Why don't you put your tea down long enough to actually help us," Chinita shot at her. Christel set her tea on the hood of the car and went to help Chinita unload, with much complaint. Just as they had everything unloaded Ohniece pulled up. She quickly shut the engine off and hopped out of her car.
"Good morning everyone! Sorry I was late you guys. I uuhh over slept. I bought bagels and stuff, though," she said cheerily. Christel regarded her curiously.
"Why are you so chipper?" she asked.
"It's just a beautiful morning. Why shouldn't I be happy?" she replied. Christel looked at her for a moment.
"You had sex!" she accused loudly. Everyone stopped. Ohniece went blank while Chinita and Jessica just looked from one to the other.
"What are you talking about?" Ohniece finally asked.
"You, Ohniece Ann Miller, had sex! You did it this morning didn't you? That's why you're late! That's why you're so damn chipper! Usually you're just as crabby as me! So that can be the only explanation," Christel raved. Ohniece recovered from the initial shock of being accused of having sex and replied,
"What are you mad that you didn't?"
"Yes!" Christel declared without hesitation. "I told Kevin not to stay at my place because I had to get up early. If he did stay over I'd probably be just as late or later than you and probably twice as happy." Everyone stared at her. Jessica started to giggle to herself.
"Ok. . . can we get back to work, now. Ohniece why don't you stuff one of those bagels in Christel's mouth to shut her up, please," Chinita said. Christel shot Chinita a surly look. Chinita unlocked the doors to the store and threw them open. They all went inside each carrying something. The walls were painted a delightful sky blue. On the wall above the counter was a mural of people surfing on ice; the girl in front looked a lot like Chinita. The ceiling was outlined in seashells of every shape that were painted silver. All the merchandise laid on their racks ready to be sold.
"Can you wear glasses while you surf?" Christel asked Ohniece.
"Uhh I don't think so. I know I can't swim and wear my glasses," she replied.
"He just painted it like that," Chinita informed them. She inhaled sharply. "I guess you could call that new store smell," she replied. Christel inhaled too.
"Smells more like paint to me," she said.
"You're not going to be pleasant at all today are you?" Chinita asked.
"Ask me that when I wake up," she said.
"Ok. All we have to do is hang the really big �Grand Opening' sign outside the store and hang the smaller ones around the store. I want the one that's slightly smaller than the one that's going outside on the counter. Just drape it across the counter, the front of it. There should be some smaller ones around here somewhere that say �Grand Opening Sale' those go on top of all the racks. Jessica call the guy who is supposed to be making the Snow Cones for us, please. Ohniece you can set the bagels and whatever else you bought on the counter," Chinita announced.
Everyone set to work. Jessica went to phone and called the Snow Cone guy. Chinita went in the back and got her icicle leis she had made together. She had icicles that would normally go on a Christmas tree sewn together and decorated with rhinestones to form leis to give to each customer. She planned to give each customer an icicle lei and a free Snow Cone just for the grand opening. Ohniece and Christel grabbed the ladder and started to hang the �Grand Opening' sign outside.
"Blue Ice On Da Beach," Ohniece read. "Who thought of that? I thought it was just Blue Ice At The Beach. Why does it have to be ghetto?"
"She thought it was cute. I like it. It's not ghetto, it's cute," Christel replied.
"It's ghetto and ebonically speaking," Ohniece countered laughing at her own joke.
"Well I guess you would know ghetto when you see it Ms. Southeast."
"Hey we're not in DC anymore that name does not apply here."
"Yeah whatever. Lift up your end please." They tied the sign up and climbed down off the ladders to make sure it was straight, which it was.
Inside the store Jessica was just getting off the phone with the Snow Cone guy.
"Chinita, the Snow Cone guy said he'd be here soon," Jessica told her.
"Oh good. Let's see we got about 2 more hours till the store opens," she said. "Hey help me get this sign up across the counter, please."
"Sure ok." They started to hang the sign just as Christel and Ohniece came back in.
"We're done with our sign," Christel said smugly grabbing a bagel off the counter.
"Could one of you stand there and tell us if it's straight," Chinita said. Christel and Ohniece stood in front of them and debated whether or not it was straight. They kept going until Chinita lost her patience and told one of them to take her end and she would see for herself if it were straight or not.
"I'm glad that's done. All we really have to do now is put the signs on the racks and then we're pretty much done," Chinita said. They each grabbed a couple of signs and ran around the store placing them on each rack.
"Did anyone bring a radio?" Christel asked.
"Oh yeah I bought one it's in my car I'll go get it," Jessica replied. She ran outside and got the radio from her car. They plugged it in and turned the music up as they worked.
"Jessica, I guess you can go now. I'll need someone at the other store. The grand opening sale applies there too. So I'll see you later. You can come back on Monday," Chinita said to Jessica.
"Ok I should go now then. Are you going to be ok here?" she asked.
"Yeah I'm fine. The people that I hired should be here soon," she stated.
"Alright I'll see you all later," she said waving to everyone as she left.
"Bye Jessica," they all replied.
"So what do we do now?" Christel asked.
"Nothing but wait really. The Snow Cone guy and the other people I hired will be here any minute now." They were eating bagels and listening to music when the Snow Cone guy showed up.
"Hi, I'm Snow Cone Joe," he said as he made his way to where they stood around the counter.
"Snow Cone Joe? Are you serious?" Christel asked.
"Yeah, it's my dad's business. He insist that we refer to ourselves that way. My name is Joe, though," he replied.
"Ok, I'm Chinita owner of the store," she said stepping forward. "Well let me show you where you can set up." Christel turned to Ohniece and asked,
"You think any of the guys are going to make an attempt to come? I know Kevin said he'd be here. He has to come pick me up, anyway."
"I don't know. Nick is supposed to start setting up for the party then I was going to leave here to help him. Howie told me he might stop by for a minute. I don't know about AJ. Brian might stop by and if he does then he's supposed to bring Nick. Nick's friend is the one that did the mural so I guess, Nick would want to see how it turned out. Basically everyone is going to �try' to come," Ohniece answered.
Chinita came back over to them followed by two other people.
"This is Gina and Jack they're going to start working here. Gina and Jack this is Christel and Ohniece they're my friends just helping out for today," she said. Then to Gina and Jack, "You guys are going to basically work the cash register. I shouldn't have to really tell you anything because you came to the training workshop we had yesterday. So for now you can just familiarize yourself with the store and the merchandise. Everyone gets an icicle lei and a Snow Cone when they leave, only one per person though. I think Christel and I will be handing out the leis. There should be one more person coming, the assistant manager of this store. I think her name was-"
"Shannon. Sorry I'm a little late. Traffic was a bitch."
"Well Shannon I think you remember Jack and Gina. This is Ohniece and Christel they're my friends and they're just helping us out for today. Shannon you can just hang out for a while and get to know the store a little more. Have some Snow Cones from Joe over there if you want and we have bagels and stuff on the counter, too." Shannon, Gina, and Jack went off to get a good look at the store.
"If Shannon is the assistant manager of this store who is the manager?" Christel asked Chinita.
"I'm making Jessica the manager of this store. I just needed her at the other store today otherwise there would've been no one there to open it. She'll take over Monday even though I may bounce her between stores for a little while. I just need to hire an assistant manager for that store now," Chinita explained.
"Wow Jessica must have been really happy when you told her," Ohniece said.
"Yeah she practically tackled me in a hug. She's always wanted to manage a store herself. At Blue Ice I was basically hovering over her shoulder," she replied.
"Cool. So when does this party start?" Christel asked.
"We'll be opening in a half an hour I think," Chinita answered.
"Oooohhh let me get my camera!" Ohniece exclaimed running to her car.
"I'll take these leftover bagels to the back. If anyone wants one they'll be in the office in the back," Christel declared.
Soon it was time to officially open Blue Ice On Da Beach for business. Chinita flipped the �Yes We're Open' sign over while Ohniece took a couple Polaroids. Joe had the Snow Cones machine up and going, Gina, Jack and Shannon stood ready to take any customer, and Christel and Chinita manned the door with their leis ready for customers to come by.
It wasn't long before the first customer came into the store.
"Welcome to the grand opening of Blue Ice On Da Beach. I'm the owner, Chinita, and you're our first customer," she said placing a lei around her neck.
"Wow really? I'm the first customer?" she asked.
"Can I get a picture of you and Chinita please?" Ohniece asked.
"Sure, I'd be honored," she replied.
"What's your name?" Christel asked.
"Oh it's Melissa. . . Melissa O'Dell. I feel like I'm part of history or something," she replied. Melissa browsed a little before purchasing a pair of flip flops and a beach towel, Ohniece took a few pictures of this �event' as well.
"Well see ya and good luck on your store. It's looks great," Melissa said as Joe handed her a snow cone. After Melissa left things picked up, soon they were on they're fifteenth and the store had only been open about an hour.
"That's customer number seventeen," Ohniece replied.
"You're keeping count?" Christel asked.
"Yes. If I were Chinita I would want to know just how many people came in on the grand opening," she replied. "Anyway, I'm going to go call Nick keep count for me please." Christel sighed and rolled her eyes in mock exasperation but counted the next customers to come into the store. Well that's eighteen and nineteen. I can't believe I'm doing this, she thought.
"I just spoke to Nick," she said to Christel.
"And?"
"They're not coming. Nick wants me to come back so I can help him with the set up. He said he couldn't find some of the decorations."
"Ok so you're leaving now?"
"Yeah if I don't go now they won't get anything done. Brian, I can at least depend on to try to keep Nick focus on the task. Eventually though, even he will get tired of it and they'll go off to play or something." she said shaking her head.
"Well I'll see you when I get there. If I can I'll try to come early enough to help cook or something. My deviled eggs are in the fridge and ready to go," Christel replied.
"Ok girl, here take my camera in case ya'll wanna take some more pictures. I'll see you when you get to my house. Oh yeah give me some of those leis, we can wear them at the party," Ohniece said. Christel counted out eight leis and handed them to Ohniece.
"Bye!" she shouted and waved to everyone in the store.
"Where is she going?" Chinita asked.
"She had to go back home and help Nick set up for the party. You know him, he couldn't find a snake if it jumped up and bit him," Christel laughed.
"You don't have to stay all day you know. I know you want to go and get ready for the party. I'll be late, of course. There's no reason for you to be late, though," Chinita said.
"Oh I'm not staying all day. I want to see if any of the guys are going to stop by. Kevin is coming because he's supposed to pick me up. Since I road in with you I kinda have to wait till he gets here. I know Nick and Brian aren't coming but they all said they'd try," she replied.
"Is AJ coming?" Chinita asked.
"I don't know. I thought I should be asking you that," Christel said casually.
"I was just asking you in case you heard something I didn't. He told me he'd try," she retorted.
"Nope I heard the same. . . from all of them �I'll try'," Christel replied handing a lei to a customer who just came in. Twenty two, she counted to herself.
Christel and Chinita handed out leis for another hour before one of the guys arrived. He came wearing dark sunglasses, blue jeans, white t-shirt, and a Wayne's World cap with fake hair hanging out the back. He walked a direct path to Christel.
"Hello madam," he said in an English accent. When he smiled she noticed he was wearing fake funny teeth too. Christel looked at him then looked at Chinita and smirked.
"Hi and welcome to Blue Ice On Da Beach," she replied.
"Ah yes I see it's a grand opening," he said.
"Yes it is and you're our hundredth customer," she lied. "Do you know what we do for our hundredth customer?"
"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I don't. I'm here on holiday and I'm not quite familiar with American customs."
"Oh ok I understand. I'll have to demonstrate," she replied handing the rest of her leis to Chinita. She grabbed his hand and pulled him with her to the back of the store.
"Chinita in case you want to keep count we're on customer number thirty-nine," she yelled to the front of the store. Christel pulled the "hundredth customer" into the office at the back of the store.
"How did you know it was me?" he asked pulling off his disguise.
"Kevin, I've seen every blessed inch of you. I can see through any silly disguise you come up with. I'm just gifted that way, I guess. Where did you get this thing from anyway?" she told him.
"Just something I put together," he replied.
"It's a nice length for you," she said.
"Very funny. So how are things going here? The store looks good," Kevin said.
"I haven't seen you in 2 days, can I get a hug and maybe a kiss first, please?" she said. He complied without hesitation. As soon as their lips met Kevin pulled her closer, tighter and deepened it. The kiss, meant to be a sweet greeting from one mouth to the other, turned into a fierce melting of the lips. Christel felt it all the way down to her toes and even in the ends of her hair. She kissed him back, passionately. Her lips sucked on his, her mouth pulled at his as their tongues dueled.
"Well that was long overdue," she whispered against his lips.
"Yeah I'll say," he replied.
"You should have came over last night," she told him.
"No, because we would still be there now," he told her.
"You think Chinita would mind if we got a quickie in back here on the desk?"
"She probably wouldn't be too happy about it." Christel let out a frustrated sigh.
"Tonight, after Nick's party," Kevin promised tracing her lower lip with his finger.
"Or maybe sometime during the party," she whispered nipping his finger.
"Madam, are you trying to seduce me?" he asked slipping back into the English accent. Christel couldn't help herself when she burst into laughter right in Kevin's face.
"What's so funny?" he asked dropping the accent.
"That really is a bad accent you got going there," she replied still laughing.
"Oh really? How would you know?"
"Well I don't know anyone that's English and I've never been there but I've watched enough �Are You Being Served?' and �Keeping Up Appearances' to know what they sound like and honey that ain't it."
"Ok I'll stop. You never told me how things are going here," he said.
"Things have been going great! I think this place is going to be extremely popular."
"That's good. So I guess I should probably buy something to support Chinita."
"You could, I got the perfect thing too. You can buy a pair of trunks for Nick's party."
"It's not a pool party."
"This is Nick we're talking about, right? All of his parties whether planned or not, turn into pool parties. I picked out a pair of trunks that I think you'll like."
"Did you? These trunks wouldn't happen to compliment your new bathing suit in some way would they?"
"What makes you think I bought a new swim suit?" she asked innocently.
"Because I know you," he replied.
"Ok they might compliment it in some small way," she replied not meeting his eyes.
"Go ahead and tell me about it; I know you want to," he said taking a seat.
"No, I'll just show it to you later. Do you know whether or not AJ is coming by?" she asked.
"I did talk to him today. . ." he trailed off.
"And? He's not coming is he?"
"Well he was being kinda vague about that topic. He just said he'd try to make it."
Christel sighed.
"Ok well I can't keep worrying about him and Chinita. I think we better get out of here before they think we are using that desk for a quickie," she said. Kevin started putting his disguise back on. Christel grabbed her bag and they headed back out into the store together. Christel grabbed her bathing suit off a rack and went to the mens' side of the store and grabbed the trunks she picked out. She held them both up for Kevin's inspection.
"You like?" she asked.
"Yeah I do. It matches your suit almost perfectly," he said in the silly accent.
"What are you talking about? My suit is red and this is blue," she replied.
"Blue with red trim. The red trim is the same red in your suit, too," he said.
"I know that, I told you they complimented my suit not that they match completely. Let's go pay for this and then we can get out of here. Maybe we can get a quickie in before the party."
"Lead the way." Kevin followed as Christel led him to the cashier counter. Chinita came over to them.
"Hey you're leaving too?" she asked.
"Yeah me and our �hundredth customer' are gonna hit the road," she said dropping her suit on the counter. Gina, who was working the cash register, looked from Christel to Chinita.
"She's not a slut this is her silly boyfriend not some customer," Chinita assured her. Then she said, "Well she's not that much of a slut."
"Very funny." Christel said.
"Yeah in any case she's my slut," Kevin said before thinking. Christel, Chinita and Gina looked at him aghast.
"Kevin, don't help," Christel said.
"Umm that's $26.25," Gina replied.
"Oh guess what I have exact change," she said digging through her wallet. She handed her the money and Gina bagged her suit and gave her the bag. Then she dropped Kevin's trunks on the counter. Gina rang them up.
"$23.10," she said. Kevin reached in his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He handed her a credit card.
"You have the same name as one of those Backstreet Boys," she said with a giggle. Chinita, Christel and Kevin just looked at her.
"I am one," Kevin said dropping the accent.
"Yeah right. Those guys are gorgeous and I don't mean to be mean or anything but you aren't exactly a knock out," she said. Kevin pulled the false teeth out of his mouth and smiled at her as he lifted his glasses. She went blank. All the color seemed to drain from her face.
"Ok you've had enough fun. Get out," Chinita said.
"Look you've rendered the girl speechless," Christel said. Gina continued to stare at Kevin like he was some kind of strange exotic animal.
"I guess I'll have to finish ringing up your purchase," Chinita said. "I don't think she'll be of any use for awhile." Chinita finished ringing Kevin up and bagged his trunks.
"Bye Chinita," Kevin said grinning sheepishly.
"Bye everyone," Christel said.
"Yeah see you guys at the party. Now get out of here you're distracting my employees," Chinita called after them. Christel and Kevin went out of the store, hopped into his truck and they were off.
******
Later that evening; Nick's Party
Everyone was there. Everyone that is, except Chinita the guest of honor. She was at the store making sure her employees closed everything correctly. She left earlier to change and get ready for the party but decided to swing back by the store just to make sure.
Nick's parties tended to be casual and almost always turned into pool parties. Chinita wore a pair of dark blue capris, matching dark blue halter top and a white oversized oxford shirt that she tied in front with blue strappy sandals. She carried a matching bag that held her bathing suit and whatever else she might need for the party. Her hair was sept up into a carefully created ponytail and her blue sunglasses completed the outfit. She took extra care to put the whole thing together, for what, she didn't know. If she were completely honest with herself she would know that she was dressing with one person in mind.
As she pulled into Nick's driveway she noticed Howie's car, Kevin's car and Brian's car. Something is missing, she thought. It wasn't Christel's car, she knew she rode there with Kevin and Nick and Niecey's cars were held in the two car garage. Where is AJ's car? Isn't he going to be here? He didn't come to the store opening but he said he would come to the party, she thought.
She walked up to the door and rang the bell. Ohniece answered.
"Hey girl! Took you long enough to get here," she replied.
"Well you know I had some business to take care of," Chinita said.
"You went back to the store didn't you?"
"Of course I did. I wouldn't have been any fun tonight if I didn't," she laughed.
"Well come on in, everyone is out back and already in the pool," she said.
"Everyone?" Chinita asked.
"Yeah you remember. . . everyone," Ohniece replied giving her a funny look.
"Is AJ here?" she asked sounding a bit too urgent. Ohniece looked at her again.
"Oooohhh. . . I thought that's who you were looking for. We sent him on a store run. With these animals we need to replenish the stock a lot," she said as she stepped through the patio doors. "Hey everyone look who I found."
Chinita stepped through the patio doors into the backyard. Everyone greeted her warmly. Chinita waved happily and looked at the scene that was in front of her. Nick and Brian were in the pool playing water basketball. Howie sat on the edge of the pool dangling his feet in the water as he watched the game in progress. Kevin sat in a lounge chair with Christel in his lap.
"I fixed a plate for you. If I hadn't you wouldn't be eating. Go have some fun and I'll go get the plate," Ohniece said.
"Thanks,"Chinita said. Christel lifted her head from Kevin's shoulder and waved Chinita over. Chinita took a seat at the patio table next to them.
"Hey! You look great!! What took you so long to get here?" Christel asked.
"Thanks. I had to make sure they closed up right. Hey that suit looks great on you and you look good in your trunks, Kevin," she said.
"Thanks," he replied.
"I'm surprised you aren't in there with them," she said to Christel.
"Oh I was but someone got me up at the crack of dawn and I'm a little bit tired right now," Christel replied jokingly.
"So you're going to blame your lack of strength on me?"
"Yes! Anyway. . . I'm saving up my strength for a rousing game of Marco Polo. Nick promised to call me when they started and I plan to win."
"What about you Kevin? Why aren't you in the water?"
"I'm saving my strength for a rousing game of �hide the salami'," he said. Christel jabbed him with her elbow.
"Freaks," Chinita said. Christel smirked. "So how long has AJ been gone?"
"Not too long. Ohniece sent him to the store for a few things he should be back soon."
"Oh," she said. Ohniece came out with Chinita's plate and glass.
"Ok here you go and what do you want to drink?" Ohniece asked.
"I know you got Pepsi up in here for the guest of honor," she said.
"Yeah we do. Be right back," she replied
"Ohniece, you like playing hostess don't you?" Chinita called after her. Ohniece stopped at the patio doors and grinned.
"Hey Chinita don't you want to join us in here," Brian called from the pool.
"When Christel goes in there to play Marco Polo with you guys I'll hop in too," she replied.
"Not if we can get you in here before that," Nick said.
"Don't go getting any ideas, Carter. I'm eating right now and I won't be able to get in for about an hour, you'll just have to wait," she replied stuffing a potato chip in her mouth. Ohniece came back with a can of Pepsi and sat down in the chair across from Chinita. Kevin excused himself so the ladies could talk. Chinita told them how the rest of the day at the store went which was a good distraction for what was really on her mind.
The doorbell rang and Ohniece went off to answer it.
"Alright I'm back," AJ said as he lugged all the grocery bags into the house. Ohniece ushered him into the kitchen.
"Good. Chinita's already here and she's gettin' antsy. I wasn't sure how long the �we sent him to the store' story was going to work," Ohniece replied.
"Well I did go to the store, too," he said.
"Ok but what did you have to get that caused you to leave in the middle of a party?"
"It's in the car."
"What is it?"
"You'll just have to wait till everyone else sees it."
"I can't get a little preview?"
"Nope," he said unpacking the bags.
"Fine, if you wanna be that way," she said.
"Would you go out there and stall Chinita while I go and get it, please," he urged her.
"Alright, alright I'll get out of your way but you should change into your trunks before you come outside. Nick has been waiting to play Marco Polo since you left," she said as she headed back for the patio.
"Who was at the door?" Chinita asked as soon as she took her seat again.
"Huh? Oh it was AJ. . . he'll be out in a minute he's putting the food away," she explained.
"Uhh ok well I'm going to go change," she said. Ohniece and Christel watched her go into the pool house.
"So. . . AJ's back? What did he run out of here to get?" Christel asked.
"I don't know. He wouldn't let me see. He said I'd have to wait for everyone else to see it." Ohniece replied.
"Ooooo ok a surprise of some kind," she replied.
"Yep," Ohniece agreed. Nick climbed out of the pool and came over to where Christel and Ohniece sat.
"Is AJ back?" he asked.
"Yeah he's back," Ohniece replied.
"Cool we're gonna start the game soon," he said heading back for the pool.
"Alright," Ohniece said.
"That's fine with me," Christel said taking off her sunglasses. "I plan to win this game."
"How are you going to do that? We're all taller than you especially Kevin and Nick. So we have the upper hand in this game. The only person on the same level as you is Chinita," Ohniece stated.
"I know but I'll play dirty if I have to," she grinned. "Aren't you going to play?"
"Yeah I'm playing." Chinita came out of the pool house and plopped down in her seat.
"We're playing Marco Polo as soon as AJ get's out here," Christel told her.
"You were serious? We are playing Marco Polo?" Chinita asked looking from Christel to Ohniece.
"It wasn't my idea, it was Nick's," Ohniece assured her.
"Maybe I should go get AJ," Chinita said looking at the door expectantly.
"He's probably changing. I told him to change before he comes out here. He'll be out in a minute," Ohniece replied.
"Ok. . . well I'm going to go hop into the pool. Care to join me?" Christel said.
"Yeah," Ohniece said throwing off her sarong and taking off her glasses. Chinita nodded. They walked over to the pool together and climbed in. Kevin, Nick, Brian and Howie had started a game of 2 on 2 water basketball when they noticed the ladies getting in. They all stopped and regarded them.
"Don't stop the game on our accounts," Christel called to them. They took a seat on the steps in the shallow end of the pool and continued their conversation. While Christel and Ohniece gabbed, Chinita was distracted. Try as she might to keep up with their conversation she couldn't help but look over at the patio doors every once in awhile to see if AJ would emerge.
"Chinita? Did you hear a word I just said?" Christel asked. Chinita quickly looked away from the patio doors to Christel.
"Umm I'm sorry what?" she asked. Christel gave her a knowing look and said,
"I asked you if you had many more customers between the time that I left and the time that you left."
"Oh yeah the place was busy for the rest of the day. Some people that I normally see in the main store came out and they loved the place," she said quickly.
"You know they say a watched pot never boils," Ohniece said suddenly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Chinita asked.
"Chinita, you've been antsy ever since you got here and discovered AJ not here. Now that you know he's just inside you still can't keep still," Ohniece explained.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she replied.
"Yes you do," Christel piped in. "He'll be out in a minute so chill out. In the meantime let's have some fun of our own."
"What do you have in mind?" Ohniece asked conspiratorially.
"Well since I told the guys not to stop their game because of us they haven't spared us a second glance or thought. Why don't we swim on over to them and surprise them," Christel said.
"How?" Chinita asked.
"Use your imagination," she replied. "I'll take Kevin, Ohniece you can take Nick and I guess that leaves Brian and Howie to you Chinita."
"Oh sure I get two of them. . . I guess I can handle it," Chinita said shooting the guys a glance.
"Ok let's go!" Christel said. They all sank beneath the water and swam to their targets at the deep end of the pool. The guys were so focused on their game that they didn't notice that they had company until Nick froze and disappeared beneath the water. Kevin was next while Brian and Howie suddenly lost their trunks. The surface of the water was quiet for a minute until they all came up laughing hysterically.
"I can't believe you yanked my trunks down," Brian said to Chinita blushing profusely.
"Believe me, I didn't see anything," she assured him.
"What about me?" Howie asked.
"I didn't see anything," she told him.
"Oh that was hysterical!" Christel replied between fits of laughter. "I must say one of my best jokes in a long time."
"So that was your idea," Kevin stated. Christel nodded still laughing.
"The look on your face when you saw me was classic," she continued. They guys exchanged a knowing glance. Kevin grabbed Christel and hoisted her up over his shoulder before dunking her in the pool. Nick turned on Ohniece and did the same.
Brian and Howie both turned to look at Chinita.
"Don't either of you come near me," she warned.
"Oh don't worry Chinita we promise we won't see a thing," Howie said. Chinita backed away from them both before diving back under water to swim to the shallow end of the pool. She got to the steps and climbed out.
AJ had just changed into his trunks and was coming out of the patio doors when he saw Chinita emerge from the pool. He stopped dead in his tracks trying to remember the last time he saw her in a swimsuit. He knew he definitely hadn't ever seen her in this one. She wore a dark blue one shoulder tankini that was trimmed in silver. The suit wasn't particularly scandalous and it was from her line of swim wear.
Chinita turned back toward the pool apparently not noticing AJ's entrance. She stuck her tongue out at Brian and Howie saying.
"Ha! Now you gotta get out of the pool to get me."
"You gotta get back in here sometime," Brian said.
"Yeah especially if you're gonna play Marco Polo," Howie chimed in.
"Like I'm that pressed to play Marco Polo and I don't have to get in if I don't want to," she replied. She was so busy taunting Brian and Howie that she didn't notice AJ come up behind her but they did. Brian nudged Howie and they both smiled at her suspiciously. Christel, Kevin, Ohniece and Nick all stopped what they were doing to watch. Just as she was about to ask them about the smug look they had on their faces, AJ came up behind her and lift her off the ground. Chinita screamed and kicked until she realized who it was.
"What's going on? Are these guys bothering you?" he asked her when she calmed down.
"Yeah they're trying to attack me," she replied.
"She pulled our trunks down," Brian explained.
"Oh really?" AJ asked raising an eyebrow. "You pulled their trunks down?"
"It was a joke." She didn't notice that he was walking to the deep end of the pool until he held her out over the water.
"I should just drop you in with them."
"You wouldn't dare." In response AJ held her out farther over the water. "Ok you would dare. Don't do it," she pleaded.
Brian and Howie started chanting "Drop her!" and eventually everyone joined in.
AJ looked as if he were making a decision that would affect the world. Chinita looked as is she were trying to figure out a way to get out of AJ's grasp without falling into the pool. He looked down at her and then at the water and said,
"Hhmm whatever shall I do? This is a tough one. I don't know how to decide."
"AJ. . . Alex come on please don't drop me. Please, it was a silly joke and it was Christel's stupid idea anyway."
"I didn't tell you to pull their trunks down," Christel yelled from the pool.
"So it was still your idea to mess with the guys," Chinita threw over her shoulder. Then to AJ she said, "Please don't drop me."
"I've made my decision," he said as if announcing something of monumental importance. He looked at Chinita and smiled before releasing his grip on her and letting her drop into the pool. Howie and Brian applauded while everyone else laughed wildly. Chinita resurfaced looking like a furious drowned cat. She shot AJ a murdering glance and grabbed him by his ankle, before he could dart out of reach, causing him to lose his balance and fall into the pool with a loud, �SPLASH!'. As he sputtered to the surface everyone laughed him as well. Chinita gave him a satisfied smile and swam away.
Nick announced that they play Marco Polo and the game began. Soon it became obvious that it was girls against boys with Nick being �it'. The guys would push one of the girls at the person's seeking fingers causing them to be frozen until another girl swam over and unfroze them. While the girls would gang up on one of the guys and hold him in one place to let the person freeze them. Everyone was cheating but no one seemed to care. Eventually they all gave up on playing and tiredly settled into their lounge chairs.
Ohniece asked everyone to come inside for some dessert. They all stood from their comfortable seats and slowly ambled inside.
"Come into the diningroom," she called. They all gathered into the diningroom. On the table sat a large white box with �Bakery' written across it in red.
"Now I think we all know what or this party is for," Ohniece started. "If you're still wondering than I'll tell you. This is to celebrate the opening of Blue Ice on da Beach and the owner my friend and yours Chinita!"
Ohniece opened the bakery box. In it was a full sheet cake with a miniature replica of the mural on the wall at the store. Lead by Brian they all began to chant, �Speech!'. Chinita stepped forward glared at Brian who only grinned back and said,
"Well. . . all I can say is thank you for everything. For the party and for helping me get the store off and runnin' without any problems. OK let's dig in I don't wanna get mushy here." Ohniece handed her the cake cutter.
"You do the honors," she prompted. Chinita took the cake cutter and began to slice and distribute cake to everyone. After serving herself she grabbed her cake and followed everyone back out to the pool. AJ stopped her at the patio doors.
"What is it?" she asked.
"I uh have something for you, wait right there," he said and ran back into the house and up the stairs. Chinita stood at the door wondering what this was all about. He has something for me, she thought.
"Chinita are you coming back outside?" Ohniece asked stopping at the door.
"Yeah I'll be out in a minute. AJ said he had something for me and asked me to wait here."
"Oh I see. Ok." Chinita regarded her.
"Do you know anything about this?"
"Well. . . I don't know what he got you. . . but I did know he got you something."
"Ok well here he comes I guess I'll find out."
"Ok," Ohniece said and stepped away from the patio door.
AJ came back to where he left her carrying a small silver gift bag. She looked at him and the bag expectantly.
"Come with me to the living room ok," he said taking her hand and guiding her.
"Ok."
They sat on the sofa together. Chinita kept her eyes on the gift bag wondering at it's contents.
"I know you wanted us to take things slow and I'm all for that. I just thought this was a special occassion and you have a birthday coming up anyway. So I got you something. . . you can call it a �Congratulations/ Happy Birthday' gift. I hope you like it," he explained handing her the bag. She looked at the bag held within her hand.
"Aaww you didn't have to do this," she said.
"I know but I wanted to. Open it!" he said getting antsy.
"Ok," she said as she pulled the tissue paper from the bag. She reached inside and pulled out a bracelet box. She looked up at him in astonishment. "You really didn't have to do this."
"Open it," he said again. Chinita fingered the box before popping it open. Inside laid an I.D. bracelet with an inscription written on it. She lifted the bracelet from the box and looked closely at it. The inscription read; *�I'm so happy that you love me. Life is lovely when you're near me.'. Chinita blinked at the bracelet several times before meeting AJ's eyes.
"Wow. . . I don't know what to say. . . uumm Alex. It's beautiful. . . I love it!" she exclaimed throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him to her.
"I thought you'd like it." he said hugging her back. "Go ahead and put it on."
Chinita unclasped the bracelet and started to put it on. Seeing she was having touble with the clasp AJ reached out and grabbed her wrist.
"Here, I'll help," he said. Taking her wrist into his hand he clasped the bracelet around it.
"Thank you," she replied. AJ leaned in to place a kiss at the corner of her mouth. Chinita moved making him land square on her lips. The kiss was slow and sweet leaving broad smiles on both their mouths.
"That wasn't so bad," AJ replied.
"That wasn't bad at all," Chinita said. "We'd better go outside otherwise they'll think we're in here doing all kinds of things."
"Alright let's go." Together they headed back out to the party.
Christel sat in a lounge chair watching the company gathered around the pool, making her oddly quiet and distracted.
"Penny for your thoughts," Kevin said coming up behind her and handing her a drink. She didn't even notice him leave his seat next to her. She took a sip from the drink before answering. Realizing it was Coke she smiled again and said,
"Aaahh I think my thoughts are worth more than a penny."
"Ok very funny. Come on tell me what's going on in that prett head of yours. I'll give you a dollar when you're done," he said sitting down.
"I was just thinking about the way things were a year ago, ya know. I was with AJ and had no idea whatsoever that you had feelings for me or that Chinita had feelings for him. In fact, I think you were with Sonia about this time a year ago. Now look where we are. What a difference a year makes."
"Yeah, I know."
"It doesn't even feel like it's been a year. It seems more like a matter of seconds. . . things happened so quickly. I honestly can't believe how everything got resolved the way it did. I mean. . . me and Chinita getting trapped in that elevator the way we did and having the time to work things out. How many people would that happen to?"
"Yeah that was weird. If you ask Brian he'll say it was an act of God."
"Well. . . whether that is it or not, I'm just glad that that's all over with. I like my drama on the TV or movie screen not in my life."
"Come here," Kevin said crooking his finger at her.
"Why? I'm perfectly comfortable on my own chair," she replied leaning back and putting her sunglasses back on.
"Would you just come here," he asked again.
"That mean's I'd have to get up and I'm all comfortable here and everything," she replied.
"You can be more comfortable over here, believe me," he said. Christel looked skeptical and thoughtful. Before she could make up her mind, Kevin took the decision from her by snatching her up from her seat and depositing her in his own. The commotion she caused gained the attention of the others; who shot quizzical looks in their direction. When Kevin settled on the chair behind her she hit him sharply.
"You can be such a Neanderthal sometimes. You know that?" she asked hitting him again.
"But you like this Neanderthal," he said kissing her temple gaining another swat in his direction.
"You're lucky you're cute," she replied. Christel looked over at where Chinita was sitting with AJ. She noticed something silver on her wrist, that wasn't there before and figured it was the mystery gift that he had for her.
"Those two should prove to be an interesting match," she said referring to Chinita and AJ. "I know how they both can get at their worst and I just hope that they come out of this alive."
"You really don't mind them being together?"
"No I don't mind at all, actually. I thought I would but I don't mind at all. It would be hypocritical of me to mind them getting together while I'm with you. Besides, as long as AJ doesn't pull any crap on her he'll live."
"What do you think of those two?" he asked pointing to Ohniece and Nick who were basically making out in the pool. Christel rolled her eyes playfully.
"Those two are made for each other. As sickening as they may be, they deserve each other. I don't know how long it'll last though. It just seems something like �high school love' to me but if they can make it last more power to them," she said with a smile playing on her lips.
"What about us?" he asked brushing his lips against her ear. A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes.
"Hmmm. . . I guess. . . I'll keep you around for a little while longer. You've proved to be a worthy investment," she laughed causing Kevin to pinch her. "Ok sorry. . . I think we'll be fine. I love you and you love me and we can make this work."
"Now that's the answer I was looking for," he said placing a kiss on her lips. Christel leaned forward effectively deepening kiss. Kevin pulled away.
"Are we still going to play �hide the salami'?" he asked brushing his lips against hers.
"We can't. They'll all know what we're sneaking off for. . . especially if we don't come right back for a while."
"Well I wasn't suggesting we leave together. I go know and if anyone ask. . . I went to the bathroom. Then, you wait a few minutes and you say you're going in for more cake or something. There the perfect plan."
"Yeah right that might work if there were a lot of people her but there's only eight of us."
"Oh come on you know you want to. I dare you," he said. He had hit her button. Christel hadn't turned a dare down in her life.
"OK fine, I'm in."
"Ok meet me in the guest room in ten minutes," he said before getting up and heading inside. Christel watched him go and set back in her chair to wait for a good time to get up and head inside herself.
When she felt the time was right she got up grabbed the plate that she had her cake on and headed for the door. She was stopped before she even reached it.
"Christel where are you going?" Ohniece asked.
"I was. . . just going to get another piece of cake," Christel replied a little too brightly.
"Ohh ok. . . well come here for a moment." she said. Christel went over to where Ohniece was wading in the pool. "Make sure you and Kevin use the guest room. I just put fresh sheets on me and Nick's bed." Christel looked incredulous while Ohniece just winked at her.
"Umm sure ok. . .," she said and hurried inside before someone else stopped her. She practically ran to the staircase that led upstairs and climbed them slowly. Somehow she knew that this would be the first step in their relationship. Her heart was pounding and she felt almost as nervous as if this were her first date. From this day forward everything would be different and nothing would be the same again for any of them. However she knew in heart of hearts that everything was changing for the better.
"Come on Pooh," Kevin said from the top of the stairs.
"What did you call me?" she asked.
"Pooh," he replied. A dazzling smile broke out across her face as she ran up the stairs into the arms of the man she loves.
*Make Me Smile Lyrics by James Pankow Performed By: Chicago