Fool That I Am Read online

  Billie was animatedly telling her friends all about it during lunch one day a week before the concert. “I wish you all could be there. Are you sure you can’t come?” she asked again, hoping for different answers.

  Irene answered first. “I would love to, dear, but Will and I are hosting the Christmas dinner and toy giveaway for the homeless shelter that night. And, I want to thank you again for your donation, Billie. It went a long way toward buying enough gifts to go around,” she said, reaching across the table to grasp her hand firmly.

  Billie waved her off, uncomfortable with the praise. “It was only $200, Irene. I wish I could have done more,” she explained. It just didn’t feel right to her to have money sitting in the bank when she knew there were so many other single parent families like hers out there struggling, too. Changing the subject, she said, “Jessica? Shanay? What about you guys?”

  Jessica shook her head in the negative sending her red curls bouncing. “You don’t know how badly I wish I could, Billie. But Jason is insisting we go to his company Christmas party that night. Plus, I think he’s still jealous from the last time I went, so I have to play it cool for a while.”

  “I’m out, too,” Shanay chimed in, sticking a fork into her container of leftovers. “We’re doing Christmas at Grandmommy’s house that night.”

  Connie, bent over with her head in the refrigerator, called from within its depths, “What do think I am? The chopped livers?” Pulling out a plastic bag with her lunch in it, she turned to survey her best friend with a hand on her hip. “I will be there, mija. Is that not good enough for you?”

  Billie rushed to appease her friend. “Of course having you there is wonderful, Con! It’s just that we all had such a good time together the last time. And, it really helped my nerves knowing that my friends were cheering me on in the crowd,” Billie added sheepishly.

  Shanay quirked an eyebrow at her and pointed her fork at her. “Honey, you don’t need us cheering you on anymore. You got that hot man watching over you now. Daniel can’t keep his eyes off you, especially when you are up on that stage.”

  Jessica sighed heavily. “Oh, my God, Billie. You are so lucky! If I had a man like that paying attention to me, I would be walking bow-legged for days! I would break him in half!”

  Irene laughed as the heat crawled up Billie’s face. “I have to agree with Jessica. Any man that looks that good has to be good in bed, too. How about it, Billie? Does he rock your world?”

  Billie shot a panicked glance at Connie who rolled her eyes dramatically. “She wouldn’t know, you guys. She still hasn’t given it up. They are ‘taking it slow,’” she explained, using air quotes to show her opinion of this idea.

  Everyone stopped for a moment to regard Billie silently. Before they could start in on her, she defended herself by saying, “We’ve only been dating for little more than a month! Geez, y’all! Just because I don’t want to jump into bed with him doesn’t mean that I’m not going to…eventually.”

  Connie gave her a suspicious look as she unpacked her sandwich. “I don’t know, Billie. I’m starting to think that something, make that someone, is holding you back. It’s time to move on and jump his bones already.”

  Billie absently shredded her napkin as she shot a glare at her friend. “This coming from the woman that slept with Hank the first night she met him,” she groused. Instantly, she was sorry for the slur. “Sorry, Con.”

  Connie shrugged one shoulder indifferently. “I don’t care. It’s true. He was sexy and available and so am I. We are having fun and the sex is excelente y caliente. But we are talking, too, and he takes me on dates and he calls me. He is my boyfriend, and that is what you do in a relationship. What are you so afraid of with Daniel?”

  Irene quickly came to her defense. “I think it’s admirable of her to wait. The build-up to sex is always more exciting than the actuality of it. Enjoy the anticipation, dear. The excitement will wane soon enough.”

  Jessica stared at Irene like she was out of her mind. “You are out of your mind, old woman! You must not be having the right kind of sex if the anticipation was better than the reality!”

  Shanay and Billie laughed while Irene and Jessica continued to fuss back and forth. Connie took advantage of the distraction to grab Billie’s attention. “Tell me honestly, linda. Why do you hold back with him? Is it because you are truly not ready to take that step, or does it have to do with Sam?”

  Billie rubbed her temples in frustration. “Maybe a little bit of both, Con. I really do like Daniel and I want to fall in love with him, but my heart is too stubborn to forget Sam. Why can’t I let him go? He has moved on in his life and will be having his own family soon, yet here I am still mired in the crush that has kept me prisoner for years. What do I do?” she asked her friend desperately.

  Connie dropped her sandwich on the table, and reached for Billie’s cold hands. Holding them in her own, she looked deep into Billie’s eyes and said, “Sometimes the heart is not only blind, but deaf, too. The only way to move on is to put one foot in front of the other. If you truly want to forget about Sam, then you need to focus on someone else. If Daniel is not the one for you, then keep looking until you find someone who fills your heart so full that he pushes everyone else out. Give yourself permission to find love somewhere else, mija, and you may be surprised what you find, okay?”

  Billie smiled tremulously and nodded. “You’re right, Connie. Daniel deserves to have my complete attention. I’m so glad you are my friend. What would I do without you?”

  Picking her sandwich back up and taking a big bite, the feisty woman replied, “Buy your clothes at Walmart and wear the wrong color of eye shadow, just like you did before I met you.” With a teasing wink, she followed it up with, “Somos hermanas. Te quiero mucho, mi amiga.”

  Billie blew her a kiss and replied, “I love you, too, bestie.”

  ***************************************************************

  That afternoon, Sam was wrapping up the day at the construction site of a new elementary school in Bardstown. They were running ahead of schedule, so he decided to take mercy on his crew and let them off two hours early since the temperature was steadily plummeting into the 30’s. Sitting in the cab of his truck, he cranked the heater on high while he made some last-minute notations about a few issues that had popped up with the subcontractor for the windows when his cell phone rang.

  He tossed his clipboard onto the seat next to him and pulled his phone out of his coat pocket. It was his boss, Donald Worthington, the owner of the construction business he worked for. Hoping it wasn’t more bad news about the remaining permits they were waiting on from the city, he answered the phone.

  “Hey, Don. How’s it going?” he asked casually. Even though Don was close to twenty years his senior, he had been a mentor and friend to Sam since he had started working for him straight out of college.

  “It’s been going pretty good, knock on wood,” he replied jovially. Ever since he had promoted Sam to Field Superintendent, Don had been spending more time with his family which had drastically improved his temperament. “Your crew about done for the day?”

  Sam turned the radio down and replied, “Yeah. I sent them home for the day since we’re so far ahead of schedule. That wind is slicing through us like knives. You need me to do anything else today?”

  “No, no, nothing like that. I just wanted to see if you had any plans for this Saturday night. Mary and I have two tickets to a show, but we can’t make it. Her sciatica is acting up again and she won’t let me go without her. Would you be interested?” Don asked him.

  Leaning over the seat, Sam was making a few more notes on his clipboard and was barely paying attention now that he knew it wasn’t business-related. “I don’t have much going on. What kind of show is it?”

  Clearing his throat to capture Sam’s attention, he said, “It’s for a Christmas show at the new club located inside The Silver Knight. It’s strictly a black-tie affair-“

  “Wh
oa, wait a minute,” Sam interrupted his boss. “Did you just say The Silver Knight? As in, The Silver Knight club?”

  Don chuckled through the phone. “Finally got your attention, did I? Yes, that Silver Knight club. They sent me two tickets as an incentive to visit. They’ve been trying to recruit me for the last six months, and I’ve been letting them. Mary and I have decided to join at the beginning of the New Year, but that doesn’t mean they have to know that right away, now does it? So what do you say? You want the tickets or not?”

  Sam thought it over for half a second. “Hell, yeah, I want those tickets. I don’t have a date to bring with me. Do you think they would mind if I brought a friend?”

  “I don’t think it has to be couples, so I don’t see why not. Plus, how else will you get to scope out all the ‘hostesses’ they have working the floor?” Don teased him lightly. “You’re in for a real treat, my boy. They have this new singer there now that I heard is a real knockout. Some lady by the name of Valerie Jones. She’s got all the members panting after her. Just make sure you represent me well, Sam. See if you can do a little networking while you’re there, too,” his boss directed him.

  Sam felt a stirring of excitement at this unexpected treat. His mood had been so foul lately that even his crew was steering clear of him and Chad had been avoiding him. Maybe this was just the thing to pull him out of his funk. “Thanks a lot, Don. I really appreciate you thinking of me. I can’t wait to get a peek inside the infamous club that I’ve been hearing so much about. I’ll make sure I don’t embarrass you. Thanks again,” Sam repeated before ending the call.

  On the other end, Donald Worthington ended the call and then immediately began to dial another number. After it rang a few times, a voice answered.

  “It’s Don Worthington. I’ve passed the tickets on to my foreman and he has readily agreed to attend. Are you sure that’s all I have to do? I still get my membership fee reduced by half?” he asked suspiciously.

  “Absolutely, Mr. Worthington. I will pass your message on to Daniel Petrosky and he will be looking forward to your membership with The Silver Knight. Thank you again for your help in this matter,” Hank Nelson replied before hanging up the phone with a satisfied grin.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  The rest of the week flew by for Billie. Along with her regular hectic schedule of work and kids, she was also fielding multiple calls and text messages from Daniel, Diana, Inga, and Marcus to work out the kinks in the show. Since there was so much left to do and rehearsals that needed to be done, Billie took a rare two days off from work on Thursday and Friday in order to go to Louisville and prepare. Chad had initially agreed to keep the kids and take them school as well as keeping them for his full weekend, but had backed out via text at the last minute with no explanation. As was typical for him, he wouldn’t answer her desperate and angry phone calls or texts and she refused to track him down through his mother or Sam. Thankfully, her parents were more than happy to keep their grandkids for an extended visit with promises of making cookies and drinking hot chocolate.

  Daniel had generously offered to put her up in a hotel for Thursday and Friday night during rehearsals, never once asking her to stay with him in his home. She was grateful for his thoughtfulness and her heart warmed toward him even more. He was so patient with her and never pressed her to go further than she was willing to go. He was such a gentleman, and for that she was ready to reward him. If all went well during the performance Saturday night, she was going to ask him to take her home…for the night. Connie was right: she had to take a step forward with him or let him go altogether. Daniel was everything she could ever want in a man, and his kisses made her breath catch and her heart race. She was ready for the next step forward in her life with a man who wanted her, even if she still wanted someone else.

  Thursday was a whirlwind of activity as all the performers gathered at the club to rehearse. Billie had a wonderful time watching, listening, and getting to know the other acts. Johnny Bello was, as usual, his flirty and charming self, even if he affected a boozy, womanizing stereotype of Dean Martin. Lana St. John, a petite young woman with a stylish blonde pixie haircut and delicate features, was a classically-trained pianist that specialized in more modern pop and folk music much like Zooey Deschanel. She was shy until she gained the stage and began to play the piano while her lilting voice carried across the club to enchant those that listened. Marcus and his band, the Move Kings, were a rowdy group of men across the spectrum of race and age who had been playing together for years. They would be playing for both Johnny’s set and for Billie’s act, as well as, accompanying Lana on a few of hers.

  Even though it was a Christmas-themed concert, they all decided that an entire night of just Christmas music would be tedious and boring. Each of the performers chose two holiday songs to sing, and then chose other songs that they felt would showcase their talents the best. Billie, being the new kid on the block, allowed the other performers to choose their favorites first, then selected her own songs. Johnny, to no one’s surprise, chose White Christmas and also asked Lana to accompany him on The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth as sung by David Bowie and Bing Crosby. It was one of Billie’s favorite songs and they performed it wonderfully. Lana then chose Silent Night which brought goose bumps to Billie’s arms when her pure, angelic voice mixed with her haunting melody on the piano. Billie, other than her duet with Johnny, decided on Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, which was her other favorite carol since it spoke of being with your loved ones during the holidays.

  Daniel and Diana were frequent visitors to the rehearsals offering encouragement, critique, advice, and applause. Per “Valerie’s” request, Daniel maintained a professional demeanor in front of the other acts, even though it was common knowledge that they were seeing each other outside of the club. This was made apparent during their casual lunch that had been catered and delivered to the club by a local deli.

  As they were chatting over bites of chicken salad sandwiches and homemade salt and vinegar chips, Lana said, “So Valerie, what’s it like to be dating Kentucky’s most eligible bachelor? I bet it’s amazing and exciting, isn’t it? Has he lavished you with lots of expensive gifts?” She was so young and shiny, like a new penny, and full of romantic ideas about love.

  Billie, still not used to being called by her stage name, replied thoughtfully, “Well, we haven’t been seeing each other that long, Lana. He’s a wonderful man and very generous, but I’m not interested in his money. In fact,” she confessed, “I’m actually pretty intimidated by his wealth.”

  Johnny, having blatantly eavesdropped on their conversation, added his two cents. “Come now, Valerie. You can’t expect me to believe that a man with loaded pockets isn’t what you want. Isn’t that what all girls dream of? A rich, handsome man to sweep them off their feet and take care of their every need?”

  Billie narrowed her eyes on the Italian older man with alcohol-soaked breath. “Maybe girls dream of that, but most women realize that they can take care of themselves just fine. It doesn’t take long before we realize that what may appear to be a knight in shining armor is really just an idiot wearing aluminum foil.”

  Marcus, the band, and Lana laughed uproariously while Johnny grinned sheepishly and toasted her with his drink. Billie softened her sharp words with a smile and they spent the rest of the day in companionable high spirits as they sang and practiced their placement and sets.

  By the time rehearsals ended for the day, Billie was pleasantly exhausted, but still eager to go out with Daniel. Rightly sensing that she wasn’t up for anything high profile, he took her to the cinema to see the latest action flick starring Jason Statham followed by a quiet dinner at a cozy little Asian fusion bistro. The night was crisp, but not so cold that it prevented them from strolling down the bustling 4th Street with other young couples looking for a good time. They talked, laughed, and stopped to listen to a few live bands before Daniel called for a cab to take them back to her hotel room at The Brown
Hotel.

  Standing in front of her door, he gazed into Billie’s lovely face that was pink with the cold and couldn’t stop himself from lowering his face to hers to kiss her tenderly. She eagerly kissed him back and did not protest when he slipped his arms around her and pulled her into his body while deepening the kiss. She was so soft and her lips tasted like apple-flavored Chap Stick. But even though she responded to his touch, he still felt that there was a fire and a passion that was missing. Far from discouraging him, he thrilled to the challenge of winning her over. He was a man that always got what he wanted, and what he wanted was her.

  *****************************************************************

  Friday and Saturday went by in a whirlwind of activity. Billie relented on her stance of not using the built-in spa at the club, especially since Lana was participating, too. The two ladies spent several hours being pampered with volcanic hot stone massages, facials, pedicures, and manicures. As they sat in neighboring chairs with their feet soaking in hot, bubbling water while sipping mimosas and enjoying the warm, aromatic neck wrap, the two singers relaxed and allowed themselves to be pampered.

  Releasing a long, satisfied sigh, Billie wondered aloud, “Why on earth do people do drugs when they can just go to the spa? I can’t imagine anything making me feel more relaxed and blissful than this.”