already got my résumé out there floating around. There are lots of possibilities.â
âThatâs just it, Bob, there arenât, â she said to his back. âEveryone is still trying to get their furloughedemployees back. Some airlines are laying off even more.â
He turned and spoke while taking a few steps backward. âIâm not worried. I have a ton of hours and lots of experience. I think Iâm pretty competitive.â
Nikki just stared at him in wonder. âNot if they see you land.â
Four
W hen Nikki got to Dixieâs, she walked in on an impressive pity party. Carlisle and Dixie were drinking mai tais with black rum floating on top, eating cheesecake and sorting through a big pile of menâs and womenâs clothing that was heaped on the sofa.
âOh, you are going to hate yourselves in the morning,â she predicted.
âWant one, Nick? We can call you a cabâ¦.â
âHow about a small glass of wine and an explanation.â
Both were served up quickly. Dixie had whacked Branch in the head with the hotel door, and even though sheâd done so unintentionally, she hadnât made any attempt to help him. Sheâd heard him moan and stumble away, and at least briefly hoped he was dead.
Nikki sank onto a kitchen stool and leaned her head on her hand, listening.
âI think I mightâve had fifty boyfriends,â Dixie said. âOr a hundred. Do yaâll know I have eleven tennis bracelets? Plus a good many necklaces, earrings and miscellaneous jewelry. And look at this here,â she said, going to the huge mound of clothes on the sofa. She lifted a fistful of sheer and lacy lingerie. Red, black, silver, gold, white, yellowâ leopard? âNegligees, teddies and peekaboosâsome Iâve fetched for myself, somegiven to me. All so that I can look sexy for whichever guy I pinned my hopes on.â
âWhat are you going to do with all that stuff?â
âPutting it out on the curb for giveaway. Iâm getting Bali bras and Jockey For Her briefs from now on, and Iâm going to start sleeping in a T-shirt like the rest of the female human race. And the next guy who gives me a teddy is going to be strangled with it.â
Nikki took a sip of her wine. Not only had she never been given a teddy, she had never bought one for herself. Sheâd worn cotton undies for ten years at least. And if she was honest, she didnât really need a bra.
âThe homeless are going to look très chic, â Carlisle said, slurring just slightly.
âIâve heard you swear off men beforeâ¦â Nikki began.
âOh, no, this time Iâm through. I hate all men.â
âThat is s-o-o-o unkind,â Carlisle whined.
âNot all men, precious,â she said. âI still love all gay men. Well, not all,â she amended.
âYouâre both shit-faced,â Nikki told them.
âIt might seem so to you, Nicole,â Carlisle said, âbut we have been so badly bruised by love.â
She looked at him seriously for a moment before she burst into laughter, and with the slightest lisp, said, âCarlisle, you get s-o-o-o gay when youâre drunk.â
âThanks, Butch,â he shot back, taking another pull on his mai tai.
âSo whatâs your story?â she asked. âWhatâs driven you to drink? And are you giving up your sexy underwear, too?â
âItâs just Robert, the bastard. Heâs chronically unfaithful and nasty to me. And I donât wear underwear.â Then he began to sing âAlone Again, Naturally.â Bythe end of the first stanza they were on the floor in uncontrollable laughter.
Nikki indulged herself with another half glass of wine, just because her friends were so hysterically funny in their misery. âAs much as Iâd love to stay until you two get sick, I really do have to go,â she said at last. âI have two
Rebecca Hamilton, Conner Kressley