Free War-N-Wit, Inc. – MeanStreet, LLC by Gail Roughton

one of the guest rooms, don’t even lie about it. ” I pulled Mom on down and we all converged in the great room. “We ready?”

“Got your phone somewhere in that little square thing you’re carrying that passes as a purse?” Chad asked.
    “Of course.”
    “Don’t be shy about using it if you think you need to.” He kissed me quickly and whispered in my ear. “ Though of course you don’t need the phone to shout for me. And I still don’t like you checking out that magic act for G by yourself.”
    I gave him a hug to whisper back, “I’ll be fine. And I’ve got Stacy, I’m not by myself.”
    Stacy pointed at the crystal pendant hanging between the long V-neck of the slinky little black number I was wearing. The Tear of Isis. The pendant I hadn’t been able to leave behind. Hadn’t been able to not  wear it tonight, either, though I didn’t have a clue why.
    “Wow! Ari, I haven’t seen that before!”
    “Picked it up in Savannah a few weeks after we got married,” I said. “Caught my fancy.”
    “Well, all three of y’all are goin’ to catch some fancy out tonight,” Daddy said. “Mind Chad, now. Be careful and don’t be shy about using your phone s if you need it. Don’t know as I even feel safe lettin’ you all out, way you look. All of you.” He smiled at Mom and she smiled back. It didn’t happen often, but every now and then, like now, my heart tingled when they smiled at each other.
    “Ladies, let’s get this party staaarted !!” Stacy opened the door and yeah, I’d have to say that’s probably when the party started. Several of them. Though I didn’t know it at the time.
     
    * * *
     
    Chad checked the front window and watched the tail lights disappear down the street.
    “Gentlemen, battle stations!” he called, and the three disappeared into their respective rooms. They reconvened in five minutes flat, dressed for the Strip’s nightlife.
    “You two sure this is a good idea?” Bob Anson asked. “I mean, don’t you think they’re goin’ to be really—well, upset —if they see us trailing ‘em? Like we don’t trust them or something?”
    “Pissed is the word you’re looking for, Bob.” Spike led them out of the carport door and over to his black F-350. He’d been driving it ever since Stacy moved to Vegas, leaving her the Beemer. Besides, he really liked it better anyway. “And yeah, they’d probably be pissed. But I know Vegas too well. It’s just not a good idea for three women who look like they do to be cruising the Strip alone. Got nothing to do with not trusting them . It’s the rest of the world we don’t trust.”
    “Besides,” Chad added, slipping into the backseat. “They’re not going to see us. And on that, you can trust me .”
     
    * * *
     
    Damien and Irene peeked out the curtains at the crowd filling the tables. He clutched her arm.
    “Look!” He pointed at a group of three human females. Obviously a family pod. “Lone females. Check out the young ones. They just freakin’ glow .”
    “Tonight’s targets, then.”
    “Oh, yeah.”
     
    * * *
     
    We settled in at a table near the front of the stage.
    “Mom, you think maybe you could nurse that one drink a while before you get another one tonight?”
    “Ari, what are you implying, dear?”
    “I’m not implying anything. You were sloshed last night. To the gills .”
    “I was not !”
    “Were too,” Stacy confirmed. “You passed flat-out. Woulda hit the floor if Daddy hadn’t caught you.”
    “Then how did I wake up in bed, might I ask?”
    “Chad carried you up. We didn’t figure Daddy’s back was up to it.”
    “ Excuse me ? Now you’re implying I’m overweight?”
    “You know Daddy’s back goes out. We didn’t need both of you flat on the floor.”
    I looked at Mom’s face. She truly didn’t remember. And obviously thought it was time to switch topics.
    “Stacy, your house is just perfect for the babies. Except for the pool area, that worries me a little