It’s a Small Uber World After All
Chapter Nine
Mavis Applewater
“I mean it. No work,” Olivia stressed as she looked over at her lover.
“Hey, I’m not really back in the game anyway,” Karla protested, as she watched the traffic carefully. “Just a little consulting until the shop gets on its feet.”
“Fine, but in the meantime we’re on vacation,” Olivia chastised her, knowing that the wheels were already spinning in the brunette’s head. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better.” Karla grumbled. “I can’t believe you did that.”
“Hey, wasn’t flying much easier this time?” Olivia reasoned.
“You drugged me,” Karla fumed as she felt the traffic slowing.
“It was just a teensy weensy muscle relaxant,” Olivia defended herself as her lover cast an icy glare over at her. “I had to get you on the plane.”
“I don’t like to fly, but that’s no excuse to slip me Valium,” Karla said with a snarl.
“Honey, sweetie, love of my life, you were freaking out. I had to do something.” Olivia tried to explain as she hid her smile. She knew Karla didn’t like to fly. She had learned that when they first started working together and she picked the tall dark beauty up at the airport. She was pale as a ghost, shaking and clutching Howard’s, (her cat) carrier like it was a life preserver. After seeing the aftermath of Karla traveling by airplane, the small blonde thought she was prepared for enduring the trip with her lover. She was mistaken. It wasn’t that Karla simply didn’t like to fly, she was out and out terrified of the concept.
************
It started from the moment Chase picked them up to drive them to the airport. Karla was tense and moody. It wasn’t uncommon for Karla to be cranky when she first got up in the morning, but she usually chilled after she got her morning fix of caffeine. Then Chase, with her usual tact, made a snide comment about why she and Karla weren’t living together yet? Things went downhill from there.
Once they were at the airport Karla’s mood went from tense to sheer panic. It didn’t take long for the small blonde to fit the pieces together. She snuck off and made a quick call to California. She prayed that his phone was still connected. Thankfully, Harry had paid his bill that month. “Harry?” She pleaded into the telephone. “I hope I haven’t wakened you,” she apologized, in deference to the time difference, but she was at her wits end. Karla had begun muttering about not going on the trip.
“Blondie! How is my kid treating you?” He said with a chuckle. “Don’t worry about waking me I haven’t been to bed yet. So what’s wrong?”
Relieved that she had not disturbed Karla’s father, whom she adored, in spite of all his quirks, Olivia said, “I have a real problem.”
“Let me guess, she’s almost six foot tall and thinks her cat understands her.” He laughed. “What did my little Skyler do now?”
“Well, it isn’t so much what she did, as what she is about to refuse to do.” Olivia began to explain. “We are supposed to fly down to Orlando, and by the way she’s acting, I don’t think she’s getting on the plane.”
“Right, the wedding. How many times is that woman going to get married?” He started to ramble and Olivia feared that she was losing him. “Harry, focus, she scolded him. “I really don’t care if we miss the wedding or not, but this is our first trip together, and I would really like it if she actually came with me.”
“Slip her a Mickey.” He causally offered.
“Excuse me?” Olivia choked in surprise.
“Give her something to smooth out her rough edges,” Harry explained.
“Where am I supposed to get something like that?” Olivia gasped, doubting that Harry’s suggestion was a good one. “Hey, what about a Valium?”
“Cool.” Harry agreed. “Where’d you score that?”
“I twisted my ankle a couple of months ago,” she explained. “The doctor gave it to me, but I never took it. I think the bottle is still in my makeup case.”
“You didn’t take it?” Harry responded with horror. “What a waste.”
Olivia chuckled. “Never mind, you old reprobate. Thanks for the help.”
She hung up the telephone and quickly searched the makeup case she had a habit of tossing everything into. “Please work,” she prayed as she removed one of the pills from the bottle. “Oh, Karla?” She called to the brunette who had begun to pace nervously.
“Olivia I don’t think we should go,” Karla said as she approached the smaller woman. “I mean my mother’s weddings aren’t really a lot of fun.”
“Look, a Dunkin’ Donuts.” Olivia pointed out.
“Coffee?” Karla beamed.
“I’ll make a deal with you,” Olivia offered. “You get into that very long line at the check-in counter, and I’ll get us some coffee.”
“I’m serious; this trip is a bad idea.” Karla protested.
“Hear me out,” Olivia cut her off. “We have another two hours before the plane takes off. If by the time they call us to board the plane you still don’t want to go, then we won’t.”
“Really?” Karla inquired with a hint of suspicion in her voice.
“Yes, really,” Olivia lied smoothly. “Just get in line and I’ll get the coffee.”
“I hate lines.” Karla grumbled as she took their luggage.
“Among other things,” Olivia whispered under her breath as she made a mad dash for the coffee stand.
************
By the time they were in the air, Karla was completely looped. She went to order a cocktail from the stewardess when Olivia stopped her. “I don’t think you should,” the blonde fearfully cautioned her.
“Why?” Karla yawned.
“Because it won’t mix with the Valium I slipped into your coffee.” Olivia sheepishly confessed.
“Excuse me?” Karla glared at her, and Olivia merely responded with a shrug of her shoulders and a tiny smile. “You evil little blonde.”
Olivia turned to her about to explain her actions when she noticed that the brunette had fallen asleep. “Thank you, Harry.” She sighed with relief. “She’s going to be pissed when we land, but at least I got her on the plane.”
************
Karla released a heavy sigh as the traffic came to a stand-still. She looked over at her lover who had put on her sunglasses and was looking around at the sights. ‘I still can’t believe she drugged me. Then again it was the best flight I’ve ever endured.’ Karla thought, her lips curling up in a smirk. Olivia could take her from zero to sixty without batting an eye. The brunette had been looking forward to the trip. Not so much her mother’s wedding; those were old hat by now. But when they discovered that Olivia’s parents were going to be in the area at the same time, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to take their first vacation together. Plus with BardCon going on at the same hotel they were staying at, Karla could feed her need for good books and maybe meet some of her favorite writers.
The entire trip seemed like a dream come true until she was standing in the middle of Logan Airport and the panic set in. The thought of being trapped in a tin can suspend thousands of miles in the air terrified her. The entire concept was just unnatural to the normally strong willed woman. She was just about to bolt from the airport when Olivia sidetracked her with a cup of coffee. Karla often forgot her lover could be just as strong willed as she was. “I still can’t believe you drugged me,” Karla muttered, as Olivia sighed with exasperation.
“Let it go,” Olivia chastised her. “We’re here aren’t we? Of course getting home will be another adventure.”
“What were you thinking, taking advice from Harry?” Karla continued to grouse. “You know how I feel about taking drugs.”
“Please let it go,” Olivia pleaded wearily. “I do know. But Karla, what I don’t get is why you are so afraid to fly? When there’s a spider in the house, I’m the one climbing up on a chair whining like a baby, and you’re all butch about it. So why is getting in an airplane such a huge hairy deal?”
“Being that far off the ground is just wrong.” Karla tried to reason with the little blonde who was laughing. “What?”
“It’s just that you’re so tall.” Olivia laughed again at the look of confusion on her tall lover’s face. “Never mind I’ll just add it to the growing list of things I’ll never understand.”
Karla groaned. She knew there was something besides her reluctance to fly bothering her lover. It was the wedding, and Karla’s lack of enthusiasm, and their living arrangements. How could Karla explain just how closely the two were connected? Olivia’s parents had been married for an eternity; she had no idea what it was like having a new father every few years. “You must be excited about seeing your parents,” Karla finally offered in an effort to ease the growing tension.
“I can’t wait,” Olivia responded excitedly. The blonde’s smile could always melt Karla’s heart. It was one of the first things she noticed about the small blonde. Perhaps not the very first thing she noticed, she mentally noted, as her eyes drifted to her lover’s breasts. “Watch the road,” Olivia scolded. Karla’s eyes obediently returned to the road as her companion referred once again to the map in her hand. “We want to take the next exit. I wish Mom and Dad were going to be down here longer.”
Karla glanced again at the small blonde who was now staring out the window. She decided that maybe for the holidays, they could drive down to Chapel Hill so Olivia could spend Christmas with her parents. Of course, it all depended on whether or not the small flower shop she had opened was finally showing a profit or not. As she crept towards the exit she mentally reviewed everything she knew about Olivia’s parents. They had been married forever; her father had been a career naval officer until they were blessed with Olivia very late in life. ‘Shouldn’t be a hardship meeting them since, unlike my mother, they seem to accept her lifestyle.’ Karla reasoned as she felt the beads of sweat forming on her brow. ‘What if they don’t like me?’ She panicked. “What is the name of the restaurant where we’re meeting them?” Karla inquired in an effort to distract herself.
“Chuck’s Wagon.” Olivia said with a smile.
“No, really?” Karla said in disbelief.
“Really,” Olivia confirmed.
“Chuck’s Wagon?” Karla repeated. “What kind of place is it?”
“It’s a themed restaurant.”
“Why would you parents want to meet us there?” Karla asked in confusion.
“Daddy knows I just love those kinds of places.”
“Tell me you’re joking?” Olivia shook her head no. “I’m meeting your parents for the first time in a cowboy restaurant? Where everyone says, ‘Howdy,’ and I’ll be forced to order something like a Chuck Burger?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Olivia said with a drawl. “Y’all need to lighten up.”
“Y’all? Did you just say y’all?” Karla choked. “You know, you’ve been doing that since we picked up the rental car.”
“Happens,” Olivia muttered.
“You have an accent,” Karla teased her.
“One I spent a great many years trying to lose,” Olivia pronounced her words very carefully. “It’s hard enough being blonde without the drawl; no one took me seriously, so I lost my accent.”
“I think it’s adorable,” Karla said in a sultry tone.
Olivia undid her seat belt and slid across the seat, “If you play nice, Skyler, I’ll show you some real southern hospitality later,” she drawled hotly into the brunette’s ear before placing a playful nip on the sensitive lobe.
“Yes, Ma’am.” Karla squeaked out as she gripped the steering wheel tighter.
“Pull in there,” Olivia instructed her.
Karla looked up and her jaw dropped. “My God, it’s a huge covered wagon,” she said as she looked up at the building that was designed to look just like a covered wagon from the old west.
“I love it,” Olivia said as she climbed out of the car, her enthusiasm plain in the look on her face. But when she stepped into the heat of the day, she slowed down a bit. “Wow this heat is a bit much.”
“I know,” Karla agreed as she stretched out the kinks in her tired body.
“I still can’t get over seeing palm trees everywhere,” Olivia exclaimed as she led Karla over to the entrance of the restaurant. Karla simply rolled her eyes. “What?” Olivia grumbled as they stepped inside a large wagon wheel doorway.
“Nothing. It’s just that I grew up California. Coming to Boston and seeing snow was strange for me. Of course I had to wait two winters for that to happen.”
“You were absolutely adorable, making snow angels and sticking snow down my pants.” Olivia laughed. “So you’ve never been to Disney World before?”
“No,” Karla responded as she looked around the crowded restaurant that looked more like a barn dance than a place to eat. “I’ve been to Disneyland. I still don’t understand why mother chose to get married here. Probably ran out of places on the west coast.”
“How many times has your mother walked down the aisle?” Olivia inquired as she strained to see over the bustling crowd in an effort to find her parents.
“I’m not entirely certain,” Karla reluctantly admitted.
“Maybe this will be the one?” Olivia suggested hopefully.
“I gave up on that wish by the time I reached twenty-one,” Karla grumbled as a large woman dressed in a skirt puffed out from far too many petticoats, and wearing a small red cowboy hat approached them.
“Well howdy!” The chubby woman bellowed as if she was calling in the hogs. “Welcome to Chuck’s Wagon! Care to set a spell?”
“They make you say that don’t they?” Karla said sympathetically.
“Why yes, Ma’am,” the woman continued. The broad smile that she wore appeared to be painted on her face.
“We’re meeting people,” Olivia quickly interrupted before Karla had the opportunity to torture the poor woman any further. “The Davenport party.”
“Well, sure as shootin’ they’re right over yonder,” the hostess informed them, pointing toward the bar in the far corner of the room. “If you’ll just mosey along this-a way.” Her petticoats made a swooshing sound as she turned to lead them toward a small table in the bar where the Davenport’s were waiting for them.
As they approached the couple whose faces lit up at the sight of the blonde beside her, Karla asked quietly, “Sweetheart, what do they know about me?”
“Who?” Olivia asked as she stopped and brushed her blonde bangs out of her eyes.
“Your parents, what did you tell them about me?” Karla blurted out.
“That I love you,” Olivia reassured her as she took Karla’s hand in her own.
“Oh?” Karla responded with a goofy grin. Her silly grin grew as she allowed Olivia to lead her across the restaurant.
“I should warn you though, Daddy can be a little overprotective,” Olivia whispered as they neared the older couple.
“Huh?” Karla’s normally tanned face whitened perceptibly.
“You should have asked Chase about it this morning, instead of biting her head off.” Olivia chuckled. “Daddy threatened to skin her alive if she didn’t stay away from me.”
“What?” Karla choked as Olivia released her hand.
“Mommy, Daddy!” The blonde squealed as she rushed over and was engulfed in her parents embrace. Karla briefly saw her life pass before her eyes when she looked up and down Mr. Davenport’s massive frame. She could see that Olivia had gotten her small stature from her mother. Mr. Davenport on the other hand looked like a bear, and by the cold murderous stare he was casting in her direction, Karla knew that the man didn’t like her.
“Mom and Dad, I want you to meet my partner, Karla James.” Olivia made the introductions flanked on either side by her parents. “Karla, these are my parents, Beatrice and...”
“Captain Davenport, U.S. Navy,” Olivia’s father finished for his daughter.
“Ma’am,” Karla greeted the small woman with gentle handshake. “Sir,” she greeted the Captain with a firm no nonsense handshake. She could tell by the slight smile that the large older man approved of the greeting.
“Drink, ladies?” The bartender inquired.
Karla’s first reaction was to order a double anything, but as her eyes scanned to the two glasses of lemonade sitting in front of the Davenports, she quickly thought better of it. “No, thank you,” she politely declined, noting that once again the Captain gave a slight smile of approval.
Silence descended upon the group, as the Captain and Karla seemed to be sizing one another up. Thankfully, the hostess finally led them to their table. Karla continued her staring match with Olivia’s father while the blonde and her mother chatted away. “So, Karla is it?” The burly man began in a dry tone.
“Yes, sir,” she carefully responded.
“How did you meet my little angel?” He inquired.
Karla’s eyes flew open as Olivia started to choke on the water she was sipping. Karla’s hand flew out and began to rub her lover’s back in an effort to calm her. Before she could respond to the innocent question, a man in faded jeans with leather chaps and a gaudy plaid shirt came to a stop by their table. “Howdy, folks. I’m Rodeo Bob, and I’ll be your server this evening,” the buff blonde man informed them.
“You all right there, Angel?” The Captain inquired as Olivia started to breathe on her own.
“Fine, Daddy,” she squeaked out. “Water just went down the wrong pipe. Let’s just order, okay?”
The group ordered quickly, with the Captain’s stern gaze never leaving Karla. The brunette held her own her gaze firmly on the older man’s eyes, only wavering to Rodeo Bob when she realized he was paying far too much attention to her lover. “So, I believe I asked you a question?” The Captain asserted after the annoying waiter left.
Karla was tempted to give in to the anger growing inside of her and tell the pompous man the truth. ‘Well you see Sir, I picked your angel up in a bar and took her back to her hotel room and had hot sex with her all night long without bothering to ask her what her name was. That ought to give you an aneurysm you cocky old buzzard.’ Karla silently chuckled. “We met on a business trip,” the brunette offered instead, as her lover blew out a sigh of relief.
“So, you are in PR game as well,” he noted with a hint of approval.
“Not anymore.” Karla corrected him. “I quit and opened a small flower shop almost two years ago.”
“A flower shop?” He responded with a scowl.
“Daddy,” Olivia cautioned him.
“Now, now my little angel, we are just talking.” He gently offered as he tickled his daughter under her chin. “I just want to get to know your friend a little better. So you quit a lucrative position to sell daisies?” He directed towards Karla as Olivia groaned and buried her face in her hands.
“Yes,” Karla responded dryly.
“I see.”
“I don’t think you do,” Karla snapped. “I wasn’t happy doing what I was doing and I couldn’t be with Olivia while I was her boss. So I quit.”
Karla felt slightly relieved as the icy glare he was casting at her dimmed slightly. Rodeo Bob returned with their meals. Once again the ‘cowboy’ started paying far too much attention to Olivia. “I’m fine,” Olivia grumbled as she brushed the waiter’s hand aside. The Captain and Karla both glared at the man, who retreated once again in the direction of the kitchen. The Captain returned his attention to Karla.
“So what brings you two gals down to Florida?”
“My mother’s wedding,” Karla explained as she played with her dinner.
“Renewing their vows; now that is admirable,” the Captain said, pleased with the concept. “You should be proud of your parents.”
“Not exactly,” Karla hedged.
Rodeo Bob returned to refill their water glasses. Karla felt her anger growing as he continued to pester Olivia. “What do you mean?” The Captain persisted.
“My mother isn’t marrying my father.” Karla explained as she suddenly felt like she was on a sinking ship without a lifejacket.
“Well these things do happen, I suppose,” Olivia’s father muttered as his attention turned to Rodeo Bob.
“She’s from Los Angeles, dear,” Beatrice supplied, as if that was all the explanation necessary.
“Your parents are divorced then?” The Captain pressed.
“Not exactly.” Karla grumbled.
“I think we have enough water, son.” The Captain snapped at the clueless waiter who continued to smile while his hand came to rest on Olivia’s shoulder.
“That’s it,” Karla snapped as she slammed her fork down, startling everyone at the table. “First, get your hand off of her,” she snarled at the stunned waiter. The server snatched his hand back as if Olivia were on fire. “Now unless you want to start riding side saddle, Partner, you won’t touch her again.” Rodeo Bob paled as Karla rose from her chair, glaring at the frightened man her six foot frame was towering over. Rodeo Bob finally understood how much doo-doo he had just stepped in and scurried off. “Are you all right?” She gently asked her lover as she sat down.
“Yes, thank you.” Olivia responded with a smile as she took Karla by the hand.
“Now I believe you wanted to know about my parents?” Karla calmly continued as she returned her focus to the Captain. “No, they are not divorced; they were never married.” She didn’t miss the disapproving look the Captain offered in response. “It isn’t something I like talking about. But Harry is a good, albeit misguided man, who changed after the war. And yes, I traded in my corner office to be with your daughter who is a hell of a lot more important to me than a fat paycheck.”
Olivia gave her hand a tight squeeze as she smiled proudly up at her. Karla blew out a heavy breath as she waited for the ax to fall. The hearty laughter of Olivia’s parents was the last thing she expected. “You were right Angel, she’s a real spit-fire,” the Captain said with a chuckle.
“Okay what just happened?” Karla asked as she stared at Olivia in confusion.
“What just happened is called meeting the in-laws,” Beatrice said
“Uh huh.” Karla stammered slightly still not fully grasping the situation. A board -room full of angry clients in a down market she understood and could handle, but this situation left her at a complete loss.
“Karla, someday, if and when the two of you are blessed with a little angel of your own, you will understand,” the Captain offered in a gentle tone.
‘Kids! They’re talking about us having kids?’ Her mind screamed as her heart raced and her palms began to sweat. “I’ll try to explain as best I can,” the Captain continued in the same gentle tone. “Ever since I could remember, boys, and then women, have been following my daughter around like she was the last shot of bourbon at closing time. Now it is my duty to protect her. And by the way you handled that cowboy wanna be, I can see that you feel it is your duty as well. And as much as you say you quit your job to make yourself happy, I can see you did it to make my little girl happy. And she is, and that is all I can ask or hope for.” Karla felt her heart warming as the words sunk in. “But if you hurt her, Rodeo what’s-his-name won’t be the only one riding lighter in the saddle, if you get my meaning,” he added coldly.
“Sir, yes sir, Captain.” Karla choked out as his eyes bore into her for a brief moment.
“Dwight.” He corrected her with a warm gaze and smile.
“Dwight?” She coughed out in an effort to keep from laughing.
“Problem?” He snarled.
“N-No sir, I mean Dwight,” she stammered.
“Good. Now let’s eat our chow before it gets cold,” he instructed them as he gave Karla a wink.
************
“I can’t believe I was so nervous about meeting them,” Karla said with a sense of relief as they headed towards the restaurant’s exit. “Your parents are terrific.”
“I can’t believe you two stepped in the dance hall,” Olivia said, laughing.
“Hey, your mom’s a great dancer,” Karla quipped as something caught her eye. She stood in front of the display for a moment. She felt a shiver as she looked at the wall that had been painted to look like a cave.
“What is it?” Olivia asked with concern.
“I don’t know. I thought I saw something.” Karla explained as they continued towards the doorway. “Oof,” she said as someone collided into her.
“Sorry, Ma’am,” the dark haired woman muttered in apology as she tipped her hat. She felt the shiver returned as the tall dark woman dressed in chaps brushed past her tugging, a small blonde woman behind her.
Karla continued to stare after the duo as Olivia studied the roadmap she was holding. “You okay?” Olivia repeated as they stepped back out into the heat.
“I just thought I saw someone I recognized only I don’t know from where,” Karla tried to explain. “The tall gunslinger I bumped into.”
“That happened to me earlier when we were driving,” Olivia said as she took the car keys from her lover’s grasp. “Come on, time to head towards Disney World.”
“I can’t wait. All the rides, breakfast with Tigger and BardCon” Karla said with a chuckle. She knew her partner was a kid at heart, and this trip was worth being drugged just to see the look on her face. She would never tell Olivia that, of course.
“And your mother’s wedding?” Olivia tossed out as they climbed into car.
“Yeah, that too.”
************
“Josie, where are we?” Rebecca’s voice quivered as she looked around the strange surroundings.
“Certainly doesn’t look like any saloon I’ve ever been in,” Josie answered as she scratched her head in wonderment. “Last thing I recall was the storm that hit us on the way to Charles’ place. We ducked into that cave we found.”
“I remember that,” Rebecca responded as her eyes continued to dart around. “The wind was terrible so we moved to the very back of the cave and then the lightening came. The last thing I remember seeing was that bright flash of light.”
“Me too,” Josie said slowly as her mind tried to grasp what had happened to them.
To be continued in Chapter 10 ....