“Does it hurt?” I asked.
“No. It was weird at first. All I could think about was that thing that shoots out of your stomach in Alien. Tracy thought we should watch it,” she said as she glared at her friend.
“She needed to know what she was getting into,” Tracy said.
“I see he’s hung like a Dawson,” I said with pride.
Lacy shook her head.
“That’s the umbilical cord, ‘stupid boy,’” Pam said.
I didn’t believe her. My son was hung like a horse.
◊◊◊
I helped them take their luggage to their rooms. Pam wanted to eat and then take a nap. Tracy convinced me I didn’t need to help Pam with her rest. Mr. Happy was disappointed. He’d missed her. I overruled him, and instead, Tracy and I stepped out to the patio where Rosy had left us cinnamon iced tea and snacks.
“How is everything back home?” I asked.
“Good. Cassidy is keeping the boys in shape. They brought in a specialist to help with training. Alan made sure everyone studied and got good grades. Tim, Ty, Yuri, and Johan have taken over for you while you’re gone. Dad said he expects you’ll repeat as State Champs next year. They’re taking everything seriously.”
“How are Brook and Zoe?”
“Zoe is busy with her family and her church. They were involved with ‘Toys for Tots.’ Coach Hope and another Marine reservist collected gifts for needy children. Zoe was busy wrapping gifts. She convinced the cheerleaders to help. It was actually a lot of fun. Her mom is hysterical. Mrs. Pearson had us all in stitches, telling us stories.
“Brook misses you. She needed you to do something like you did. That was very thoughtful to invite her to your premiere,” Tracy said.
“How’re your mom and dad doing?” I asked.
“Dad’s worried about the firm. I realize you didn’t intend it, but he thinks it’s only a matter of time before they fold up shop. Some of the better lawyers have already found other positions. Dad’s been talking to Ms. Dixon about possibly working with her firm, but that would mean he’d have to move. Mom’s not happy about that. She wants to stay where we are, at least until I graduate.
“Speaking of which, I need to know where you’re going to college,” she said.
“Why’s that?” I asked.
“I’ll graduate this time next year because I lost a semester when I was crazy. Even if we’re just friends, I want to stay close to you. I know Pam also wants to keep close. Personally, I need my two best friends to be nearby.”
Tim and Wolf had expressed similar desires. For a moment, I wondered how Alan felt, but then I remembered him and Tami in bed together. It was funny how one decision had changed so much for my two best friends and me. Just a few months ago, I’d be adding them to the equation. I wasn’t yet ready to pick a college, but at some point, we all should get together and at least make a list. If nothing else, we would need to get college applications sent out for the acceptance process. Tracy was right, she would have to start this spring.
Pam joined us, looking refreshed. She wanted to go surfing, but Tracy wanted to lie out and work on her tan. I thought it was a little chilly out, but Tracy said she wasn’t going home without some sun. Lacy, Rita, and Halle decided to join us for the trip to the beach house.
Before we left, Fritz sat the newcomers down and discussed security. He explained practices like not getting out of the car until they opened the door and other common-sense stuff. He also nabbed all our devices and installed his new apps.
Fritz made everyone test the panic button on all their devices. I felt better knowing they could call for help if needed.
We had a blast at the beach house. I was ready to brave the other beach-goers, but they seemed to be intimidated when they saw Rita James with me along with Halle, Lacy, and Pam. I was impressed with the older ladies. They were good surfers. Even at four months pregnant, Pam was in a league of her own. She’d been surfing since she was old enough to walk. I about killed myself trying to duplicate some of her moves.
Tracy decided she’d relax and tan on the roof. She warned everyone about what salt water would do to your hair. She caught me off guard sometimes when she became all girly-girl on me.
Pam and Lacy were exposed to their first taste of paparazzi. I was impressed when they acted like they didn’t know the three of us. I teased Rita, offering to give them something to talk about, but she pointed to Fritz, and I got the idea she could probably get him to ruin my day. Maybe I could take him, but it wouldn’t be fun.
◊◊◊
Trip showed up with barbecue for dinner. We ate on the roof. During our meal, Pam received a phone call. When she came back, she was excited.
“Aly and Dan want us to go to a party tonight,” she announced.
I assumed that Aly and Dan were her ex-best friend and ex-boyfriend. The look on Lacy’s face confirmed it for me. She grimaced for a moment and then presented a neutral expression.
“You might want to stay in tonight until you’re used to the time change,” Lacy said.
“Oh, Mom. I haven’t seen them since this summer,” Pam said.
What she was leaving out was how hurt she’d been when she came home.
“Sounds like fun,” Halle said.
Lacy found me as I helped clean up after dinner.
“You do know who Aly and Dan are, don’t you?” she asked.
“I’m sure I do. I’ll make sure Pam’s okay. We’ll also bring Fritz and Flo, just in case,” I said.
“You don’t believe she’d be physically hurt, do you?” Lacy asked with real concern in her voice.
“No, our security will be there in case I decide they all need to die,” I said with a lopsided grin.
I was immediately kicking myself for suggesting anything to her mom. Lacy had been through enough. Well, in fact, she was still going through it. Even though she and Cal were separated, their divorce was still not final. I wondered if I should just kick Dan’s butt and get it over with, but from Pam’s reaction, I needed to let him show his true colors first.
◊◊◊
The party was held at what looked like a typical middle-class home, and the kids at the party looked like normal high school students. It was refreshing not to walk into a mansion and mingle with all the ‘beautiful people’ of Hollywood. The only problem was they all recognized me from my fight with the ‘Baby Dick Gang.’ All that stopped them from mobbing me was that I was with Pam. They all knew her, and I could tell she was enjoying introducing me to her friends, especially Aly.
Dan was an idiot. Let’s be kind and just say that Aly wasn’t Pam, because it wouldn’t be fair to compare the two.
“Pam!” Aly squealed.
Dan hurried over and started to look a little nervous when he saw I was with her.
“Aly, Dan, I would like you to meet my good friend David,” Pam said.
“I actually know Dan. He and I surf together,” I said.
“Let me get you both beers,” Dan offered.
“Sorry, neither of us drink,” I said to give Pam some cover.
“We’ll have one,” Tracy said as she and Halle stepped forward.
I accompanied Dan to get the beers and soft drinks.
“Uhmm, about what I said while we were surfing …” Dan started.
“Is just one more thing you’ve said or done to her,” I said.
His eyes hardened, but I didn’t care. I stared him down, and he looked away. We got the drinks, and he had somewhere else to be once they were delivered. Pam was holding court, with Tracy at her side, so I nodded to Halle, and we made our escape.
That was a mistake. Living in LA, they’d seen much more media coverage about both Halle and me than the folks back home had. I really hadn’t come to the party to have to talk about what it was like to make movies and get pictures taken with everyone. I noticed Fritz had stationed himself just to the side of Halle while Flo was tracking Pam for me. She didn’t seem to be getting the attention we were, plus Tracy was with her.