Two Feet Off The Ground Read online

  “I don’t think she likes me.” My teeth pressed into each other so hard, I swore my fillings would pop.

  “You are even cuter when you’re angry.” Paula weaved her fingers around mine. “When do I get to be alone with you again after this?”

  I quivered. I couldn’t remember ever wanting someone as much as Paula. I just sat there for a few moments staring into her eyes, drinking her up, when her cell rang.

  She smirked before reaching into her pocketbook to grab it. “It’s from California.”

  In an instant, my throat dried up like a prune, making it very hard for me to swallow. She looked ready to sprint out a few cartwheels down the aisle.

  “Hi, this is Paula McKenna… Yes… Absolutely I can make myself available.” She looked up at me, her eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. “Sure, Friday, noon sounds great. Okay, great. I’m looking forward to it, too. Thanks for calling. I’ll talk to you Friday.”

  All of a sudden, she sprang to her feet, hitting her head on the roof, and not even flinching. “Chuck, Friday! I’ve got a phone interview with the vice president. I made it to the finals.”

  Chuck popped up like a thermometer on turkey breast. “Awesome, sis.” He reached out to high-five her.

  A smile rested on the corners of her lips. She finally pulled me in tight, clinging to me.

  “Wow. The finals?! That’s great!” I lifted my voice high enough to keep it from shaking under the sudden explosion of sadness that threatened to swallow it whole. “This could become a reality, huh?”

  Paula beamed as if plugged into an electrical outlet. She could have quite literally lit up the city of Providence with the voltage coursing through her. “Wow. I’m dumbfounded. I honestly didn’t think this was possible. My last phone interview was well over a month ago. Then nothing. I just assumed I was out of the running.” She bent forward and exhaled, assuming the position of a crash landing. “I don’t know what to do with all this excitement right now. I feel like hanging my head out the window and screaming out to the world how awesome a day it is. Imagine, southern California? Palm trees, flowers, sunshine, ocean, year round. Walk out the front door into seventy-degree weather every day.”

  “Huh, yeah, imagine that,” I said, stupefied that no one else seemed concerned that California was about to soak up Paula McKenna for good. The kids just kept on playing with their handheld video games, ears plugged with white iPod earbuds. And Chuck and Amber bounced in their seats probably planning their first reunion trip.

  * *

  “I’ll have a grilled cheese with a tomato, please,” I said to the waitress, not taking my eyes from the happy couple in front of me. How could Aziza really think it was okay to invite Tania? Especially when I called her crying.

  “And I’ll take a Reuben on rye, please,” Tania said. “Hold the fries. Instead could I have a side of carrots?”

  The waitress nodded.

  What a dichotomy. Eating carrots with one hand and smoking a cigarette with the other. Disgusting. I thought my stomach couldn’t turn anymore until Aziza lit a cigarette, too. “Still?” I asked her.

  Aziza took a long drag and shook her head. As disgusting as smoking was, for some reason, pretty girls like Aziza looked damn sexy with a cigarette between their lips. How was that possible? And how was it that the longer I smelled it, the more I wanted to join in the smoke fest? Seemed everyone sitting at the sidewalk tables in front of Hal’s lit up that morning, except for me.

  I dunked my spoon in my coffee and twirled the Splenda around. I sipped it slowly, savoring the fresh aroma of coffee beans under my nose.

  “Tania’s leaving for Chicago tomorrow and wanted to meet you before she left. She’s touring the midwest coast for three weeks before coming back to record her next album. Isn’t that exciting?”

  Through the smoke and haze, I could see a real smile on my best friend’s face. They truly looked infatuated with each other. Tania caressed her face before kissing her lips. “I’m going to miss you so much,” She said to Aziza.

  I didn’t hate Tania nearly as much as I thought I would. In fact, I liked her. It helped that Aziza glowed next to her.

  “I was even thinking of going out to her show next weekend. Think you could handle the salon for that Saturday?” Aziza asked me.

  A pang of jealousy lopped me in the gut. Aziza found love and would get to keep it. I would soon turn into the third wheel. “Of course.”

  “Aziza tells me you have quite an adorable son,” Tania said.

  I couldn’t help what came out. Call it impulse. Call it anger. Call it fear on some level. “Did she also tell you who his soccer coach is?”

  “Of course. He’s in great hands.”

  Great hands? Is that how she felt about Paula still? “Did she also tell you I’m in great hands with her, too?”

  Talented, smoking-hot Tania’s mouth gaped open.

  Aziza kicked me under the table, causing me to double over in pain. I hung my head on the table and rubbed my shin, fully accepting the punishment for the cheap shot. The cheap shot clearly needed to be taken, though.

  “It’s okay, honey,” Tania said to Aziza. “It’s understandable.” Tania placed her hand on my shoulder. “I’m in love with Aziza, not Paula. I hope that this isn’t going to be weird between us.”

  Derailed.

  Completely taken aback by her sweetness.

  What could I say to this? She loved Aziza. My best friend deserved this for once. I peeled my eyes up towards Tania. “I’m sorry. That was really rotten of me.”

  “I totally understand.” Tania stole her hand back from my shoulder and extended her hand. “Hi, I’m Tania, and I’m crazy about your best friend.”

  I laughed and shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, and also nice to see my best friend happy for a change.”

  The waitress came back over to refill my coffee. “The sandwiches will be out in a few minutes,” the waitress said. “The cook didn’t see my slip with the order.”

  “No problem,” Tania said to her. “Can I get a coffee, too?”

  The waitress slipped away and Aziza got up to go to the bathroom. “Got to use the little girl’s room. Sure you two can handle each other on your own?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Just go.”

  Instinctively, I reached out for the pack of cigarettes. “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, right?” I lit the cigarette. “Aziza’s going to kill me one way or another. May as well be of something I can get a little buzz from.”

  “You shouldn’t start. It’s impossible to quit.” Tania flicked ashes in the ashtray.

  “I’ve always just been a social smoker. I can walk away from them no problem. Every once in a while I take a minute or two off my life. Big deal.” I inhaled and questioned how true my statement really was. I found myself craving them more and more.

  “I was hooked by my second one,” Tania said. “I was fifteen.”

  “Did Paula smoke, too?”

  “Paula?” she laughed. “Listen. If you’re really serious about making it work with her, don’t ever let her see you smoke.”

  I sucked another drag and let it linger deep in my lungs. This would be my last cigarette I decided right then and there. I didn’t need any more obstacles fencing us off from each other. I crushed out the cigarette and wiped my hands clean signifying the end of a nasty indulgence.

  * *

  Later that day, when Paula called and said she had some great news she needed to share, I assumed the worst. And the fact that Owen stole Paula to play a game of Guitar Hero the moment she walked through the door, only agitated my fragile state to the point I contemplated dropping to my knees and begging her to just tell me the freaking great news already. I looked over at Aziza who continued her Sudoku game.

  With the guitar strapped over her shoulder, Paula hit every note on the expert level. She was so damn brilliant at the game that she even managed to look over at me a few times and wink and still win.

  I could
n’t hit three notes in a row on the easy level.

  Before long, Aziza settled her Sudoku book down on the sofa and began humming the melody to Stairway to Heaven.

  “So want to hear the great news?” Paula asked them mid-way through the chorus.

  I nodded coolly trying my best to not snatch her by the shoulders and shake the news right out of her.

  “I went to Seven Eleven today to buy a caramel latte and came out a thousand dollars richer on a scratch off ticket.”

  “Wow!” Owen screamed out, jumping up and down with his guitar in hand. Paula laughed and joined him in a high-pitched cheer. I couldn’t control the urge to jump either. The three of us suddenly used the carpeted floor as a trampoline. We totally clinched the essence of a happy family unit. Meanwhile, Aziza went back to crunching numbers into a row.

  “What’re you going to do with it?” I asked, breathlessly.

  “Spoil my two favorite people in the world.” Paula landed in squat position and looked up at Owen. I felt warm inside suddenly.

  “First, tonight, I’m going to spoil your mom by taking her out for some fun. Then I was thinking maybe you and I can go buy you a new bike some time this week.”

  “Are you serious?” Owen danced around in a circle flinging his arms overhead like he was doing the wave.

  “Where’re you taking Lauren tonight?” Aziza asked, looking up at Paula over the rims of her glasses.

  “Wherever she wants.”

  I scanned Paula’s bootlegged jeans and fitted tee and decided to indulge in McCormick and Schmick’s another night. “I feel like playing pool.”

  “Pool?” Aziza asked.

  “Pool it is.” She dropped her guitar on the couch. I reached for the keys, not giving Aziza a second to destroy a great suggestion.

  I kissed the top of Owen’s head and hugged Aziza before grapping my jacket and heading towards the door. “Be good,” I told Owen.

  “Have fun ladies,” Aziza called out after us.

  Oh, we would.

  She opened the passenger door for me. “Want to go to Hannigan’s down by the beach?”

  “Sure, I haven’t been there in years.”

  I sunk into the convertible’s leather seat and swung my legs inside. She bent down and kissed me with fresh minty breath. “You look gorgeous as usual.”

  Oh, sweet, God, I prayed this would be our night.

  We rode down the interstate towards Narragansett. Paula hit the gas with some force, weaving in and out of traffic. Adrenaline pumped through me—a brand new, wonderful feeling. Paula maintained control with the agility of a race car driver, and with only one hand on the wheel. She smelled like woodsy cologne and looked extremely sexy. Her hair fell messy around her face. A simple pair of trendy, dark-wash blue jeans and a crisp, white button down shirt that showed off just enough of her bosom to spark my body into overdrive.

  Once we arrived at the restaurant, we headed straight for the bar. “Want to just eat here and take in the sights?” she asked.

  I nodded and climbed up on the stool.

  “Want to do a shot?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. I’m not—”

  Paula scoffed and waved the bartender over. “In honor of successful gambling feats!”

  “Alright, but, just one.”

  When our shots arrived, I gulped it down, then bit into the lemon wedge. I buzzed instantly, floating in a peaceful trance with a drunken grin on my face. I laced my hand around her and stared into her eyes. “Is this what you had in mind for some alone time?”

  She massaged her fingers into my palm then lifted them, entwined, up to her mouth. “We’re getting warm.” Her lips brushed them, then she nibbled just enough to send a series of shivers up and down my spine.

  The bartender arrived back with our burgers, two frosty mugs and a frothy pitcher of beer.

  Paula poured us each a glass.

  Too numb to appreciate the burger, I took three bites and pushed the plate aside. Next thing I knew, I needed a refill, but first I had to pee.

  “I’m gonna head to the little girls’ room.”

  I slid off my stool and the rush of alcohol flowed straight to my head. I latched onto the stool. When I took a few steps, the room began to spin again. I slid my fingers along each available railing until the hallway wall was within reach. I had to pee badly. Even if I had to crawl on the floor, I’d get there.

  Next thing I knew, I arrived back at the stool and she was pulling me towards a pool table in the far corner of the room. “Looks like we have the whole corner to ourselves.”

  I cradled my beer mug between my hands and watched as she racked the balls. I walked over to her and hugged her, breathing in her tantalizing scent. She handed me the white ball. “Show me what you’ve got.”

  I clasped onto my stick and plucked the ball from Paula’s hand. “What are we playing for?”

  “Whoever wins gets to dare the other person to do something.”

  “You say that like you’ve already thought this through.”

  She held the glass up to my lips. “Just take another sip.”

  I licked the foam from my lips, before spinning off to the table. My first shot barely broke the rack. The balls dispersed as small clusters only two inches from their starting position.

  She placed her beer down. “That striped ball in the corner pocket.”

  I swallowed more beer and watched her sink four more balls.

  “Better catch up,” she said when it was my turn.

  I played pathetically, while Paula showed off.

  When I finally sunk a solid ball, she picked me up and swung me around. We giggled and fell to the floor. I had to grab hold of the pool table leg to get up. And when I finally rose, I realized she had already walked back over to our table and began capping off my beer again.

  I swallowed a mouthful. “I don’t see you drinking as much beer.” I moved closer to her. “In fact, I think you’re trying to make me drunk.”

  She shot me a half smile, then lined up her stick for the final shot of the eight ball. She leaned over the table to get in real close. I drank in the beautiful sight of her two plump boobs, which were nicely cradled into a cream bra.

  She took her sweet time, wiggling this way and that way, teasing me until she finally caved and took the shot. She tapped the stick to the ball and watched as her eight ball glided towards the open pocket.

  I leaned against my stick and closed my eyes, feigning disappointment, but very interested in hearing the dare.

  She hugged me from behind, and whispered “I won.” Her breath sent chills down my neck.

  I faced her. “What do you dare me to do?”

  She moved in closer. “You can start with kissing me.”

  I kissed her softly and when I moved back she pulled me back and kissed me with hunger, coming up for air only to say, “Let’s get out of here.”

  Once outside, we stumbled onto the beach and trudged through the sand, giggling and clinging to each other. The light from the houses along the beachfront swayed and the dried up seaweed tangled at my feet, pricking my sandaled foot like tiny needles. Normally, I’d be inspecting every inch of sand before stepping in it. That night I could’ve been walking in seagull droppings and cigarette butts and wouldn’t have skipped a beat.

  I stopped in front of a lifeguard chair and pressed her against one of its stilted legs, kissing her with intensity. I wanted her right then.

  “What do you dare me to do?” I asked her.

  She pushed me up. “I want you to make love to me.”

  I caught my breath. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  “Let’s go someplace a little more private,” she said.

  I leaned on her as she guided me towards the dunes. My heart raced. Further away from the water, I tripped over a mound of soft sea grass and landed face down in the sand. She climbed on top of me and rolled me over until we were face to face.

  I closed my eyes and enjoyed each warm, moist lap of
her tongue on my skin. My body pulsed under her touch. She slid her hands up my back and removed my tank top. Her fingers moved slowly around my waist and undid the top button of my jeans. I pulsated as she slid her hands onto my ass and gently pulled off my clothes.

  I reached up and buried my hands in her hair, enjoying her hot breath on my chest. I moaned with each lick, each nibble.

  She tempted me like a forbidden fruit, dangling in front of me just begging to be plucked and gobbled up in a mad frenzy. I rolled her over and straddled her. I pulled off her shirt, not caring whether I broke any buttons as I slipped up her bra with my teeth. “My turn to feast.”

  I wrapped my lips around her hard nipple and sucked, grazing my tongue along it as I brought it deeper into my mouth. I traveled back and forth between her breasts, unable to satisfy my hunger. I wanted more. I propped up on my knees, lifting her up to me. Our tongues tangoed once again. I shook, grinding my body up against hers, crying out for more. She teased me by backing away. I latched onto her and pulled her closer. I wanted her in a savagery way. I pulled her real close until I could feel her wild heart beat and hot breath on my face.

  She lifted me on top of her naked lap, facing her. With our breasts touching, she gently slid her fingers deep inside me and watched my body rise and fall under the moonlight.

  I never, ever felt anything like this.

  Still craving more, I pinned her against the grass again. My lips traveled down her until they landed in the moist, succulence between her legs. We fit together like a jigsaw puzzle, each serving up pleasure to the other in one mind-blowing wave after another. The more she moaned, the more I feasted, devouring her inch by ravenous inch.

  The thrill ride edged far into the night, unadulterated, remote from the rest of mankind.

  * *

  As the sun started to rise above the water’s edge, Paula rolled over and showered me with soft kisses. We were still naked. And I didn’t care. She hugged me close and whispered, “That was the most amazing night of my life.”

  I moaned softly. “Mine, too.”

  We kissed again, and suddenly I straddled her once more, leading her hand into my wetness, wanting one more taste of ecstasy before going back to reality.