Modern Girls Read online

  For the longest time we didn’t talk but just kept kissing and holding each other. Tears flowed down Andi’s cheeks and her emotions had her so overcome that she could only continue to thank me again and again for coming.

  I had forgotten Andi’s voice. It was deeper than I remembered, an alto, with a hint of a lisp at the end of certain words - I found it incredibly sexy and appealing.

  She kissed me again, and said, “Oh, God, I knew you’d be a great kisser. I’m so turned on. I can’t wait to get you home. Do you have a hotel reservation and a rental car? Please stay with me. I just said goodbye to my mother and she flew east an hour ago because her brother died, my uncle. I don’t want to be alone until this is solved. Please, say you will. Oh, thank you. I love you so much. You’re going to save me, right? I have so much to tell you. It’s been awful. I didn’t do it. You believe me don’t you? You know I could never hurt anyone. Please help me.”

  I couldn’t get a word in edge-wise and resorted to nods and shakes of my head. I held her hands in an attempt to calm her down.

  “Let’s get out of here Andi, and talk about that later.”

  She replied, “Oh, of course, you’re right. Let’s go. I’m parked right out front. Do you have many bags? I’ll show you the way to baggage claim. It’s downstairs. We don’t need to rush. It always takes a lot of time.”

  Man, she was wired! I guess having your agent murdered, being arrested and charged with the crime and spending four days in jail will do that to you. Andi called Cyndie on Thursday evening after getting out on bail; bail that was paid by her mother with a new mortgage loan on her mother’s Rehoboth beach home. Andi needed help and begged Cyndie to ask me to come to L.A. Cyndie had relayed Andi’s nightmare to me yesterday at lunch. I agreed and made reservations for the flight on Saturday from Philly.

  Andi’s agent was shot and killed in the parking lot of a diner on Sunday night. Andi was found unconscious lying next to him, holding the murder weapon. It was her hand gun. Andi had a big bump on the top of her head and her dead agent had a bullet in his chest. The two of them were discovered by a cook at the diner. Frankly, I was surprised that she was able to get bail. But, I also believed her - she is such a passive, feminine person - I can only imagine that she came across as genuinely sincere and innocent to the judge - she exuded that feeling to me.

  Of course, I would go over the whole thing, several times, in detail, with Andi... later. But, for now, I had to get us out of the airport while we still had our clothes on.

  I got us on our feet again and we walked out of this wing of the domestic terminal. By the time we reached baggage claim my lonely bag was spinning around the carousel by itself. I rented a car as Andi needed to go back to work on Tuesday.

  Andi didn’t want me to rent a car as she said, “I’m almost too excited to drive.”

  She looked it too. But, I knew I didn’t want to be in Los Angeles without wheels.

  ***

  An hour after my plane touched down, I was following Andi’s late 1980’s silver Honda Accord south on Interstate 405 to her Torrance home. The ride went quickly on that hot, sunny, summer day in the L.A. Basin. We exited on Hawthorne Boulevard and glided down this main thoroughfare to her side-street apartment. As we approached the down-slanting driveway entrance to her complex’s underground parking garage, Andi put her car in park, got out of her car and came back to my side of my red Mustang.

  “Stevie, the gate will slide open and I’ll drive through. Follow me close and you can get in too. Then, park on the left side in the spots with the blue concrete bumpers. That’s for visitors.”

  I did and we both parked near the front of the parking garage. I took a quick look around and saw that the underground lot had an In and an Out ramp, with a u-shaped turnaround at the far end. There were four rows for parking, one on the left side, two rows facing each other in the middle, and the fourth row on the right side. I was about to hand her my work bag and grab my suitcase. But, before I could, Andi hugged me again and we were soon in another tight embrace. This time, being alone in a relatively private place, I put both hands on her round cheeks and held her the tightest so far. This was progressing very fast, but I was completely lost in my lust and protests about my East Coast girlfriend crossed my mind but never made it to my lips. I love building towards intimacy with a woman, but this passion had a much shorter life-cycle, all of its own.

  ***

  Andi’s apartment was in the center of the complex, on ground-level, right next to the pool. We made it inside the apartment and Andi had me drop my bags by the door. A long-haired, young, sleek white cat walked up to us and meandered through Andi’s legs and then, through mine. The cat’s movements felt sensuous and inviting like her owner’s.

  “Oh, see, Stevie, Bobo loves you, too!” Andi said as she turned on some lights. “Take a look around.”

  I walked through the living room and found the one-bedroom, one bath apartment very feminine and beautifully decorated in off-white furniture and curtains. The living room was on the right side with a sliding door that led out to a small patio. I spotted the apartment’s hot tub and pool beyond, less than ten feet further. The dining room and the kitchen were on the left. Down the hall the bedroom was to the right and the bath was at the left. The bedroom window also looked out at the pool. The only bold colors were on the queen-size brass bed, a hot pink comforter and matching sheets.

  I returned to the living room and heard Andi ask, “What do you think?”

  As I turned towards her I began to say, “It’s beautiful…”

  That’s when I noticed that she had removed her sports bra to display her enlarged, firm breasts.

  “Uhm… wow!”

  She cried out, “See, I finally have boobs!”

  “Andi, you, they are beautiful…”

  She laughed. “Oh, relax. I know you noticed them before. Why didn’t you say something? I wanted to show them to you.”

  I recovered enough to say, “Wonderful. When did you have them done?”

  “Last summer.” She walked close to me. “Here, feel them.”

  I stood still and she smiled as she lifted both my hands and put my palms under each breast and my thumbs on each nipple.

  She started talking again. “I know. They don’t feel as soft as real ones. Go ahead, squeeze them.”

  I did. They were firm, but still felt good, very good.

  Andi continued, “But, they turned out so nice. Don’t you think? Oh, please say yes.”

  I nodded. I had never been asked to examine and comment on a woman’s chest before and it certainly caught me off-guard. I liked it though, very much.

  “God, Andi, yes, they are beautiful and so big and firm.”

  She said, “Oh, I know, they’re big, but so many of the actresses out here have large boobs. Plus, I think they look natural; their shapes are nice and round. My scars are right here at the bottom.”

  She lifted her breasts to show me.

  “See, it’s hard to see them. My surgeon did a great job. I’m so happy! God, do your hands feel good. Go ahead, pinch them. Oh, yeah. I love that.”

  She had her eyes closed now and I started to say, “Andi …”

  But, she interrupted with a moan, “Oh, my God! Don’t say another word. Close your eyes for a minute and keep feeling me.”

  While I continued to massage her breasts, I felt her move and I peeked and saw Andi step out of her flip-flops. Then, she reached down and pulled down her shorts. She let them slip off her legs and kicked them aside. She was completely naked. As she slowly opened her eyes, I closed mine.

  She continued talking. “Oh, Stevie, this is your Los Angeles welcome gift and you can’t say no. I know you’re dating a hair stylist, but Cyndie told me you just started dating her, so this isn’t cheating. Be honest, we both have wanted to do this since the day we met. Right?”

  What she said was true.

  Andi moved close until our chests touched. She grabbed my wrists and placed my
hands on her bare behind, “Pull me close, Stevie.”

  Then, she gave me a long kiss. Minutes passed as we kissed, until Andi stepped back, held my left hand and led me to her big brass bed.

  Andi proceeded to slowly take off my clothes down to my briefs. In those few seconds, I noticed some of Andi’s beauty magic. Her makeup was done perfectly, including her light purple eye shadow and violet nail polish. Her lips still held a violet red shade and her perfume made me intoxicated.

  I grabbed her in my arms and absolutely let myself go as I kissed this incredible beauty. I remember whispering early on, “Andi, you’re making it easy to love you.”

  Andi’s soft voice told me, “It’s even easier to make love to me.”

  With that, I lost all inhibitions. Her invitation was clear and amazing. It had never been this easy with a woman before. My lust for Andi took over and I surrendered.

  I whispered to her to lie on her bed and I laid down next to her and kissed her again.

  “Oh my God, Stevie, I’m so happy you’re here. I hope you are too.”

  “Let me show you how much.”

  It couldn’t have been better.

  Afterwards, we snuggled under the covers and I whispered, “Andrea, I hope I went slowly enough for our first time?”

  Andi replied, “Oh my God, Stephen, you’re incredible. I loved it. I just wonder what it will be like when you make a fast move.”

  I started laughing and Andi hugged me so tight I thought I’d bruise.

  ***

  An hour later, I woke and found myself lying next to that perfect body. Andi’s back was in front of my chest. She was sleeping and her chest slowly moved with her breath.

  The early night air blew across our bodies. Bobo, the cat, was curled up against Andi’s belly. I reached over and petted Bobo, resting my right arm on Andi’s side. It was enough to wake her. Andi turned, ran her left hand across my chest and kissed me.

  “What do you want for dinner, Stevie?”

  I smiled and answered, “You.”

  She kissed me again. “No, silly, let’s go eat somewhere. What kind of food sounds good?”

  “Umm… I don’t know, you choose.”

  “Sure. Oh, I know a perfect place. But, before we go, let’s take a shower.”

  “Sure, let’s.”

  As Andi got up and started the shower, I thought a moment about my girlfriend, Dee Dee, and my friend, Cyndie. My relationships with those two bright and beautiful women sure didn’t start like this. What was I doing? I was here to help Andi. Was this helping? Since we arrived at her apartment, Andi was calmer. Clearly, she wanted to forget her troubles; was it a defense mechanism or denial? I wasn’t sure. She was sure trying hard to make me happy, and it was working.

  “Come on, Stevie, the water feels great” Andi called from inside the large shower stall.

  ***

  We were in the bathroom drying each other with towels when we heard a loud, double knock on the front door. Andi flinched, and then she grabbed me when we heard that door open. Within two seconds Andi was all smiles and excited because she heard a big, loud yell from a woman.

  “OK, where is he? Are you already making a move on him?”

  Andi opened the bathroom door, grabbed a towel, covered herself, walked out and said, “Oh shut up, you should talk!”

  The other woman answered, “Look at you. Oh my God! You’ve already had sex! You’re such a tramp, Andi!”

  Andi laughed and replied, “Oh shut up, Shayna!”

  I heard Shayna’s voice get louder as she said, “So, where is this dream man of yours?”

  I just finished wrapping the towel around my waist, before the two women arrived at the bathroom door way.

  Before I could react, the woman reached out her hand and said, “Hi, I’m Shayna Ryan; Andi’s diva actress and singer friend.”

  Shayna was a beautiful, expressive, big-featured woman with very long black hair that was parted in the middle and let loose to flow all the way down her back to her waist. It was a thick and wavy mane, and seemed to sway as Shayna moved. Her face was made up in dramatic make-up. She wore a long-sleeved, cropped white blouse, with a v-neck that revealed inches of cleavage at the top, and all of her stomach at the bottom, including her pierced belly button. On her legs were very tight Lycra pants that displayed her very round behind. Her open-toed shoes had at least four-inch heels that raised Shayna to about 5’10”. She exuded sensuality and fun.

  I shook her hand. “Hi Shayna, I’m Stevie Garrett.”

  “Oh, you are good looking.”

  While I blushed, she turned to Andi, and said, “I knew it wouldn’t take long, but you sure moved quickly with this one, Andi.”

  Andi answered, trying to be serious, “Oh, shut up, Shayna! Stevie is my very good friend. He’s here to help me. We were just getting ready for dinner.”

  Shayna smiled, looked back down the hall at our clothes on the floor inside the front door, glanced in the bedroom at the disheveled bed sheets, and nodded her head. “Right…”

  Then Shayna looked back at me and sized me up. “So, you’re my little girl’s hero.”

  Andi came over to me and I put my arm around her waist. Andi said, “Yes, Stevie’s here to save me. I totally trust him.”

  At that moment I felt so touched at Andi’s faith and love for me. I squeezed her tighter. I couldn’t help myself. I also realized the absurdity of the scene. We were both covered only by towels, but Andi was completely at ease, talking to me and her best girl friend.

  I nodded and before I could speak, Shayna said, “Yes, I can see that.” She looked at me and added, “Andi does need your help.”

  I said, “I’d like to talk to you when you have some time, Shayna.”

  “Sure.”

  A pause followed that ended when Andi kissed me and Shayna said, “So, what are you guys doing tonight?”

  Andi answered, “Really, Shayna, we were getting ready for dinner. Do you want to join us?”

  “No, I can’t. I have a gig tonight.”

  Shayna held up a big net bag. Inside were a microphone, a tambourine and music sheets.

  I asked, “Where’s your show?”

  “At Tony’s Fish Market in Redondo. Why don’t you guys eat there and you can watch me? I’ll have the manager save you a good booth.”

  Andi looked at me and said, “Sound good?”

  “Sure.”

  Andi asked, “You do like seafood, right?”

  “Yes, I love it.”

  Shayna said, “Great! I’ll have someone to talk to. The guys in the band are boring and like to smoke pot between the sets. Which I can’t do or I’d screw up and forget all my lyrics.”

  Shayna looked at her watch and saw it was 6:30PM. “Well, I got to run. The show starts at 8 sharp. See you there.”

  Shayna turned to me and put her right hand on my left shoulder, “You’re making her so happy. I’m glad. My naughty girl needed a good boy.”

  Andi pushed Shayna’s hand away and Shayna spun on those big heels and walked out, saying, “Toodles, kids.” Boy - Shayna had a sassy stride to her step!

  storytelling

  Andi turned to me, pulled me close, gave me another big kiss, and pulled me to her bed.

  “God, Stevie. I am so happy. This has been my dream since we met. Do you remember that crazy day?”

  “Yes, I’ll never forget it.”

  Then, we both started giggling and laughing and couldn’t stop thinking of that day back in April 1992.

  Andi then tried to be serious. “Stevie, remember, you were there to figure out who stole my bikini.”

  I laughed, “That’s right. I had you reconstruct the ‘crime’.”

  Andi began laughing again. “I got so caught up in retelling how the bikini was ripped off my body that I ending up standing nude in front of you by the end of the story.”

  “Yeah, I liked that part.”

  “Oh, shut up. After the crime was solved, we went to lunch with Cy
ndie. I tried to get mad at her for being part of the practical joke but then I’d look at you and we would start laughing again.”

  I answered, “Yeah, then I went to your show.”

  “It’s too bad we were dating other people then. But, I did give you a long kiss before you left.”

  “Yes, you did, Andi.”

  “I’m so glad Cyndie stayed in touch with you, Stevie, or you wouldn’t be able to save me now.”

  “I hope I do. What I do remember was that I was distracted at the time.”

  Andi asked, “Why?”

  “I remember thinking that I needed a new job.”

  “Why?”

  “I didn’t know what else to think of that investigation and a second one I had just finished. I wasn’t sure if I should scream or cry or complain. That whole week I was laughing until I was silly. Those back-to-back assignments were so ridiculous and so unrelated to insurance that I couldn’t believe I was actually paid to do them. I thought other cases were the pits, but these two topped them all in pure lunacy and comic relief.”

  Andi said, “Tell me about the other one, Stevie.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Andi answered, “Yes, if you think it was crazier than the bikini caper, I definitely want to hear it.”

  I began my story. “OK. I call it the fish audit. The chief executive at my old insurance company was a man with a unique, healthy lifestyle. My former boss, Byron, said, ‘Hank plans to live forever and so far, the plan is working.’ Hank’s plan included a lunch diet of steamed vegetables and grilled fish; one filet of cod and one filet of scrod. Scrod means, besides cod, whatever was the other white fish caught that day. The filets were bought fresh, every morning.

  “Hank had his lunch prepared in his private kitchen. Then, Hank ate his fish and vegetables alone in his private dining room. All was well with Hank and his lunches year after year. Hank was able to focus on managing his worldwide operations, where the sun never set on Hank’s employees. Nothing was too insignificant for Hank to review if something was wrong with his companies.