Hidden Desires (45 page)

"Really? What happened?" Bev asked with a big smile

"It was great." Brooke recalled with a grin. "She surprised me. There's a lot of brains in that sexy head. I like her even more now."

"That's just wonderful! She's smart
and
she's pretty."

"Tell me about it. Just knowing she can carry on a decent conversation about anything in general excites me. I like that I can learn from her, however trivial the things may be, like the capitol of Uzbekistan." Brooke grinned.

"I'm not even going to ask." Bev said with a confused look. "I'm just glad that you discovered another side of Cayden, and that it makes you happy."

"Very happy. After Grant, you have no idea how refreshing that is."

 
*  *  *

Cayden was fairly busy at work, the idle chatter with the customers kept her occupied until she noticed the time. Her belly knotted up and she made a silly face.
Ugh. I just got horny and sick at the same time. Where the hell was Jo all day? Didn't she know I could have used her silliness?
Cayden took a deep breath and blew it out slowly.
Ahhh, much better. Now it's time for Trading Spaces.
She concentrated on the television, her belly slowly righted itself and she smiled. The bell above the door jingled and she glanced up, knowing it was just a little too early for Brooke. She became panicked, then slid down in her chair.
Jesus H Christ, why today?

"ANGEL SWEETHEART! My wonderful Cayden!" Mrs. Ida Friedman did a rapid two-step towards the counter.

"Hello, Ida. What brings you here on such a brutal day?"

"It's the fifteenth, Dumpling! I told you I'd be here to pay for the indestructible cat toys! An old woman I may be, but I always keep my word. You could drop dead waiting for some people but NOT ME!" She shouted the last two words, jumped up and down, then twirled in glee, knocking her bright green hat askew.

Cayden swallowed hard and looked at the clock. 5:30. Ida was in a talkative mood, which meant she'd never leave before Brooke arrived.
Fantastic. That'll be twice Brooke has to be subjected to Ida.

"How do you like my hat darling?" Ida leaned forward and whispered, suddenly adopting a British accent. "I had to buy it." She took several deep breaths, wiped the corners of her eyes with her pinkies, lifted one foot, then continued. "I'll tell you why." Ida seemed to be composing herself, she closed her eyes then talked slowly and calmly. "I went to the new Supercuts, there was a coupon in the Marketeer, so I cut it out and took it with me and asked for a trim for $9.99. WELL!" she suddenly shouted, making Cayden jump. "This is what they call a TRIM!" She tore the hat off, then hit herself in the head with it several times.

Cayden blinked rapidly, trying hard not to crack a grin. Even if Ida had a good haircut, the hat head, combined with a healthy dose of static made her look hilarious.

"How can I walk around like this?" She waved the hat around in circles over her head, pretended to cry, feigned chest pains, the threw herself onto a chair. "ANGEL!"

"IDA!"

"Do you recall my Olive Oil had that urinary tract infection, OH it was so horrible, the PAIN she was in! SO! I started to use cranberry powder I got from the herbalist, darling you know all doctors are evil, don't give them a penny of your money, I'll give you my herbalists card, well anyway..." Ida stood up and licked her lips a few times, "Wouldn't you know her PH is fine!" She laughed loudly. "Those doctors didn't know what they were talking about with their pills and their tests. They're devils and only want a poor old woman's money, if I let them they'd milk me dry, AND THEN WHERE WOULD I BE?" Ida stomped her golash covered feet and stuck out her chin. "NO MORE! Doctors are the devils darling." she said with a chuckle.

Cayden watched as Ida primped the big flower on her hat before taking pains at putting it on her head properly. The eccentric old woman clapped her hands together, looked up at the ceiling and wailed.

"OH I LOVE MY BABIES MORE THAN LIFE ITSELF!" Ida began sobbing uncontrollably.

 
*  *  *

Brooke worked distractedly for most of the day, excited and unable to sit still. She couldn't even finish a decent game of solitaire on her computer. Her decision to forego lunch was catching up to her and she was starting to feel hungry. She peeked her head over the cubicle and watched Bev pick at some chips with longing. "I'm hungry." She announced.

Bev handed Brooke the bag of chips and laughed. "First you're too nervous to eat and now your hungry. Typical."

"Hey, I'm allowed." Brooke said with a giggle as she crunched some chips. "Mmm, these are good."

Bev nodded. "They're my favorite, chips are comfort food."

"Yeah, when you can't get to the meatloaf and mashed potatoes." Brooke inhaled some more chips then suddenly stopped chewing. "Oh my god! These are barbecue!"

"Mesquite Barbecue." Bev corrected.

"My breath!"

"Oh, brush those teeth and you'll be fine."

"What if I burp or something?"

Bev laughed. "Calm down honey."

Brooke blew on her hand and smelled her breath. "Ew, great. Do you have any Listerine?"

"Just eat the chips and relax." Bev said with a soft smile.

Brooke groaned. "Its too late now anyway." She stuffed more chips in her mouth.

"Look, its 4, one more hour!" Bev announced happily.

Brooke put the bag down and frowned. "I'm not hungry any more."

"Nerves, you'll be fine." She noticed Brooke pick up a big bag from under her desk and surmised it was her clothes for the date. "Where are you going?"

"I'm sneaking out early, I'm going to get changed."

Bev promptly followed the blonde to the ladies room. Brooke emerged from the bathroom in lycra shorts and a sports bra, the big bag slung over her shoulder. "You're wearing that to a date!?" Bev asked loudly and in shock.

Brooke jumped out of her skin. "BEV! You scared me half to death! "

Bev stared openly. "Tell me you're not wearing this to dinner."

Brooke pretended to be hurt, watching Bev's eyes widen. Then she laughed. "No, I'm roller blading home," she patted the big bag, "I need to get rid of the nervous energy." Bev relaxed and released a loud breath. Brooke began laughing. "You should have seen your face!"

"Honey, it's not that you don't look good, you look fabulous, but ...I can't believe I thought you were wearing this." she blushed.

"Just think, I'll be all pumped and sinewy for the date. " Brooke winked.

"Trollop."

Brooke giggled. "And don't you forget it."

 
*  *  *

Cayden rolled her eyes and fished a tissue out of the drawer. She presented it to the hysterical woman, hoping she'd eventually pay and get out quickly. "Ida, I know you love your cats and they saved your life. How did they like the balls?"

Ida jumped up and down with excitement, stepping out of a golash and threw her hands over her head. "My babies LOVED them!" she declared. "Cupcake Junior, not Senior, plays and plays!" the crazy old woman laughed uproariously. "It's WONDERFUL! You should see them! Why don't you come over to tea, keep an old woman company? Oh you're a godsend! You should sprout wings and fly away!"

 
*  *  *

Harriet ran to the door as Brooke came in. "Honey! You're all red and sweaty!" she said with obvious concern.

"Yeah mom, it's a million degrees out." Brooke just wanted to get under the cool shower.

"Quick, come into the kitchen and drink something. I have iced tea." Harriet pushed Brooke to the kitchen.

"Ma! I'm okay, I just want to go take a shower!"

"Bert, talk to your daughter, tell her it's not healthy to be out in this heat with her rolling skates."

"Roller blades, Harriet." Bert leaned forward in his chair. "Brooke, at least drink something, make your mother happy."

"Fine, give me a drink." Brooke put down her skates and marched like a pouty child to the table.

Harriet beamed as her daughter drank. "There, now isn't that much better?"

"Much. Now may I go shower? I reek."

Harriet frowned. "Yes, go shower, a lady shouldn't
smell
.

 
*  *  *

Brooke checked herself out in the mirror a final time and was satisfied with her appearance. "Okay, now to pass through the living room without incident." She held her chin high as she walked directly towards her keys. "I'm going." she announced.

"Brooke!" Mrs. Hewitt exclaimed in shock. "That's not what you're wearing to a Dinner Party!"

Brooke rolled her eyes and turned to face her mother. "It's not formal or anything."

"What will the other couple think?"

"They're not a couple, besides, Cayden's wearing shorts too."

"Bert, look at your daughter."

Mr. Hewitt glanced up at Brooke and his eyes widened. "There you go with
those
again!"

Brooke looked down at her chest. "Daddy, they go everywhere with me. I grew them and I intend to keep them."

"Don't be fresh with your father." her mother scolded.

"Sorry, daddy."

"You should be ashamed." Harriet wagged a finger and tsk'd. "You fibbed."

"What?" Brooke asked in defense.

"There is no Dinner Party young lady, you're going to Cayden's house dressed like that for
other
reasons." Harriet narrowed her eyes.

Brooke reddened. "No." she said guiltily.

"I for one, would never wear shorts to a dinner party, OR a Wonderbra."

"You don't
own
a Wonderbra." Bert interjected.

"You shush." Mrs. Hewitt warned. "Cayden is dressing like that too?"

"Yes, ma."

"Well, I suppose you do look sexy if that's what you're going for."

"Exactly." Brooke admitted.

Harriet cracked a grin." Then you'll be fine."

"Thank you mom. Can I go now?"

"Yes. Bert, tell her to have a good time."

"I'll do no such thing!" He huffed. "There's only one kind of good time to be had with
those
in a frame, and I don't condone it."

"Daddy, it's not an orgy or anything, it's a friendly get together."

"Friendly my foot! I know what you're doing." He said with a scowl.

"Daddy, I'm a big girl!" Brooke argued.

"Oh, everyone can see that."

"Bert." Harriet pursed her lips and shot him a look. "Don't you trust her?"

"Yeah, Daddy?"

"Well, yes I do but...."

"No buts. Go, have a good time, Dear." Harriet kissed Brooke on the cheek.