Reece's Faith (30 page)

Sandy and Faith are positive it's Charles. I think it's Michele. Something about that girl..

"Hey boss? Can I come in?"

"Yeah Cor. Hey, did you see?"

Taking a look around, the dancer folded her arms across her chest and shook her head. "You know, I don't think she's going to be pleased with this."

"What? I like them. I think she's hot."

"Yeah but now so does half of the country."

"Half? What's wrong with the other half?"

"You can't be serious." Cori was shocked at Reece's attitude.

"Yes, I am." The tall woman sat down, satisfied with the new decorations.

"OK, so you're not going to break somebody's legs?"

"Oh, I didn't say that, I just didn't understand why only half of the country found Faith appealing."

"So you're going to hurt Charles? But what about Michele? I was very disappointed to find out she was behind this." Cori sat on Reece's desk facing her.

The club owner frowned.
Why didn't Faith tell me if she knew who it was?

"Hey, earth to Reece."

"Yeah, I'm gonna take care of the both of them." I just don't know how.

"Why'd ya wait so long? It's going to be kinda hard since they were fired."

FIRED?! What the...

"Cori, I have things to do, if you'll excuse me."

"Sure bosslady, I was thinking of coming over and taking Mom Ashford off your hands tomorrow."

"Whatever."

"Yeah, you're welcome." The dancer replied to the empty room.

 
*  *  *

Mrs. Ashford put down the last of the tabloids and laughed out loud.

"Oh my!" she continued laughing.

Faith shut off the blow dryer to investigate the sound.

Is Mother laughing?
She wondered.
I don't think I ever heard her laugh like that in my life!

"Oh dear!" The older woman held her stomach and laughed.

That is Mother! What the hell is she so hysterical about?

Faith suddenly became nervous. Her mother could have gotten into anything.

Shit! Why did I leave her alone down there? I let her talk me into a bath. I should have known it was a plan for her to snoop!

She started dressing, grabbing clothing from the floor.

Oh God.. I hope she didn't go through the video cabinet. Not only does Lucky live there, but Reece's video collection could kill her!
She ran down the stairs in fear.

Marsha tried to collect herself, but she couldn't stop laughing.

"Mom? Are you alright?" The actress edged closer to her mother.

Marsha held up a tabloid and shook it around.

Faith felt her legs go numb when she saw the cover picture.

"This is some...oh my...interesting coffee table ...oooh...reading, dear." The older woman continued to pull herself together.

"You find this funny?" The actress furrowed her brows in confusion.

"Oh, Faith dear. I haven't laughed like that in ages!"

The actress had no idea why her mother was reacting with such hilarity to her half-naked body. The clothing choice alone should have given her a mild arrhythmia. The fact that it was all over the coffee table should have at least caused her to stroke.

"Again, you find this funny?" She put her hands on her hips.

"Oh my yes!"

Faith stood there tapping her foot as her mother continued to titter.

"That outfit doesn't help any.." she giggled.

The younger woman looked down at her clothes and smiled. In her haste she'd thrown on Reece's inside-out sweatpants and a T-shirt that read: 'Remember my name, you'll be screaming it later.'

"Well I'd rather be on the cover of a magazine in this get up than that one."

"Oh honey, the pictures aren't bad. In fact, they're flattering. Remind me to show you my pictures some day."

The actress sat down next to her mother and stared at her in shock.

"Mom...who?" Faith was speechless.

"I had racy pictures taken for your father when we were engaged. A promise of what was to come if you will."

Faith blushed.
My mother the pinup girl.

"Oh, stop looking at me like that, honey."

"But Mom?" she whined.

"How did
she
take to these?"

"A lot better than I thought. She put them there."

"Oh? She must be very proud of you, then. If anyone ever got a hold of my pictures, your father would kill them."

"Proud?" The actress questioned.

"Well why else would she put them on display like this? Who took these?"

"My ex-producer and co-star. They were both fired."

"I bet Theresa had something to do with that."

"Well..." Faith looked down at her hands guiltily.

"What is that all about, Faith?"

"I haven't told her yet." she winced.

"Faith! You mustn't keep secrets like that!" Marsha scolded her daughter.

"I just thought she'd react a bit differently. I guess I should have told her, cuz, man, am I wrong about that."

"Oh, I'm not so sure she'll let them go that easily, she seems very protective toward you. But I'm certain if you ask her to, she'll play nice." Marsha smiled.

"I hope she'll go easy on me for keeping this from her."

"She better or she'll have me to answer to. Besides, you have that woman wrapped around your pinkie. I watched her today, she worships you."

"Trust is very important to her, Mom." Faith scowled at her mistake.

"Then you should have known better, dear."

The key in the door startled them both. Reece wasn't due home so early.

"Oh no...what am I going to do, Mom? She knows." Faith panicked.

"You don't know that, honey." Marsha tried to reassure her daughter.

The expression on Reece's face confirmed Faith's fears.

"Baby, let me explain." The actress began.

"Why didn't you tell me who it was?" Blue eyes narrowed.

"I think I better get a drink" Mrs. Ashford escaped into the kitchen.

"I'm sorry, Reece. I didn't mean to keep secrets! I know I promised...I was just..." Faith sobbed.

"Hey, don't cry." The club owner felt her anger float away when she saw how upset Faith was. She knelt down, grasped the smaller hand, and held it to her face.

"I just feel so shitty about this."

"I'm not mad at you for keeping it from me. I kinda feel stupid now, really." Reece pursed her lips in thought.

"Stupid? How?" Faith sniffed.

"Well, you were afraid to tell me, weren't you?"

The actress nodded and looked away.

"I don't want you to ever be afraid of me. I guess I don't now how to prove to you that you can trust me." Reece sighed in sadness and dropped Faith's hand.

"Oh no! I'm not afraid of you! Baby, please don't think that. I was afraid of how you'd react and what you might do to
them
." Faith leaned over and kissed her lover on the lips. "You have to admit, you can be dangerous when you're angry."

"I'd never hurt you. I'd rather die." Reece swore.

"I know that, Reece, and I trust you with my life." She kissed her lover again.

"I don't think I know how to hurt you."

"Well," Faith smirked, "if I asked real nice..."

The club owner's eyes opened wide.

"Why, Faith Ashford, you naughty little girl." Reece teased.

"I thought I was your
dirty
little girl." The actress pulled the kneeling woman between her legs and kissed her hard.

"You keep that up and you'll be an embarrassed little girl." Reece warned.

"Ahem."

Faith buried her head in Reece's neck. "Mother, you have impeccable timing."

"I thought I waited an appropriate amount of time." Marsha shrugged as she sat down next to her daughter.

"No biggie, Mrs. A." Reece spoke to the older woman but was smiling at Faith.

"I guess I forgot what it was like to be that enamored. I wouldn't want to interrupt."

"I'm sure you remember what all the parts look like. A drink sounds good about now. You want one, babe?"

Faith nodded so Reece left to get some beers.

"Oh yes. My little girl was darling." Marsha looked thoughtful. "You know, she had such a cute little potato." She grinned.

"MOM!" Faith screamed. "You are so wrong!"

Reece walked back into the living room with two beers and handed one to her beet red lover. She mouthed 'potato' at Faith with the most amused look on her face.

"Oh, Mrs. Ashford, do tell." The club owner grinned.

"Well, I'm sure you'd agree. I mean you've seen it." she gestured to her daughters crotch.

"OH GOD!" Faith hid her face behind Reece's shoulder. "This can't be happening." she mumbled.

Reece laughed at loud.
This lady is fucking cool!

Marsha winked at Reece and continued.

"Besides, after looking at that video collection, I'm sure you're familiar enough with that particular body part to judge." Marsha sipped her vodka demurely.

This time Reece blushed, and Faith practically crawled on top of her.

"Make her stop, baby." The actress pinched Reece's neck hard.

"OW! Hey!" The club owner frowned and rubbed the sore area.

"Faith, dear, it's not nice to pinch." Marsha scolded.

"I'll get you for this, Mother. I swear it." The actress turned around to face her mom and saw the smile on her face.

"You were teasing me?" she slapped Reece on the thigh. "I can't stand the both of you." She pouted.

"Come on, honey, it was all in fun."

"Great, Mom, not only do you two get along, but you conspire." she continued her pout.

"Theresa, be a dear and get me a refill."