What happens in Vegas…

Menage a trois

Elizabeth and I were finally over. It look her a couple weeks to realize when I said it was over that meant, “Don’t freakin’ call me anymore. You cheated on me with your ex and I hate your guts.” Luckily work sent me to Las Vegas to cover an event.  If only I could rush off to Vegas every time someone dumped me…

Cindy and Frankie both suggested I be a very naughty girl and when I arrived at The Mandalay Bay I certainly felt like one. The hotel was lavish.

I had arrived for the conference a day early so I had some time to kill.  The weather was warm and since it was just below freezing in New York I thought I’d better hit the pool and sap in some sun. But on the way to the pool I got a bit sidetracked. I figured I’d take a chance so I played a little roulette and won and then won again! Then I stopped and took my winnings back to my room, which is very “me”. I like to stop while I’m ahead or things get too out of hand, usually.

So by the time I had made it to the pool I had downed a few martinis and the sun seemed to be setting. They have this amazing wave pool with a beach down at the Mandalay Bay so I sat on the sand with another martini and sucked in the sunset and olives.

I waded into the water a bit when I saw two very attractive men who resembled movie stars I love and cherish.  One man (let’s call him Brad) was on one side of the beach lounging on a towel and the other man (we’ll call him Orlando) was in the water not too far away from me.

I was just thinking fabulous eye candy and my change in luck when Orlando swam over and introduced himself.

“So how do you like Vegas?” he asked.

“So far I like it. It’s my first time,” I explained.

“Well you know what they say… You can get away with anything here” he laughed.

“Well that depends,” replied a very deep voice behind me. I turned around to face Brad.

“On what?” I asked.

“It depends on your luck, expectations, and how you play the game,” he replied and winked.

I laughed. “Do you two know each other?” I asked.

“No,” they simultaneously replied.

“You see, he must be here to play,” Orlando said pulling me toward him, “Or he wouldn’t have made his way over.”

“How could I resist coming over,” Brad said gesturing toward me and then swam over.

At this point both men were pressed up against me, one in the front and the other behind me, glaring at each other.

“Um. OK. Well it was nice to meet both of you,” I said completely turned on, mind you, but a bit squeamish about being stuck in the middle of a boy brawl.

I turned to leave when Orlando kissed me gently on the mouth and turned to Brad. “Leave. She is with me.”

“Oh really, Romeo?” Brad then pulled me gently toward him and gave me an amazing kiss on the mouth.  I was speechless and confused. Wait a minute? The next thing I knew the three of us were making out in the pool.  I was like grilled cheese melting in between sandwich bread, in a sexy sort of way. There were lips and legs and hands groping. It was fantastic for like ten minutes.

I was really getting into it when they began pushing each other, then bumping and grinding on both ends of me, then Brad and Orlando began liplocking, and  much like melted cheese I pushed myself out of the sandwich.

I watched them make out with each other for a little while and they tried to get me back into their session, which quite passionate, quick and quite rough. But I couldn’t get myself to join in the pool party in their pants or non-pants by that point.  I decided it was most likely dangerous to be in the middle of those two (they would probably poke me to death) and that sex with one person was probably more intimate then sex with two people at the same time.  Yes, it might have been fun, but sometimes you just know when to fold. – Ruby

Sympathy From the Devil

What day is it?  Wasn’t there something important that happened?  Oh yes, that inauguration thing.  I don’t even bother looking at the calendar these days. Grandma’s condition is not improving and we have been advised by doctors to book the cruise that she always wanted to take. We have become minor celebrities here at Hope Lodge; “The Three Franceses” as they refer to us. Three generations of women who battled cancer to some degree at some point in our lives and watched as it destroyed other family members. Fran, my grandmother, started during the 1960’s with a double mastectomy and hysterectomy. Frannie, my mother, beat breast cancer following radiation and a lumpectomy. After finding me crying on our bathroom floor early last year, Ruby consoled and convinced me that the precancer couldn’t harm me if I addressed it straight away; thankfully, she was right.  We each succeeded due to our innate hunger for survival.

Apparently, Romeo (or Lucifer, his middle name, by which he preferred to be called) was attracted to this lust for life and survival, which he saw in me. After approximately one week of dating, I was gathering my things, heading out after another amazing night off from the cancer hotel opting instead to stay at his studio in the resident housing building located near the hospital. He pulled the waistband of my jeans, as he sat on his bed and begged me to stay another evening. “I can’t”, I replied, “I have to leave and prepare Grandma for her treatment tomorrow”. After another ten minutes of kissing him goodbye and almost submitting to his attempt at undressing me, I jumped up and attempted to leave.  He stood, still holding my hand, looked into my eyes and said, “Frankie, I have never met anyone like you. You are an amazing young woman;  accomplished, strong, affectionate and gorgeous. You exude this warmth that I have never felt from anyone. Please say that you will see only me. Be with me, please.” I thought for a moment, smiled, and replied, “You are great, we share the same interests, you have both an MD and MBA…and oh, yes, you’re unbelievably hot.  Hmmmm…let me think about it, okay? [patting his cheek and tilting my head to one side]“. He playfully threw me on the bed calling me a punk as he tickled me until I yelled “YES!”, still laughing uncontrollably. “Man, I am in trouble”, he said, brushing my face with his lips, though I felt like I was entering dangerous territory.

That was last week and he has been wonderful. Grandma was brought to the ER following an dangerously high blood pressure reading which was taken during her radiation appointment. After working a 12 hour shift at the hospital’s uptown location, Romeo stopped in to check on her and then checked on me as I waited. He knew that I had not eaten anything all day, took me to Burrito Box for take away burritos- my favorite meal; though as a Cali native, he is a bit of a burrito snob (yes, fine, I admit it–El Indio is the best that I have ever eaten in The States). I ate my burrito in record time, easing his concerns about my eating habits, as I was losing a considerable amount of weight–damn nervous energy. “Sugarplum”, he began, as he touched my face, “you are carrying so much right now and I know that protecting you from all of this pain is impossible, though I want to attempt to do what I can…please let me.” I closed my eyes, nodded silently and he began to kiss me passionately. Swiftly picking me up from my chair at the table, he carried me over to the bed. He ran his strong hands up along my stomach, ribs, removing my shirt. His mouth traveled down my neck, arm, along my waist, as he unbuttoned my jeans. He felt amazing, everywhere, every way. I removed his white t-shirt and admired what I still couldn’t believe that I was seeing. His perfectly chiseled chest displayed a ring adorning each nipple. I can’t believe that Dr. Feelgood has nipple rings! Yes, he is a freak, though he is now my freak…my incredibly talented, beautiful freak.

He was still showing me how greatly he wanted to protect me when my telephone rang. “Shit, Darling, wait”, I said while lifting his handsome face and reaching for the screaming phone. Breathlessly I answered,”Hello, Hi…uh, Mom. Yes, just at Romeo’s, um finishing dinner. Sure, leaving now,” and closed the phone. “I have to leave, thank you for everything, Darling,” I said to Romeo, who finally seemed…to…return to Earth. “I’ll walk you over, Sugarplum”, he offered.

After kissing Romeo goodnight and wishing him sweet dreams, I relieved my mother so she could eat at the diner with a friend. Thankfully, the doctors allowed us to return to Hope Lodge with Grandma soon thereafter. After ensuring her comfort and sound sleep, I prepared to slip into my own slumber, hoping to have visions of Romeo’s sugary lips dance around in my head.

As I slid between the sheets, Pamela sent an urgent text asking me to call her immediately. “Hola Mi Prima, Grandma is still fine,” I greeted her,” No need to worry so much this evening. Go to sleep.” “Frankie it isn’t that,” said my partner in crime, “I know that you feel using Google to research men whom you date is a bit crazy, though I couldn’t help it. I worry about you and I love you and I want you to be safe and happy…Frankie….I think there may be a Mrs. Romeo Jackson…I think that he is married.” –Frankie

Happy New Year?

Well my New Year didn’t go quite as planned.

I had been planning to tell Elizabeth about what happened with Xena at the Christmas party although I knew she wouldn’t like it, but I with our schedules it was impossible to meet. We still talked on the phone every night, but I wanted to tell her in person. I still thought she should know and perhaps that maybe she might finally trust me.

So I met up with Cindy for a pep talk and dance at Henrietta Hudson’s. No sooner did we enter then we bumped into Elizabeth’s obnoxious friend Sarah. She was kind of like a lesbian version of Janice from friends.  “Well this is kind of awkward. So how are you doing? I guess you haven’t seen that much of Lizzy, heh?” she hinted after introductions.

“Heh? Why do you ask?” I responded.

“Well, I just met up with her and her ex-girlfriend last night. I think it’s kind of crappy that she did that to you.”

“What?Are you for real?” I said totally shocked.

“Huh? I mean I’m totally on your side and this. I think its shitty that she just went back to Anna like that. You must have been so hurt. But she said you were ok with it because you were bi– and more into guys or something like that.”

“Um. I’m not sure what you’re saying. Elizabeth and I never broke up, but I guess it’s over if what you’re saying is true, ” I said hurt and humiliated that Elizabeth didn’t even have the decency to break up with me and shocked because just an hour ago she was telling me on the phone that she loved me. I felt duped.

“Oh shit. Oh shit. I thought well she did it already. Well it’s ok if I mean you’re into guys anyway right? Maybe not?”

“Um.  So I’m looking for a man in a lesbian club?” I asked and raised an eyebrow.

“Er. Well. I’ve got to go,” Sara said as she shoved past Cindy and ran out the door.

“What the fu..?” I started to say, but Cindy grabbed me and started dancing.

“Look at me. This is not a bad thing,” she said.

“Uh. Yeah it is. My girlfriend is cheating on me?” I said.

“This…is an opportunity to figure out what you need and it might not be a girlfriend,” Cindy continued. ” You no longer have a girlfriend. Fuck her. Elizabeth is stupid and she wouldn’t let you breathe.”

“Well that’s true,” agreed and spun around to the Single Ladies Anthem.

“Tonight you get your revenge. There are plenty of pretty ladies here to play with and honestly you could have your pick,” Cindy said smiling.

“I can’t believe that Sarah. What the hell was she saying Like I have to define my sexual identity for her or for anyone but myself. Like who I sleep with defines me completely? I was Elizabeth’s girlfriend, but it’s ok for Elizabeth to break my heart because I might be straight or bi or a lesbian? What the hell is that?” I asked.

“Stupidity,” Cindy answered and twirled me around to the music. “This is my remedy to shit like this. Tonight you are going to fuck someone’s brains out. It will make you feel better. Always helps me.”

“Cindy, for real I don’t think that’s what I need. I need to really think…”

“What? So you can dwell over shit and feel sorry for yourself. No way,”  Cindy said and turned me around so I was grinding up against some girl who had been grinding up against me.

The ‘grinder’, who was suprisingly very pretty turned around and said, “Do you know I haven’t gotten one phone number tonight?”

“Really? Why not?” I asked.

“Well I’m kind of picky. But some numbers are worth waiting for,” she said and danced closer in kind of a cheesy and sexy way. “And I’ve been waiting for yours, ” she said in my ear suggestively

I almost burst out laughing  simply because it was a pick up line and I wasn’t used to getting them. I looked at Cindy and said, “You know, there’s no time like the present, right?” - Ruby

Sensual Healing

Much has happened so quickly over the past four weeks that I have almost no words to describe this experience…almost.

Since Grandma’s procedure to remove the mass, we have found that the cancer metastasized to the brain. This most recent discovery decreased her survival time line to approximately six months; though the doctors can’t be certain.  What we do know is that she will need further radiation treatment.  We take her home to Staten Island for our Christmas celebration and her “My Birthday is on New Year’s Eve” party.

Upon hearing the news, Cooper booked a ticket to New York; against my protest. I wanted to be his friend and now that I am vulnerable he was swooping in and attempting to win me again.  And what did I do?  I succumbed to his advances one evening after decorating the Christmas tree; don’t ask, I guess I have a thing for shiny balls.  So I will admit that I am not in the best state of mind…and…well…I slept with him.  I know that it was wrong, and though I  still made it clear (post-coitus)  that we could not salvage what was once a great romance.  I simply wanted that intimacy, warmth and tenderness, which I never found during that one night.

My mother is the devil’s advocate and contributed to Cooper’s cause, playing the part of delusional, dramatic matchmaker by approaching me on Christmas as we cleared the table (and Grandma enjoyed the company of our many holiday visitors) by initiating the following conversation:

Mother: “Frankie, I overheard you and Pamela whispering about Cooper. I heard that he contacted her while he was ring shopping.”

Frankie: “Well mother, he will no longer be proposing. He knows that we are finished, as I have made it quite clear that I no longer want that with him.”

Mother: “Why don’t you simply marry him…so Grandma is able to see you married?”

Frankie: “Oh sure, MOM; why don’t I go and marry him on a whim for Grandma and then once she is gone, am left alone with a husband who beats the shit out me?!  Absolutely brilliant plan ladies and gentlemen; from the woman with the most successful trail of failed relationships!  In fact, perhaps I should go ahead and propose to him; after all, time is a wastin’!”

Mother:  “It wasn’t that bad with him Frankie.”

Frankie:  [Stunned] “Oh yes, right; you act as though you were there.  You are the only person I know who has the ability to know exactly what transpires without actually being present during a situation.  Truly a talent.  Furthermore, I think it is great that you feel she is being robbed of witnessing my milestones because she will miss my wedding; though she did attend my graduation from college; you know the first one from her side of the family to earn a college degree.  Oh you remember, don’t you?  My education, which she financed after raising me?”

Mother:  [Red with Anger] “…ASSHOLE!!” (which I interpreted as “…MERRY CHRISTMAS!!”)

I could have sworn that only days prior she tried to convince me to call Dr. Feelgood…and…I did just that only a few days after his visit to Grandma’s hospital room and only after our departure.   I needed a sweet escape.  He took me out dancing one evening and after a slice of cheesecake at Soup n Burg at four in the morning, convinced me to sleepover and waking me the next morning with a warm, “Good morning Sunshine.”  Though I slept with him in his bed, we did not have sex and it was while tucked in his bed and wrapped in his arms…it was there where I finally found intimacy, warmth, and tenderness.

I sent Cooper packing and am now living at Hope Lodge with Mom and Grandma.  Though it is a cancer hotel, Grandma feels like she is on holiday; which I think is fine.  Her happiness is my priority.  Ruby stopped in for a visit bringing Grandma’s favorite–linzer tarts–and a New York Times (I have not a clue about what is going on in the world at this point; John Howard over Barack Obama?  Really?).  I pulled her aside to make tea and brought her up to speed.  I began seeing Dr. Feelgood, who understands the difficulty up ahead; how could he not?  He did work on Grandma’s case.   Ruby looks at me strangely.  “What?”, I ask.  “I worry about you”, she replies, “He sounds wonderful and you seem to be finding comfort in the time you are spending with him, though not everyone is as compassionate as you may think or want to believe; especially considering your vulnerability right now.  Please be careful, Chiquita.”  I breathe in deeply, close my eyes and exhale my reply, “Yes, I know”.

Grandma’s laughter echoes from where she sits by the window and I breathe it in…at that moment my cell phone vibrates with a text message from Romeo, “Goodnight, Sugar.”  Sugar and Sunshine–how sweet it is.