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ExcerptThe music faded as Kylie walked down the steps and around the side of the house. She looked to see if Alana was standing out front. Headlights swept around the portico as a Porsche convertible came to a stop. The parking attendant ran over to take the keys. |
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| Kylie went slower and slower and finally stopped. On the way down, she thought how strange it was that time dragged out long enough for her to set the shoes and the champagne glass carefully on the path and then to lie beside them in the grass and close her eyes. She woke when she felt something moving on her bare thigh. A hand, going up her leg, under her skirt. She grabbed for it. “No. Don’t.” Two blurred, grinning faces moved into view. “Hey, baby. What you doing out here all by yourself? You need some company?” She formed the words carefully. “Not ... particularly. I’m studying the clouds.” One of them brushed her hair off her face, then a finger went along the low neckline of her dress. “I think the girl needs some company.” “I prefer to be alone, thank you very much.” “She definitely needs something. I have it right here for you, baby.” He rubbed his crotch. “Go away!” The other guy looked around. “Over there. The boathouse. Help me pick her up.” “Don’t.” Kylie pushed against his chest. Another voice said, “Hey!” Their heads swung around. The voice came again, getting closer. “What’s going on?” “Who the fuck are you?” “Security, that’s who. You guys clear out. Now.” Laughter. “Security, my ass. I know Billy’s security guys.” The man holding Kylie said, “Turn around and keep walking before I kick you over the seawall.” Shadows moved. He let go of her, and she fell limply into the grass. She heard a thud, a grunt of pain. Then somebody saying, “Forget it, man. Let’s go.” Footsteps faded into the darkness. A big man crouched beside her, a silhouette. Kylie struggled to sit up. “Leave me alone!” “It’s okay, they’re gone.” He picked up her shoes. “Come on, let’s get you back inside.” He put an arm under her and she seemed to float up. “I’m going to puke!” Turning, she leaned over the grass. When she was done, the man gave her a handkerchief. Her hands were shaking as she wiped her lips and chin. “I’m sorry. I want to go home now, please.” “Do I look like a cab driver? Who’d you come with?” “A friend.” “Tell him it’s time to go.” “Her. She’s a girl. Do you work here? Maybe you know where she is. Alana. Long hair. Beautiful. She’s sort of dark. From Venezuela.” “Alana Martin?” “Yes! Where is she?” “Don’t know. Well, well. Small world. Friends of Alana.” “How could she just leave me here? Shit! How am I going to get home?” “You have a cell phone? Call a taxi.” “I don’t have enough money for a taxi.” She started to cry. “Come on. Stop that.” He let out a breath. “Okay. It’s your lucky night. I was leaving anyway. I’ll take you home, but if you throw up in my boss’s Cadillac, you can walk.” “Thank you so much. Thank you.” She stumbled, and he held her up with an arm around her waist.
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