Easter's Lilly Read online

  I got to work at 5:30 as I always did. Jim was waiting for me at the front door. This was bad; I knew Pierre had ratted me out. I took a deep breath and got ready to face the consequences of my actions. “Hi Jim,” I said as casually as I could.

  “Pierre is gone,” he said to me. “What did you have to do with that?” His arms were crossed over his chest and he was tapping his foot impatiently.

  “Gone?” I asked. “What do you mean, gone?”

  “He was deported after you left yesterday.” His face was disturbingly distorted.

  “Oh no,” I answered. “He did say that his work visa had expired.”

  “Look, Lilly, I’m going to level with you.” He looked very serious. “He left me a note telling me everything. I’m not happy with you.”

  “What exactly did he tell you?” I wasn’t sure how much to admit to just yet.

  “I called Mick and told him that you and John have been meeting after work.” I gasped. “It’s for your own good. You can’t see him anymore, he’s trouble.”

  “When did you call my dad?” I asked.

  “A few minutes ago. He’s going to talk to you. I’m not going to fire you. I don’t need any trouble. Just keep him away from here, do you understand?”

  “I haven’t seen him in weeks,” I answered. I realized that I sounded disappointed.

  “He must be off somewhere picking up a shipment,” he answered. “He’ll be back, he always is. When he gets here, you tell him to stay away.”

  “Yes sir,” I answered. I was sincere this time.

  “If you keep allowing him to come here, I will fire you and he will go to jail.” He walked away in a huff. I wondered if Johnny reported Pierre to the INS, but at the same time, I wasn’t sure I really wanted to know.

  I walked into the kitchen to meet our new daytime chef. “I’m Lilly,” I told him.

  “I know,” he answered. “I’m Roberto.” He turned to look at me and smiled. I got the creeps. He was Mexican. I found that to be unusual for a French Bistro.

  I went through my day as usual and Jim didn’t say one word. I walked to my car only to find no Johnny waiting for me. I missed him so much that I ached inside. I felt the tears well up in my eyes as I got into my car. Off to Rednecks I went hoping to find Bobby there. When I got to the bar, I noticed Bobby sitting by himself talking to the bartender. “Hey beautiful.” He turned to look at me. Behind me walked the Hispanic cowboy. The bartender cried out, “Hey Ray, how’s it going?” Ray waved, walked to the bar and sat a few stools away from Bobby. At least I knew his name now. He ordered a beer and subtly watched Bobby and me interact. As we casually exchanged pleasantries, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Before I turned around I noticed Ray stand up from his stool. This sent a shot of alarm through my spine. I turned around to see a blond headed woman, about 15 years older than Bobby, standing right in my face. She was so close that I could feel her breath on me.

  “Listen, little girl,” she started. “He’s taken, so beat it!”

  I looked at Bobby for some kind of defense. He just shrugged his shoulders and said, “It’s not my fight.”

  She grabbed my arm and started pulling me towards the door. “We’ll settle this outside.” I couldn’t believe she really thought I would fight her. Without warning, Ray who was watching me, grabbed her. She let me go and shouted, “OUCH! Get off of me!”

  “Is there a problem here?” he asked me.

  “Not anymore,” I replied. “Thanks.” He tipped his hat like a cowboy might do.

  She pushed him aside and said, “We’re not finished yet!”

  He grabbed both her arms and in a rough manner sat her down in a nearby chair. “You are done. Are we clear?”

  She said nothing. She was finally intimidated. I could see the beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She swallowed hard and looked at Bobby for support. Still, Bobby sat idly by, doing nothing. “May I walk you to your car, Lilly?” Ray asked me. I grabbed my purse and we took off out the door.

  “Who are you?” I asked. “Oh, and thank you.” I smiled.

  “You’re welcome,” he answered. “Let’s just say I’m a friend of a friend.” He smiled like he had some kind of naughty secret. “Stay away from here for a while. Give her some cooling down time.”

  “Not going to be a problem,” I told him. “I think I’ve worn out my welcome.”

  I unlocked my car door and he opened it for me. “I’ll see you around.” He closed the door and headed to his own car… a black sedan. I could see him on his cell phone and he talked for a few minutes, probably checking in with whoever sent him here in the first place. Then it dawned on me. I was alone. The tears flowed from my eyes. I couldn’t see well enough to drive. I started wiping my face and looked out the window to see if anyone was watching. My heart sank and I gasped with excitement. It was Johnny. He was standing beside my car. He pulled open my door and I leapt into his arms.

  “You know,” he said, “there’s a reason they call this place Redneck’s.” We both laughed. My tears were all over his shirt.

  “Who was that guy?”

  “What guy?” he asked. Pulling me back a little so that he could see my face.

  “The Mexican guy from the bar. Ray, I think his name is.”

  His face broke out in an unexpected smile. “Oh… Ray.” He pulled me close again. “When you’re with someone like me…” He paused. “I’ll explain that part later. But let’s just say Ray is your health insurance.” I did not like the sound of that at all and he was aware of my discomfort. He promptly changed the subject. “I bought a car.” He pointed to the red convertible in the parking lot. “Let me drive you, for a change.”

  “I’ve got to get my car out of here,” I told him. “Let me follow you to your house.” I began to relax a little.

  “Now we’re talking.” He smiled and stroked my hair. “Follow me.” He briskly walked to his car and I followed his cherry red convertible to his house. When I got out of the car I asked him, “Are we alone?”

  “You bet,” he answered. “Come on inside.” I was trembling with excitement. He let me in and latched the door behind us. I could feel my anxiety rise when he did that. He took my hands and said, “You’re shaking.” I was shaking. I was scared. I needed him tonight in a way that was not familiar to me.

  “It’s been a long day,” I answered.

  “Lilly,” he led me to the couch, “we need to talk.”

  “Uh-oh…”

  He laughed and brushed my hair from my face. He ran his hand down my cheek. “I never want to be without you for that long again.” I could feel my heartbeat accelerate. “Lilly, I need you with me.”

  I couldn’t speak. I was afraid I would forget to breathe. Although his physical beauty was not outstanding, the electrical charge between us was undeniable. “I hear you have been busy while I was away. Did you say yes?”

  He threw me off guard with that question. “Say yes?” I asked. “Say yes to what?”

  “Pierre,” he answered. “That was a nice ring he offered you.” He was smirking a little. I could tell he knew that Pierre was gone.

  “Oh that,” I replied in a nonchalant tone. “No, silly, why would I say yes?”

  “I heard he was blackmailing you,” he answered. It was then I knew it was him. He called the INS. But I didn’t ask. I couldn’t and didn’t really want to know for sure.

  “He’s gone now,” I answered. “So, it doesn’t matter anymore. But Jim…” I hesitated.

  “I know, I know…” he interrupted. “Stay away from La Papillion… old story, same song.”

  “He said he’d fire me.”

  “You don’t need to work,” he replied. “I have plenty of money.”

  I laughed. “Please Johnny. It won’t kill you to stay away.”

  He put both hands on either side of my face and looked hard into my eyes. “I don’t know, it might.” Just then he pressed his lips most gently against mine. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. I was terr
ified of the feelings that were wildly stirring within me. He let me go and said, “I love you, Lilly. I’m ready to commit to you. You’re all I think about.” He hesitated. “Am I too late?”

  “God help me,” I answered. “But I love you too.” I felt like I was home in his arms. He pulled me close and continued to kiss me until he laid me down beneath him on the couch. I could feel my will power diminishing as he overtook me with his eagerness.

  At that moment he pulled back from me. “Lilly, are you ready for this?” I couldn’t speak. My body and mind were no longer communicating. I reached out and touched his cheek. I could feel his breath on my face and I could not move.

  “I love you,” I answered. “Yes, I’m ready.” He put his lips on mine and I had lost all control of what was happening to my body. Then, like the sunsets into the horizon, we were as one.

  CHAPTER 5

  BANG!