Page 11 of Third Time's the Charm
She rolled her eyes. “I can’t see anything.” She waved at the thick layer of fluffy white bubbles. “And it’s not like I haven’t seen it all before.” Then she grabbed the chair from my vanity and made herself comfortable.
And yes, I have a vanity. I might spend many of my days out in nature, at one with the dirt, but I too enjoy getting dressed up and putting on makeup. Sometimes people refer to me as Berlin 1 and Berlin 2 because I look so different when I slap on a little blush and eyeliner. And they’re right. I’m the kind of person who looks very different with even the slightest bit of makeup on. Not like Paris. Paris always looks like Paris. Two hours of sleep, sweatpants, and a messy bun? Looks like Paris but tired. High heels and ready for a night on the town? Paris but with a big smile.
But me? People legit squint and do double takes when I let my hair down.Berlin? Is that you?!And then the Berlin 1 and 2 jokes come and everyone’s having a good old time...until they realize it also kind of sounds like the city Berlin and how it was divided in two, and then the joke becomes unfunny and they let it go.
Anyway, back to my sister invading my bubble bath.
“Please make yourself comfortable. I’m doing anything at all.”
She basically ignored me. “I always forget how loud parade night is. I needed a second to breathe...and to see how you’re doing.”
I swallowed a giant hunk of sandwich. “You’re worried about my new career as an exhibitionist?”
More eye rolling from Paris, accompanied by what sounded an awful lot like disdain from Transit. Almost as if she were insulted by my sarcasm.
“Harry had a beer with Jack.”
Now I rolled my eyes. “So?”
She sighed. “So...how are you doing? The last couple of times you saw Jack you were...upset.”
“You know what? I want everyone to stop saying his name. I want everyone to stop thinking my world revolves around him. The whole point of divorcing his ass was to stop that little problem.”Jack, Jack, Jack.I was sick of hearing those four letters strung together.
“Okay, that’s a valid point.”
I knew that would get to her. “My life isn’t about which man I’m attached to, but for the record, I do have a new man and Jack is now my nothing. He comes home to see his mom. Let him. And leave me out of it.”
“So you’re still getting married?”
“Of course. And we’re doing it here.” After witnessing the pomp and circumstance of London’s Calusa Key wedding, I wanted no part in another. A small wedding here was all I needed.
“All right.” She stood up and returned my chair. “I’m sorry I invaded your sanctuary. Enjoy your bath and we’ll see you in the morning.”
“Have fun!” I called after her. “And don’t rush home,” I added under my breath.
Time for more wine. I was in the middle of pouring when Transit meowed at me. “What? I deserve this. And no, you can’t finish my sandwich.” Yes, I was talking to my cats.
I set the glass back down and picked up the last half of my delicious sandwich. The fresh bread, the meats, the special spread Fiddlers used and I had no idea what was in it. My mouth watered.
But just as I was about to take a bite, Rattlesnake fell in my damn tub.
I screamed as he disappeared under the bubbles, dropping my sandwich. I lunged for him, upended my wooden bathtub tray, sending my tablet flying across the tile. Then I braced for the claws as I scooped him up and dropped him in a pool of water on the floor.
He made the most horrifying cat noises, shaking his body. I grabbed a towel to help, but he ran away, leaving water everywhere.
“That’s it! You’re all banned from the bathroom from now on!” I shook my finger at Transit and Skeeter, who sat frozen in the corner with big eyes and ears pinned back.
I picked up my now soggy and ruined sandwich. “Welp. Guess it’s wine for dinner.”
* * *
After my disastrousbath I found Rattlesnake and helped him get dry and warm. He was so pathetic I gave him treats. Then I cleaned up all the water and was just about to sit down and relax with my wine when my Australian Shepherd, Doug, started whining at the back door.
It was time for his evening walk.
Because of course.
Some people said I shouldn’t complain about all the extra work my pack of cats and dog brought to my life. After all, I didn’t have to adopt any of them. But I had a soft spot for strays and a big empty house. But dang were they a lot of work sometimes. Especially since Rattlesnake doesn’t even like to cuddle all that much.
