All of my writing is fiction, and the stories and characters are all products of my imagination. They were created for my fun and, hopefully, your enjoyment. Some of the events in the stories are not particularly condoned nor encouraged by the author but are there to create and enhance the story of the imaginary characters and their lives. Comments are always encouraged and carefully reviewed. All characters within the story that need to be are 18 years of age or older. I hope you enjoy! And take a second to vote and comment.
This is the fourth story in the Conestoga Court series, the first three being "Two Couples Suspicions," "I Think It's the Wine," and "Unc and the Girl Nextdoor." All of the stories are independent and meant to be read separately and in no particular order. Conestoga Court is a typical suburban neighborhood with eight homes located around the nearly circular court. Married couples occupy five of the houses. One has an unmarried couple living together; one a single woman and the last a single man. This story might be an exception as there could possibly be a follow-up.
* * * * *
"Gordon, damn it, I need that money," Antoinette spat at the phone, wishing she could reach out, grab his neck and choke him.
"Yeah, yeah," he answered, a disgruntled sound in his voice. "What else is new?"
"That was part of the settlement. I was supposed to get it a hell of a long time ago."
"Take me to court," he snickered, knowing she had no money to do that. At her silence, he relented slightly. "Nette, I should have at least half of it in another month, two at the most."
"I don't know," she said, dejected at not getting the money but hopeful of getting it shortly. "Gordon, you're not bull-shitting me, are you?" Antoinette felt helpless.
"You're not my favorite person, Nette, but I'll get you the money. Got a deal goin' down this week and should get some big bucks from it. I'll share."
She heard him chuckle. Despite his optimistic words, she'd experienced his "deals" in the past, and few of them produced any money. Maybe he'd changed. It had been several years since she'd been around him.
"Gonna run," he said, obviously annoyed with having to talk to Antoinette. The phone cut off.
She stuck the phone in the back pocket of her jeans, working to cling to the fragile thread of hope her ex had given her. How had she ever thought she loved him, let alone married him? She prayed that she'd learned something.
It was frustrating. She'd gone through all the legalities and still didn't have what was owed her. Near tears, she went out the back door, hoping the sunshine and warm temperature might cheer her up. Her lilac bush was in full bloom, and she headed that way, anxious for its wonderful aroma.
"Hi, Antoinette." Suze, from two houses away, was walking toward her
Nette smiled. She and the six-foot-three-inch Suze Petit had become good friends in the last year, and it was always fun to talk with her. Hopefully, talking might cheer her up. She noticed Suze smiling as she looked at the bush. "Smells great, doesn't it?"
"Oh my gosh, yes," Suze replied, still smiling. What Antoinette didn't know was that, just a few nights ago, the formerly shy and demure Suze had had sex with her husband ... beside that lilac bush.
"I love it. Gives me a lift when I'm feeling bad."
"You okay? That smile went away awfully fast."
Antoinette bit her lower lip. "Just a little trouble with the ex," she said glumly.
"Anything we can help with?"
"Thanks, but I don't think so. He still owes me some money. A good bit of money, actually. He keeps promising, but nothing happens. Always has a 'deal' in the works. Jerk!" she said, her disgust obvious. As she said that, she wished that was her only problem.
Antoinette glanced at her phone. "Don" was shining brightly on the screen.
"Hey," she said. What's going on?" Don Kluzewski was her new, well, guy. They'd had one date, so "boyfriend" might be a little premature.
"Everything's cool, babe," he answered, his smile coming through in his voice. He'd met Antoinette in the grocery store where he'd helped her get some things from the top shelf, using his six-foot-four-inch height to advantage. He'd decided she was as pretty a lady as he'd seen in a while who also was sans wedding ring. He liked her dark hair and brown eyes. Plus, it was difficult not to notice her figure. They'd shopped together, talking and laughing and, in the parking lot, he'd asked her to dinner, hopeful but wondering if it was too quick.
Nette was surprised when she'd said yes, attributing it to the easy way he'd made her laugh. Dinner had been fun. He'd made her laugh as easily at dinner as he had at the grocery. Not once had he said anything suggestive or made her feel uncomfortable. When he'd brought her home, he'd leaned toward her. She tensed, only to find herself being kissed gently on the cheek. She wasn't sure how old Don was, but in her twenty-eight years, she'd never had that happen before.
Her phone vibrated with another incoming call, which she ignored, much more anxious to talk with Don. They chatted for nearly an hour, agreeing on another date, Antoinette inviting him back to her house for a movie and popcorn after dinner. She was instinctively wary of doing that, but her reservations were overcome by his personality.
"Looking forward to tomorrow evening, " he said.
"Me too," she replied, a little surprised by the excitement she was feeling.
"I'll probably text you tomorrow. Have a great day and sleep well, babe."
From Don, "babe" was just a name and had no underlying meaning. She found herself enjoying hearing it from him. She glanced at her phone, remembering the call she'd gotten. She had a voicemail but didn't recognize the number; it was out of the area. She tapped the play button.
"Hey Casey, how you been doing? You don't know me, but I know you. I'll be in touch." The message stopped.
Antoinette was shaking, her blood feeling like ice water in her veins. Tears were forming. She was terrified that someone from the past had identified her. She collapsed onto the floor, sobbing.
"Nette, are you okay?" said a voice from the front door.
Antoinette squinted, the tears blurring her vision. She thought she recognized Suze's voice but wasn't able to answer.
"May I come in?"
Antoinette shook her head.
Suze came in and sat down next to Nette. "You didn't fall or anything, did you?"
"I wish," Nette answered helplessly. She felt Suze's arm go around her shoulder.
Suze didn't say anything but left what happened next totally up to Antoinette. She watched Nette's eyes finally swing around, finding hers. She slowly brought a hand up and made the zipper closing motion across her mouth.
A deep breath from Nette. She leaned her head toward Suze, using her hands to spread her hair at the part line.
"What do you see?"
"Red roots," Suze said, puzzled.
Nette dipped her head, her hands now doing something around her eyes. When she lifted her head again, Suze's mouth dropped open.
"Those are the most beautiful green eyes I've ever seen," Suze said softly.
"Thanks." One more deep breath from Nette. "I might as well tell you. I have or had another name. Casey Red. That mean anything to you?"
"No, not at all."
"You're way too innocent. Even the sound of the name doesn't mean anything, right?"
Suze shook her head.
Despite everything, Antoinette couldn't keep from smiling, even with the tears still on her cheeks. "I was sort of a model," she said softly.
"I can sure see that," Suze said. "You're beautiful. And with those green eyes, no one would ever forget you." She was still puzzled, of course, by Nette's tears.
"That's the problem," Nette said simply.
"I don't understand."
"I posed nude ... and a little more."
Suze's eyes widened. It was beginning to register.
"Oh, wow. I'd never have guessed."
"I thought I'd make a lot of money, but that didn't work out." She looked away and sighed. "There are some of the pictures that were never published but are still out there. I've told the photographer I don't want them published, but he has a release I signed when I didn't know any better. So, they could show up someday. I don't think Mr. Worthington, who gives me a paycheck twice a month, would be too happy if those pictures were floating around." The very dejected look returned to her face.
Suze was at a loss for words. Her Internet porn experience was somewhat limited, but she had seen pictures ... and a few videos as well. Still, this was different. Nette certainly wasn't naked, but Suze was having a problem trying to keep from picturing her that way now. "I wish there was something I could do," she said hopelessly.
"Now that you know, if you could still be my friend, that would be perfect." Before she could move, Nette was engulfed in a wonderful hug.
"You haven't changed a bit, and you're my friend ... our friend." As they stood, she stepped back and eyed Nette. "Tell me if I'm too nosy, but you've been crying. Is that because of the pictures?"
"You're not too nosy, and I don't have anyone else to tell," she replied. "I got a phone call today, a voice mail, and the guy called me Casey, the name I just told you about and the one I used for my modeling. Could be a coincidence, but I doubt it, the way he talked. Sounded really cocky in just those few words."
Suze looked concerned. "Is there anything you can do?"
"Just wait, I guess. He said he'd get back with me. It's not life or death, just kind of scary. Could mess up my life."
"How'd you get into that kind of modeling?" Suze knew she was pushing but had never come across anything like this before, and she was enormously curious.
"My best friend from high school looked me up after the divorce and told me about the modeling. Her older sister had skipped away from home at eighteen and gotten into the business. She told how much she was making, and it sounded good to me. After I got started, I found out she was heavy into hardcore, BDSM, lots of ... um ... anal, which pays extra, and she was working almost every day." She stopped and smiled just a little. "TMI, right?"
