Audrey held the phone to her ear and rolled her eyes as Ken rambled on and on, complaining bitterly about her offer--a good offer that would allow him to keep the house they had shared for so many years--complete with almost ninety percent of the furnishings. He said he felt her asking price of five hundred thousand dollars was much too exorbitant and counteroffered two hundred thousand.
She had been trying to keep her demeanor civil, even pleasant. But when she could hear the 'other' woman, Candy, murmuring encouragements to him in the background, her exasperation level began to reach critical mass, and she shut down his whiney rhetoric.
"Listen to me, you son of a bitch," she said spat vehemently, "I've actually been trying to do you a favor. That house is worth WELL over a million, and you fucking know it. My offer to you is MORE than reasonable--even generous."
When he interrupted her to complain further--Candy's annoying voice chiming in as well, she lost all patience.
"Listen to me, KENNY," she shouted, using Candy's personal little nickname for him, "Here's the bottom line--You can tell Candy to shut the fuck up--and then YOU can shut the fuck up and take my offer--Do THAT and you'll keep the house with most of the furnishings intact, or pay well over a million dollars when I list it--with NO furnishings. Your call, KENNY."
She listened for a moment longer and smiled as his silence indicated he realized his less-than-stellar position. He finally relented, accepting her terms. "Okay, Audrey," he said, his voice somewhat more contrite, "I'll have the money transferred to your account by the end of the week."
"Excellent choice," she returned, "I'll have my things boxed up and stored. The moment I see the transfer of money, I'll have the deed transferred into your name and have my lawyer deliver the new keys to your lawyer... and you can move back into the house."
She ended the call moments later and turned to Andrew, who smiled and nodded approvingly. "Well done," he said with a look of astonishment. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."
"Yes, but knowing Ken as I do... he'll want me out of the house immediately. I'll need to find a place in Las Vegas as soon as possible. And not just for me, Jessie and Jo will need to relocate as well."
"I may have yet another solution," said Andrew with a smile. "The guest suite at the Stratosphere is yours for as long as you need it. That will at least give you the luxury of time to look around for a place of your own without stressing about doing it as quickly as possible. And, don't worry about Jessie and Jo, they will each have a room there as well. I'll have that set up right away."
She looked at him and shook her head, "My God, Andrew... You've been so good about all of this... I don't know how I can even begin to thank you."
Andrew laughed, "I believe you've thanked me more than enough already last night... and three times too."
She smacked his arm playfully and kissed him. "I wonder if there's time for another thank you before we get there?" she teased, sliding her hand along his thigh.
Andrew smiled and reached for her just as the pilot of his executive jet announced they were on approach to LAX and to fasten seat belts.
"Oh, well," he said, "Maybe next time on the way home."
Audrey kissed him and moved her hand to stroke the front of his pants gently.
"Yes," said Andrew, flinching at her intimate touch with a broad smile, "Definitely next time."
She had already clarified to him how she, Jessie, and Jo, all shared the master bedroom at her house, causing him to smile and shake his head in wonder. Andrew had then politely suggested that perhaps it might be somewhat less complicated if the two of them stayed in a hotel room together while he was in town and, knowing that Jessie and Jo would be perfectly supportive of her relationship with Andrew, Audrey thought that to be a good solution.
Audrey marveled at the length of the flight, knowing she would arrive home several hours before Jessie and Jo would be expecting her.
Upon landing, Andrew had a vehicle waiting--complete with a driver. Soon they were whisked away to her house in the west end of the city.
She unlocked the door and they stepped inside. All was silent, she looked at Andrew and shrugged, "They're probably still asleep," she said softly, "They're usually up rehearsing until late at night."
They both smiled as the sounds of Jessie and Jo's lovemaking became suddenly audible from the bedroom at the top of the stairs--Jo was exceptionally vocal in her pleasure that morning.
"Come on in," she said with a smile, "I'll put coffee on for us."
Once the coffee was started, she guided him through the ground floor of the house. Andrew nodded appreciatively at her choice of decor and furnishings. "Very nice," he said with a smile. "I like your taste very much."
Passing the stairway... and hearing no sounds of lovemaking from above, Audrey called out, "Hey, guys, I'm home. Come down as soon as you're ready."
Andrew stood at the kitchen sink washing his hands while Audrey set the table with bagels and coffee mugs.
Jo burst into the kitchen with a broad smile and rushed into Audrey's arms. "I'm so glad you're home," she said, wrapping her arms, as well as her legs, around Audrey as she kissed her lovingly.
When Andrew turned off the water, Jo turned her head at the sound and gasped to see Andrew Carmichael, the CEO of the Stratosphere, smiling at her from across the kitchen as he wiped his hands on a dish towel.
"OH!" she exclaimed, quickly extricating herself from Audrey's embrace. "Mr. Carmichael... I didn't... didn't know you were here." She busily ran her hands through her hair, cringing at her lack of makeup.
"Good morning, Jo," said Andrew, crossing the kitchen to embrace her, kissing her affectionately on her forehead. "And may I just say, you're even lovelier in the morning without makeup as you are on the stage."
Jo blushed highly, casting a meaningful sidelong glance at Audrey, "You could have warned us you were bringing Mr. Carmichael home with you," she said.
"Don't blame Audrey," said Andrew with a broad smile, "It's my fault entirely. I asked her to do it this way... just so I could see the look of surprise on your face. And... please let's cut out all the Mister bullshit, okay? I'd like it if you would call me Andrew."
Jessie entered at that moment, his eyes widening in surprise to see a stranger in the kitchen.
"Jessie... this is Andrew Carmichael," said Audrey with a smile.
They shook hands cordially, "You too, Jessie... please call me Andrew," he said.
As they shook hands, Jo turned to Audrey. She made a circle with the thumb and forefinger of her left hand and poked the index finger of her right hand into and out of the circle, raising her eyebrows questioningly.
Audrey smiled, almost laughing aloud at Jo's vulgar method of questioning, and nodded slightly, indicating to her that she and Andrew were indeed having sex. Jo smiled broadly and embraced her once more.
They sat at the kitchen table together and Audrey outlined her meeting with Larry and Ron Jeremy--explaining the dates, the hours, and her suggested method of remuneration--accepting fifty percent of the cover charge gate as payment. Jessie and Jo both nodded and smiled their mutual agreement.
Andrew added that the Stratosphere would also offer them both accommodation while performing at the other venue, as well as their entire residency.
Jessie and Jo were both elated and excited. When Andrew asked, Jessie told him how well things were coming together musically. They even took Andrew downstairs into the basement, showing him the camera they used to record themselves while playing, wanting their look to be as good as their music.
When he asked, they happily played a couple of songs for him, showing him how they had reworked a great many of their songs to incorporate both of them into the musicality--to present Nightingale as a DUO and not just two solo performers playing together. Instead of each one taking solos, they would play the solos together, trading licks back and forth. As an example, they played their reworked version of 'Reeling In The Years', by Steely Dan, showing him how, instead of just a solo guitar on the instrumental sections, they now incorporated Jo's bass guitar, playing in unison and trading lines back and forth, to enhance the theatricality of the performance.
Andrew was effusive in his praise, telling them he was sure they were destined to be the number one nightclub act in Las Vegas.
"I'll remember that," said Audrey with a smile, "when it's time to renegotiate the terms of their extended residency."
Andrew took his leave shortly thereafter, explaining to Jessie and Jo how he planned to secure a hotel room for himself and Audrey--and also inviting them all out to dinner that night.
Still somewhat bewildered by the fact that Audrey and Andrew seemed to be a loving couple after such a short time, they readily accepted his offer for dinner.
***************************************************************
"Audrey," said Jessie with a look of concern as Andrew drove away. "Are you sure about this?" he asked. "I mean... it's a little sudden to be so seriously involved... don't you think? I mean... you only just met the guy."
Audrey settled into a seat at her kitchen table and smiled at them both. "Oh, trust me," she said. "I GET what you're saying--it's been a shock to my system as well. Andrew and I just clicked, it's like we've known each other for years."
"Love at first sight?" said Jo with a smile.
Audrey shrugged and nodded, "Something like that," she said. "Listen you guys... I appreciate your love and concern, but... for a woman my age, something like this rarely comes around a second time. And... I'd like to see where it can lead. I'm hopeful."
They all reached out to clasp hands in the center of the table and Audrey was pleased that Jo and Jessie were so supportive.
She then explained the sale of the house to Ken, letting them how they would all likely have to be out of the house in a few days. They readily agreed, looking forward to the final move to Las Vegas.
"Andrew wants to stay in town for the next couple of days while I finalize the sale of the house and have my things packed up and stored," she said as they all reached across the table and clasped hands once more.
