The Reunion (19 page)

"She won't say anything.  She said be at the airport and plan on being away for the long weekend."

"Has Stacy tried?"

"She tried before I did."  Toni complained.  "I think it's terribly romantic and all but how do I know what to pack if I don't know where we're going."

"Something borrowed, something blue…"

"That's the bride stupid."  She leaned over and kissed Ryan's cheek.

"What about you and Ty?"

"I don't want to talk about it.  Don't mention his name to me
ever
again
."

"Have a spat?"

"No a full blown knock down drag out."

"You kicked his ass!"

"Of course."  Toni smiled but started re-shuffling the menus.  "I don't want to talk about it."

"The more times you say that means that you do want to talk about it.  Who do you think you’re trying to convince?"

"Shut up Ryan!"  Toni stood up and started to carry the dinner menus to the hostess station then walked back and threw them back on the table.  "He says let’s make it a double, like that's the way he's asking me to marry him.  The big JERK!"

"Come on that can't be it."

"IT IS!"  She looked as indignant as she sounded.  Surprising Ryan. 

"Come off it Toni.  You've adored each other for years.  You've never had a better friend."

"Lover either."

"Don't go there with me."  Ryan warned.

"Sorry."  But her eyes twinkled mischievously.  "What's with you lately anyway?  I've never seen you put in so many hours."

"Beginning of the year…  Always busier getting the stuff together for the accountants."

"Bull shit!"  She grabbed his arm and looked at him seriously.  "It's not because Em is getting married is it?"

"No.  Yes.  I don't know.  You're changing the subject, we were talking about you and Ty."

"Don't mention his name."

"Oh forget it."  Ryan turned his arm over and got to his feet, pulling her with him.  "Do like you always do and pack five suitcases and pay the overages."

"We're on a private jet."

"No overages."  He shrugged.  He'd been coming to terms with the changes.  She'd been messing with the scheduling and he'd hardly had a chance to talk to her since they'd gotten back from their globetrotting.  Ty was excessively pleased with himself.  No surprises there.  Toni was a prize.  This was the first time he'd actually known whom she was sleeping with before she'd broken it off and cried on his shoulder for days and days.  It was going to be tough if something went wrong, they were his best friends.  "Conner's trying to find a way to stow away."  Toni threw back her head and laughed. 

"Figures.  She's his favorite now that they had their little
DANCE
." She laughed.  "He still proposes to me every five minutes.

"He's trying to break you and HIM up."  Ryan picked up the menus again and they walked back to the front of the restaurant.  "He thinks you're too good for Ty."

"He never had illusions of me and you."  She tugged on his arm.  "It was always Em.  He thought you and Em…"

"Nah.  He
wanted
me and Em.  We've never been like that."

"I remember that time…"

"Never mind."  Ryan shook his head.  Yeah, she knew, that was before, back when an afternoon breeze was all it took to get him hard.  "It was all in my head.  She'd never been the least bit encouraging, damn it."

"You're something Ry."  She kissed his cheek.  "We need to find…"

"Don't even finish that thought."  He looked stern.  "Tommy and I have sworn off women for the time being.  Maybe we should be gay or something…"

"Shut up you pervert."  Tommy lisped and swatted Ryan's butt.  "I never knew you cared."

"Ass hole."

"Now you're talking…"

"I'm going to be sick."  Ryan knew the way to get back. "Speaking of getting it in the ass, has Patti signed the papers yet?"

"Got them from the attorney yesterday.  Thank God."  Tommy had gone from joking to deathly serious and Ryan regretted turning on him.  "Should be free and clear in six months."

"Bitch!"  Toni hissed and kissed her brother on the cheek.  "Meet me after work for a drink handsome?"

"Sure thing.  Leave the gorilla home."

"He's in New York."

"Good!  Let's party!"

"I heard we're going to Acapulco for Em's wedding."

"No.  Not Mexico!  God, they'll find me on a beach with a paper umbrella and an empty bottle of tequila…"

"You don't fool us beautiful.  You only dream of getting that wasted."

"Hasn't happened in years.  I really don't enjoy it like the old days."  She switched out the menus and took the lunch ones back into the kitchen. 

"She's worried that her and Ty will burn out."

"I don't see that happening."  Tommy handed Ryan the nightlies and checked the specials board.  "He's been in love with her for years and he's everything she's ever wanted, just was afraid to ask."

"They're perfectly matched.   Something's got to go wrong."  Ryan quickly reviewed the tabs for the regulars and made a mental note to have a word with Kathy about letting her boyfriend run a tab, he was a month behind and it looked like she'd end up paying it again.  She was a soft touch.  Great waitress but she needed to dump the deadbeat.

"I'll flip you for the girl you interviewed yesterday."

"She's dumber than dirt."

"Perfect."  He smiled. "I'm in a mood to get a little dirty."

"You need to start looking in other places brah.  Bar flies just keep breaking your poor old heart."

"Better my heart than…"

"GOD Tommy you're not screwing the night help
again
are you?"  Toni cut him off.  "I've lost three good waitresses because of you."

"You lost three bimbos that were robbing you blind."

"That's besides the point.  I haven't been able to get anyone to cover Stacy's nights."

"Ryan just interviewed…"

"I saw her, all tits and no brains.  She looked like serious "Hooters" material.  I need someone that can move between the dinner shift and the bar.  She couldn't find the kitchen."

"Are we just closing for the weekend or can we get coverage on short notice." Ryan interrupted.

"Pete's trying to get a couple of people to come up from the Phoenix shop.  Julie knows the routine and worked here before and Denise from San Diego will come up."

"You guys are good."  She patted Ryan's cheek.  "Which one of you's her matron of honor?"

"Go dust something bee-ache."  Tommy shoved a bar rag in her hand and pointed her toward the main dining room.

He could probably laugh himself silly, Tommy thought, getting a look at Ryan's expression.  He could have been hit in the face with a cast iron skillet and he'd have looked less surprised.  Of all the gin joints…  Who the hell would have thought Wild Thing was working at a resort in Hawaii.  The last he had heard she was still in San Francisco or Santa Cruz.  Someone broke out into spontaneous singing of the Troggs Song.

Wild thing... you make my heart sing...
You make everything--Groovy
I said wild thing...

Wild thing, I think I love you
But I wanna know for sure
Come on, hold me tight
I love you

Wild thing...you make my heart sing...
You make everything--Groovy
I said wild thing...

Wild thing, I think you move me
But I wanna know for sure
So come on, hold me tight
You move me

"BROCKTON PARTY!"  RW screamed.  The first van full was still unloading and the assistant manager was there to do an official greeting, photograph of them receiving their lei greeting from two scantily clad Hawaiians, and then start directing them to the ohanas they would be staying in.  A number of small houses, duplexes really, that they would be staying in the next couple of days.  Toni was crying and holding the woman.  Wild Thing's hair was curly and styled more like Em's, her coloring more like Toni’s but burnish brown, her eyes were a misty green, she was on the small side like Em and not as buxom, more petite.  There were shouts and screams as the second van started to unload. 

Clare stood to one side with her brother watching the chaos.  "Are they always like this?"

"Yes."  Brockton smiled.  "Probably another cousin that's adopted and raised by wolves."  He joked.

"I hope you're joking."  Clare looked appalled.  Toni, Stacy, Em, Carole, Kim and Bea were now in a group hug with Ty trying to break through and pick the small woman up.  The kids were being pushed forward and made a fuss over.

"PETE!  TOMMY!"  She screamed now.  The redder her eyes got with tears the greener they seemed.  "WHO's GETTING MARRIED?"  Several of them pointed to Em and a few pointed to Charles.  "NO EM!  NOT YOU!"  Then she was hugging Em and laughing.  "I thought we'd be old maids one day talking about all the men…  Never mind."  She looked over her shoulder "Cute, does he have a brother?"

"Married one."  She pointed him out along with his parents which had made their way over to Brockton and Clare.

"Always a day late and a dollar short."

"Charles this is my cousin RW (pronounced R double-yah)."  Em pulled the woman forward.

"I'm back to being Robbie again." RW corrected.

"Ok, Robbie Hensley, Charles Brockton."  She shook his hand and was pulled another direction.  "She's a cousin from Oklahoma that I haven't seen in ages."

"Wild Thing.  There's got to be a story there…"  Brockton smiled

"Several, but we'll get to that later."  Em hugged Charles and went to the second van to get Mike.  He was jumping up and down trying to see who was making all the noise, but it was such a din that conversation was impossible.  The luggage was being staged to one side of the open atrium lobby area of the resort entrance.  Several golf carts and porters were awaiting instruction.

"HOLD IT!"  RW whistled and everyone quieted and then there was laughter.  "Let's get everyone situated and we'll meet back here in an hour."  There were assents and after hugging Mike started making notes on her clipboard and setting up accommodation assignments.  The organization was excellent and she had everyone on their way in less than 15 minutes.  She color labeled the luggage and had them delivered to the assigned suites started making arrangements for the wedding on the beach and reception with Aunt Bea.  But, never let Em get more than five feet away.  Mike was over with Clare explaining the family relationship and heredity.  Charles made his way to them after seeing his parents on their way.

"WHOA, handsome."  RW was kissing Ryan and hugging him fiercely.  "I can't believe it, you're here!"

"Flattery
will
get you anywhere."  Ryan laughed.  It had taken him several minutes to get himself together to greet her.  "I can't believe you're here of all places.  I thought you were still in Santa Cruz."

"I've been here for two years."  She swung her hand around, "It's a dream come true."  She whispered something to Em and held tight to Ryan's hand.  "Stay right here.  I'll be right back."  She pulled Em toward Charles and signaled for someone, a horse drawn carriage arrived.  It was fairytale like, she saw Em and Charles on their way then came back to Ryan.  "I'm a sucker for that romantic shit."  She laughed with a tear in her eye.

"You're a sucker for everything."  He laughed and pulled her into another hug.  "I've missed you Wild Thing."

"I've missed you too Ry." She suddenly broke away and ran into an office behind a royal palm.  He followed her and she was standing there gesturing and the man at the desk was laughing. "…So how was I suppose to know it was my relatives that I'd been setting this up for and I'm taking the time off.  I've got to spend some time…"

"No problem sistah-friend."  He smiled and looked over at Ryan.  "He's bein' the one, no?"

"Yes." she smiled. "Stop that pidgin shit, he's not a tourist, he's family."

"So who's getting married?"

"My sister, no I guess she's really a cousin, I know I told you about Em and her son Mike."

"Yeah.  Well go see your folks and I'll get Caro to cover."

"Thanks Denny."  She leaned over and kissed his cheek.  Then ran over to Ryan and threw her arms around his neck.  "I'm all yours."

"That's what they all say."  Ryan pulled her out of the office and back to the lobby.  There were already several people heading back, Tommy was flirting with the lei greeting girl.  RW stopped dead in her tracks when she spotted Ty kissing Toni.  Ryan just pulled her forward.  "You have some catching up to do."  He laughed.  "Ty and Toni are hooked up.  Tommy and Patti are getting a divorce…"

" 'bout time."  She snickered  "You?"

"Free as a bird.  Dah is threatening to show up."

"He's coming in tonight.  I spotted his name and decided it was someone else with the same name.  I had no idea the Brockton party was you guys..."

"How would you?  No one knew where you were."

"AJ knew."

"No one talks to AJ and since your mom died we don’t have a point of contact."

"I heard there was a reunion last October."

"You would have loved it."

"Sorry about Mae.  I heard she had a rough time."

"Missed you at the funeral.  Em took over and started the toasts."

"It was her idea, I just kicked things off."

"You two share a brain, I'm thinking you're the one that's gotten it since she hasn't been able to string two sentence together since meeting Brockton."

"Bitter?"

"Nah, it's the changes, I'm just not ready for all the changes."

"We better break them up before the clothes start coming off…"  RW nodded to Toni and Ty.

"They're pretty indiscriminate.  You'd think they were 16 again."

"I remember when we were 16, we never got a chance to get that hot."

"I beg to differ…"

"We were 18 then!  Stop it!"  She squeezed his hand.  "Toni I'm going to have you arrested if you don't let go of that man."  They pulled apart slowly grinning like fools.  "OH God I know that look."  She turned to Ryan. "Don't tell me they're going to be next!"

"They won't commit, but my money is on Toni.  Tommy is screwing his way through the phone book and is only in Gs."

"Making up for lost time or trying to catch up to Patti?"

"Both, neither, who knows."

"Kim looks terrific.  Why she puts up with Pete god only knows."

"Hard to believe they've been married 15 years already."

"NO!" she hit him in the arm "I'm getting old, I don't need to be reminded you jerk."

"Old, you haven't aged a day…"

"Now you decide to be charming?"  RW rolled her eyes and put her hands on either side of his face and shook his head "Better late than never…"

"RW…"

"We're not going there Ry.  Later, but not now."  RW broke away from Ryan and went over to Ty and started pushing him with both hands.  "You!"  She yelled at him.  "You were supposed to be looking out for Em.  How the hell did she decide to get married?"

"Stuff happens." Ty laughed and let her shove him again before catching her arms and pulling her up and over his shoulder.  "You don't have change in your pockets do you?"

"Put me down!"

"I've tried biting him but he likes it."  Toni joked.

"How does he taste?"

"Medium well."

"Damn."  Robbie jammed her finger into a place on his back right inside his shoulder blade and he almost dropped her on her head.

"What was that for?"  He growled at her. 

"You're messing with Toni you jerk.  You break her heart and I'll have to kill you."

"Take a number, the Rizzolis, then Em and Mike, you'd be fifth, no seventh after Ry and Stace."

"How did you let this happen?  Em, you and Toni, I can't leave you alone for five minutes…"

"Five years Wild Thing."

"Wild Thing?"

"Shut up Denny!"  The big Hawaiian was standing in front of Ty and behind her.

"Like the song?"

"Like the song."  Toni and Ryan said at the same time.

"Well if the New Year's Eve party was anything to go by… I know how she got the name."

"Shut up Denny!"  RW laughed now. "Ty-ger, put me down!"

"I have the Ginger room set up for you."  Denny started leading them down a trellised walkway covered in vines.   "Since my assistant manager is joining your party I'll have Caro look after you for the next couple of days."

"Thanks Denny."  Toni cooed, taking his arm as they walked. 

"HA!"

"TONI!"

"Gosh Ty, he's cute."

"Quit it or I'll have to lock you naked in the room."

"Promise?"

"How do you get into this family Robbie?"

"It's getting
out
that's the problem.  It's like the mob."  She laughed, but they could hear it, they knew.  It was still in her voice, she was still bitter. 

Maybe they'd be able to straighten things out Toni thought.  The room wasn't so much a room as a patio, it was open on three sides that led right to the beach.  There was food and flowers everywhere.

"I'm staying."

"Me too."  Ryan went over to the bar and ordered.  "What're you having Wild Thing?"

"Wild Thing?"  The bartender tried holding back a smile and RW covered her face. 

"All those years of hard work down the drain."

"It fits."  Denny laughed.  "I'll show the others back.  Have a good afternoon."

"MAHALO!  You’re the best, Denny!"

"See ya,
WILD THANG
!"  Denny had a robust laugh that couldn't help but make you smile.

"I'm going to have to transfer to the Oahu site after this…"

"Worrier."

"JOSH!" She tried hugging him while hanging over Ty's shoulder.

"Let me have her Ty."  Josh pulled her off Ty's shoulder and into a hug. 

"The kids are HUGE!" 

Ryan settled into a corner table and watched.  He knew that pain, it was the combination of seeing her and realizing he was still in love with her.  He thought he was over it, like the flu.  Thought he had finally healed, but no, the minute he sees her he can't think of anyone or anything else.  He can't breathe and felt like someone had yanked his heart from his chest.  Time to find out if these rum drinks really will make your mind turn to mush.  They had parted friends.  They had been very grown up about things.  They knew they'd be seeing each other occasionally, but she'd done a hell of a job hiding out from the family the last five years.

"Ry?"  Toni sat down with a plate of pupus and an Iced Tea.  He motioned with his hand that he was fine.  She shook her head.  "Ryan.  She's here.  You need to talk to her."

"Too much going on.  There won't be time before we leave."  He mumbled.  "Doesn't matter, I know where she is now and that she's ok.  It's better than not knowing."

"You can't keep pretending she doesn't exist."  Toni whispered.  "She probably still feels the same."

"Nah, we were done a long time ago.  I'm glad to see her."  Ryan smiled.  He was working on it and the numbness would be better than the pain, denial.  He'd go with denial.  "When do you think Em will be here?"

"You're kidding right?"  Toni laughed. "We won't see them until dinner at the earliest.  They've been honeymooning since November."

"Oh shut up!"  Ryan laughed.  He'd be ok.  He was surrounded by those he loved and that loved him.  RW was in the past, she was family too, sort of.  It was fine.  They'd be fine.