“We raise thoroughbred horses. My husband Rex has a ten acre stable.”
“You should fly down and cosplay on one of Daddy’s horses.” Monet chuckled. “Dad would love… I’ll shut up now.”
“There are horses here in Raleigh.” Mona frowned. No way was her husband Rex ever meeting this hot hardbody. NEVER EVER!
“I absolutely adore riding horses.” Sonya beamed. “Holly’s father raises horses too. How interesting. Of course, he and I never married. One night stand kind of thing.”
“Mom! Don’t bring that up… please.”
“Sorry honey! I tend to embarrass my baby here quite often. I suppose that did sound horrible under the circumstances of where we are.”
“We all have our… troubles.”
“Right! At any rate Holly’s father has only met her once when she was three. In town for a race. We are better off without him.”
“MOM!” Holly grew frustrated.
“Change of subject! Tell me about you Mona… Monet.”
“My father dare I admit this… is the Georgia State Senator elect, Lane Cherry.”
“Oh wow! That must be wild being a Senator’s daughter.”
“He’s a pain in our ass, but I love him. Which reminds me Monet, their wedding anniversary is in a little over a month. 37 years married!”
“Yours and Daddy’s is in three months.”
“Don’t remind me.” She laughed. “He wants to renew our vows in Aruba.”
“Aruba?” Sonya dropped her jaw. “I sure wish I had a man who would take me to Aruba.”
“As beautiful as you are how can you not find a rich man?”
“It’s never been about money. Not to bring him back up but Holly’s father is loaded. I didn’t even bother to push for child support. I’m too independent.”
“What is it you do for a living Sonya?”
“Oh! I…”
“Wrestler?” Monet giggled.
“That’s… part of the gig I suppose.” Sonya blushed as Holly hid her face. “Lord I’m not normally so… fevered… but in a house of God I suddenly feel… bad.”
“She’s a high paid Escort.” Holly just blurted it out.
“Now you understand why I… one night stand.”
“You do what you have to for your child. Holly here looks very proud of you.” Mona withdrew her initial hesitation to object to her occupation. Instead defending her for the sake of Holly, Mona sighed loudly. “I am not holding anything against you Sonya. I can easily tell you were a very good mother.”
“Thank you, Mona. We should keep in touch.”
“For the sake of our daughters.”
“Indeed!”
“Look who is here!” Monet noticed a new arrival. “Olive!” A rush hug greet as Olive and her Father entered carrying luggage. A drop of her bags on her Dad’s foot went over well. “We made it as roomies Olive.”
“We almost had our fourth roomie but Monet scared her off I think.” Holly snickered. She really didn’t know for sure but was right on the money in her guesswork.
“Hey! I can’t help it if I’m… I guess I did say boo. Maybe she did leave a trail, she was pissy.” Monet suddenly recalled Kari mentioning that word. “Be right back.” Leaving Olive and Holly to help Olive’s father Gavin Branch unload the suitcases on to a bunk, Gavin looked over at Mona and Sonya saluting them.
“Afternoon Fellow Parents. I’m Gavin… this adorable young minister in the making is Olive.”
“Hi Gavin. I’m Sonya… redhead’s mom if you couldn’t tell.”
“Mona Cherry-Belmont. Mother of our runaway Monet.”
“Nice to meet you both.” Gavin was a charmer, a look a like John Stamos with a goatee. Sonya found an immediate attraction but bit her lip. This weekend was her vacation from selling herself to the highest roller in town. With secrets to hide it was better she behaved. Unknown to anyone her daughter’s tuition was paid without a dime of her own money. The good Pastor Robert Round an occasional customer. Money kept her loyal if it meant raising her daughter properly. Guess that was another lie in she saying money was not her priority. Yep! Plenty more to Red Sonya, She-Devil with a Tongue.
“Working up an appetite here.” Gavin patted his firm abs beneath his white polo shirt, he muscularly well defined if not overdoing the landscape. “You ladies going to that parent only dinner later?”
“I am.” Mona smiled. “I’m famished.”
“I could probably be talked into it.”
“We’re going to get Holly’s bags Dad.” Olive snuck in under his arm to hug him, her hand on his abdomen. Even she liked touching Daddy’s muscles, if innocently. Holly motioned for her mother to stay put. Fine by her!
“Need help?” He offered at least.
“We got it! You flirt!” Olive chuckled and skipped after Holly in the hallway. Fine by him!
In leaving the room the girls paused in the hallway at room 2D to listen in on Monet and Kari Cartwheel. Kari’s parents outside bringing up Kari’s things left she and Monet alone. Apologies offered Monet made certain she would always be there for Kari if she needed her. Kari understood but simply found herself between a brimstone and a heart place. She truly believed in being a vessel for God’s word.
“Don’t hate me for being me Kari.” Monet pouted heavily. “I know I’m a wild child. Mom says I take after my aunt’s. Dad says I take after him. So I’m stuck in between influences. God should be my top priority and I’m trying but I… like attention.”
“That’s you Monet. I’ve never ever had attention outside of my parents. I was always Miss Piggy to my classmates.”
“Ohhh Spermie!” Instead of Kermie! Monet chuckled in her head over the frog in her throat. She just couldn’t help herself but at least it wasn’t spoken aloud. Behaving vocally she continued in an understanding tone. “I get it. I guess I’m just trying to prove to you I’m more than just a pretty face.”