The Cocktail Club (34 page)

PETA

“P
eta, I'm about to leave!” Darby yelled from the guest bedroom. I was getting out of the shower. Since she had moved in, she had literally redone the entire house and it looked great. The chick had mad skills. My bedroom's walls were a warm chestnut color with gold accents throughout.

“Okay, call me in a couple of hours!” I yelled back.

My life wasn't where I wanted it to be—in no way at all, but I was in a better place. Kendal was at school, but when she wasn't, she split her time between my house and her father's. With some of the insurance money I got, I hired a lawyer and let him handle the issue with Kyle and child support. It was still ongoing, but I finally felt like I had someone on my side.

As I dried myself in front of the massive, gold-trimmed, full-length mirror that leaned against one wall, I thought about how much I missed attention from a man. I didn't miss it so much, however, that I'd allow myself to fall back into the mess that was my love life over the past year. The whole two-lover dilemma was “so last year,” as my daughter would say.

I finally told Gordon that he no longer needed to keep that body on reserve, and we agreed to go our separate ways. We didn't agree as much as the restraining order kept him five-hundred feet away. I was a little disappointed when I learned that he had someone on the side all along, but what could I say? So did I.

Business wasn't exactly back on track, but it was on its way. Pamela and I had made a truce when we decided the greater Houston area was big enough for two mobile boutique businesses. We agreed to split the city with her taking the Bay Area, and that was cool.

The phone rang. It was Kyle.

“Peta, you need to call your dog off,” he said.

I wasn't in the mood for a fight, so I listened to what he had to say. But my lawyer had my best interest at heart, and he wasn't going anywhere until the issue was resolved.

“You still there?” Kyle asked. “Why don't I come over so we can work something out?”

“Kyle, I don't handle that kind of work anymore. You can work it out with my lawyer.”

“Peta, you know my memory is starting to come back.”

“Yeah, and?”

“Well, I'm starting to remember little things here and there, like I'm not sure if there ever was a burglar in your house that day,” he said.

“Listen, Kyle, I'm glad you're getting better. I'm sure in due time everything will come back to you and you'll realize that the best way to call off my dog is for you to do the right thing. Now, I need to go and we'll talk later, okay?”

Instead of waiting for him to respond, I hung up. Kyle wasn't slick; he wanted to come over so he could try and rekindle those hot, sweaty talks we used to have. He'd be disappointed when he tried to bring a bottle over the next time. I'd slowed my drinking considerably. As a matter-of-fact, the ol' cocktail club wasn't what it used to be, and I was perfectly fine with that.

IVEE

S
ix months ago, it looked like my marriage was headed to divorce court. But as I stood in the newly rented space and watched the work my husband had just finished, I was glad we'd hung in there.

“What? Don't tell me you don't like this color,” he said.

“No, it's good. You've done a great job!”

I looked at the paint color he had chosen for my wall, and told myself I'd have to get used to it. It had been Peta's idea that helped me start my own business. She was right. I didn't need to be under Geneva or anyone else.

Although I couldn't take Wayne's business away from Geneva, he did slide me several other clients.

Zion walked around and inspected his work. “Have I told you lately how proud I am of you?”

The look of sheer shock was plastered across my face.

“You? Proud?” I joked. “I remember how hot you were when you found out I'd been fired.”

He walked closer to me. “No, I was hot over the DWI. From day one, Ivee, I told you, you were smarter than Geneva. You're more charismatic, not to mention way finer. I realized you had it in you before you did. So when you lost that job, I was hoping you'd see that you could make it on your own, and I'm glad you finally did, babe.”

I wrapped my arms around him. “You're the best husband a girl could ever have.”

“I've been trying to tell you that all along.”

“We should have an open house, a little mixer, to let people know you're open for business,” he suggested.

“I like that idea.”

After a long and passionate kiss, he pulled back and stared deep into my eyes.

“I wasn't a good husband a few months back. I took that DWI too personally, and didn't treat it like what it was, a mistake. I never stopped loving you, but I'm sorry I treated you the way I did. You forgive me?”

“I'm still here, aren't I?”

We laughed.

DARBY

I
was going on three solid months with no alcohol whatsoever! That was a major accomplishment for me, and I was proud of myself as I worked to put my life back together.

My new job didn't rake in the big bucks like I used to make with Carla, but it was honest, clean money. And I loved working with Peta.

The work on the mobile boutiques helped keep my mind off the divorce and custody battle. Kevin used every opportunity he could to tell me how he planned to ruin me for what I had done, and I struggled not to respond.

As I got out of my car, I opened the trunk and removed merchandise. I walked up to the Sugar Land truck and made my deliveries.

“Hey, ladies, how is everyone today?” I asked.

“Oh we're great, Darby. I'm so glad Peta finally has help, and the trucks are all back up and running. Things run much smoother now that we're not always running out of stuff,” Sandy said.

“Great!”

I restocked the merchandise and pulled out my phone when it chirped. I noticed a missed call from my brother and a text message from Chandler.

Hey, sweetie, lunch today?

Of course. Finishing up. How about an hour?

Let me know where to meet you.

In the months that followed the fallout with Kevin, Chandler had been incredibly supportive. He even understood that I wanted to ease into our relationship and not jump right in. The most valuable thing we now shared was our goal to be successful in AA.

We saw each other about three times a week and were trying to give it a serious go. But I told him my priority was getting joint custody of my children. He helped me with a lawyer and a vehicle, and we were in a good place.

“Okay, ladies, that's it. I'll see you guys next week,” I said as I exited the RV and went back to my car. Since I had another stop, I figured I'd return my brother's call.

That was the one area of my life that still needed work. But after my mother agreed to counseling, we'd been trying.

Since Kevin and I had separated, he'd been allowing my mother and brother to spend time with the boys, so that helped. They still didn't approve of my relationship with Chandler, and when I finally accepted the fact that they never would, I was able to approach counseling with an open mind. Attending AA with Chandler helped me see the possible benefits of discussing my struggles and being open to talking with someone. I was stunned when Roger and my mom agreed to go, too.

We all still had lots of work to do, but the fact that we were all willing was probably a good thing.

“Hey, Sissy,” Roger greeted.

It had been a long time since I heard joy in his voice when he called. The sound alone told me we were all on the right path.

THE END

Women are more vulnerable than men to alcohol's effects, even after drinking smaller amounts. Heavy drinking can lead to increased risk of health problems such as liver disease, brain damage, and breast cancer. Women are as likely as men to recover from alcohol dependence, but women may have more difficulty gaining access to treatment.

If you or someone you know might have a problem with alcohol, please seek help. A good place to start is with your family doctor or a healthcare professional. Many people with alcohol problems are reluctant to discuss their drinking problems, even with a healthcare professional, because of some common misconceptions about alcoholism and alcoholics.

Ask questions about possible treatment or referral options. Ultimately, you will be the one to elect your choice of treatment options.

1) Did Peta's refusal to get serious with Gordon have anything to do with lingering feelings for her ex husband Kyle?

2) What did you think of Kyle's relationship with his daughter?

3) Why do you think Darby drank so much?

4) Darby felt like she was judged for being a stay-at-home mom, why do you think people have the misconception that it's easy to stay at home?

5) What are your thoughts about Kevin and his penny-pinching ways?

6) Do you think Ivee's strong personality caused problems with her client and eventually her boss?

7) In the end Zion was supportive of his wife, but why do you think it took so long for him to make that clear?

8) How realistic was it when Peta's friends showed up at her door with groceries and things she needed?

9) Why do you think Darby fell for the man who killed her twin?

10) Was Carla wrong to expect Darby to help her with the extra client?

11) What did you make of Carla's comment that Darby should be okay having sex for money since she already does it for free?

12) Which character surprised you the most?

13) Which character did you identify with and why?

14) How could these characters not realize the impact alcohol was having on their lives?

15) Would Peta have done what she did to Kyle if she had been sober?

16) How does your alcohol consumption compare to the ladies in the club?

I
F YOU LIKED
“T
HE
C
OCKTAIL
C
LUB
”
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT
P
AT
T
UCKER'S
“F
OOTBALL
W
IDOWS”—SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE!