Chpt. 4

"Now this is the fuck I'm talking about!" Mike remarked as they stepped past the doorway into the vestibule.

"You fucking did all right bringing us here, Ralph," said TJ.

"Yeah. Let's go in and I'll introduce you fellas to the madam."

Ralph led them into a wide corridor that broke off into separate corridors. Straight ahead was the kitchen, while to their left was the living room, and the right was a stairways that wound to the top floor.

Darla stood at the top landing where she saw the men saunter together and went in the direction that was the living room. Darla waited and saw Bernie walking down the corridor and he then went into the living room. She heard their voices but couldn't make out their conversation. That was always what was missing in this house—voices. She ran her hand over her hair and made sure her cream-colored evening dress was tight on her before slinking down the stairs. She entered the living room and the three men stood with their backs to her facing Bernie who had gone to the bar and gotten them drinks; their luggage stood beside a sofa upon which rested their jackets and neck scarf. Bernie was talking to Ralph but stopped when he caught sight of Darla and smiled.

"Look at who's just joined us, Ralph," Bernie gestured at his wife. "Welcome, Darla, dearest."

Ralph along with his two friends simultaneously turned to face her. Ralph's face lit up when their eyes met. Darla broke into an awesome smile and went and hugged her erstwhile lover.

"Ralph," Darla sucked in her breath as his arms folded around her body. Goosebumps broke across her arm as she inhaled his masculine essence. " My God, how long has it been?"

"Too long to remember, Darla," said Ralph, finally letting go of her."

"All this time and you couldn't be bothered to write, give me a call, or even send a text message? I got to find out from Bernie that you were stranded at the airport before you could think of dropping by?"

"Things are a lot complicated than you can imagine, Darla. By the way, there here are two buddies of mine, both working for the Tongue Patrol establishment." Ralph introduced TJ and Mike to Darla. "There's a curfew going on, and the airport was choked it like nothing you've ever seen before."

"They're still talking in the news about flights getting cancelled," Bernie chipped in. "A lot of people are going to be stranded and angry come morning."

"Yeah," TJ muttered. "Especially if they ain't got no place to go."

""Well, I'm glad you gentlemen made it here," said Darla. "Come with me, let me show you were to freshen up. You all look like you can use the rest. If you're hungry, just say the word."

Ralph and the others finished their drinks and gave their glasses back to Bernie before grabbing their jackets and trailing after Darla with their luggage in hand. Ralph walked behind so he got an eyeful of her swinging hips and rolling buttock. Her dress was tight on her body and it showcased her figure as she strolled out of the living room into the corridor and then up the stairs. He knew what Darla was doing—her damn best to entice him; it was working perfectly well.

"We've got food if any of you are hungry," Darla inquired.

All three of them shook their heads. What they wanted was to get out of their clothes and wash up.

She led them down a corridor and indicated a separate room for TJ and Mike.

"We've got three rooms, so you'll both have to share one," said Darla as she opened the door for both men to enter. She acted like a hostess catering to their pleasure. "It's got all the amenities inside."

"Ain't got no beef with that," Mike said as he entered the room, followed behind by TJ.

"All I need is a place to lay my head, and I'm good," TJ acknowledged.

She shut the behind them, then led Ralph to another door and opened it for him. Ralph entered the room and dropped his bag on the bed.

"This is lovely," he said. "I can't thank you and Bernie enough for having us at such awkward time."

"Don't be silly. You act like we're still strangers. Doesn't matter what hour you called, we sure would have let you in."

"Yeah, well, it's been a while. I was afraid you both might have forgotten about me."

"I can't ever forget my first," Darla advanced toward him. "You're still my first, and I've missed you terribly since. I kept calling your number but I found out it was unlisted."

Ralph pulled her into his arms. "I was having stalker issues, and needed to get rid of it. Lucky for me, I wrote Bernie's number down."

"That's a good thing that you did. You sure you won't want me to get you anything to eat?"

"Nah. What I can use right now is a good shower."

"Okay, then. Go have your shower and maybe I'll stop by when you're done," she kissed him then turned and left the room.