Page 20 of My Thursday Throwback

She snapped a picture of Samantha.

“What are you doing with that photo?” Samantha asked.

“Times have changed. You open your mouth or even take one step closer to him, and I will buy as many ads and billboards as I can labeling you as a pedophilic child molester. Samantha, I also want you to know there is no statute of limitations on rape in the state of California. Charges can still be brought against you for your definition of taking little Scottie for a ride to Disneyland,” Zelda said.

Samantha stormed away with Pip throwing up her gang signs to the back of the lady’s head. Scott left the stage and walked up to join the ladies. “Is everything okay? Was that Samantha?”

“Yes, we had a friendly chat, getting a few things cleared and out of the way. We even came to an understanding,” Zelda said with a smile.

“See, it does help to talk about it and get it out,” he said, placing one arm on her shoulder and the other over Pip’s. “Tonight, dinner is on me, wherever you ladies want to dine.”

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PIP, QUIET DURING MOSTof the meal, ate in near silence. A vent dealer hyped up and excited after Scott’s presentation, sought him out, pulling him away from the dinner table to talk business and place a large order. Zelda used the free moment to address the sullen Pip.

“Penny for your thought?” Zelda said softly.

“Nope, this is going to cost you a twenty,” Pip retorted.

Zelda pulled a crisp ten dollar bill from her wallet, laying it on the table. “Half now, the other half if the information is any good.”

“So, what? I am your informant now or something,” Pip said almost laughing at Zelda.

“No, you are my friend and something is bothering you. I would like to think that after you helped me, that you would be open enough to share what is on your mind,” she replied.

“Even if that includes your brother?”

“Yes. I wouldn’t want to hear if he is having erectile dysfunction or any shit like that, but a legitimate concern you can share with me as your friend. Remember, we are BFF’s,” Zelda said.

“I’m not thinking about your brother but that Samantha woman. You know she is going to contact or come for you,” Pip said.

“Why in the hell would she do that? I don’t think she is even that crazy.”

“It’s not crazy Zelda,” she said pausing. “Do you remember when you and I met at the conference?”

Zelda nodded wondering where Pip was going with the conversation.

“You think you know everything. You think you understand him and you don’t. His world is different and so is he,” she said in hushed tones.

“Pip, I know you think you know Scott...,” she started, but Pip stopped her.

“I do know him, but my fear is that you are so focused on you that you can’t really see him. Samantha sees him. I see him. Zelda, did you know that I work for Scott,” She said watching Zelda’s surprised face. “Exactly my point. I have worked for him for over four years. The house I live in, he helped me purchase. These boobs, I scraped and saved to buy so that the one chance I had at that conference to get his attention, I would. Just like Samantha, I took my chance and instead of raising my hand, my boobs were going to speak for me, but Zelda, he still was not interested. He is not interested in her, if he was, he would have reached out to her by now. Scott has the resources and based on how she looks, Samantha would not be hard to find.”

Shifting in her seat, Zelda tossed a strand of hair over her shoulder. “What are you trying to tell me Pip?”

“I’m telling you that she is going to call. Samantha is going to expect you to be a stark raving bitch, just like I did, but you turned the tables on me and was helpful. Will you be helpful to her even though you didn’t consider me to be a threat? She threatens you, Zelda. What she had with Scott was real regardless if he was 13 or 33. He is a different kind of man,” Pip told her.

“Pip, I appreciate your help and all...,” Zelda started, but Pip slammed her hand on the table.

“Goddammit, Zelda. You need to be a better woman,” Pip shouted, causing everyone in the restaurant to turn around, including Scott and the business owner he spoke to about the potential sales.

“Is everything okay ladies?” Scott asked, giving a slight tilt of his head.

“Everything is fine, Baby,” Zelda said, giving him a shaky smile.

“No, it’s not. You are going to hurt him by being selfish and stupid, then I am going to have to officially break up with Michael, who by the way, fucks like a Greek god, just because you keep getting in your own way. Love is simple. All that is required is for you find someone who loves you and you love them back. None of this other bullshit you keep dragging under the covers,” Pip said.

“Pip, I’m not sure what kind of person you think I am, but you have me all wrong,” Zelda said.

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