Page 14 of Georgia: Britain's Story: Part 1
K, sorry girl, but you got this. Also, be on the lookout. I have a courier dropping something off for you. Call me later if you want, gotta go do bath time.
Sounds good. Give Eden all the smooches from auntie Brit. Love you both.
I set my duffle on the bed and roll my suitcase over to the small table and chairs by the window that faces out to the city. It’s cloudy out today, which of course it is. It's San Francisco. The hotel itself is gorgeous. The design is impeccable, but I’m already ready to leave. This quick overnight stay is only prolonging the inevitable which is waiting for me a couple hundred miles to the south, but I have to at least stop by Aunt Rose’s. Not only would she murder me for being in the state and not coming to see her, but she also has a box of my mother’s personal effects, which belong to me.
While I didn't attend Georgia’s funeral, I was present for the reading of the will, via Zoom, of course. My mother left basically everything to Alexander, the house and ten acres, everything in her bank account and her 401k. To me, she left a box of personal items. I never felt I deserved more than what she wanted me to have, so I wasn’t the least bit pissed off that Alexander got the majority of her estate. The box would be entrusted to my Aunt Rose until I was able to take possession. I’m sure my mother thought I’d never step foot in that town again and took that into consideration when drawing up her will.Thanks, Mom, but you’ll never believe it — I’m coming home.
It’s then I start to feel the shame wash over me. I do regret not seeing her before she passed. We had come into a slightly better relationship over the last few years of her life. She liked to FaceTime with the girls, sometimes spending hours on the line with them while they did crafts or baked. Her and I would talk for either the first few minutes, or the last, of their calls, mostly catching up on superficial topics. We’d chat about the weather, the girls’ sports and extracurriculars. She’d always ask if I was cooking anything special for an upcoming holiday, but she never came out to visit, and I never came back to her.
A knock pulls me out of my depressing thoughts. I open the door to see the concierge has brought me a large white gift box, topped with a thick, black satin bow.
“A delivery for Ms. Scott?” The concierge asks.
“Yep, that’s me,” I say as I take the package from him. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” and he turns around and leaves.
I plop down on the bed, box in hand and pull the ribbon ends to release the bow. The contents of the box are wrapped perfectly in pink tissue paper and smell like eucalyptus and sage, and I already know what one of the items will be. A card sits atop it all, so I open that first.
Love, here’s a couple things to help you enjoy your trip. You’re doing the hard work, but you should still ENJOY being there. Enjoy yourself and remember, you are a hot, bad-ass bitch. Xoxo, Jess (and Tommy)
P.S. He made me put his name, too.
I let out a small laugh then smile. I may be shit in the romantic relationship department, but befriending Jess and Tommy may be the crowning achievement of my adult relationship life. I flip back the overlapping pieces of tissue paper to find two, drawstring bags. One is labeled “To Be Enjoyed Together” and the other is labeled “To Enjoy Alone.”
For obvious reasons, I decide to open the “alone” bag first. I pull out the contents, one by one. First, my favorite Sydney Hale candle. Next, a bag stuffed with lots of Korean candies, a container of CBD gummies, and last, but certainly not least, based on its size, a vibrator.Of course. I smile.
I pause for a moment, trying to decide if I should open the other bag. There's a 99.9% chance I won’t be enjoying anythingwith a partnerover the next six weeks. I decide to just open it anyways. I might as well get it out of the way. First thing out is a cute makeup bag, clear with little cherries printed on it and a bright red zipper…and stuffed to the brim with condoms. Condoms of all different sizes and types.Magnum and ribbed and lubricated, oh my.Next out is a silk negligee in the most beautiful shade of pink. The bra cups are trimmed in ivory lace, with silk string ties at the shoulders. The back is non existent and would likely sit just at the top of my bum. I appreciate Jess’s confidence in my body positivity. From the bottom of the bag, I pull out long, black, satin restraints and a bottle of strawberry flavored lube.Cool.
For a second, I let myself try to imagine meeting someone here, but stop. I honestly can't imagine meeting someone here. How am I going to dream up,and about, someone new, when I can’t even get overhim? And that was 17 years ago! I flop back on the bed and pull out my phone.
Britain
Thanks babe (and Tommy!) I’ll try to enjoy myself.
Jess
Just a reminder, you can also enjoy that vibrator with a partner too. ;)
Yup, of course I can.
I take a deep breath and make my way to the shower.I just have to get through tonight, then I can be on my way. I tell myself, as the nervous energy starts flowing through me.Just get through the night.
After an abominable night's sleep, I decided the only remedy was a good breakfast and a strong coffee, and the hotel restaurant did not disappoint. It was the best huevos rancheros I’ve ever had in my life. I’m finishing up getting ready in my room, and doing a mental checklist for the day.
First, see Aunt Rose and acquire the box. Second, drive to Spearhead Lake. Wait, stop for In-N-Outon thedrive to Spearhead. Oh, and pitstop at Broken Ridge Ranch, which I had never even heard of before Jess mentioned it. I can’t imagine how much has changed in the last couple of decades. What businesses have shuddered and closed up? What new places have replaced them? It may not even remotely resemble the place I used to know, and maybe that’s for the best.
I do a visual inventory of myself before packing up to go. I’m wearing my favorite pair of Mother Denim jeans, a boyfriend style, v-neck, cashmere sweater in a camel color, and a brown pair of Hermes sandals that were part of my new wardrobe Jess picked out. She’d probably be disappointed that I didn’t opt for something dressier or something off her list of approved and styled outfits, but I just want to be comfortable. I’ll be spending most of the day in the car, and then when I get to the lake, it’ll be about 20 degrees cooler than anywhere else I’m going today.
My makeup turned out great, and my hair is behaving well today. I may not be supermodel gorgeous, but I know I’m beautiful. I’m attractive. And even though I feel like I’m a hundred years old, I think I could pass for my late 20's. Maybe. Probably. Okay, early 30’s. I can hear Jess now,“You’d look younger if you stopped dressing like a grandma,”making me laugh to myself. She has a point, but not today. Today I’m doing comfort over style.
“Are yousurethis is the vehicle for London Scott?” I ask the valet for the fifth time now.
“Yes ma'am, I assure you. I have the record of delivery right here. It was ordered by a Mr. Damian Scott for Ms. London Scott.” Poor guy’s getting frustrated with me. I can’t blame him, there’s a line starting to form behind me.
“Okay, um, can I just leave the car there for a minute while I make a call?”
“Yes, of course. Not a problem, but here are the keys for when you’re ready.” I stare at the keys for a moment before reluctantly taking them from him. I nod my head in thanks and move to the side for my quick call. Pulling out my phone, I hit the call button.
