Perpetual Sunrise
”I’m not taking no for an answer, and you know it.” When Abigail Gerhard got something in her head, there were no two ways about it. “It’s my 40th birthday, it’s going to be a huge fucking deal, and I want my best friend to celebrate it with me.” The look on her face was adamant, unyielding.
“I’m not comfortable with your crowd… your entourage,” Carol said defensively knowing fully well her objections would be met with yet another burst of stubborn determination. “I’m in no condition to fend off any unwanted friendliness.” She remembered far too vividly the last time she’d met with Abby’s less-than-inhibited gal pals.
“You've got to be kidding, Carol…” Abby sighed sounding outright frustrated. “It was an honest mistake – Megan had no idea you weren’t into women in the first place.” She took Carol’s hands into hers and gave them an encouraging squeeze. “She’d had one drink too many and she hit on you, big deal. Who can blame her? Take a look at yourself – you’re gorgeous and she was horny.” Abby’s eyes were pleading her to forget the misfortunate incident.
“Is she going to be there?” Carol asked sharply. She hadn’t forgotten how the redhead had cornered her in the toilet and tried to force herself on her.
“Megan? Well, yeah, she is my friend after all,” Abby replied sheepishly, “But I promise she won’t give you any more trouble. I will see to that.”
Carol wasn’t exactly convinced by her reassurance. It hadn’t been just about her coming on to her, it had entailed a lot more as well. For some reason Carol had decided to keep it from Abby – the flowers and the gifts that had been pouring in after the fateful night. Even her ex-husband Harge had cracked nasty jokes about her lesbo affair one afternoon when he had been picking their daughter Rindy up for a weekend.
“Love, Megan…” Harge had read the card attached to a bouquet of red roses lying unwrapped on the kitchen counter. Carol had just meant to throw them in the trash when the doorbell had rung and made her forget about them for the time being. “Switching teams, huh?” he had joked not at all kindly. “I must’ve been one hell of a husband for you to be put off by men.” Tight-lipped, she had snatched the bloody flowers from his hands and tossed them away.
“You will come, won’t you, Carol?” Abby pleaded after a short, troubled silence. “It wouldn’t be the same without you.”
Carol drew a long, helpless breath. She knew she couldn’t disappoint her best friend no matter how much she dreaded the upcoming party. Abby’s festivities were to take place over the entire weekend at her family estate in Hudson Valley. She’d been there many times before, even with Abby’s friends, but never for several days at a time.
“Okay, I’ll be there,” she relented reluctantly. “But I won’t tolerate any funny business.” Beaming, Abby nodded and moved onto other things.
“Hello, Fred,” Carol greeted her lawyer as she met him for lunch the following day.
“Carol darling, so good to see you,” Fred Haymes acknowledged pulling out a chair for her. “I’m so glad we could arrange this in such short notice. You must be busy with the shop and Rindy?”
Smiling at him, Carol took a sip of water the waiter had already provided them with. “It’s hectic at times but nothing I can't handle. How’s Jimmy? What have you two been up to?” She had had dinner with Fred and his partner many times over the past few years.
“Actually… we broke up about a month ago,” Fred started apprehensively. “I found out he’d been cheating on me for quite a while now.” It was obvious the news had come as a shock to him.
“Oh my god, Fred… I’m so very sorry,” Carol said softly noticing the apparent uneasiness in her longtime friend’s demeanor. “Are you alright? Anything I can do?” She placed her palm over his hand on the table.
“Yeah… I mean I’m fine…” he stammered, “Thanks for the offer but I think I’m over the worst already.” Something told Carol he really wasn’t. “These past few weeks have been challenging but at least we’ve been able to come up with a preliminary settlement,” he continued, “Luckily we’re past the accusations – only thing left now is to try to make as graceful exit as possible and hope there won’t be any hard feelings after the final stretch…” Fred avoided looking Carol in the eyes, which was enough to tell her how much he was really hurting.
“Well, if there is anything at all I can help you with don’t hesitate to pick up the phone, okay?” Carol insisted patting his hand in encouragement. Fred had been there for her during her divorce and she would return the favor if he needed one.
“You’re very sweet, my dear, and I will keep that in mind. Thank you.” Focusing momentarily on his menu, Fred seemed to be at a loss for words. It didn’t last for too long. “How’s Abby? It’s been ages since we touched base – she has her big day coming up soon, doesn’t she?” He was keen to change the subject and Carol allowed him to do just that.
“Yes, next weekend as a matter of fact – she’s planned this outrageous country weekend for all her friends and as you can probably guess, it won’t be a small gathering either.” The thought of taking part in it made Carol’s stomach flip, which Fred was quick to notice.
“You don’t seem too happy about it… why is that?” Fred pried. He wasn’t one to beat around the bush. “Not looking forward to all those wealthy New York dykes frolicking about the grounds of her mansion?” A sly, knowing smile appeared on his lips.
“I’m afraid you hit the nail right on its head, my friend,” Carol admitted meekly. “Too many sex starved heiresses for my taste,” she added knotting her brow.
“Then make sure you’re not available to cater to their appetites,” Fred chuckled unfolding his napkin on his lap. “Go with a date, I’m sure Abby wouldn’t mind if you brought someone along with you.”
Hearing Fred’s suggestion, Carol snorted. “I wish! I’d seriously consider asking you to go with me if I only could but it’s going to be strictly women only weekend – no men allowed.” She knew Abby wouldn’t make an exception, not even for her.
“Who said anything about men?” Fred laughed. “Take a woman and that’s that – problem solved.” The waiter had brought over their aperitifs, two perfectly prepared dry martinis.
“A woman!?” Carol exclaimed not quite certain if she’d understood him correctly. “I’m not a lesbian and I don’t date women. How would I ever pull something like that off?”
Fred cast a worried glance at her. “Oh Carol…” he sighed, “Sometimes you are so innocent it boggles my mind.” He reached into his jacket pocket and drew out a business card. “Here, give them a call, I’ve used their services many a time to get through some seriously awkward family dinners.” He handed the card to Carol:
PERPETUAL SUNRISE
First Ladies Online
“An escort service!” Carol gasped turning the gilded card in her hand. “You want me to get me a hooker for Abby’s birthday weekend!?”
Although laughing unabashedly himself, Fred gestured Carol to lower her voice. “Good god, NO!” he hissed amusedly. “An escort… this is a classy agency, not a brothel, for crying out loud. You’re not paying for sex, you’re paying for the company of a bright, attractive woman who will make sure you won’t be hit on.” He grinned seeing the disbelief on Carol’s face. “It’s not like I ended up fucking any of the women I was provided with,” he pointed out cheerfully. “I mean you can if you want to but that would be strictly between you and the escort, a separate deal altogether.”
Shaking her head, Carol declined to discuss the matter further. She found the mere idea simply ludicrous but when she tried to give the card back, Fred insisted she keep it. Very well, I’ll toss it away first chance I get.
When Carol got back home she was met with yet another unpleasant surprise. A box of Belgian chocolates delivered to her door with an accompanying note:
Looking forward to Abby’s party…
xxx
Megan
For fuck’s sake… For a second Carol was ready to call Abby and let her know she wasn’t coming after all. Searching for a cigarette to soothe her agitated mind, she rummaged her handbag for a pack of Lucky’s. A piece of cardboard had stuck between the package and its plastic wrap – the contact info for the PERPETUAL SUNRISE.
Inhaling the smoke and slowly letting it out of her nostrils, she sat on the sofa and stared at the card on the coffee table. What the heck, I might as well see what they’re offering, she mused opening her laptop. She typed the url on the address bar and waited for the site to open…
Looking for your…
PERPETUAL SUNRISE?
You’ve found it.
Welcome! (click here)
Whatever Carol had thought she’d find over on the site, it turned out totally different. No garish pictures of slutty women in cheap neglisees gawking at the visitor their mouths drooping open. Not really any photos unless you were willing to create an account and to pay a fee to browse the gallery. I’m so not going to do this… Carol sobered up but before she had time to exit the site a chat window popped open:
“This is Perpetual Sunrise, how may I help you?”
Hesitating, Carol typed her opening line.
“I am looking for an escort.” She pressed enter. Fuck, of course I am… stating the obvious here…
“If you are a man looking for a female escort, press M… if you are a woman looking for a female escort, press W.”
“W”
“Please, indicate the age preference for the escort.”
Age preference? Like how old she’s supposed to be? My age, fortiesh maybe?
“25-35.” Carol pressed enter.
“Please, indicate any specific characteristics you may have in mind.”
I’m so unprepared for this… what the fuck do I write now?
“Intelligent, cultured, well-mannered… brunette.” Enter.
“Please stand by.”
If it had taken a moment longer Carol would’ve most likely closed the browser altogether but the results of her chat search appeared before her eyes surprisingly fast.
Elizabeth, 34 – a fervent lover of arts, enjoys traveling and good conversations… She looks too eager to please.
Pamela, 29 – “Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.” Nope! Seeing the Paolo Coelho quote put Carol off in no time.
Laura, 31 – an animal rights activist, a vegan, a hot yoga instructor… I. Don’t. Think. So.
Cammie, 27 – a book worm who enjoys the outdoors as well, loves classical music… This could have potential… but let me look at one more…
Therese, 25 – interests: photography, reading, arts in general, dislikes: pretention, stupidity, favorite quote: “Hell is other people. – Jean-Paul Sartre”
Well, well, well… Carol’s interest was piqued. She clicked the thumbnail picture next to the written profile. What opened up surprised her even more: the young woman in the picture was nothing short of gorgeous. She had the greenest pair of eyes Carol had ever seen in her life and her impeccable face possessed a luminosity enough to jolt her even through the smudged computer screen.
“Has anyone caught your attention?” asked the chat window.
Carol took a moment to ponder what to type in return. This is crazy, right? I don’t do this. She looked at the enlarged photo of a beautiful brunette. Then she noticed the box of chocolates on the side table. Fuck.
“Therese, 25.” She pressed enter.