Casting Stones 1 | Page 125

TWENTY-SEVEN & EIGHT
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“ Do you think it’ s okay?”“ This is a tough crowd and you made them all laugh.”“ I think I may edit somewhat. I don’ t want to give away the show,” Eddie said. Frank nodded.
Eddie called Tanya and told her about the meeting.“ Are you going to come home?” Tanya asked. She was really starting to miss him.“ Not this weekend. I have to be here. There is so much to do and I...” Eddie started.“ I understand. This is too important to be left to anyone else,” Tanya said.“ It lives or dies with me. I’ m exhausted but I can’ t stay away. I promise to take you and the kids on a long vacation after this is over. Frank said we are going to turn a profit. I don’ t have any idea what that will be, but we can use it to help pay for anywhere we want to go. I really miss you too. I love you,” he said.“ I love you more,” She said, and ended the call. She knew she was the one who started this ball rolling. It was wrong to put the brakes on what she had encouraged from the start. Eddie made a promise and she would look forward to a vacation and some quality time with her husband.
Tanya sat at the computer and went over the bank statement. She could not believe how the savings account had grown. She wondered what kind of vacation they could afford and what kind of bonus Eddie would receive. With a few thousand dollars they could take the cruise they had always wanted. Searching for Christmas cruises Tanya’ s phone rang.“ Hi Sam,” she said, after glancing at the caller ID.“ Are you busy Saturday?” Sam inquired.“ No. Eddie won’ t be home for the next few days. The kids have plans with friends so I guess I’ ll just curl up with a book,” she said.“ John wants to take us out for dinner. It’ s his birthday and I was hoping to give him something special. Wear the New Years Eve dress, jewelry, shoes and nothing else,” Sam said.“ Oh. Does he know what he is getting?” Tanya asked, a little surprised by the suddenness of the request.“ That is why he is buying dinner. Eat expensively.”“ John has never met me. How does he know he will like his present?” Tanya was becoming nervous.“ He has seen the pictures of you from the party. He is the one who asked for the dress and plans to take us somewhere appropriate. He does not care if it costs a fortune. We will pick you up at seven. Eddie said it was okay, and maybe better that he is away. You don’ t have to say anything to him until we give him what he wants. He may figure it out for himself at that point but how upset could he get,” Sam laughed.“ Saturday at seven?” Tanya made sure she heard correctly, and couldn’ t believe she was going through with this. She and Sam had worked through the initial awkwardness and Tanya was drawn to be with her again. Eddie needed to stay focused on his job. Sam was right. Better he should find out in bed with both of them. They could soften the blow so to speak.“ Precisely,” Sam said.“ Okay. Bye Sam,” she said, and ended the connection after Sam said,“ See you then.”
Tanya was glad Friday was test day. She could not have kept her mind on the lesson. She made an appointment with the hairdresser on one of the breaks between classes. Derek was available Saturday morning. Sitting in the chair, she gave him the picture the limo driver had taken.“ Do it again Derek,” she laughed.“ Oh my God! Did I do that? It’ s perfect,” he said, with a laugh.