Chicken A La King Page Eight

Mindy Fullbein arrived in Paris at the Charles De Gaulle International Airport at 2:00 pm. It was the largest airport serving Paris and second busiest airport after Heathrow. It was a drizzly, muggy summer afternoon and the place was mobbed with summer vacationers.
The driver met them at the airport. Cynthia had arranged for all the details of the trip with Madame Natasha Floyd. The Madame offered over 250 villas, offering the best choices of St. Tropez. She offered grand prix tickets, balcony spaces, helicopter and car hire, cleaners, chefs, bodyguards, musicians and more. Cynthia was such a dear for taking care of her this way. Mindy and Cynthia dashed through the airport, chatting away about their summer plans.
The driver loaded their Louis Vitton luggage into the BMW sedan and they sped off towards the city. They would spend the first night in town and drive to St. Tropez the following day.
Mindy was glad to be away from America. All of the media attention was getting old. She would be happy to be an unknown for a spell, just another glimmer on the beach of fascinating shells in St. Tropez. Eye’s candy for the rich and famous it is.
Paris was a favorite destination for her. She made buying trips twice yearly in the spring and fall to see the collections. She always stayed at the Ritz.
“Paris, so wonderful, isn’t it darling”, moaned Cynthia.
“Lagerfeld, Versace, Ungaro...I love them all.... Its like coming home” Mindy agreed. They arrived in the center of the city and the driver unloaded their luggage at the hotel. They checked into the opulent lobby, encrusted with marble columns and decorative statuary. The prim clerk wearing a starched white blouse gave her the once over.
“It’s under Fullbein”
“Madame Fullbein, welcome to the Ritz”
“Thank you”
“Ah, yes, the Coco Chanel suite.... It is ready for you, please follow us.”
The bellman opened the door to the suite. It was decorated in muted gold with heavy baroque mirrors adorning the walls. The bed and the chairs were quilted in white suede. Mindy threw her purse on the bed.
“Its good to be home.”
The driver tipped the bellman and the two women settled in, opening a bottle of chilled champagne at the floor of the bed.
“To Paris”
“To a marvelous time”
Cynthia undressed slowly, seductively in front of Mindy. She unbuttoned her silk blouse to reveal a lacy sheer bra and unhooked it slowly, her full ripe breasts perkily staring at her.
“To us”...
At the Super Chicken Ranch, Manuel Vargas had a lot of organizing to do. The chicken houses were in need of repairs, there was an overflow of birds and the birds needed water. He would get someone on these issues right away.
There was talk of approaching a neighboring farm to expand but Manuel knew that the crotchety old widow that owned the farm was difficult and stubborn. She had already complained to him about rodents on her land. He doubted that she would be interested in having poultry there.
Rosalita came out with a bottle of water.
“For you.”
“Gracias.”
“Are you coming in for lunch today?”
“No, I don’t have time. Bring it to me beauty.”
“I will.”
His wife was very sweet and dutiful, not like these spoiled American wives he saw on TV. He pitied the Boss Sam about his wife. He had seen pictures of her in the newspapers kissing another man. How could a man put up with such a thing? Not him, Rosalita would always be true to him, of that he was sure. She came out carrying a tray with some chicken and rice on it.
“Thank you Mama”.
“You’re welcome.”
“Where is Pedro?”
“I don’t know...he disappeared off playing an hour ago.”
“He must be around somewhere.”
“I’ll find him.”
Rosalita went off to search for Pedro...
Pedro was crouching in the barn, behind an old tractor. He was hiding from an invisible enemy who would strike at any moment if he were found...
Lili rested in the barn. She saw the boy there, playing on the other side. She didn’t like children, but they were safer than men. Men could be cruel. She counted her chicks, one, two, three, four, five...Where was the sixth? Sonny was gone!!
Lili stood up and looked around the barn. There was Sonny. He was walking wobbly legged towards the boy. Damn it! She called to him.
“Sonny!!! Sonny!!! Come to Mama.”
Sonny kept walking, right into the boy’s arms. Lili ran over to him and the boy ran out of the barn with Sonny clutched in his hands. Lili followed them to the front step of the house.
“Pedro!”
“Look Mama, a chucky.”
“Pedro, put it down! See, there’s his Mama coming to get him.”
Lili clucked gratefully and led Sonny away. It was tough being a mother hen.
Scott and Ali returned from riding. It had been a long wonderful day and Ali was happy. She liked Scott a lot and it was good getting to know him better. She was getting used to all the attention he got as Elvis. The motorcycle came to a full stop. She jumped off.
“Home sweet home”.
“I hope you had a good time today sweet thing.”
“I did, I really did.”
“I guess I’ll let you go even though I could spend every minute with you.”
“Cool.”
“Its true”
“Do you want to come in?”
“No, I have to go. I have my show tonight. I have to go over some songs with the band.”
“I’m so beat. I think I’ll take a nap.”
“Go on, get some rest...I’ll call you in the morning.”
He gave her a kiss on the lips.
“Okay, bye.”

She watched him drive away and looked through her bag for her key. She found it tucked away at the very bottom of her bag and she fumbled with the lock. Inside was dark and cool and she went into the kitchen and got a drink of ice water.