if they are so expensive dear, why are they rolling along the porch? Half of them are partly broken already. – I was at loss.
But I didn’t hear Dan’s reply to my question.
Instead of answer, my hubby joyfully informed me of the following:
– Do you know that lizards live in my pots? And the lizards bring good luck.
– Uh-huh, dear! And do you know that there are a lot of dead rats and skins under the pots? Do they bring luck to your home, too? Are you sure? No doubt, they don’t.
– Well… It’s nature, dear. – He moved his head.
– It’s not wildlife here, dear. It’s our privacy. And I wonder what the endless army of cockroaches could bring us? Extra money and happiness, Dan?
– You are so spiteful, Vika!
– Yes, now I am, since so many ants, cockroaches, lizards and rats are being disturbed in your front yard by me; such quantity of them one sees only in horror movies or thrillers. Have you ever noticed that your front garden is more like a garbage heap with many subtropical plants, pushing through to the light and sun?
Once Dan heard my questions, he became pale and furious.
– Fuck! What rats? – He mimicked me. – Where did you see them? In your dreams, dear? Show me at least one! I can see just squirrels.
– Slava, show me a dead rat! Where are they, “your rats?” – My irritated husband addressed my son and stared at me.
Slava didn’t say a word in reply and quietly left the front yard.
– Daniel, stop yelling please. I’ve told you about the rats many times already. You just laughed.
– OK. Next time, please keep the dead body of a rat and show me, please.
– Okay, dear, with great pleasure, if you like. I’ll save all of them in the plastic bags for you.
Dan was still mad.
I left him alone in the front yard.
Five minutes later my offended husband came into the house and with the tears in his eyes said: “Vika, I’m so sorry, dear! Please, forgive me, babe. Thank you for your gardening and hard job…”
Then he came up to Slava to say sorry for his being so vulgar with both of us.
I thought silently: “A start, an attack of tears and kindness”.
I didn’t tell Nick and Stacy a word about that. I just smiled at their compliments regarding me and our renewed front garden. It was obvious that Nick and Stacy came to our place to meet us, not to listen about the conflicts between me and my awful-lawful hubby.
– Well guys, – Stacy said. – And now surprise; a wedding present for you! – She handled me a huge bouquet of fresh Californian flowers; Nick gave us a gift set of selected Californian wines.
– Enjoy the wine! Our congratulations all over again. Be happy and love each other! We are so happy for you, Dan and Vika. Dan has already sent us a lot of your wedding pictures and told everything about your wedding day in all details. So we feel as we were with you that special day.
– Thank you, guys! – I said joyfully, and we exchanged hugs and kisses.
– We look to seeing you at Diane’s party. Please, don’t be late. We know that you are still just married and very busy, but nevertheless, – Stacy joked.
– Bye-bye, friends! Love you both. And you are welcome to our home, Vika! – Nick said, looked at his watch and they hastened.
In a minute Stacy started her luxurious snow-white Lexus, and, driving off, they waved from the opened windows.
6. Protracted Party
Diane looked very friendly, warm, optimistic, stylish and elegant. She bore her age well.
When she saw me in front of her stylish house, she approached me immediately and exclaimed.
– Hi Victoria! I recognized you at once. You are very welcome, beauty. Come in and feel yourself at home. – She kissed me on the cheek. – And where are your men? Someone told me that you would bring minimum two cute boys. – She joked and turned around. – Oh, I can see now. Here they are. Good evening, dear Slava. Nice to meet you! You are looking so much like your mama.
Then she addressed to my husband.
– Hello, Dan. You are lucky devil to have such a stunning wife and handsome grown-up son. And she hugged both of them.
– I know, I know. Thank you, dear. – Dan felt so self-important.
– I do not want to keep you standing on the doorstep, guys! Come on in, please, – Diane invited us into her luxurious house.
She opened a hand- made, hand-forged wrought iron doors, and we went up to the second floor in the elevator.
In a few seconds, we were on a huge balcony with several staircases leading upstairs and downstairs to the other balconies, patios and decks at different levels.
Everywhere there was a lot of exciting and happy people of all ages. Some of the guests spent the time in the Island Paradise pool; some enjoyed the spa. Others took pictures and posed together with Stacy inside of the exotic garden with a pond and waterfall. It was noisy and quiet at the same time. Several couples were sitting at the counter high table, discussing something. A group of young, very skinny, pretty women were lazily sipping the cocktails. And another group of very tall and respectable-looking men was trying to attract the attention of the dressy women by their deafening laugh. A few heavy, funny-looking men were drinking canned beer and joking with Nick in the outdoor kitchen. Everyone was relaxed and one could feel the atmosphere of fiesta.
– Vika and Slava, – Diane said, – I want to take you all over the house. Dan knows and loves my house since his childhood. Let him miss you for a while.
– You are free for an hour, man. Enjoy! – Diane smiled.
Daniel threw a kiss to me and went downstairs to Nick and guests.
– Let’s go, guys! – Diane exclaimed and started to tour her house.
She was sure that her estate was the best one in Pacific Palisades. She showed her house with great inspiration, and indeed she had a lot to be so proud of. A huge master bedroom with a big bathroom, walk-in closet and patio; four bedrooms, five bathrooms, three fireplaces, three garages, separate sauna and much more. The house was a reflection of Diane’s lifestyle and her character.
– Diane, your house is epic! And your kitchen is a woman’s dream. I’d love to have such a kitchen in my house. –
