Part 56 (1/2)

'It is for me. It makes me feel all unread and unworthy. I mean I like a doofus but I don't want to be one!'

I burst out laughing. 'Zo you're crazy!'

'It's all about what's right for you, not what everybody else wants,' she a.s.serts.

'How much have you had to drink?'

'Not enough! Watch this Honey, can you open a beer for me?' she calls over to Chip.

I can't bear to watch so I go in search of Sasha.

'I can't believe no one has adopted Ryan,' she sighs, leaning against my favorite guy's cage.

'You're kidding? I thought he'd be the number one choice he's a liger after all!' I look at Ryan with ever-loving respect he's so regal and yet so magnificently moth-eaten, like a once moneyed lord fallen on hard times.

'Maybe because I made him a star attraction people a.s.sume he's already snapped up?'

'Oh no!' I wail. 'Listen if I do have to sell the B&B he'll be my first beneficiary.'

'It's okay, I mean the main thing is raising enough money for Paradise Park. He can be my next project.'

'Next?' I query. As of tonight, Sasha doesn't officially work at Tiger Tiger any more.

'I think I'm going to hang out for a bit, you know, after our week in San Diego. There's nothing for me to hurry back to.'

'And everything to stay for,' I smile.

Sasha nods, then looks earnestly at me: 'So it's still up in the air is it, the B&B?'

'I'm just waiting for a small miracle to occur any minute now!' I look around, searching for a sign. 'Hey, isn't that the movie director from the Hotel Del?' I'd recognize those fleshy lobes anywhere.

'Yes it is,' Sasha confirms with a wince.

He's currently being crowded by lookalikes Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas (The Ghost & The Darkness) but his eyes are straying to a statuesque blonde in a rabbit skin bikini.

'I don't know why I bothered, he hasn't contributed a penny,' Sasha grumbles.

'Not yet,' I decide. 'Try charging him $1,000 for Sheena Queen of the Jungle's phone number that should work!'

'Good idea.' Sasha takes me at my word.

I chuckle. There is no stopping that woman now. How nice that I'll have two best friends to visit when I next come to California. Three, if you count Joel ...

'You're not going to believe what he just did!' Zo comes romping up to me.

'Who?'

'Joel!' she shrieks. 'He told me he was writing out a check for $10,000 just to make his buddies cough up and then when I went to tot up the box of donations his check was in there along with all the others! Can you believe that guy?' Zo skips on her way.

I look over to where he's chatting easily to Todd and Tarzan's Jane. I never cease to be amazed how beautifully he has fitted into my life. Well, my Californian life, anyway ...

Catching me looking at him, he smiles and excuses himself, holding my gaze as he saunters over.

'What are you up to, minx?' he asks, chipping my chin with his finger.

'Nothing!' I grin. 'Just feeling grateful for knowing you.'

'I'm grateful I got to know you too.'

I replay his words in my head then ask, 'Do I detect an element of finality in that sentence?'

He bites his lip then nods. 'I'll be leaving tomorrow.'

'Where are you going?'

'I know it sounds kind of extreme but I always wanted to go climbing in the Himalayas...'

'My G.o.d, Joel!' I gasp.

'Well,' he shrugs, peering at me through his blue-black lashes. 'I've seen all you guys chasing down your dreams and I've decided to go after mine.'

'Does that mean you're giving up your job and everything here?'

'For now. I've kinda done LA.' He takes a breath. 'The way I see it is I can keep climbing the same mountains or I can try something new.'

'Wow. Well if you ever get sick of going upwards you can visit me in Brighton we've got a famous creva.s.se called Devil's d.y.k.e you could drop down into.' As soon as I've said it I realize it's all wrong. 'But then you're really more of an ”up” guy, aren't you?'

He laughs. 'I guess so.'

'Joel?'

'Yes?'

'I just want to say thank you ...' I say softly.

'For what?' He tilts his head.

Can he really not know?

'All you've shown me, all you've shared.' A smile plays on my lips. 'Not to mention ...'

'Aha!' He grins. 'That was fun.'

'You've got a magic touch!' I laugh.

'Not everyone brings out the best in me like you do.' He sounds serious.