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“Aw, I think bulldogs are cute.” Doris cooed. “I just don’t like the hair in the house, or I’d probably get one.”
“Cute or not, if anyone ever compares me to a bulldog, I’m going to sue the hell out of my plastic surgeon. His only job is to make sure that never happens, and I pay him a fortune each year to do it.”
“You’d be beautiful even with wrinkles, Alice,” Sylvie said. “We’ve all got some, and personally, I think they add character. Like little reminders of what an amazing life we’ve lived.”
I touched my forehead, feeling the lines that seemed to deepen each year. “If wrinkles are reminders of an amazing life, then mine must have been one hell of a ride because I could give a bulldog a run for its money.
Instead of a snappy comeback, Alice gazed out over the dark ocean. “I just want to look as old as I feel. I don’t feel old on the inside.”
Doris tipped her head. “You don’t look old on the outside either. You’re stunning, Alice.”
She snorted softly. “I’m no Jessica Rabbit.”
“No, you’re no Jessica Rabbit. You don’t have the tatas. Unless you want me to grab the oxygen tanks and pump those babies up.”
Alice chuckled and shook her head. “I’m a dancer. Large tits are a curse, not a blessing. The only ladies with big tits in Vegas are the trophy wives and tramps. I don’t know a single dancer with a boob job.”
“Ugh. Vegas.” I wrinkled my nose.
“What does that mean?” Sylvie grabbed her glass of wine. “Do you not like it there? I thought you were so happy with Roxie?”
“I am.” I let out a long sigh, finally ready to admit my truth. “I’msohappy with Roxie. I love every single second with her. But Vegas? Oh, man. I freakin’ hate that place more than ‘Nam. And that’s saying something.”
“You hate it?” Alice sat up straighter than an arrow. “What the hell do you mean you hate Vegas?”
“I mean, Ihateit. I hate the people. The crowds. The lights. The traffic. I hate the flashing signs. I hate the tall buildings. The glitter. The glitz. I’ve always known I didn’t like it there, that I don’t fit in, but I didn’t realize how much until we got on this trip away from it all. I really, truly hate that town.”
“Marge.” Doris touched my arm. “I’m so sorry to hear that. What are you going to do?”
I shrugged. “What can I do? I love Roxie, and Roxie lives in Vegas. I may hate looking out the window every morning and curse that stupid town, but then I just look over at Roxie, and I know it’s worth enduring the hell of getting accosted by a singing Elvis when I head out to get my morning bagel.”
“Marge. You shouldn’t have to live somewhere you hate,” Sylvie said. “Have you ever told Roxie how you feel?”
My eyes bugged. “And risk her leaving me? No. Hell no. I spent a lifetime wondering what it would feel like to experience the kind of love and passion I have with her, and I’m not going to do one thing to risk it.”
“Love is about being open and honest, Marge,” Sylvie said. “You have to tell her how you feel. Maybe she would be open to moving?”
“Roxie? Leave Vegas?” I shook my head hard. “She was born and raised there. She loves that Godforsaken town.”
“It’s a magical town.” Alice tipped up her chin. “Don’t diss my baby.”
“Yeah. For you. You’re a famous showgirl. You fit in. Me?” I waved a hand over my body. “I don’t fit in Vegas. But I also love Roxie, and I would live in the fires of hell if it meant getting to be with her.”
“That’s so sweet, Marge.” Doris sighed. “But I do think you should at least talk to her about it.”
“I agree,” Sylvie said. “Tell her how you feel. Maybe she’ll surprise you about being open to moving or at least finding somewhere a little quieter in Vegas to live.”
The longer we were on this trip, with all the open air and peaceful moments, the harder I knew it would be to return to Vegas and keep up the façade that I loved it there. Maybe they were right. Maybe I needed to trust my love with Roxie more and open up about my feelings. The thought of being open with my emotions scared me, but the thought of her telling me to leave without her scared me more.
“I’ll think about it.” I leaned back on my elbows, the warm water still bubbling around me. “I’ll definitely think about it.”
“Good. I think you really should. We want you happy, Marge.Allthe way happy.” Doris sat back as well, leaning her neck on the headrest.
“So, we have two weeks to finish our wishes and get Sylvie to the alter,” I said, changing the subject to one that didn’t drive anxiety deep into my gut. “There are two wishes left. I think that we should draw the next wish tonight so we can hit the ground running toward our next adventure. We don’t want to make Sylvie miss her wedding.”
“Oh, I’m not missing my wedding.” Sylvie laughed. “I have waited so many years ... so many decades ... to call that man mine. I’m getting down the aisle, come hell or high water. If our wishes are running over our time limit, we’ll just have to finish them when I get back from my honeymoon.”
“Well, let’s go get the basket and draw now!” Doris smiled, then crossed her fingers. “Oh, I hope it’s mine! I’m so excited since I actually know what I wished for this time!”
