You Belong To Me

Chapter Reggie

'a bit of fun never hurt anyone, in polite doses it is even required. it's big, great fun that causes problems...'
cousin Reggie

"You talk too much."

The sun was hot and rampid in the sky at port that morning. It was scarcely nine and the journey, however short, was over. The weather had been most agreeable and it seemed as though even the sea wished them placid and safe travels. Ali could only blame the amount of water in the air and humidity for the beautiful breezes that required habit jackets at the estate. The air was warm on the water. It was tropical and it smelled earthy. Back home was cold and sat on your bones for some reason.

Robert seemed to be clawing at proverbial walls trying to escape the incessant prattle that seemed to spout from Gloria, Candace, Reggie, and Eva's mouths. It seemed there might have been one or two darling conversations but everything else seemed disrespectful, flirtatious, and rude. It was funny though and that might be the key to debauchery; the expense of others. They were of their own class though and so no more was to be expected of them. It was how gentle people behaved. They were uncouth and hideously self-righteous.

Trey stopped trying to pretend to laugh or be bashful as some jokes and merely retreated to a form behind a disapproving eyebrow. He hadn't spoke often since the night before. He shook hands with his fellow gentlemen, slapping his hand to Reggie's other arm and telling him it was good to see him. Where the women were concerned Trey smiled and grabbed both hands in his and wished them many wells and fine compliments.

Ali was not deceived and recognized his scheme for what it was: by grabbing their hands he prevented them from trying to wind their arms about his neck. She stood poised with her shoulders back at the top of the descending stairs next to the brass iron rail. Ali watched them all wish each other well and grin in circles, making their promises to see each other soon. She wore a masterfully tailored dress of the softest silk with layers of pale eggplant tulle that fell just below her knees and hugged her firm legs. Her stockings, lined up the calf behind her knee, were so perfectly fine they seemed sheer and her brown heeled t-bars oxfords were polished to reflection. She wore a sable hued cape that came to the albows fashionably and was lined with fox fur with the hood pushed back off her head for her travels.

Reggie had swaggered over and wiggled his eyebrows at her. "I can finally see why people are so entranced with you Ali," he said kissing her gloved knuckles with mischievous and playful eyes. His grin was so very easy and his charm was polished and waxed.

She'd leaned forward conspiratorially and gave a covert look around. "Oh thank God. Tell me so that we can both know."

Reggie was being looked at as though what she had said could not have been that funny at all when Ali focused her soft gaze on Eva who had her hands clasped in Trey's. Ali had calmly tilted her head and squinted at the girl as though she saw something on Eva's face that no one else did and Ali didn't feel superior for having found it but pitying. It was then that Ali somewhat announced to everyone that Eva talked too much.

There was a collective hush that seemed to even silence the seagulls squawking. Candace's sweet giggle died on her lips as her eyes turned to Ali and there was no sound other than the waves and the shouted orders from people on the dock at work. It seemed very sporting of Ali, all weekend, to sit and listen to Eva throw insult after veiled insult at her. Eva seemed determined point out every point in a conversation in which other guests and herself were probably together but 'Ali wouldn't recall.'  She seemed very plain and not strategic at all in her small attacks and even started laughing along when people told her she was insatiable in an effort to divert her.

No one had ever considered, because it had never happened, that Ali might say anything back to Eva.

"Excuse me?"