Just Try It

Chapter 8- Meet Your Step-father

Sunday, February 12 11:15am

Downtown Dallas, Texas

Sondra stumbled after Pamela as she tried to adjust to thinking of herself as twenty-one year old called Sandy Rawlings, like her new ID said.  When Pamela led her into the bar, Sondra forgot everything else as she looked around in curiosity.  Her mom walked with confidence and seemed to know her way around, while Sondra trailed behind and tried not to gawk. 

Luckily, the place was almost empty.  There was one bartender cleaning glasses at the bar, and there were some people on the stage.  Sondra wondered what the bartender's story was.  He looked scary, but for some reason she felt she could trust him.

He was buff, blond, and looked like he was in his low twenties.  His hair was spiky and colored blue on the tips.  The black sleeveless shirt that he wore showed off his muscular chest and arms. He had a huge Celtic cross tattooed on one bicep.  As he looked around the place, Sondra had the feeling that he didn't miss much.  When he pierced her with a stern look, Sondra was tempted to throw away her fake ID then and there.  Only Pamela's voice, ordering her to hurry up, snapped her out of her daze, and stopped her from doing something foolish.

Sondra followed Pamela's voice to a secluded booth at the back.  It held a middle aged man with dark hair that was turning silver, and he was wearing a stylish dark suit.  As she sat down, she realized that the dancers on the stage held his attention.  Sondra's eyes grew wide as she followed his gaze to the entertainment.  She noticed the high heels, abbreviated outfits, and the poles on the stage.  Even with three inch heels the dancers were managing to spin around the poles.  Sondra had already figured out that those moves weren't as easy as they made it look.  As Sondra watched in admiration, she wondered if they had ever fallen on their heads.   

Sondra would have clapped when they finished, but the man just waved them off saying they should get in another practice before tonight's show.  When they were gone, he then turned to Sondra and her mom with a welcoming smile.  Any warmth that Sondra felt at his kindness disappeared when he pulled Pamela close and gave her a deep kiss.  Sondra blushed and quickly averted her eyes when his hands began wandering possessively over Pamela. 

Sondra wished that the dancers were still practicing to give her something to watch.  She couldn't help wondering why her mom had brought her here.  Her mom usually just visited in the apartment, and the first time they went out she was taken... HERE?  Not that it wasn't interesting, but it wasn't the type of place a sixteen year old girl was usually taken by her mom.  The man interrupted her thoughts with a chuckle and a question.  He asked Pamela, "Do you think that we embarrassed her?"

"Nonsense," declared Pamela with a giggle.  "Why should she be embarrassed to see her mother kissing her new step-father?"

Sondra froze and wondered if she had heard correctly.  She put on a smile and turned to give the expected squeal, "New step-father?  Did I hear you right?  When did you get married? Why didn't I hear anything before now?"

Pamela enjoyed the attention, and the man chuckled again even though he kept Pamela anchored close to his side. 

Pamela grinned and announced, "We got married in Vegas yesterday, and just flew back in.  It was a surprise and an impulse.  Neither of us is getting any younger.  We have only been dating a couple of weeks.  That is why you haven't met him before.  You know that I don't introduce you to men that I'm not serious about."  Pamela gave Sondra a hard look and asked, "Do you even remember the last man I introduced you too?"

Sondra shook her head, but was so shocked that she couldn't squeeze any sound out.  Luckily, Pamela didn't seem to need more of a response.

She continued, "Tony Salvador is a wonderful man, and he is very successful.  He owns this place, and it really hops at night.  Family is very important to Tony.  He couldn't wait to meet you.  It is too bad that you love your boarding school so much.  He would have enjoyed having you stay with us.  We are looking forward to having more kids and giving you some brothers and sisters."