it Happened Last Wednesday (The Zelda Diaries Book 1) Read online

  “No charge for all that work?” Zelda asked.

  “I’m just showing off for a pretty girl,” he said. “I want her to like me and think I’m cool.”

  “Ahhh. I see your angle now,” she said watching him put away the tools.

  “No angle. Most people like me, but more importantly, they respect me. I am hoping that today, I can earn yours,” he said. “I was a bit of an ass last night. I’m sorry.”

  “I shouldn’t have slapped Danny,” she told him.

  “And me? Are you apologizing for slapping me, too?”

  “Hell no! You deserved it, but Danny is an innocent in your evil plot,” she said with a slight frown on her face.

  “I have no plot, Zelda Fitzsimmons. I wanted to get your attention in hopes of having a beautiful woman join me for dinner. As much as my business needs to be here for the health of our company, mentally, I long for a quiet evening, a good bottle of wine, a perfect cut of beef, and some conversations about something other than dolls and ventriloquism. I saw you, hoped for a moment in time alone with you, and went for it,” he said with eyes that seemed huge behind the thick glasses.

  They were nice eyes.

  The brown eyes were kind.

  Zelda felt an immediate pull towards him.

  “Good try, Mr. Berger,” she said. “I am headed for some lunch.”

  He was going to say something, but a woman, dressed in a mismatched pair of long socks, a patched up dress, and fire red hair walked up to him.

  “I have been looking for you all morning,” she said to Scott, leaning into him, almost whining.

  “Persephone India Phillips, please meet Zelda Fitzsimmons,” he said pointing to her. Zelda’s eyebrows went up. She said nothing, keeping her eyes on the woman.

  “Hi,” she said to Zelda, turning her attention back to Scott. “I was hoping when you got free, we could have a drink or dinner or something.”

  She emphasized the or something.

  Scott’s eyes went to Zelda.

  Persephone didn’t move.

  Scott stepped sideways, his gaze on Zelda.

  Persephone didn’t move.

  Zelda moved forward to stand next to Scott. “P.I.P. I get it, as in Pippi Longstockings,” Zelda said.

  Persephone looked at her as if she questioned Zelda’s right to breathe or share the same air. Her focus was on Scott. Her intended evening plans included a chunk of Scott Berger.

  “Pip,” he said pointing at Zelda. “I am with the lady.”

  “Oh,” Persephone said. “I am so sorry. You have been single for so long...her? I had hoped, that finally, maybe this year...”

  “Please don’t...,” he said, moving closer to Zelda, slipping his warm hand inside of hers. He squeezed it a bit for good measure.

  The little woman was crushed.

  “Pip, I would love to interview you later for my magazine, if you are free. I mean I grew up reading about Pippi. Do you have a matching doll to go with the costume?” Zelda asked.

  “Yes,” Pip mumbled.

  “Great! Can we set a time either before or after dinner for a few shots, and you can answer a few questions?”

  “I guess,” Persephone said uncertainly.

  “Perfect; here is my card,” Zelda said, trying to fish the card out of her bag with one hand. Scott still had not let go of the other.

  “Call me to set a time, okay?”

  “Sure,” Persephone said, almost sulking as she walked way. Scott hadn’t let go of her hand. Instead of letting go, he moved quickly, pulling Zelda into his arms. He had powerful strong thighs, large hands, and sparks which shot from his body directly to her crotch.

  “Hold me,” he said into her ear. Goosebumps ran up her arm. Tingles shot into her underwear, and sweat beads formed on her lips.

  Scott Berger smelled great. The cologne was light but very male, and he was a solidly built man. Unsteady hands came up around his wide back, her fingertips feeling muscles as she looked over his shoulder to see Persephone peering on, watching them. His hands remained on her waist as his lips touched her neck, his teeth nipped at her throat and Zelda, shocked at her response, moaned a bit as she leaned into him.

  Her eyes closed, her mouth fell open and Scott Berger was pulled closer. She didn’t care if Pippi Longstockings got the message or not, Zelda shamefully took advantage of the situation. She’d been single for nearly two years and this was as close as she was getting to some real action.

  “She’s gone, you can let go now,” he whispered into her ear. “Or you can hold on a bit longer until we can figure out where to meet for dinner.”

  Zelda held on a bit longer. Squeezing him. Loving the feel of his strong body against her reminding her that the clock was ticking and her eggs were approaching being slightly overcooked.

  A light kiss could be felt on her neck as Scott took two steps back.

  “Absolutely spectacular,” he said. “Meet me in the lobby at five for dinner?”

  “Sure,” she said, her mouth suddenly dry.

  “Good,” he said, smiling with those crooked bucked teeth and goofy glasses. She saw the appeal in him. The glasses and teeth were cosmetic guards. They kept the villagers at bay.

  She wasn’t a resident in his village of dummies.

  She wanted inside the castle.

  Tonight, she was planning to do more than scale the walls. If she were lucky, he would have her climb them. Based on what she felt in his pants, she too would make a ladylike desperate attempt and at least try to make a real connection with a man.

  I have to try.

  Chapter 5

  In three hours, she learned more about ventriloquism, Scott Berger, the Vent Museum, and the history of doll making than she ever wanted to know in her life. If the universe was aligning to tell her about her future, Zelda prayed that it did not involve vent dolls. Life was hard enough connecting with another human let alone breathing life into an inanimate object.

  She truly needed to breathe some life into the sexless one she was living. Each month a different con, sometimes two in one month depending on the rotation, and the odder the better. As interesting as the people were, they were also a horny lot who looked forward to cons to hook up. Based on what she was learning, the goal at this con each year was to be the woman who hooked Scott Berger. Thus far, no one had succeeded, but that was not for a lack of trying.

  Persephone told her as much.

  “Now that he brought you with him, I can see why he is always so faithful. You are so pretty. I want to hate you but you are nice, too. I have been waiting for you to make fun of me or be pretty girl bitchy and you haven’t been,” Persephone said.

  “You seem disappointed,” Zelda said.

  “On two levels. I really want to be with Scot - no offense,” she said under her breath.

  “None was taken,” Zelda said, kept up the ruse that she was with the dummy master.

  “He is so awesome, but I am sure you know that. Each year, women have been trying to get him to play...you know, but as far as I know, he never has hooked up at these conferences. He comes in, does this thing, teaches a few classes, and then he leaves. I just knew this was going to be the year for us. I even got new boobs. I had some put on Pippi, too. They were put on crooked. I need him to even them up...it was going to be my segue into, “See, I have some new ones, too,’” Persephone said with her head lowered.

  Zelda reached across the table and used her index finger and raised the woman’s chin. “Never change yourself to get a man. You will end up resenting him for making you become someone you are not, then resenting yourself for being a stereotype,” she told the lady.

  “Easy for you to say. You are pretty,” Persephone said.

  “That does not make my life easy, Persephone. It actually makes it harder. Men see me and think I am dumb or some arm piece for them to show off as a prize,” Zelda spoke honestly.

  “I know Scott doesn’t see you like that. I saw you hugging him. You closed your eyes. Whe
n women close their eyes with a hug or a kiss, they are really feeling it. You looked like you were feeling it with Scott,” she said watching Zelda’s face.

  “Yes, I was,” Zelda responded, surprised at her own honesty.

  “Do me a favor, will ya? Make him happy. He hasn’t been happy in a very long time. He walks the walk and talks the talk, but you can see each year when he comes back here that more and more of him is fading. I saw a spark in him this morning before breakfast...which made me think I had a chance, but he was waiting for you,” Persephone said.

  “A spark?”

  “Yeah, his eyes were full of life and energy. Each time that elevator door opened, he jolted a bit, hoping it was you. When it finally opened and you stepped out, his whole body language changed. I want that. I want a man to feel that way about me,” she said softly.

  “Well, you won’t get there by stalking a man,” Zelda said, disturbed that the woman spent so much time watching Scott.

  “I’m not stalking him! I just happen to be where he is all the time,” she said with pouty lips. The two wired red pigtails sticking outwards from her head made her words sound almost as amusing as she looked.

  “You’re adorable,” Zelda told her.

  “I don’t want to be adorable. I want to get laid. The nasty kind of laid,” she said to Zelda.

  “Oh, my!” Zelda replied.

  “Help me,” Persephone said.

  “What?”

  “Help me get me some this weekend,” Persephone said flatly.

  “How am I supposed to do that?”

  “Tonight. You are interviewing people. I want you to pick me out a nice single guy and hook a sister up!”

  “A sister?”

  “I don’t care if I am not black. We are all sisters. This sister needs some dick. The only men who want me are the pedophile types who want to have me in this costume. Suburban Dad’s at kid’s birthday parties cornering me in the family kitchen. They are creepy. Tonight, find me a nice guy, Zelda,” she said pleading.

  “What happens tonight?”

  “Dinner, some dancing, you know that kind of stuff. Scott usually only makes an appearance, then he leaves, but he may stay longer since you are with him,” she said.

  “Do you have any regular clothes? I mean if you walk around dressed like a child, with mismatched socks, men will think you are role playing,” Zelda said.

  “I never thought of that!”

  “Well, there you go!”

  She watched Persephone’s face. All of these years as a beloved children’s character and she never added the two together that if a grown woman dressed like a child, specific types of men would find her interesting. Maybe Zelda could help her.

  “Pip, tonight, wear a regular dress and adult women’s shoes, but leave the hair as is, so they know it’s you,” she said. “I will scout out a few good choices.”

  Persephone hugged her close and tight.

  Scott stood in the corner watching.

  “Simply spectacular,” he said.

  He didn’t know what they were talking about. He only watched the body language. Zelda’s was soft, nurturing, almost big sister like as she spoke to Pip. Her facial expressions, although minute, could be read from across the room. He’d read Pip’s lips and his eyebrows shot up. She’d asked Zelda to find her a nice guy for the party tonight. He knew three.

  Scott would help her out as well.

  At 3 p.m. registration opened for the conference. The usual swag bag was handed out, filled with brochures on services, vendors, and promoters of the con. She had so many swag bags she’d started to repurpose them as Christmas gift containers for friends and family. This bag was of good quality, canvas material in a muted green color, a selection made by the conference director, who was close at hand. She’d seen him earlier in the day when he’d brought over Ted to have his doll Rocket repaired.

  “Hey there,” he said to her.

  He was a decent looking man, tall and broad-shouldered, but his eyes were shifty. That alone made her distrust him. Her hackles were up the moment his gaze fixated upon her, the eyes immediately venturing to the generous C cups.

  “I saw you with Scott earlier today,” he said to her.

  “Yes, I saw you as well,” she responded. She was unclear of which interaction with Scott he was referring, so she played it cool.

  “Are you dating my cousin or something like that?”

  “Something like that,” she replied. “I am with Hobbyist Magazine. Can I get a quote from you on putting together the Vent?”

  “Of course,” he said, moving closer than her comfort allowed. Zelda stepped back. He moved forward. She stepped to the side. He moved again.

  Scott materialized out of nowhere, placing his arm lazily across her shoulder.

  “How is it going, Spectacular?” he asked Zelda.

  “It’s going rather well, Master Craftsman,” she said, feeling relieved to see him. Even more relieved that he used his arm to show every man in the room that she was with him.

  “Did you get your quote from Chance on putting together this amazing event? I honestly don’t see how he maintains the energy each year to make this better and better,” Scott said into the air. His words were not directed at his cousin, but at the on listeners and onlookers.

  “I do have a reputation and family name to uphold,” Chance replied.

  “And an amazing job you do as well,” he said with a half-smile.

  Zelda took it as her cue, using it to ask, “What do you look forward to each year, especially after doing this for how many years?”

  “Fifteen. I have been the Director for 15 years. I guess, seeing so many new faces, enjoying themselves, learning, making new friends, joining local chapters,” Chance said.

  “Any advice for the new ventriloquist attending your conference?” she asked him.

  “Yes, learn all that you can while you are in the presence of so many masters,” he said. “If you will excuse me.”

  Chance walked away. The sight of Scott’s arm around Zelda as he toyed with her hair made the man uncomfortable. He wasn’t sure what such a beautiful woman saw in his cousin. Scott, albeit smart, was no looker. It mattered little to him after all. There were other women here. He would find something else to play with tonight.

  “Thanks for rescuing me from that predator,” she said to Scott. “You can get your fingers out of my hair now.”

  “Sorry, I got wrapped up in my own thoughts,” he told her.

  “I’d bet,” she said tossing her hair over her shoulder.

  “He seems like he preys upon every single woman here,” she said.

  “Yes, it is hard to keep him from taking advantage, but in some ways, he is not the bad guy. A lot of these women walk through the door ready to find some strange for the weekend. Hell, most of them come for just that reason,” he said.

  “I hear you avoid them all,” she said. “You don’t like to play around?”

  “No. I don’t play around at all,” he said, looking over the rim of the awkward glasses. “I am intentional in my actions.”

  “I don’t know how to take that,” she said.

  “Take it any way you want. You can also take me any way you want me.”

  “Mr. Berger, are telling me you aren’t tempted to drink from this fountain of doll dressed up youth?”

  “No, I am not,” he said.

  Zelda was curious. The women wanted him. He wasn’t very attractive, yet there was a sense of masculinity, confidence, and self-assuredness about him. It made him sexy in a totally different way.

  “Why? There are so many willing to please you,” she said.

  He sighed deeply. “That is the same question I ask myself each year. Why are they so willing? I stopped being able to find an answer years ago, so I made myself a promise to never venture into the village at night,” he said.

  “I don’t understand,” she said, still standing close to him. Her heart was racing and she was feeling some sort of
way. Scott Berger was getting to her.

  “It is bad juju and bad for business for the Chief to sleep with the village girls. It taints the waters. My reputation is everything. Our life blood depends on these guys coming back each year,” he told her.

  “Even if the women are willing?”

  “The only woman I desire to be willing is the one I am standing next to,” he said with an intensity in his eyes. “I knew who you were the moment I saw you on that bar stool. I broke the ice, now I am asking you for a drink.”

  “I’m not thirsty,” she said.

  “Give me a few hours, I can get you there,” he told her with a lowered voice, his lips close to her ear. “See you later.”

  He walked off. Zelda tried to swallow but her throat felt dry, as she tried to swallow.

  “Damn it,” she said.

  Suddenly, she felt really, really thirsty. “Don’t let me down, Scott. You are doing a great job on the buildup.”

  Chapter 6

  By dinnertime on Wednesday evening, Zelda, tired and bordering on being mentally drained, showered then dressed for dinner. Today was the first official day of the conference, but she would fly back out to Texas tomorrow afternoon. In record time, she managed to get quotes from the organizer, a female children’s ventriloquist, an older adult male, and young male on the comedy circuit.

  Tonight’s opening dinner would include several acts taking to the stage in one room while dancing would commence in another. She was more interested to see a room full of nerdy adults playing with dolls on the floor getting their grooves on. The one image which consistently popped in her mind was whether or not the doll owners would be dancing with their dolls. To her surprise, she arrived at dinner to find that the dolls were not present, just the owners. A few attendees she did not recognize in regular clothing, including Persephone. The woman may spend her days dressed as a child, but that was a full-grown woman’s body she showed off tonight. Even with the pigtails stuck out from the side of her head like directional antennas, she looked amazing.

  “Wow, look at you,” Zelda said standing next to her. The red dress clung to all the right places, giving all the men the wrong ideas.