The Countdown to Thirty by Nefertiti Faraj Read Free Book Online Page B

non-dater and that
she wanted to attend Chateau Oasis’ Resident Safety Program next week I agreed
to meet here there.
    After everyone else left the pool the three of us decided to
jump in. We were good and buzzed and I realized just how hard, but fun it is to
swim intoxicated. Although Nina complained, she was satisfied with her life as
an Assistant Bank Manager, mother of three and her high-school sweetheart as
her boyfriend. But I admired Sonya for being strong enough to be single and
satisfied with that. Not many women including myself see things that way.
Actually not many men either truth be told. Just look at Christian and his out
of order love life.
    When it came down to it, Sonya and I had different desires
yet we understood each other at the same time.

Five
    Sonya
     
    At a quarter to six the property manager finally unlocked
the large castle like doors that led into Chateau Oasis’ finely decorated
clubhouse. To the left was a computer room that offered six desktop computers
and was fully functional with a printer, scanner and fax machine. It was sealed
off by a large door engineered with pretty crackle glass which was also
featured throughout the clubhouse. As I walked along the red and brown swirly
stripes that flowed throughout the carpet I was led into the main sitting area.
A large gas fireplace acted as the focal point. The mantle was ornamented with
various shades of light and brown jagged rock then housed a large 60” flat
screen TV. On the adjacent wall of the fireplace was a nicely set-up table with
a variety of refreshments including chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies, donuts
a few veggie trays and an assortment of grapes, strawberries and sliced
pineapple.
    After grabbing a plate of pineapple and strawberries then a
bottle of water I took a seat on a plush tan sectional that was strewn with
decorative throw pillows and curved elegantly into a half moon shape.
    “I’ve got to get the name of their decorator,” I said to
myself appreciating the expertise of said designer.
    I realized the meeting was supposed to get started in
another seven minutes or so but there were only about a dozen residents
including myself silently chewing on our refreshments and sipping on our
miniature bottles of water. Everyone in attendance so far were women except for
the one man who just so happened to be the old peeping Tom from the pool. I
frowned then shifted my position towards the woman sitting to my left when he
winked at me.
    Kaia still hadn’t managed to make it in yet but I figured
she was probably held up at work. I truly looked forward to seeing her for some
strange reason. After all the times we’ve said “hi” or “good morning” to each
other while heading off to work in the morning I never imagined she’d be so
laid back.
    In mid chew I realized I must have been too preoccupied with
the delightful flavor of the fruit because I barely took notice of the red
haired woman next to me until she began profusely tapping at my shoulder. I was
deep in thought savoring the sweet flavor of strawberries when I realized she
was speaking to me.
    “Excuse me?” I said asking her to repeat her question.
    “I said I heard they arranged this program because of the
rash of break-ins in the area. It’s just crazy isn’t it?”
    I quickly finished chewing what was left of my fruit and
forced a hard swallow so I could respond, “Yes it is. It’s ridiculous.”
    I knew what she was referring to. Lately within the few
minutes in the morning that I briefly watched the news there have been reports
about break-ins and home invasions. It’s like robbery season officially started
and every vulnerable person was a target.
    “Can you believe people would stoop so low? Go out and get
your own stuff. People work hard for what they have and these punks just kick
in doors and take it!” She vented with chewed up chunks of her glaze donut in
her mouth.
    Even though her demeanor was a little more excitable than
mines I could