The Night She Got Lucky by Susan Donovan Read Free Book Online Page B

coworkers both male and female, her sonsthey all told her she was gorgeous. Strangers in the produce section would stop and ask for her autograph, mistaking her for a celebrity. Everyone in her life knew she'd gotten her nickname as a teenager because of her striking resemblance to the glamorous Ginger on the vintage TV sitcom
Gilligan's
Island
.
    And hadn't Lucio called her
bonita
, which was Spanish for pretty?
    Suddenly, Ginger felt dizzy. Just the thought of Lucio made her skin tingle and her breath come quicker. How awkward! She was staring into the smirk of her ex-husband, yet she had to press her knees together with the thought of her sexual panther man. Oh, how Lucio had touched her! How he'd kissed her'
every-flippin'-where
.
    Larry laughed. Well, well. Looks like I hit a nerve. He swaggered through the living room to the front door and Ginger followed him, still in a daze. She'd have to remember to never'
ever
'think of Lucio while behind the wheel of a car.
    You leavin', Dad?
    Jason made his way into the foyer, a wad of Oreos in one hand and a glass of milk in the other. We still goin' to the driving range this weekend?
    Larry suddenly looked nervous. Uh
    Ginger's heart sank to her feet. He was doing it again, despite his promise. He said he'd never again break a date with the boys, yet he was about to do it anyway! The worst part was that his excuses were often a lie. He'd tell them something had come up at work, and the boys would accept that, since they'd grown up with an absentee doctor as a father. But Ginger knew better. She knew Larry often traded the company of his boys for that of his latest barely legal girl.
    Sure, sure, Larry said, patting Jason on the back. We'll touch base later this week. Say good-bye to your brother for me.
    Jason grimaced. Whatever, he said, shoving another Oreo into his mouth as he turned back to the kitchen.
    Larry
    He cut her off. I know. I know. I'll just have to do some juggling, is all. I'll make it work.
    Ginger's whole body vibrated with anger. Make it work? They're your sons! Her voice had become high and squeaky, but she didn't care. They are supposed to come first! All that other stuff is what you have to make worknot your own damn children!
    Right. Of course.
    Ginger lowered her voice to a seething whisper. You're damaging your sons, Larry, and you'd better get yourself together or you're going to lose them, do you hear me?
    Larry shook his head as if he felt sorry for her. What I hear is the menopause train coming down the track.
Woo, woo!
Larry pulled his fist through the air a couple times, then laughed at his own cleverness. Listen, babe, would you like me to write you a prescription? Something to take the edge off?
    Ginger moved a step closer to him, refusing to take his bait. This is not about me. It's about Jason and Joshua.
    Larry chuckled. Josh is at the head of his class. A total Goody Two-shoes well on his way to being president of the United States, for fuck's sake! And Jason is a good kid. He's just got a bit of a wild streak, is all. Larry grinned. It's perfectly normal.
    Suddenly, HeatherLynn came around the living room archway like a demonic cotton ball, ears flying back, a menacing growl gurgling up from her throat, tiny little fangs exposed. Ginger was shockedshe couldn't remember ever hearing her sweet little girl actually
growl
. Maybe they'd been spending too much time with Roxie and Lilith.
    Before Ginger could stop her, HeatherLynn leaped from the Mexican tile and nipped Larry right in the crotch. He screeched, more in surprise than pain. Then, just as quickly, the dog skittered back to the living room and dove under the couch.
    Ginger's hand flew to her mouth in disbelief.
    That crazy little
bitch
! Larry adjusted the zipper in his chinos and tried to brush away any dog hair that might be clinging to the spot of drool on the front of his pants. I never really wanted her, anyway.
    Ginger choked on her laughter, the tears forming in her eyes. And