Mary Lou's Big Adventure

I don't know how Stephanie does it. How can she be around guys that look like…what they look like, and not melt into puddle every time they smile? Or when they wear those tight t-shirts that shows every rippling muscle? Or stare at those tone, tight butts? I can't even begin to imagine about their…. What am I talking about? Having one fine big daddy of my own at home, I didn't need to look elsewhere. I sighed. With these guys, you couldn't help but look.

"Mary Lou?" Jumping at the sound of my name and someone's hand on my arm, I turned to look into a concerned pair of Latino eyes. Damn, Stephanie sure was lucky. Oh hell, Stephanie deserved a guy like him.

"Oh, sorry Ranger. I just…just…" He's going to think I'm a babbling idiot.

He flashed a smile at me and I just about wet my pants. "Don't worry, I know you're nervous, but I promise you we'll take care of you. And if by some reason we do get separated, you' re wired with a tracking device, panic button and for sound." He patted my hand then helped me out of the Bronco. "The guys are already inside. I'm going to take you in the back way and we'll all be seated at the very last booth. It's fairly quiet in there right now, but I'm not taking any chances."

Nodding, I followed Ranger toward the back of Pino's.

"Oh, Ranger?" He stopped to look at me. Guess he wasn't going to say anything. "I was wondering if you picked out my disguise."

Watching a slow smile form on his face, I could almost swear it was slightly lecherous. "No."

"Oh, Stephanie was wondering who did." I couldn't tell if he was going to say anything so I waited. By the time he responded I think his smile was bigger.

"It was either Tank or Bobby."

"Ok. You think I could, you know, maybe keep it? I think Lenny would really…appreciate it" Now I know his smile grew bigger, and it wasn't even close to being innocent. If asked, I'd have to say he was leering. Well, well…burg mother of two has still got it.

Ranger responded with a nod and turned back toward the building. Hesitating with his hand on the door handle, he twisted around slightly to look back at me. "You think I could get Stephanie in a wig and an outfit?"

Studying him for second, I had to decide, do I tell him she'd jump at the chance or do I let him figure it out on his own. Aww hell, they both worked pretty hard at getting to where they're at, I could help him out.

Leaning in like I had a big secret to tell, I said, "She's always wanted a pair of thigh high boots with stiletto heels, and she's wondered about herself as a redhead." When finished spilling those tid-bits, I winked. Ranger's eyes grew dark and surprisingly, he winked back.

When we reached the table and Tank slid out from the booth and Ranger motioned for me to slid in. Tank joined me and we both had a clear view of the bar and door. I directed a questioning look at Ranger, which I hoped he understood. Steph's always saying these guys have ESP.

"I think it's best if people think you are with Tank. If someone happens to come over, that's the story we'll go with. I don't think it would be a good idea to get the grapevine buzzing about me being seen with a black haired beauty. We don't want to call attention."

Nodding once to Ranger, I then turned my attention to the other two. "So you two thought this outfit was inconspicuous?"

Their eyes slid in my direction, then they looked at each other. I don't think they knew what to say. It was also obvious they didn't know what to expect from me. Steph and I may be best friends, but we are completely different in some areas.

"Smart men. You know when silence is the best way out." Ranger snickered and I threw him a look that said 'what are you laughing at?'. It seemed to quiet him down.

The waitress approached our table and took our orders. It was Missy Bobeck, I remember her from the 9^th grade. Smiling warmly at her, I gave her my order and the guys followed suit. Throughout the whole transaction, Missy kept glancing at me.

I went to say something to Missy, and no sooner had I opened my mouth, than Tank had placed a large arm around my shoulder, giving me a tight squeeze. Leaning in, he nuzzled my neck and brought his free hand up to my cheek, effectively holding my head still.

Whispering in my ear, he said, "Remember your cover." Oh shit! Feeling the warmth of embarrassment creep into my face, I tried to shrink back behind Tank. He moved with me taking his hand from my face and putting it around my waist, and then turned his body so it covered mine completely. To everyone else it probably looked like we were going at it pretty hot and heavy, which is the effect I think he was going for…that and to shut me up. The whole thing only lasted a few seconds, then he let go and we both sat back up.

I tried to act natural as I apologized to Ranger. "I'm so sorry. My big mouth..." Ranger's smart, I'm sure he knew what I'd be like when he asked me to do this, for some things, Stephanie and I are alike. Next, I turned to Tank. "And you G.I. Joe, next time give a girl some warning. Jeez," I said as I elbowed him. Tank just rolled his eyes at me.

Pino's was still pretty empty, we had about 15 minutes before the shift change, but once our food arrived, the place had started to fill up.

Eating and watching, eating and watching, that was about all we did until Tank said something to Ranger.

"Boss, another salad? How can you keep eating that rabbit food shit?" Tank made a face like he had just swallowed something bad. Bobby chuckled.

I didn't wait for Ranger's response. "Oh, leave him alone. It's good he eats his veggies. You should be more like Ranger. Look at your plate, " I made a circling motion over his plate with my hand. "The only green thing on there is the lettuce on your burger. You need roughage. Helps you process everything through. I'm constantly telling my boys, Lenny too, to eat their veggies. If they don't, they get stopped up and it's just hell."

About that time Bobby's BBQ sandwich fell apart. Raising my hand in the air, I got the attention of one of the other servers. "Could we get more napkins over here please?" I said as I motioned toward Bobby. "They never give enough napkins. You think they'd see me with kids and just figure I needed more, but no, you have to ask." I muttered to no one in particular.

Drawing my attention back to my food, I could feel the guys starting at me. Sure enough, when I looked up, they were. Ranger had a fork half way to his mouth; Bobby looked at me like I had two heads and Tank’s eyebrows were up to his hairline.

"What?" I rolled my eyes. "For crying out loud, I'm surrounded by toddlers all day long. Give me a break. Some habits are hard to break."

The dinner crowd started to thin down and the four of us had been done with our meals for some time. Finally, I made Tank scoot out of the way so I could head to the bathroom. Sensing that I was being followed, I quickly turned to find Tank on my heels. I gave him a ‘now what?’ look and he just shrugged. Putting my hand on his chest, I leaned in and whispered, "I’m perfectly capable of going to the bathroom on my own. I promise not to blow my cover while I’m in the john." He stood there and just shook his head. Fine.

When I came out Tank was standing waiting at the door. He smiled when he saw me. They really were nice guys. Smiling back I said, "Tank, I can’t sit anymore, could we maybe go stand at the bar or something. I’m not used to sitting still."

"Sure thing Little Mama," he responded as he put his arm around my shoulders and guided me to the end of the bar closest to our table. Caught by surprise at the 'Little Mama' comment, I gave Tank a questioning look.

His smile widened, but he didn't say a word. Shrugging, I figured that if he called Steph Bombshell, why couldn't he call me Little Mama?

Tank ordered us two beers and then stood facing the mirror behind the bar, watching people come and go. I stood facing Tank, which gave me a good scope of the room and the front door. Every once in awhile he’d lean down near my ear, like we were having some intimate conversation, and ask me questions about the kids or Lenny, and I’d whisper back.

Some time later, I was focused on Angie Czarnecki and her husband Al. He was a Trenton cop, 30 years on the force. It was a big scandal when they got married because he was 14 years older. Everyone said it wouldn’t last. Now I spotted them in a corner booth and it looked like they were arguing. Oh, I bet this is good. Wishing I could get closer, I took two tiny steps away from the bar. That’s when I saw him.

That small movement was enough for me to see the man standing next to Tank. Oh god, I think that’s him. Trying not to panic, I lowered my eyes to see what kind of shoes he was wearing. Shit, shit, shit. He had on a leather bomber jacket and Cowboy boots, but I still wasn’t sure. I hadn’t seen him up close before. Damn. Then he made the one movement and I knew for sure.

He must have sensed me staring at him because he started to turn my direction. Quickly moving back the two steps, I grabbed Tank by the shirt, brought his face down to mind and kissed him. Tank’s eyes went wide and he tried to pull back, but I held on for dear life, so that he only moved a couple of inches from my face.

"He’s right behind you." I could hear the shake to my voice.

"You sure?" he mouthed.

Nodding, I pulled Tank’s ear to my mouth. "He checked the time on his watch. The watch that’s hanging off his belt." I felt Tank nod his head, at the same time my whole body started to shake.

Tank started to pull back, but stopped. Leaning close to my ear he said, "Let go."

"Huh?"

"Let go of my shirt so I can get us out of here." It sounded like a simple request, but I couldn’t do it. My hands were not cooperating.

"I…I cccan’t."

Right then his arms came around me and he pulled me in for a big hug. "It’s ok." Somehow that worked. Feeling myself relax a tiny bit, I let out a sigh. Tank took the opportunity to grab both my hands and work my fingers free. He spun me around so that I stayed directly in front of him. The sound of his voice made me jump. "Let’s walk back to the table." Keeping his hands on my shoulders, he helped me to keep a calm pace.

Sliding into the booth, I noticed that the three men had some sort of silent communication going on because Bobby suddenly nodded his head and got out of the booth. Just as I was about to stop scooting and settle in, Tank nudged me even further into the corner. Then, as earlier, he leaned over so that his entire upper body covered mine.

Tank had braced himself with his hands, one on the wall and the other on the back of the booth. I could feel the warmth of his breath on my ear as he told me what was going on. "It looks like he’s getting something to go. We’ll stay like this until he leaves. You did good back there." Even though I was still shaky, I managed to croak out a thank you. I could feel the rumble of his laughter.

He must have noticed trembling nerves because his hands left their neutral positions and, once again, encased me in a big bear hug. "Shhh…everything is ok. You can stop shaking now. No one is going to hurt you."

After an eternity ticked by, or maybe it was just a few minutes, Tank pushed off me, but without turning around, looked toward Ranger. Some signal must have been given because Tank then righted himself in the booth with a grin that spread from ear to ear. "Damn, Little Mama, you could give a guy some warning." Giving a weak smile, I came to understand how Steph could trust these guys so much.

With the tension broken, I remembered what just happened. I looked around to see that everyone in our little group was back to where we had started. Glancing nervously toward the bar, I saw that Bad Guy was gone. My questioning gaze fell on Ranger. He nodded once and softly said, "Pete DeFalco."