The Numb Skull Broke His Leg PT II

Cocaine Princess here.

My laptop is back with me finally! Dropping it off was a breeze, getting it back was a problem. It all started with a gold fish and ended with a shooting in China Town. Let me tell you about the exciting events leading up to it. The last entry I posted was on Wednesday, I was talking to Valentina on the phone:

You should have gone to Zürich with daddy.' 'To Zürich? Are you kidding? Do you know what it's like there?' 'Have you forgotten where I live?' I stated. 'You could have just stayed indoors. Zürich has some of the best spas in all of Europe. 'Would you have gone with me if I had asked?' ''After the winter I endured, probably not,' I replied. 'How long is he there for?' 'For a few more days and then daddy's making a side trip to Austria,' Valentina answered. 'Why?' I asked. 'To visit numb skull in the hospital. He broke his leg and fractured his collar bone.'

'What happened?' I asked. I couldn't hear the answer on account of the blender. The cleaning lady was here today and was making herself something. 'Hang on,' I said to Valentina. I went outside on the patio and oh my God the hideous creature with four legs began to bark at full volume. Now that Mother Nature was finally beginning to show us some mercy the creature was going to be kept outside at night slimming my chances of getting a good night's sleep. I went back inside and the cleaning lady was finished blending whatever it was she was blending. Valentina gave me the 411 on numb skull.

The numb skull in question is Valentina's cousin who I briefly wrote about several months ago. He's a DJ and played at one of her parties. One night at a friend's house party he discovered his talent of spinning music and decided on the spot he wanted to pursue it professionally. When he informed his dad about his plans of forgoing college his dad hit the roof. According to Valentina both father and son argued for days to the point where he threatened to not only cut his son out of the will but to freeze his trust fund until he got his degree. The two finally reached a deal. He would attend college first, get his degree and afterwards he was free to do whatever he pleased, including being a DJ. Valentina's uncle had it all planned out by assuming his son wanting to have a career in music was just a crazy phase and once in college he would forget all about it, return home with a degree and work in the family 'business.' (While in college he was still DJ'ing at local night spots) Numb skull received his degree. At his graduation party he made his dad live up to his end of the deal. So now Valentina's uncle refers to his son as the gypsy in the family who goes from city to city working in different clubs to private parties. I've seen him in action, he's really good. When he's not working you can find him participating in extreme sports. The more risk involved the better it is, from cave diving to base jumping. Unlike me he loves the winter and loves to ski but for an extreme sports enthusiast regular skiing just doesn't cut it. So what will? Heli-Skiing. I had never heard of this until Valentina filled me in. The skier will jump out of a helicopter onto virgin snow and ski down a mountain side risking the chance of starting an avalanche. Her cousin believed this to be the ultimate winter thrill, something out of a James Bond flick. It didn't exactly pan out the way he had hoped because he's now in the hospital. Lucky for him he only broke his leg and not his neck. He's expected to make a full recovery. The reason why Valentina calls him numb skull, actually she calls him the numb skull with a death wish is because of his life risking hobby. I said to her, 'we all have our hobbies. Look what our hobbies consist of, shopping and traveling. You can't fault him for his choice.' 'Some choice he made. His choice led him to breaking and fracturing his bones. His dad flew right away to see him. He sees it as the perfect opportunity to try to deprogram him and get him to come back home.' 'You think he will?' 'Unless he sustained some type of head injury, no,' she replied. 'If he can't get him to come home then maybe he can convince him to give up his lethal choice of sports,' I stated. Valentina paused for a moment and said, 'you're lying to me.' 'About what?' 'You're not okay. You say you are but I can tell you're not,' she answered. 'You mean the same way I can tell you're in one of your mischievous moods which is 24/7?' I said back. 'I am not mischievous 24/7.' 'I stand corrected, you're only mischievous 23/7.' 'Joke all you want, there's something bothering you. Why won't you tell me?' she asked. 'Because there's nothing bothering me,' I replied. 'Then there's something eating at you.' 'Valentina please just let it go.' As soon as I said that I right away regretted it. You think after all these years I would know better. 'I was right! I was right! There is something wrong!' exclaimed Valentina. 'I have to know so tell me!' 'No,' I replied. 'Why? We tell each other everything,' she said back. 'Because it's something that I myself need to work through,' I explained. 'But why should you have to go through it alone? Let me share some of the burden.........because if you don't you know I'm just going to keep on calling you every ten minutes until you tell me,' she threatened. 'Then I'll unplug the phone,' I said back. 'Then I'll tell daddy.' 'Oh my God please don't go bothering him, okay?' 'Why are you being so stubborn with me? You said your mind was racing with thoughts and things, just tell me what those things are and maybe you'll feel better.' 'I will tell you but not right now,' I said. 'When will you tell me? I need to know exactly,' 'Eventually,' I replied. 'Eventually within the hour or eventually by the end of the day?' she demanded to know. I felt a big headache coming on. Why did I answer the phone or why didn't I just deny everything? Valentina was not going to let this go. My mischievous best friend knew she had me in her clutches. I had two choices at that point, tell her the reason or take the phone and hit myself in the head with it until I became unconscious. I picked the first one.
To Be Continued.......

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess

PS. Tomorrow is April 29th, more importantly Madonna's new CD Hard Candy is being released!!

The Numb Skull Broke His Leg.....

Cocaine Princess here.

My lap top is not co-operating with me again. It keeps shutting off within twenty minutes and then takes forever to start up. It's barely even two years old. I called the brainiac technician at Toshiba who originally fixed it before and told him I was having the same problem. 'The fan probably needs replacing,' he said. 'Didn't you replace it before?' I asked. 'No I just cleaned it.'

On Friday I'm going back into the city to get it fixed again. 'A' offered her laptop to use in the mean time but I don't feel comfortable using it. I'm comfortable using mine. I've gotten so use to it and feel weird without it much like how Linus feels without his blanket.

Lately one of the most common questions I'm getting asked, 'how can you stand being friends with someone like Valentina?' I answered it once before and my reply is still the same. You either love her or you hate her, there's no in between. We've known each other forever and each of us knows the other inside out. Sure Valentina can be bold, blunt, never afraid to say what's on her mind and at times has been known to have an acid tongue, I suppose that's my fault for showing only one side of her. Valentina does have a compassionate side and overall she has a loving and generous nature. Even though some of her mischievous shenanigans drive me up the wall she means well and her heart is always in the right place. She's a good egg!

Speaking of Valentina, she called this morning and said, 'I have something to ask you,' 'If this is about you know who,' I began to say. 'You mean whose-name-shall-not-be-mentioned?' 'Yes,' I replied. 'What if it is?' she questioned. 'Then I'm hanging up and changing my number,' I answered. 'It's not about him and you changing your number, please! You know I'll still be able to get access to the number. All I wanted to ask is how you're feeling?' I waited a few seconds before answering in case she was planning on sneaking in a question, she didn't. I let her know I was back to normal. 'Did you get the orchids daddy sent you?' 'Yes and they're so beautiful. I have them displayed in the foyer.' 'Daddy read your post about your icky feeling week and was quite concerned. He knows orchids are your favorite. Did he send you anything else?' 'A shiny bauble,' I replied. 'I thought so because he sent me one too,' she said back. 'Are you sure everything's okay?' 'Why wouldn't it be?' 'You don't sound right,' she replied. 'What do you mean?' 'Your voice is telling me you're not back to yourself. I don't hear that usual spark.' 'I'm just a little tired, you know I don't sleep well at night.' 'I've spoken to you before where you haven't slept for days and that spark is still there. There's something else going on?' 'Like what, something sinister?' I said. 'Oh no, is 'A' making you go grocery shopping again.' 'No,' I replied laughing. 'I know there's something going on with you, tell me.' 'Lately my mind is just racing with thoughts and things.' 'What kind of thoughts and things?' she questioned. 'Nothing I can't handle,' I told her. I knew she was going to keep on hounding me so I changed the subject. 'You should have gone to Zürich with daddy.' 'To Zürich? Are you kidding? Do you know what it's like there?' 'Have you forgotten where I live?' I stated. 'You could have just stayed indoors. Zürich has some of the best spas in all of Europe. 'Would you have gone with me if I had asked?' ''After the winter I endured, probably not,' I replied. 'How long is he there for?' 'For a few more days and then daddy's making a side trip to Austria,' Valentina answered. 'Why?' I asked. 'To visit numb skull in the hospital. He broke his leg and fractured his collar bone.'

I'm going to have to end this entry right here because my laptop is making a loud noise and within a few minutes it's going to shut off. I'll be back soon.

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess

Have You Ever Felt Like This?

Cocaine Princess here.

Have you ever had one of those days where your alarm clock goes off and you just don't feel like getting out of bed? You feel beat, you lack energy and feel unfocused and fizzled out for no reason? This is how I've been feeling. I've been laid up in bed all week just staring at the ceiling feeling icky and achy hardly doing a single thing.

On Friday I managed to get myself out of bed only because I needed to go out and pick up a couple of things. I began my workout which I gave up after 10 minutes and then took a shower. I was sitting at the breakfast table eating a bowl of Fruit Loops. 'A' was already in the kitchen on her way to work when she said something. I don't know what she was saying because I wasn't really paying attention, just bits and pieces. Actually I wasn't paying attention at all. I was so exhausted and couldn't be bothered. I'm sure all of you have seen the Charlie Brown cartoon specials on TV. You never hear the adults speaking. Replacing their voices are a weird trombone sound. Well that's all I heard while her mouth moved.

At around 10am I was dressed and ready to go. I was in my room picking out a pair of heels and not boots because the snow has finally melted! All my winter clothes and boots are in storage and out of storage are my spring clothing and accessories. The grass is finally showing, birds have begun chirping again and the geese have returned from the south. Today we hit a high of +22C. Hopefully the weather will continue to stay warm and not turn. This year our winter was exceptionally too long and too hard. Anyways, as I was choosing a pair of stilettos I could hear the hideous looking creature barking. I looked out the window to pinpoint exactly where it was. The last thing I wanted was to come face to face with it and lose my breakfast. The creature was running around in its' backyard like a maniac.

I honestly tried making an effort to go out but it was useless. So instead I plopped myself down in front of the TV. Jerry Springer was about to air and I'm an addict for him but I was so unfocused I had no clue why the guests were slapping each other around. I did however pay attention to one thing, a Domino's commercial. I looked at the clock, it was almost 11am. When it comes to eating I'm quite disciplined. I watch very carefully what I eat but once in awhile it's okay to gorge out. I called up Domino's and ordered a large cheese pizza with roasted red and jalapeño peppers and tomatoes. The operator asked if I wanted any garlic bread, salad or wings with my order? When I said yes to the wings she then asked if I wanted any dessert? I agreed to the cinnastix, I had never tasted them and then requested her to throw in a 6-pack of Coke. She said my order would be delivered within 3o-35 minutes. As I waited and tried to figure out what was happening on Springer, Valentina called me. When I answered this is the first thing she said, 'I'm so bored, can you come over?' 'Yeah, I'll be there in ten minutes,' I replied. 'You know what I mean,' she said back. I told her how I'd been feeling. 'If I don't have the strength to even leave the house how am I suppose to get to the airport?' I asked her. 'Usually retail therapy works for me when I feel down,' said Valentina. 'And it does for me too but not this time.' I replied back. 'Please, I miss you,' she stated. 'I just saw you over Easter weekend. Remember Sandbox Island?' I stated. 'It was more like Claustrophobic Island,' Valentina replied. 'Daddy's in Zürich.' 'Yeah I know he called me two days ago,' I said. Valentina didn't accompany daddy to Zürich on account of the cold weather still there- she's allergic to it. As I said goodbye, Valentina told me to call her back if I changed my mind. A few minutes later the doorbell rang, I looked at the clock and it hadn't been thirty minutes yet. I checked the cameras to see who it was. It was my neighbor's nanny with the hideous looking creature on a leash. I contemplated for a couple of seconds on whether or not to open the door. I faked a smile and while opening the door I could feel my fruit loops coming up. 'Hi,' said the nanny. 'Sorry to disturb you but one of my kids threw their hockey stick over the fence and into your yard.' I told her I would unlock the gate. I went through the kitchen-patio doors and unlocked it and quickly ran back inside because as soon as the nanny entered she let go of the creature's leash. Watching her from the window she found the hockey stick lying in between two shrubs. Further down were two tennis balls and a Frisbee- not the one that hit me in the head but another one. I never took notice of the items because the snow must have been covering them. While the nanny was on a scavenger hunt the creature was busy doing some bizarre ritual- it would bark up in the air, run around in a circle, howl and roll over. It kept on doing this several times. I swear there's something tragically wrong with the creature. After the nanny finished collecting the items she saw me in the window and holding the items, smiled and left with the creature following her. I waited a few seconds to make sure the creature was back in its' own yard and then returned outside to lock the gate.
Domino's finally delivered my order within the promised time frame. In one hand I held the pizza box with the wing and cinnistix box on top and in my other hand the Coke cans which were in a plastic bag. I sat everything on the coffee table and went to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of ranch dressing. I opened the lid of the pizza box and it was piping hot. It smelled so good with the heat intensifying the smell of the peppers. I drizzled ranch dressing all over it and then opened the wing box, I ordered those suicide. I cracked open a Coke and began eating the slices right out of the box using the stiff like napkins Domino's provided as a plate. In between my pizza slices I was eating the wings. My hands and mouth were covered in hot sauce and I didn't care. I ate four slices and left the remainder for 'A.' I took only one bite out of the cinnastix, it had an odd sweet taste to it.

Time was going at a turtle's pace for me on Friday. At that point the only highlight of my day was finally being able to catch Madonna's new video with Justin Timberlake, 4 MINUTES- "You got to get him hot, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock." It's a fantastic video but I'm a little biased. I love Madonna and anything and everything she does I love. After that I don't remember what happened other than I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew 'A' was waking me up. It took a few seconds for me to come out of it. If 'A' was home from work I must have been asleep all afternoon. 'What time is it?' I asked. 'It's two,' she replied. 'What are you doing home this early?' 'I told you at breakfast I was coming home early, remember?' 'Yes I remember. No I don't,' I then replied. ' 'I thought so, you were so quiet. I should have just written you a note,' she said back. There was some sort of school half day holiday for all the students and teachers which was why she had come home early. 'A' looked at the coffee table. The pizza lid and wing box was half closed, the can of Coke I had drank was lying on the carpet to one side and I'm still not quite sure how it got there and my crumbled up napkins covered in hot sauce were scattered across the table. 'I see you've had a productive afternoon,' she commented. I snapped at her and said 'clever observation Agatha Christie.' I felt bad afterwards because I've never spoken to her that way. 'Oh dear, you're cranky and moody.' I didn't respond back that time, instead I slumped over and buried my face in the sofa. 'A' sat down beside me and stroked my back. 'You're still in your funk aren't you? Tell me what's wrong, do you feel sick?' I nodded no. 'You've been like this all week. And you not once going to the mall has got me worried.' She pulled me up and put her arm around me and asked, 'did you talk to the hurricane today?' 'We spoke, earlier,' I answered. In case you're wondering, the hurricane is Valentina, a nickname given to her by 'A' when she was little. 'Describe to me how you feel.' I just blew her a raspberry. 'That's how I feel.' ''Why do you feel this way?' she then questioned. 'If I knew that don't you think I'd be able to get out of this funk? I don't know whether to cry or scream.' 'Why don't we go out to the movies? she suggested. 'I don't feel like going out,' I said. 'It'll be fun.' A red flag alert popped in my mind. 'The last time you said that you dragged me grocery shopping.' 'And I'm sorry that I made you go. But you've been to the movies before and it's not like grocery shopping. I think if you get out of the house you'll feel better,' she said taking my hands. It's gorgeous outside and a change of scenery will help.' I looked down at my nails and was horrified to see my polish was chipped. I couldn't believe how neglectful I had become. 'We can't go out, look at my nails.' 'No one's going to notice them,' she replied looking at them. 'You did,' I said. 'Because you told me to look at them,' she answered. I nodded my head no to going out. 'How about you get your manicure first and then we'll go to the movies okay?' 'Okay but I want to change my clothes first,' I said getting up.' 'What you're wearing is fine.' 'I smell of pizza and hot sauce. I'll be down in a sec,' I said heading out of the room.

At the salon I asked 'A' to join me in getting her nails done but she declined. She sat nearby me reading a magazine. As you probably know by now 'A' is a sibling of mine, older. The two of us are several years apart in age. She has somewhat of a Martha Stewart-like persona. I of course don't mean that in a bad way, she's my sister and I love her. 'A' is into baking and cooking and all that other kind of stuff Martha Stewart loves to do and I don't love to do. She's very casual. The two of us were raised in the same house by the same mom and we both were given and had access to the exact same privileges and luxuries so it puzzles me sometimes where her personality comes from. She gets invited to all the same parties and get-togethers as I do but doesn't go to any of them. 'It's not my thing. You go and have fun,' is what she always says. The last party she attended with me was three years ago. When we go out I'm dressed to the nines and she'll be in her sweats or cargos. For her last birthday I took her shopping to the Chanel boutique and it was like pulling teeth to get her to pick a handbag. I wanted to throw her a big bash but she didn't want one. Instead she invited a few of her friends over and the party wasn't so much of a party, it was more like a book club meeting at a library. Once in a blue moon she'll indulge in luxury things and even take a trip with me. She doesn't need to work but chose to go to university and obtained two degrees. Monday to Friday she gets up at 5am to get ready for work and doesn't return home until around 6 in the evening. Sometimes I've seen her come home so exhausted where I've told her to quit a couple of times if she feels that way. She responds by saying she loves her job and is happy.

When you think about it that's all it comes down to, being happy in life. I've never been one to believe happiness or even success is measured on the amount of money you make or have. I know plenty of wealthy people who aren't happy but to keep up appearances they pretend to be. When you're wealthy you have your money and your power to camouflage your problems. Having money doesn't always equal or even guarantee emotional stability and not having a huge bank account doesn't make you any less of a person compared to someone who has, nor does it matter what you do for a living. An individual could be working at McDonald's or be landscaping someone's garden, doing construction, working crazy hours in the ER, delivering mail or pizza, cleaning houses, working in a tiny cubicle, fixing cars, pumping gas, defending a Kingpin in court on a bogus charge trumped up by the DEA to even serving cheesecake to a princess at a bistro, and if those individuals are happy in my mind they're all successful because they're doing something they love. My sister is very content in living life the way she chooses to so who am I to interfere or change her? It would be wrong of me if I did, I would be taking away her happiness. She is who she is and I am who I am. Regardless of our opposite personalities we get along wonderfully.

When we arrived at the Mega-Plex we looked at the board to see what was playing. We decided on Prom Night, well I decided. Movie critics were not kind to this film and urged movie-goers to avoid it. I've never been one to like or dislike something because someone says so. I prefer using my own judgment and forming my own opinion. Aside from 'A' and I there were five other people for a total of seven, it was the matinee show. Even though I pigged out on pizza and wings earlier, we each had a jumbo popcorn (I never should have asked for extra butter because it made the popcorn at the bottom all soggy) a mega-size coke and a king-size 3Musketeers. The movie was short and I'm probably in the minority but I liked it!
As we were leaving 'A' asked how I was feeling? 'I feel better, the funk seems to be going away,' I answered. The Mega-Plex is in the middle of all these restaurants. 'A' wanted to take me out to dinner. I had ate so much already and thought why stop now? 'What are you in the mood for?' she asked. I looked at the choices. McDonald's, Boston Pizza, Montana's, Sushi-Prince, Subway and all the other popular fast food places. I decided on Denny's because I was in the mood to eat breakfast again. I wanted to make up for the lousy morning I had and Denny's was the only place out of all the others that served breakfast 24hrs. Breakfast for supper is so delicious. I ordered two fried eggs, the hash browns, bacon and Texas toast on white.

Saturday the weather was even more beautiful and hotter than Friday. We hit +26C. 'A' and I went shopping and I could tell I was back to myself and it felt so good! We ate out again, this time 'A' picked the restaurant. We dined at Kelsey's but neither of us could hear the other person speak. The patrons at the bar were watching a hockey game. I didn't know at first who was playing until there was a loud cheer. The Bruins were playing the Habs and the Habs scored. There were several loud and long boos shortly afterwards. The Bruins kept on scoring and won in the end.

Sometimes without even knowing mental exhaustion invades you knocking you right out. The icky feeling was brewing inside of me for the past few weeks but I just shook it off and chose to ignore it which I know now was a mistake. It's usually our bodies way of telling us something. I still don't know what the cause of mine was, maybe lack of sleep or just an overload of emotions. Whatever the case I'm glad it's over. Tomorrow is Monday a day most people hate. Not me. I'm full of adrenaline and so looking forward in seeing what the week has in store for me.

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess

Here's What Happened:

Cocaine Princess here.

I wasn't going to post anything until Monday but some of you are wanting to know and some demanding to know what happened between my ex and I during Easter dinner. If you're hoping dishes were smashed and insults were thrown back and forth then you're in for a big disappointment. Here's what happened:

When dinner was announced we all proceeded into the grand dining room. The table was marvelously displayed. The cello and the violin player followed us and were joined now by a pianist. The catering crew stood to one side getting ready to serve us. A bottle of champagne was left on the chair with a ribbon around it and a little card with our names on it. Now I understood why the host felt bad about Senor Bling and I breaking up. She was in charge of the seating plan and seated Senor Bling beside me. He was to my left and Valentina was to my right.....

I turned to Valentina and said in a whisper, 'please behave yourself.' Her response, 'don't I always?' Her answer made me very nervous. I turned my chair slightly to the right so my body was kind of sitting more towards Valentina. Senor Bling didn't make any sort of attempt to communicate with me because he knew I wouldn't talk to him. Why would I? I had nothing to say to him. At one point during the dinner the host looked at me hoping I was alright. I gave her a reassuring look that I was. By the grace of God Valentina behaved herself, it may have had something to do with the fact her daddy was sitting right across from us and thank God he was because there was no telling what Valentina would have done. It was a wonderful Easter dinner, well aside from the brothers behavior and their chugging on bottles after bottles of Corona. In one hand they had their fork and in the other hand a Corona. Not once during the evening did the bottle leave their mouths.

All three of us returned back to the villa at around 1-1:30am. After saying good night to Valentina's daddy we headed up the stairs to our bedrooms when he asked her a question, 'Valentina did you have anything to do with Senor Bling's phone ringing this evening?' Valentina stopped and turned around. I was a couple of steps ahead of her and interested in knowing what she was going to say. 'Why would I call him?' she innocently asked. 'Maybe to just annoy him,' he replied. 'I hope you haven't broken your promise to me, you promised you weren't going to bother him anymore' 'And I haven't. Have I ever broken a promise to you daddy?' she sweetly asked. He didn't respond, he went over onto the lanai to light his cigar. 'Good night again daddy, we love you.' He took a puff from his cigar and blew us each a kiss. When we arrived at the top of the stairs I quietly said to Valentina, 'and the academy for best performance of a mischievous character during a dinner party goes to... Valentina.' She took a bow and said, 'thank you, thank you. I love you all.' 'He knows it was you,' I stated. 'Of course he knows,' she devilishly replied.

I tried falling asleep but couldn't. Not only was I tossing and turning but I was freezing cold. I was wearing my robe in bed because the air conditioner was turned on so high. I wanted to do some writing but Valentina was still holding my laptop hostage. I turned on the lamp and decided to write in long hand. My notebook and pen was still packed in my carry on. I didn't want to get out of bed and retrieve it because I knew the floor was going to be cold but I knew I had to since I had such an urge to write. Back at home I never wear socks or slippers in the house, I prefer going barefoot. I decided to be brave and make the trek. I got out of bed and quickly ran to the closet. My feet felt as if they were on a sheet of ice. I found my notebook and pen and sprinted back into bed.

Twenty minutes into writing I heard Valentina's door open. Her room was right across from my mine. Looking at the my room door I saw the door knob slowly turn and open. Valentina peaked her head in. 'I thought you'd be awake,' she said walking towards the bed. She got in under the covers. 'You're not suppose to be doing any writing this weekend,' she said reminding me. 'You said I couldn't work on my laptop. You didn't say anything about me not working with a pen and a notebook,' I replied. 'You seriously do not know how to relax. ' Valentina picked up the remote and turned on the TV and began to channel surf. 'What are you doing up? I asked. 'I can't sleep either. I feel so jumpy and anxious,' she answered. 'Maybe it was all the tequila you drank,' I said back. 'There was only a little bit in for flavoring.' When she couldn't find anything good to watch she turned off the TV and began talking about the dinner party. 'What did you think about tonight?' 'I don't know what I was more surprised at. Finding out the Panamanian is Gilligan's dad or 'L' is the one who planned the party and her cool as a cucumber attitude,' I answered. 'You know the host has a house in Belize and another in Puerto Rico,' informed Valentina. 'Really?' I asked. 'I would have rather gone to either one of those places. Why did she have to choose Sandbox Island?' 'Because that bug spray she calls perfume has fried some of her brain cells,' she answered. 'You're terrible Valentina, you don't know when to quit.' 'She nearly damaged your sinuses. How are they now?' 'Better since they no longer throb,' I answered. Valentina was lying on her back but then turned on her side and said, 'I have a question. It's about Senor Bling.' Even though I was in the middle of writing a sentence I put down my pen and notebook on the nightstand, shut off the lamp and hid under the covers and in a muffled voice I said, 'just bring me a bottle of tequila and I'll drink the entire thing. I'll even swallow the damn worm, anything if it'll make you stop talking about him. I do not want to hear his name.' She turned her side of the lamp on and then lifted the covers off me. 'Okay I won't say his name. The person whose-name-shall-not-be-mentioned...' I looked up and interrupting her I said, 'Lord just take me now.' I then looked at her, 'You're lucky I'm even still talking to you after the text messaging stunt you pulled.' 'You could never stop talking to me because you love me too much, right? 'It's either that or I'm just insane,' I said back. 'You're not insane. As I was saying, I have a question about whose-name-shall-not-be-mentioned.' I leaned over and opened up the top drawer of the nightstand and began rummaging through it. 'What are you looking for?' she asked. 'Some ear plugs,' I replied. 'Why?' 'Because I don't want to hear this conversation. It's so tiring.' 'But it's important. Please....please, please, please,' she begged. 'I really need to ask it. I shut the drawer and laid back down. 'Is it necessary that you ask me?' I questioned. 'Yes I really need to ask it. It's very important.' 'Fine, go ahead,' I said groaning. 'You said he whose-name-shall-not-be mentioned wasn't the one for you. What if he was?' 'That's the important and necessary question you need to ask me?' I asked. She nodded. 'Why is this necessary and important for you to know? How does it even qualify as being important and necessary?' 'I don't know, I just want to know, blame it on the tequila.' 'The tequila? How about I blame it on your curious personality,' I said. I gave a depressing sigh as she asked me the question again, 'what if he was the one?' 'He wasn't the one, he isn't the one,' I replied. 'I know but let's just say for arguments sake in some bizarre and twisted world he was the one for you. Then what?' 'Then he'd be lying in bed with me instead of you right now and I don't think either of us would be talking,' I said. 'That's not what I meant,' she stated. 'Would you have married him?' 'Only in the bizarre and twisted world I would have, and if he had proposed. Now please no more questions about him.' The last statement didn't have any impact on her because she continued on talking. 'Imagine if you had married him.' 'I don't want to,' I said. Once again Valentina wasn't listening. 'You'd be Mrs. Bling, sorry! I mean Mrs. Whose-Name-Shall-Not-Be Mentioned and you'd be living it up in glamorous Miami, going out every night, driving with the top down on Biscayne, shopping, having ice cream in the Grove.....' 'I don't think I would be going out every night otherwise I'd never get any work done. But it's a sure bet I would be at the Bal Harbour Shops every other day,' I replied. The Bal Harbour Shops is an upscale mall located in the village of Bal Harbour. It is without a doubt my favorite mall with all my favorite stores. I call shopping there al fresco shopping because it's an open air mall with perfectly manicured flowers and pretty fountains. Inside this fantastic mall is a restaurant called The Bal Harbour Bistro and at this particular bistro an amazing creation exists called The Original Grimbletorte Cheesecake. It's chocolate and orange flavored with Grand Marnier. It's so rich and so fattening and so delicious! Whenever I'm at this mall the first thing I do is eat the sinful chocolate delight and then I start shopping (that way I can walk off some of the calories). I yawned a little, finally I was starting to feel sleepy. 'You're tired?' asked Valentina. 'Yeah,' I lazily replied. She shut off her side of the lamp. 'Then I won't ask you anymore questions. I'll be quiet so you can fall asleep.' And she was quiet.....for about five seconds when she asked, 'do you think our lives would have been any different if our moms were still alive?' It was a question I'd never thought off but I answered it right away. 'It's hard to say.' 'I think overall this is the kind of life they wanted us to have,' said Valentina. I thought a little more about the question and said, 'I suppose some things would have never taken place if my mom was still alive. The entire incident with Lawyer-Guy would have never occurred because there wouldn't have been any need for him to contact me.' Valentina began to giggle. 'What's so funny?' 'I was just remembering when daddy found out and confronted us about him,' she answered. 'You and your brilliant idea of having the present x-rayed at the airport,' I said. 'Not exactly your brightest moment. You should have known, we both should have known daddy would have figured out what we were doing. I'm glad that fiasco is over.' 'Do you think our moms are happy?' was her next question. 'I like to think they are.' Valentina then cuddled close to me. 'Daddy never talks to me about mom, he doesn't even mention her name. I was so young when she died and all I have are little fragments of her memory. Besides the things your mom told me about her there's still so much I wish I knew. Like when daddy first saw her, was it love at first sight? Did he kiss her on their first date? When did he know mom was the one for him? What did they get each other on their first wedding anniversary? Did they want anymore kids? These are questions I can never ask daddy because I know he's still hurting and always will. Half his heart is gone.' 'But his other half remains for you,' I said. 'Sometimes I think the reason he works so much is so he can keep his mind busy from thinking about mom.' 'I don't blame him,' I told her. 'What do you think our moms are doing in heaven?' 'Complaining their halos are messing up their hair or their angel wings don't look good with their outfits,' I replied back. Valentina began to laugh so hysterically she sat up and held her stomach. I was laughing too. I turned on the lamp to make sure she was okay. This was the first time in a long time I had laughed upon mentioning my mom's name. Usually when I do think about her I can't laugh or even smile, it's just too painful. But that night I didn't feel any pain....

Nobody of course lives forever. There comes a time when we leave this world for another one. But sometimes the circumstances surrounding a person's death shakes you to your very core and the pain is so intense you force yourself to become numb from feeling anything and your heart becomes so frozen that it shatters. And no matter how hard you try to put those pieces back together the grief is so toxic it doesn't allow you to. You exist with a broken heart but yet you still continue to breathe. The heart knows and remembers all and it remembers a time when it use to beat with happiness. With time you start feeling those pieces that were once shattered slowing piecing themselves back together and staying put. The pain never does go away, you just find it easier to deal with. I guess it doesn't really matter how old you are when you lose a parent, you could be 5 or 55, the pain one feels is the same.

Valentina had been quiet for several minutes and I assumed she was asleep until she tapped me on the shoulder. I thought if I ignored her she would stop. When will I learn? When I didn't answer her Valentina moved her finger down to the middle of my back and began jabbing me. 'Yes Valentina,' I said. 'Finally! If I think of another question about whose-name-shall-not-be-mentioned is it okay if I ask you?' 'If I say no will that stop you from asking it?,' I asked back. 'No,' she answered. 'I have another question but don't worry it's not about him. When do I get my cell phone back?' 'At the precise moment you return my laptop to me,' I replied. 'You don't play fair,' she commented. 'I learn from you,' I told her. 'And I learned from daddy.' 'Good night Valentina.' 'Good night,' she said back.

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess

JURY DUTY II: My So-Called Day In Court

Cocaine Princess here.

As you know a few weeks ago I wrote in my blog about receiving a summons to appear for jury duty. If you remember I wasn't too thrilled and was trying to figure ways to get out of it. Many who read my blog (and I'm thankful for them all!) are those in the law profession.
Boy do you guys enjoy giving me written lectures. So many of you, and you know who you are sent emails lecturing me on how wrong it is not to appear for jury duty and how it is my 'civic duty,' 'I have a moral obligation,' 'you cannot ignore a summons,' to even 'HOW DARE I TRY TO GET OUT OF IT! The lawyer who sent that email wrote it exactly how I typed it, in capital letters with an exclamation mark! I guess some of you thought I would ignore the summons. The thought did cross my mind but I didn't. There is a small percentage of you who are just so incredibly kind and sweet and give me such good advice. And I'm sure I don't have to tell you who you are. Anyways I hope all of you are happy and smiling because I did my civic duty and appeared in court last week. Here's how it all went down.

I left in the morning and I'm standing in my driveway when suddenly a frisbee hits me in the back of my head. The nanny who looks after my neighbors children was playing frisbee with one of them and of course the hideous creature with four legs was near by. The nanny came running over to me asking if I was okay. I was. I got a good close up look of the hideous creature- yikes is all I can say!

The outside of the courthouse was completely insane with security. To get into the parking lot cars and ids were being checked and the police were asking the reason for you being in court so I showed them my summons. It took nearly twenty minutes to find a parking space because over half the parking lot had been taken over by reporters and their camera crews. (Canadian courts don't permit cameras in the courtroom) The reason for the media blitz, a big case was occurring inside. I have posted the article at the end if anyone is interested. Inside was just as bad as outside. Handbags are searched, pockets are emptied and everyone must go through the metal detector. When I went through the metal detector it started beeping. The police officer asked that I open up my coat and spread my arms and when I did he began to wave the wand-thingy on me. (forgive me if I can't remember what it's called but it's late and I'm tired) There was no beep and I was told by him to go through the metal detector again. So I did and I start beeping again. He checked me a second time and again there's no beep. He said it was fine and it wasn't necessary that I go through the metal detector a third time. A court officer saw my summons notice in my hands and took me into this room where 10 people were already waiting. She waited for a few more people and then took us up three flight of stairs and piled us into a room where 50 other potential jurors were. We were told it could take anywhere between 3-4 hours. 'A' had asked me a few days ago if I wanted her to come along. I told her no but I wish I hadn't. I was so bored but at least I came prepared. A day earlier I bought a bunch of magazines, I had my Mp3 player, some snacks and drinks so I was keeping busy. A little while later the court clerk came in and began checking off people's names, only three people didn't show up. Next he put all our names in a box. The crown and defense came in wearing the traditional black cloaks with a white frilly ruffle that hangs down the front of their necks. Underneath is their business attire. Wearing the cloak with frills is a definite fashion don't but it's required for lawyers in Canada. Minutes later the judge appeared and we were all instructed to rise. After he comfortably settled down on his throne (it took him forever) we sat back down. He first welcomed and thanked us all for coming and then began explaining the duties of a juror. He didn't tell us the details of the case, only that it would last anywhere between 2-3 weeks and if selected we wouldn't be able to go home since all the jurors would be sequestered in a hotel. When I heard that part I just kept thinking what hotels were in the area? No 5-star hotels that's for sure. Only the Marriott-Courtyard, the Comfort and Quality Inn and Motel 7. Next the judge asked if there were any potential jurors who couldn't serve on the jury. One man raised his hand and the judge instructed him to come forward and state his reason. His reason, in two days he was going on vacation with his family to Santo Domingo. He made his travel plans four months ago and provided the judge with his plane tickets and his travel itinerary. The judge didn't say a word, he only made a gesture with his thumb for him to scram. The man was so happy he practically danced out the room. Another potential juror raised her hand. She approached the judge and stated her reason as to why she wouldn't be able to fulfill her duties as a juror. She was an elderly woman and her reason for not wanting to serve, she had a bingo tournament next week. Unfortunately for her the judge didn't give her the scram sign. But another woman was able to get dismissed on account of her giving birth two months ago and was nursing her newborn. No one else seemed to have a problem so the clerk began to draw the names, 20 names were called, none of them being mine. Those twenty stayed inside and the rest of us waited in another room. At about 2pm the clerk came back out and informed us the jurors had been picked and so we were all free to go home. I would be lying if I said I was disappointed I wasn't picked. But those of us who weren't chosen aren't exactly off the hook. Our names are still on the panel and will remain active for two months so there's still a chance I may get called back.

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess

San Andres Island: The Dinner Party III

Cocaine Princess here.

'Valentina you didn't?' I said. 'I did,' she replied proudly. 'Why? More importantly what did you text him?' 'I merely asked him how he was?' I asked her again, 'what is the matter with you?' 'Look at him,' said Valentina. 'I'd rather not,' I said back. Looking at him again she said, 'he's so relaxed and casual and why should he be? If anything he should be feeling guilty. He's absolutely showing no sign of remorse.' 'It's been months, what do you expect him to do?' I questioned. 'Wear black and be in mourning for a year?' 'The decent thing for him to do would have been not to show up,' she answered. 'Maybe he didn't know I was invited?' I answered back. Valentina scoffed. 'He knew you'd be here. He knows you know the host and have been to all of her other parties in the past so why wouldn't you be at this one?' 'Valentina give me your phone,' I said holding out my hand. 'No,' she said back. 'You took my laptop.' 'That's different.' 'How?' I asked. 'Taking away your laptop is my way of getting you to relax.' 'Funny I don't feel relaxed. If anything I feel agitated,' I told her. 'Valentina no more...' I didn't even get a chance to finish my sentence when I heard the phone ring again. 'Please tell me that's not his phone?' I asked. 'Okay I won't...but it is,' she said. 'That's it. I'm not talking to you anymore,' I informed her. 'You're bluffing.' she said. I really was but at least it worked. 'Alright I promise I won't text him anymore,' she said looking at the ceiling. 'Ever,' I added. 'You won't text him EVER and look me in the eyes when you say it.' 'I won't text him ever, I promise,' Valentina repeated looking right into my eyes. 'It's not like he can text or even call me back. I blocked him remember?' At that point I realized something. 'If he can receive your messages that's means he hasn't blocked your number,' I said. 'See I told you he's waiting for you to take him back and thinks I'm the one who's going to give him the message. That's why he hasn't blocked my number.' Even though Valentina did promise me by looking me in the eyes I still wasn't entirely convinced and to make sure she wouldn't text him anymore I got a hold of her cell phone and didn't give it back to her until she returned my laptop. If she can play dirty so can I.

Over the next hour all the guests had arrived including 'L.' She sat with Valentina and I and if anyone deserved to feel uncomfortable and uneasy it would have to be 'L.' You see 'L' has been having an affair with the host's husband for the past five years. She was even wearing the necklace the host's husband had given to her. I was dying to ask her a question. 'Don't you feel kind of awkward that you're friends with a woman whose husband you're having an affair with?' She smiled and said, 'it's not like we meet for coffee or call each other on the phone everyday. It's been five years going on six and she doesn't suspect a thing. I'm very careful, we both are and we cover our tracks quite well. If she hasn't suspected anything yet I doubt she ever will. Miss Fund Raiser is much too busy getting her picture taken for the society column to notice anything anyways. She puts on this whole act and speech about how she and her husband have been happily married for almost forty years. According to my man they don't even sleep in the same bedroom and haven't for the past ten years. We made plans this Easter to go to Hawaii but then she went and ruined it by announcing this dinner party and asked me to plan it.' 'You planned this party?' a shocked Valentina asked. L nodded, 'I could have refused and lied by telling her my schedule was full but I couldn't bear to be apart from my honey so we agreed I would plan it so this way we could still be together on Easter. I had this whole over the top party idea but she wanted formal elegance. She's always been so conservative.' (L is a successful party planner who doesn't come cheap. It was a very elegant affair except for the public display of affection between the fat, balding Panamanian and his wife and the loud mouth brothers who kept getting louder by the hour. I don't have any problems with p.d.a but his display of affections would make anyone's stomach turn) I would have preferred the over the top party. A cello player and a violinist were to one side playing a light tune instead of a live D.J. busting out dance music. 'Bug Spray alert,' Valentina whispered. Dear God have mercy on my sinuses. The host was making her way over to us with her loyal companion. I picked up one of the drinks, I think it was the sunset and took a deep whiff of it hoping it would fill my sinuses and be powerful enough to block out her perfume. She sat next to me with her arms wide open giving me another hug. I would have rather hugged a cactus with bare arms. I just smiled and held my breath again. The first question out of her mouth, 'what aren't you sitting with your boyfriend?' 'He's not my boyfriend anymore. We broke up,' I told her. She put her hands on her cheeks and said in a disappointing tone, 'no!' They say animals can sense their owners feelings. It must be true because her dog whimpered when she became so upset over our breakup. L didn't know about my breakup with Senor Bling either. When did the breakup happen?' L asked. 'Late fall,' I answered. 'Are you at least talking to him?' the host asked. 'No.' 'So it was his fault?' she questioned. 'It was,' I said back. 'She turned around and looked at him and then at me. 'You two made such a perfect couple. I was expecting a wedding invitation in the near future,' she stated. 'So did I. I even had my bridesmaid dress all picked out,' Valentina cheekily said. I love Valentina to death and always will but sometimes there's no way to control that mouth of hers unless I put duct tape on it. 'Was it his fault?' she then asked me. 'Yes,' Valentina replied answering for me. 'He hurt you?' I replied by nodding yes. She took my hand and held it. 'I didn't know, I'm sorry,' she said in a compassionate voice. 'I feel like a bad dinner hostesses. I invited two people who don't get along.' 'Senor Bling and I are both adults,' I said. 'But you're not on speaking terms.' 'It's fine, we're fine. And don't worry there won't be any dishes flying or any screaming matches,' I assured her. 'We're both civilized. It'll be a peaceful Easter dinner.' I was in so much pain at that point. Her perfume acted like a hammer pounding hard on my sinuses. Valentina and L were lucky. The two were sitting across from us. I couldn't exactly have asked the host to leave nor was there any polite way to let her know the scent of her perfume was simply awful and to get her to stop talking about Senor Bling I began to ask her questions. 'So how have you been?' 'Busy, busy,' she replied. 'Last month I organized three different fund raisers and I have another two next month and in two weeks I have a charity auction,' she replied. 'And your kids?' 'My boys are good. The youngest is in Germany, still in school. Another two years and he'll be done. And the oldest is in the city,' she replied looking at L. 'He would be so perfect for you.' Oh God why did I bring up the kids I thought to myself. But the host insisted on playing match maker. 'The two of you are the same age. You're not seeing anyone are you?' 'No,' L answered. 'I hardly see you with anyone,' the host commented. 'My work keeps me busy,' L explained. 'Don't tell me you're one of those women who are married to your job? Every woman needs a good man by her side,' stated the host looking over at her husband. 'I have been married for almost 40 happy years.' Valentina started to giggle but quickly covered it up with a fake cough and then picked up her drink. I looked at L and couldn't believe how calm and cool she was. I was nervous for her but she didn't even flinch. Even the host's husband played it cool. Not once during the entire course of the evening did he make any sort of contact with her. 'So tell us what your secret is to being married for forty years?' One might think a question like this was asked by Valentina but it was L who did. I looked at Valentina who looked as surprised as I did. 'Communication is the key,' the host replied. 'We always make time for each other, even when he's away on business he calls me. We always say I love you to each other at least three time a day. And of course trust. To be married this long there has to be some form of trust.' 'How come you never accompany him on his business trips?' this was a question Valentina asked. I was wondering what took her so long to ask one. 'So many charities rely on me and I can't say no, she replied. 'With so many organizations and charities there's something taking place almost every week.' The host again turned her attention on the breakup between me and Senor Bling. I didn't understand why she was so upset. Unless she had money riding on our relationship it's not like she was going to gain or lose anything from us being together or apart.

When dinner was announced we all proceeded into the grand dining room. The table was marvelously displayed. The cello and the violin player followed us and were joined now by a pianist. The catering crew stood to one side getting ready to serve us. A bottle of champagne was left on the chair with a ribbon around it and a little card with our names on it. Now I understood why the host felt bad about Senor Bling and I breaking up. She was in charge of the seating plan and seated Senor Bling beside me. He was to my left and Valentina was to my right........

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess

San Andres Island: The Dinner Party II

Cocaine Princess here.

'The damn cat needs to be shot.' I didn't say anything but Valentina of course continued talking with her eyes fixated on Senor Bling. 'Who would have thought he would be invited but then again why wouldn't he be, everyone else is here.' She then looked at me. 'Aren't you going to say anything?' 'I'm thirsty?' I replied. 'You're thirsty? That's it?' she asked. 'I'm very thirsty. I need a coke,' I said. And then it happened. Valentina does this thing: she raises her left eyebrow and a tiny curl of a smile occurs on the corner of her mouth. In poker when a person is bluffing they sometimes have a tell tale sign, they may scratch their head or their nose do a twitch or something that is repetitive. A raised eyebrow and a tiny curl of a smile isn't a bluff sign for Valentina. It's more of a warning sign she's about to do something mischievous. 'Valentina whatever you're planning on doing just forget it,' I said. She didn't listen and got up. 'Oh God it's too late,' I thought to myself. 'What is she going to do?' She started walking towards to where they were all sitting. From behind she gave her daddy a hug and then a kiss on the cheek while staring at Senor Bling. Valentina gave him another look before walking away. On her back to me she made a stop at the bar speaking to the bartender and then returned herself sitting next to me. 'What was that about?' I asked. 'I felt like giving daddy a hug,' she replied. 'Really? You felt like giving him a hug?' 'And a kiss,' she added. 'You didn't feel like doing that ten minutes ago. And the fact that Senor Bling is sitting over there had nothing to do with it?' I asked. She looked back. 'I didn't notice he was sitting there,' she answered. Valentina did a good job of holding things together until she started to laugh. 'My God,' I said. 'What is the matter with you? There must be an anti-mischievous pill on the market for you to take. If not maybe daddy's chemists can come up with something.' 'Don't you think if they could it would have been created by now?' she said back. The waiter came by and placed two drinks in front of us on the table. They were each in tall glasses and neither of them resembled a coke. Instead the drinks consisted of orange and red colors blended together and garnished with an orange slice and a cherry. 'This is a Tequila Sunrise,' Valentina said pointing to the left glass, 'and the other is a Tequila Sunset.' 'Who are they for?' I questioned. 'For us,' she answered. 'One for me and one for you. Take your pick.' 'I wanted a coke,' I told her. 'Yeah I know but these are so much better. So which one do you want, sunrise or sunset?' she asked me again. 'Neither,' I replied. 'I drink either one of those and I'll be unconscious for about a week.' 'You say that like it's a bad thing,' she replied. 'I know you have trouble sleeping. These drinks are guaranteed to make you fall asleep tonight.' 'Or put me in a coma,' I said. 'When was the last time you had a full 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep?' she asked. I told her I couldn't remember. I sleep maybe 3-4 hours each night. '3-4 hours is not good,' Valentina said. 'You need sleep. Besides a glass of alcohol every night is suppose to be good for you. I read that in the New England Journal Of Medicine.' You know how sometimes you laugh so hard tears form in your eyes? This is what happened to me and thankfully my mascara was waterproof. After I stopped laughing and nearly falling off the sofa I asked, 'since when do you read the New England Journal Of Medicine?' 'I don't,' she answered. 'I read it in another magazine where they mentioned it and...look just pick one and drink it.' I told Valentina I was familiar with the article and informed her it wasn't tequila but a glass of red wine but still doctors cautioned people to consult their family G.P. before committing themselves to drinking a glass every night. I don't like to drink because my track record with alcohol is not good. When I turned 18 I thought wow! I'm 18. I'm an adult, I'm legal. So for my birthday I thought it would be fun doing shots. Fun no. Stupid yes. I didn't even get a chance to blow out my candles because I spent the entire night vomiting in the bathroom and for the next two days I was stuck in bed feeling so sick. On the third day I was finally able to blow out my candles and cut my cake. I love Pina Coladas but unfortunately if I drink them I break out in itchy hives. My favorite, favorite drink of choice would have to be Margaritas. I love the taste, the color, the scent, the look of it and licking the salt off the rim. Each time I drink one I feel dizzy, wobbly and so head-achy that I need to lie down which results in me going out like a light. And I get the same reaction to all other drinks. Someone suggested not to drink on an empty stomach. The only problem with that is the food just sits there and doesn't digest and then I feel sick on top of everything else. Alcohol doesn't react well with my body so I just gave up on it. On the very rare occasion I may have a glass of wine or some champagne only if I am in dire need of sleep but even then I sometimes won't. At every party there's usually one individual with a coke in their hands, that's me. 'If you're not going to have a drink then give daddy a hug and kiss but not from behind, go in front so Senor Bling will have a clear view of your derrière,' Valentina said. I closed my eyes and shook my head. 'I'm not doing that.' 'Then walk up to the bar, stand there for a couple of minutes, pretend you're ordering a drink and walk back. And when you do walk do your model walk.' I needed to ask Valentina a question. 'Are you sure you didn't have a couple of drinks before coming here tonight?' 'I'm sober,' she answered. 'Then why are you telling me to do these things?' I asked her. 'To make Senor Bling know you don't care or feel uncomfortable he's here in the same room as you are,' she explained. 'Valentina he could walk in here with a Playmate on each arm and sit right across from me and I wouldn't care nor would I feel uncomfortable.' 'Then let him know you don't care.' 'I'm not going to prove anything especially not to him,' I said back. Valentina got up again. 'Oh no,' I said. 'Don't worry. I just feel like sitting across from you,' she replied. And I knew why, she was now in direct view of Senor Bling. 'Aren't you upset what he did to you?' she asked me. 'Because I know I was upset.' 'You think I was thrilled? Of course I was upset but it's over and done with. I'm passed it,' I answered back. 'You're passed it? Dear God. You see what living in Canada has done to you- all that cold and snowy weather has made you un-Latin.' 'Un-Latin? I don't think that's even a word Valentina. But I can see you're not passed it.' 'And I never will for the way he hurt you,' she said. 'Why aren't you angry? You were more angry at your cleaning lady for bringing Fred over.' Valentina is a little old school on some things. When it comes to revenge she believes in 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.' 'So you're mad at me for not being mad enough at Senor Bling?' I questioned her. 'Sort of, yes,' she answered back. 'Valentina what do you want me to do?' I asked her. 'Walk over there and kick his head open?' 'I bet you could in those killer stilettoes,' she said looking at my feet. I was wearing my gold pair with the 4 1/2 inch heel. Sometimes in life you have to pick and choose your battles, determine which ones are worth fighting for and which ones aren't. There was no point in me getting revenge or fighting with Senor Bling since I didn't want anything to do with him. 'Looking at him you feel nothing?' she questioned. 'Nothing,' I answered. 'No old feelings are re-surfacing?' 'I swear to you, I swear on all that is holy, I feel absolutely, positively nothing for him.' Valentina just stared at me and didn't say a word. 'Do you not trust me?' I questioned her. 'Of course I do, with my life. It's him I don't trust,' she answered back. 'What do you think he's going to do to me? Drug and kidnap me to some deserted island?' I said. 'If it wasn't for daddy he probably would do that and brainwash you into thinking he's the love of your life. You need to do something.' I just flung my head back and signed. I looked at the drinks, they were beginning to sweat and I was so tempted not to drink one but both sunrise and sunset and hoping it would put me into a coma, anything that would put an end in talking about Senor Bling. 'Just explain how can you be so calm being in the same room with him? When was the last time you saw him?' 'When I broke up with him,' I replied. 'And if I recall two weeks into dating him you started looking at bridal magazines for bridesmaid dresses for yourself.' 'That was before I knew about him,' she replied back. 'I knew about him. I just chose not to listen to my heart. I was determined to prove it wrong but you can't because it's always right. So in a way it's my fault for what he did to me because I dated him.' Valentina gasped. 'How can you say that- it's your fault?' she stated. 'Because in a way it is. I was warned about him,' I replied. 'So? That doesn't mean anything. Why don't you just stick a knife in my heart. It'll be less painful than hearing you say it's your fault,' she said. Valentina looked at him again. 'He came here alone,' she observed. 'I bet he knew you were coming alone and thought if he came alone too you'd be under the impression he was single too and maybe you would change your mind and get back together with him.' 'What is it going to take for you to believe I will never, not even if he was the last man on earth and I was the last woman on earth be with him?' I asked her. 'In my opinion he got off easy- you let him off too easy,' she stated. 'Would you like it if I forgave him and took him back? And after a few months do to him what he did to me?' I questioned Valentina. 'No! Bite your tongue and bite it hard,' she answered. 'You're not planning on doing that are you?' 'No, I'm not that cruel,' I replied. 'That's your problem. You need to replace your sweetness with some venom,' she stated. 'Valentina listen to me and please listen good. Senor Bling could be standing right in front of me naked, drenched in honey and you know what my first reaction would be? Find a bee-keeper and tell him to release the bees.' An approving look finally appeared on Valentina's face. She said, 'daddy taught you so well.' 'I don't recall him telling me to use bees as a method of revenge,' I told her. 'Now are you or are you not planning on having one of these drinks?' she asked me again. 'Do I get my laptop back?' 'No,' she replied. 'Then I'm not drinking either of those.' I wasn't too bothered about not having my laptop, I just wrote in long hand. When the waiter came by I asked him for a coke but what I should have been doing was paying attention to Valentina. She had her phone out and said to me, 'do me a favor, can you turn around just for a second.' I should have asked why but I didn't. I could hear several cell phones ringing and each person began to see if it was theirs. It was Senor Bling's. I turned back and looked at Valentina. 'I just sent him a text,' she said..............

XOXOXOXO,
Cocaine Princess