'Fire House Folderol'
"Come on in, My Pretty Doll's"
Aunt Ina said lovingly to her 'Prego Pal's" who were freshly bathed and dressed snugly in their favorite PJ's.
"Bring your hot cocoa, and favorite cookie, and I'll read you a Bedtime story.."
"Tell us the one about Gene Marshall going on the train to Hollywood from Coss Cob!" cried precious 'Jan in WA'.
"No, Aunt Ina! I want to hear the one about the collector who went to the doll convention, overspent and when he tried to pre-order the midyear releases, his Credit Card had been cancelled!" Called out little "Becky in TX".
"Oh, my Babies!" Aunt Ina said with a chuckle and a glimmer in her eye..
"Wouldn't you rather hear about pretty Tyler Wentworth in 'Fire House Folderol'?
"Yesss!!!" They sang out in unison.
Finding the book on the shelf, Aunt Ina returned to her favorite chair as the Prego Pal's gathered around her feet.
"Once Upon A Time..("All the Good One's start out that a-way," she said)
There lived a beautiful, chic businesswoman who had a substantial portfolio.. and owned a lovely, old Brownstone on a tree lined street in Manhattan.
Her name was Miss Tyler Wentworth.
One day, she decided to host a party for her dear friend poor ole Mei Li, who was banished from their corporation's 'Inner Sanctum'...FOREVER!"
The Prego Pal's jumped in fright.
"Forever, unless, she receives an 11th hour reprieve- but it's not expected…
For hours and hours, Tyler raced around the borough- picking up Kalamata Olives here; Stilton and Brie there; Organic fruits and vegetables yonder and low fat/no carb vinaigrette dip, here." (Ina held up the book, indeed showing all assembled the accompanying pictures) "She had even created, in her spare time, a perfect outfit to wear on her little Singer Sewing Machine-complete with golden threads running through the rich brocade.
Tyler had everything in pristine condition. The candles were lit, the pillows were fluffed-even her diminutive chaffing dish from Tiffany's 50% off sale, was polished and prepared.
The Guests' began arriving-one right after the other-all 'dressed to the nines'! Some in pretty pink gowns with-their hair in elegant 'updos'-while others in last years releases, but they were in good repair-so there weren't No shame in that my Babies..
Esme, Sydney- the girl with the boy's name- poor, ole little Mei Li, Alex Fairchild Ford, Paris, Brenda Starr, Mei Li's mother, movie star Gene Marshall, and her dad, of 'Tiny Bubbles' fame- Don Ho, arrived. Behind them was Trent Osborne and Madra Lord- her hair the color of cinnamon Red Hots.
Broadway's Brightest Star, Miss Kate Ebsen couldn't be there, as Tyler had scheduled the party during a performance of "Sister, Please" that runs through Sept 25, 2003, at the St. Regis Theatre.
All of a sudden, Alex Ford yelled, FIRE!!!
At first, Tyler thought Alex was trying to upstage her after that 'ugly' incident last year at the Hampton's…but once she got to the dining room she saw that Madra Lord-while trying to light her cigarette with the Sterno Can, knocked it over- igniting the antique Irish Linen tablecloth. (The very one Tyler had hoped to rework into a wedding dress one day." Aunt Ina said, a tiny tear in her eye.)
"In an instant, twenty slim-line cell phones rang 911, simultaneously. Brenda Starr didn't have a cell phone, and by the time she got an operator on her two party line-the table was fully engulfed!!
The Scream of Sirens could be heard as a bucket-line brigade was formed from the kitchen to the dining room! Tyler didn't have a bucket, so they used hand blown Martini Glasses from Germany, and her Baccarat crystal Ice Pail. It was terrible! Poor Esme broke a French Tip!!
The Firemen didn't even ring-they just used their Ramming Rod and knocked the refurbished mahogany door right off its hinges-hitting Genie Marshall, causing her to loose balance- falling to the floor with a broken hip. (Oh, don't worry Prego Pal's, Dr. Derek can fix that when he returns to town!)
"STEP ASIDE, PEOPLE! Professionals on the Job!" One particular, bronzed fireman barked, his huge hose in hand. Even in his fire house slicker, Tyler could see the silhouette of his massive, rippling muscles protruding through his blue NYFD Tee Shirt.
Soon the fire had been squelched, yet the embers of another lay smoldering….
"What is you name?" Tyler asked as he shot a glance her way. "Adam" came his reply. "Umm, have we met, you look so familiar?" Tyler asked as Madra, Trent and Gene (who was still on the floor) roared with laughter, sensing it was a line from one of their movies of long ago.
"No, I don't think so, but maybe you've seen my picture.."
he said, motioning towards the back of a magazine that sat on her chrome and glass coffee table.
His nakedness swathed only in a strategically placed towel. A bottle of "Absolut" discreetly placed where his…..'Yoo Who'…. should have been."
"Yoo Hoo!" Mardi rolled with laughter on the floor as she was soon joined by 'Kathy MA' who giggled,
"I've never heard it called thhhaaattttt before!"
"Hush, girls-its 'bout over!" Aunt Ina said, before continuing.
"Oh, I didn't notice" Tyler said. She lied.
"Well.." he said-dazzling her with a smile that made her see white spots,
"I noticed you"….
The End
"THE END? THE END? How can that be Aunt Ina, you just can't leave us there, LeeAnn interjected.
"Well, I'll read chapter two another night. "PROMISE?" they cried. Giving each of them a peck on the cheek and asking them if they had to 'go potty' before she turned out the light, she said "I promise, Babies……..I Promise….AbSolut ly!"