Older Westerley partygoers came to see and be seen, to
refresh connections, and make new ones. Also, a surprising
number of new business ventures got started here between
drinks and hors d'oeuvres.
The alternate Westerley party was for the younger
people and was held in the church's recreation hall.
Decorated with mirror balls and lasers, this party offered
two bars and many tables with food. A live rock & roll band
played in a back room; their music wafted through the
building. The only thing that the two parties had in
common was expensive clothing. Well, except for O.E.
Orton's outfit.
O.E. hated the pretension of Westerley parties, but he
liked to come and see his friends. He also liked to wander
through the main cathedral in his surfing clothes, just to
annoy the stuffy, overdressed Westerley snoots. They could
kiss his billion-dollar ass.
Perhaps I really am a surf bum. Although managing his
money took most of his time, he still did go surfing. These
days, he went in style, flying on his private jet to his
secluded Malibu beach house. But when he was out on the
waves, he was no different than anyone else, and that's
when he was happiest.
He gave Kay a proud smile. "Of course I can attract a
woman without flashing my fame. It'd be easy-just look at
me. Who wouldn't want a piece of this?" O.E. puffed out his
chest and posed.
Kay and Constance laughed at his pose, so he fell back
in his chair. "All right, explain it to me. Why should I hide
my name?"
"Because I think you'd be more successful if you did.
You'd find someone who cares about you. A person, not a
legend." Kay leaned forward, her eyes boring into him.
"How would you like to make a little wager, O.E.?"
"You want to bet that I can't get a woman to go out with
me who doesn't know who I am? You're on! Too bad
everyone here already knows me."
Kay patted him on the shoulder. "You're in luck tonight.
My friends and relatives are all here-a whole new crowd of
people for you to meet." She chuckled and shook her head.
"You'll have no trouble spotting them. They're the ones
dressed like the help." Everyone laughed at Kay's admission
that she had married into a vastly more well-to-do family
than her own.
"But seriously, you'd love Suzanne, one of my
bridesmaids. She's hot and always looking for fun. I bet you
could bring her to Malibu without even trying. Just lose
your ego, your name, and your money."