by Adams, Zoe
Lady emerged from the car. Del had one bag across his shoulders and two more handles in hand.
“Ready to go inside?” Del asked.
“Yes.” Lady walked slowly beside him.
They approached the staff in the lobby.
Lady introduced them and filled out some paperwork.
She handed over a credit card for the room. Del felt emasculated. He felt like a caddy. Del felt the heat of shame rise to his cheekbones.
Del was old-fashioned. He wanted his name on the room and on the bill. When he saw the room was eight thousand dollars a night he nearly cried.
Lady gave him a quietly heavy look. “Are you ready to go upstairs?”
Del’s tongue was stuck in his throat. He nodded with a jerk of his head. They entered the cool, dark room. Lady flipped on the light and shut the door gently behind them.
Del let the bags drop from his hands. He unwrapped himself from the bag across his chest. The room was very nice. It felt like an expensive room made to please and sedate the senses. Del was a little more content when he saw the big room. And even more impressed with how far the view stretched.
Del was a big man and he greatly appreciated wider door frames and taller ceilings. He stretched where he stood and a big yawn came out.
“Well, this is nice,” Lady said reasonably. “Let’s freshen up, then we can talk.”
Del looked at her quickly. “How’d you know I want to talk? We just spent eight hours in the car. Didn’t we get all our talking done?”
Lady grinned at him and dipped her hips. “I don’t know. How could I know my man wants to talk? He needs to reestablish his masculinity since I paid for the room. Don’t worry. I can think of a great way to make you feel like a man.”
Del loved her honesty. And she knew him quite well.
He flexed his arms but remained where he was standing. “Yeah? And what else do you need from me?”
Lady stopped grinning and stood very still. “I need you to be the strong, steady one. I need you to be my rock when everyone else is against me. I don’t need your money. I need you on my side.”
Del would smile forever. “You got it, Lady.”
Someone knocked on the door. Del opened it. A uniformed attendant smiled.
“Dinner?” he asked.
“Yes.” Del nodded. “I can take that.”
“Or I can set the table for you.” The man stood patiently.
Del looked over his shoulder and eyed Lady. She nodded.
“All right.” Del stood back from the door.
He watched the stranger invade. He wheeled the portable five-star meal across the carpet with quiet professionalism. The table was set and soon smothered with food and its accoutrements.
Lady and Del both watched him quietly. Even from across the room, Del felt his connection to Lady. He could feel her patience and complacency with being served. He finally had an inkling of what it felt like to be rich. This was five-star treatment. He felt even larger than usual.
So did his wallet. He pulled it out and perused it thoughtfully.
“So, how much is it?” Del looked at the nametag and read it aloud. “Larry.”
“It’s included with the room.”
Del took the information with a nod. “Uh huh. And is everything included?”
Larry took a moment to respond and stood there with raised eyebrows.
Del nodded and put a sufficient tip in his hand. “We’ll call if we need you. Thanks, Larry.”
Del shut the door behind him. He turned around. Lady was already sitting down to eat. Del went to join her.
Even in the sedation of the secluded room, he felt the vibrancy of the city. The night was a moving and breathing organism. There were so many people living there that it pulsed beyond the walls, and beckoned the travelers out.
Chapter 12
The next day, Del and Lady had a lot of plans. She’d already meticulously mapped out an itinerary that would take at least a week to complete. Del didn’t want to rush it, but he did feel the clock ticking to the beat of eight grand a day. He tried to relax. Lady could entertain him on her turf. And he would follow someone around for once.
They waited until rush hour ended. Del fell into the hectic submersion of big city driving. At first he dreaded it, but soon found fun in navigating busy streets.
The first stop was to the bank. Del pulled up and dropped her off. He would be waiting in the car for this one. He had already thought this through. It was her money and her bank. He would feel like a tagalong or a slouch if he went in. Del wasn’t the one asking for money. Lady was asking for her money. This was one thing Lady could do by herself. If they were married things would be different.
Lady didn’t know what kind of limit her credit card held. She wasn’t entirely sure if it would be cancelled by some second, third, or fourth party member. This was something they had already considered.
Del had mentioned visiting her parents first. Lady insisted they wait a few days. Her official reason was that she could get more work done before being bombarded by friends and family.
She wanted to do things her own way. Lady wanted to pick out her own models, and that could take days. She wanted to hand pick everything herself. It would take huge reserves of money. Lady thought using cash would make her selections more secretive.
Del was nervous about stacks of money, but had eventually been won over to her way of thinking. She already outlined how much money it would take. They already knew what they were asking for.
Lady came back to the car within ten minutes.
“What’s wrong?” Del didn’t wait until she was settled in the seat to ask.
“My ID card is expired. It expired on my birthday.” Lady shrugged.
Del wasn’t surprised to hear it was hard to get money. It matched his belief system perfectly. As much as Lady had seemed indifferent about money, he didn’t want to be the one keeping her from it.
Del wasn’t ready to drive yet. Traffic was thick and he expected moderate to heavy delays. Did every goal on the list have this sort of tedium involved?
Del exhaled a quick lung full of air.
“All right, co-pilot. I don’t mind doing what you want to do, but we do things my way. I don’t mind going across town, but if there are other things on that side of town to do then we should do them at the same time. I don’t want to go back and forth. So we’ll drive to the Department of Motor Vehicles. What else is nearby?”
“Well, it’s not that easy. I was going to use cash for bolts of fabric and down payments on modeling contracts.” Lady fidgeted with her purse handle. “Honestly, this trip could turn into a headache quick. I’m already stressed. What am I going to do?”
Lady started flapping her hands helplessly.
Del realized an emotional breakdown would only weaken the team.
“Hey.” He raised her chin and lowered his voice. “Hey, it’ll be all right. I’ll take care of it.”
He kissed her softly. It took her a moment to respond. Del stroked her leg.
“Okay. I think you’ll be just fine.” Del took a deep breath and started the car.
He looked around, then darted into traffic. What started out as a smooth acceleration clunked over the curb and onto the roadway.
“I don’t like this car,” Del said offhandedly. “We need to be in a truck. That way we can look down on the road and see around things easier.”
He continued talking about big trucks and all their advantages.
Lady grinned. “I agree trucks are cool. But what about your carbon footprint? Don’t trucks take a lot of gas?”
Del petted her knee. “They sure do, sweet thing. It takes a lot of gas to go fast. There’s also a lot of exhaust, but that isn’t a drop in the bucket compared to the damage coming from nuclear plants and plastics. Those two things are way more dangerous than anything a cowboy could do.”
Lady giggled.
Del silently swore to keep her smile in place for as long as possi
ble. “Actually, I’ve been planning on buying a new truck. Maybe I’ll shop around a little as well.”
They drove across the city. Their friendship expanded as they were faced by new obstacles. They laughed and got closer.
Lady looked down at her shoes. “I want to go shopping.”
“We can go shopping. We can go wherever you want. I kinda feel like Christopher Columbus.”
“No, we can’t. Not until I go to the bank.” Lady had a sexy whine.
“Hey, I’ll take you shopping.” Del smiled. “I can at least buy you shoes. Just tell me where to go.”
“Okay! I know a good store on the way.” Lady smiled and gave out directions.
Del couldn’t wait to see something she picked out. So far she’d made do with everything grandfathered into his house. He wanted to see what she did with her own choices.
“Okay. It’s right there.” Lady pointed to a storefront on a tall block. “Here, park over there across the street.”
Del parked the car and smiled at Lady. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, I’m ready. I’ve been wearing these black shoes for too long.”
Del winked and opened his door. In the silence following him around to the passenger door, he wondered why she didn’t just go to her parents’ house for her things. He wondered if she would eventually want to go home. Or if it would be beneficial in any way to push toward her family.
He opened her door. She unfolded her long frame from the car. Lady was tall, but when she wore high heels she was bigger. They were a bigger couple. Del felt indomitable. When she wore her shoes, the top of her head came to his nose. It was a nice height for her to be at. Del appreciated different things about her all the time.
When they were at the farmhouse, her flat soled feet brought her up to the crook in his shoulder. Now they were in the big city and she needed to fill more space beside him. They needed to take up and fight for as much room as they could get.
Del felt very strong beside Lady. She made him feel like a man, and it wasn’t because of her age. It was a yin-yang or feminine-masculine thing. Del could enjoy the ride with Lady, and the shockwaves kept coming.
He opened the glass swinging door and held it for Lady. She swished past him with heavy clicking steps. Del followed her into the store. His eyes tried to adjust. He blinked a few times but the back of the store remained a mystery.
“This is your favorite store?” Del asked.
“Yes.” Lady’s eyes traveled to the nearest rack. “I’m going to look around for a while.”
Del resisted the swagger that hid behind his ‘yes, ma’am’s.’
He stood beside her silently.
Lady held up a shirt. “Do you like this one?”
Del shrugged. “I’m not the expert on pink shirts.”
Lady giggled. “I mean, do you like the collar and the ruffle?”
Del crossed his arms. “Try it on and then I’ll tell you what I think.”
Lady turned back to browsing. “I have to find the right thing to try it on with. It would look very strange with this skirt.”
Del raised his eyes. “This is a used store.”
“Yes, of course it is.” Lady grinned. “That’s the only way I can wear a dress no one else has.”
Del laughed.
“I’m serious. And the good thing is that all of these things were in style once so I know they are a classic.” Lady waited for him before she circled the rack.
Del sighed. “I’m surprised to see you in a store like this.”
“I understand you probably have preconceived ideas about rich girls. Basically all clothes are made by underpaid Chinese workers. It doesn’t matter what brand they are. They all have itchy labels and threads. I like things made without plastic.”
She looked up and smiled at him knowingly. “There. Now you can say I eliminate plastic as well.”
Del stood beside Lady. Her arms got full as she passed things off to Del. He held her things patiently and tried not to shuffle his feet.
They approached the middle of the store and Lady flagged down an attendant.
“Will you start a changing room for me, please? I’ll be ready in about five minutes. First I have to check the men’s section.”
The helper smiled at them and walked away.
Lady started looking at men’s shirts.
Del had mixed feelings about her dressing him.
“Do you like this shirt?” Lady held up a shirt.
“I will never wear that,” Del said quickly.
“Okay, just checking.” Lady grinned.
“Don’t waste your time looking for me. I like button-down shirts.”
“Yeah, I knew that. I know a better store for you. We can go there next,” Lady offered as she walked away from the men’s department.
Del wasn’t there for himself, but if it made Lady feel better then he didn’t mind. Lady tried on the clothes. She whittled her selections into a quarter of the original choices. Del paid cash for her items and they left.
“There is a really good store nearby I think you’ll like.” Lady checked herself in the mirror.
Del entered the name of the store into the navigational device. He continued his trek of escorting Lady. Once she started shopping she wanted to continue. Del kept them on course. He reasoned they could stay in the city an extra week and shop forever. Lady had made goals and it was Del’s destiny to help her accomplish them.
He took his role in her life very seriously. She giggled at him and tried to loosen him up. Del smiled to himself but kept his attention on the road.
They stopped at the store for men. Lady had been correct. Del did like the store and found more than a few things he needed.
Next they arrived at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Del went inside with Lady. She only needed an update on credentials. They entertained each other during the wait. They emerged with a shiny new piece of plastic in Lady’s purse.
“Okay. Now that’s done. Is there a closer bank branch on this side of town?” Del started looking.
Lady was adamant. “I don’t want to go to another bank. I want to finish what I started with the same banker. I have to prove to Mr. Sven that I can finish what I started and nothing will stand in my way. I feel like I would be slinking into a different office.”
Del could appreciate her opinion. “Yes, ma’am. I wouldn’t want to be on the other side of a situation where you had to prove yourself.”
He drove back across the grid toward the bank.
The banker had left the office for lunch. Lady made an appointment with him. They had an hour to kill. They walked around the block, then up the street. Del was a little distraught by the loud and bustling streets. He felt even more rushed to find a nook.
“Lady.” He pulled her hand closer and she stopped walking instinctively.
He caught a hint of her scent. It wasn’t enough, he wanted to breathe more of her. She was so fresh and calming.
“Are you all right?” Lady looked at him, wide-eyed.
Del smiled. “It’s all right. I’m all right now. I’m not used to smelling so many ethnic foods and people. It’s overwhelming. But I feel you and smell you. Then I’m more comfortable.”
He looked down at her. The expectancy in her eyes was smoothed over with something glossy. Lady smiled and waited. Del wrapped his arms around her and buried her in a kiss.
“Whew.” Del waved his hand and breathed. “Now I don’t feel like such an outsider.”
“Really? Because I was thinking it’s too bad you’re outside.” Lady grinned at the pun.
“Come on, you sexy little thing. Let’s find a real nice restaurant and I can nibble your fingers or something.”
Lady giggled and they joked in loud, jolly voices.
Del noticed a few alarmed looks coming his way.
“Look. People are looking at us,” he said after they passed a few people. “I thought people in the city didn’t pay attention to their surroundings.”
&nb
sp; “What? It’s just the opposite. People are in your business so quick.”
Del realized she was right. “Well, then, I guess it’s all right for me to say none of these people look like they’re in love.”
Lady stopped walking and looked at him. “You love me?”
“Of course I love you. Come on. Let’s find a quiet place to eat.”
This wasn’t how he wanted to tell her. It wasn’t romantic enough. He resumed walking and Lady fell into step beside him.
They crossed a few streets before Del looked up at an acceptable exterior. He swung the door open and waited for Lady. The restaurant was cozily ensconced between storefronts. Painted walls and faded window treatments tried to subdue the interior. Del took it as a sign for good food.
The restaurant was narrow. There were two rows of seats on either side of the main aisle. A bar in the back made a blocking L shape. The kitchen steamed from behind it.
Someone greeted them and said, “Please sit wherever you like.”
Del grinned. He liked these kinds of restaurants. He scanned the room. There were sporadic tables for two or four. He picked one out in the middle of the room.
“How about that one in the middle?” Del pointed with his finger.
“Sure,” Lady said. “Lead the way.”
Del stepped off cautiously. He held up his hand for Lady to have a seat. She sat down on the bench along the wall.
He sat down beside her. “That bench must be fifty feet long. I’d better sit by you.”
Lady smiled at him. “Are you one of those people who won’t sit with their back to the door?”
Del knew exactly what she was talking about. He put his hand on her knee and traced it carefully.
“Well, that’s like my fourth or fifth reason on the list. That chair across from us looks like a hard chair. Those can be great for doing business. But I’ve sat in hard chairs before, and I like soft chairs when I’m eating. This bench looks much more comfortable. And not just because you’re on it. Every time I sit in the aisle I get jostled around like a bowling pin. You know. No one ever plans on running into a chair. It just happens. So I choose the less active seat.”
