by Betty McLain
* * *
When Dody came back from the dining car, her eyes went first to the seat where she saw the man with the beautiful eyes. Her eyes widened in surprise to see he was gone. Then a surge of disappointment swept through her. She moved slowly on toward her seat. As she did, she noticed that the luggage was gone from over their seats, too. They must have got off at the last stop, she thought, as she dropped into her seat.
“Well, that is that,” She said softly. “Now if I can just forget him. I will probably never see him again.”
She looked out of the window. They were well past the trees. Now they were passing open fields. She could see cows and some horses scattered around here and there. Dody gazed longingly at the open fields. She loved the plantation. She was born there. She played there when she was small. Each season had special meanings for her. If only her Mom would stop trying to hurry her into marriage, she would love spending her vacation at home. She turned away from the window with a sigh. What was the use? She may as well marry Charles and be done with it. She could do a lot worse than Charles. Even the young man with the beautiful eyes was gone. She must push him out of her mind and forget those eyes. She must! She leaned back and closed her eyes. Soon she was sleeping peacefully. She was awakened by a touch on her arm as the train stopped in Reno . She opened her eyes to find the porter gathering her luggage.
“You had a nice nap?” he asked, smiling.
“Yes, thank you,” she said as she gathered her purse and the magazines and followed him from the train. He hailed a taxi for her and, after he put her bags in the trunk, she gave him a tip. He left, telling her to enjoy her visit.
Dody asked to be taken to the Carolton hotel and settled back to enjoy the ride. She looked out at buildings and houses. There was a lot of hustle and bustle going on. Dody almost had her nose pressed to the window trying to see everything at once. She loved visiting in the city. No matter how much she loved the plantation life, she loved town life, too. The last two years of living in town and teaching school had shown her that. The taxi stopped in front of the Carolton. After her luggage was deposited on a dolly, she paid for the taxi and followed the bellhop inside to the desk.
“May I help you?” asked the smiling man behind the desk.
“Yes. You have a reservation for Sue Taylor.”
The clerk checked his book. “Yes, we have, Miss Taylor. Sign right here.” He handed her a pen and turned the book toward her. She signed Sue Taylor, in clear, precise handwriting. The clerk looked at the book and smiled again. He motioned at the bellhop and handed her a card key. “Eddie, take Miss Taylor to room 307.”
“Yes, Sir,” said the young bellhop. He pushed the dolly and followed her to the elevator. They were silent on the ride up to the third floor. The car stopped, Eddie stepped out and turned to the right and started down the hallway with Dody following close behind. At room 307 he pulled the dolly to one side and held out his hand for her card key. Dody handed it to him and he swiped the card on the door. Dody was watching carefully so that she would know what to do next time she wanted to open the door. He handed the card back to her and carried her bags inside and sat them on a bench. He stepped back out of the way so that Dody could enter and look around.
“Will that be all, Miss?”
“Yes.” She reached into her purse and handed him a five dollar bill. “Thank you.” She smiled as she handed the money to him. He smiled back at her as he said a quiet “Thank you” and departed, closing the door behind him.
Dody looked around. It was a lovely room. She should have been happy; instead she felt more like crying. She gave herself a mental shake. She looked down at herself. Seeing the stains of travel on herself and her clothes, she decided to take a shower. She rummaged through her suitcase, getting out what she wanted to wear. She then headed into the bathroom to take a shower.
* * *
While Dody was taking her shower, Greg and Ron arrived downstairs. They had reservations at the Carolton, also. They registered and were shown to their rooms by Eddie. Greg was given room 311 and Ron took room 315. Since some people were superstitious the hotel had skipped room 313.
“Thanks, Eddie, said Greg. He gave Eddie a tip and turned to admire his room. “This is nice, Ron. I think I am going to enjoy relaxing in a nice warm shower before we meet down stairs for a meal.”
“That sounds great,” responded Ron. “I’ll see you in about an hour and we can go down to the café.” Ron followed Eddie out and down to his room.
Chapter 3
Dody walked around the art gallery looking at the different types of pictures being displayed for the show. There were some abstracts and some were portraits. Quiet a few were scenery and still life scenes. All in all, the gallery carried a good variety of different types of pictures. It should have something for all different tastes. Earlier, she left Sue’s pictures to be hung. Sue wrote ahead and reserved a place for her pictures. When Dody came to the place where Sue’s pictures were being hung, she stopped to watch. Compared to the other pictures she saw, Sue’s were very good. Sue really had quite a bit of talent, she decided.
Dody was so absorbed in the pictures that she did not see someone approaching her.
“Hi,” called a cheery voice.
Dody turned to find she was answering the friendly smile with one of her own. The girl in front of her was short, with a pixie face and short red hair. She was rather plain, but had a very friendly disposition. “Hi,” she answered.
“I am Carolyn Adams. I saw you when you came in, but this is the first chance I have had to come over and say hi. You had a late start, didn’t you?”
“I am Dody Lansing. Yes, I guess I was a little late getting started. I had a long train ride yesterday and so I slept a little late this morning. I rushed right over as soon as I got up. I could not wait to see the gallery and the pictures. I have not been to a showing before and this is all exciting for me.”
“I know what you mean. Even though I have been here before, it’s always exciting to see what new pictures are being shown. Most everyone has left their paintings and gone sightseeing. There is a coffee shop a few doors down. Would you like to join me for a cup? I am so ready to take a break?” Carolyn asked.
“I would love a cup of coffee,” Dody agreed, as she followed the friendly Carolyn out of the gallery and down the street.
“Were those your pictures hanging back there?” Carolyn asked when they were seated at a table by the window in the coffee shop. “You don’t look much like a painter.”
“I’m not a painter. I am a music teacher. The pictures belong to my friend, Sue Taylor. She had a family emergency and could not bring them, so I offered to see that they were shown for her.”
“Sure, I should have recognized the style. I have known Sue for years. We have celebrated several art shows together. There is nothing wrong with Sue, is there?”
“No, she is fine. Her mother is ill.” Dody explained.
“That‘s too bad. When you get back, tell Sue the gang missed her and we all hope that her mother is better. Tell her we will be looking for her at the next showing,” Carolyn said sincerely.
“I’ll tell her. I am sure she will be glad to know she was missed.” Dody answered sincerely. “Do you live here in Reno?”
“When I am not traveling around from one art show to another, I have an apartment all to myself. I never could stand being crowded. I always have a party the night after an art show to celebrate. If I sell my paintings, great, if I do not sell them, I need cheering up. So, it works out great either way. If you do not have anything else planned, why don’t you join us? You are bound to have a good time and meet some interesting people.”
“Thanks, I don’t have anything planned and I would love to come to your party.”
Carolyn took out some paper and a pen and wrote something on it and she handed it to Dody. ”This is the address of my apartment. The party will start about seven. Do not dress too fancy. We are all very casual.” Carolyn s
aid, rising. “I have to run, now. See you tonight, though.”
“Yes,” Dody agreed. She smiled as she watched Carolyn hurry out after paying for their coffee at the counter. Dody sat there a while longer drinking her coffee and watching people hurrying by outside the window. After she finished her coffee, she decided to go sightseeing before she went back to check on Sue’s pictures. After all there was nothing she could do at the gallery. They could get along just fine without her hovering over them.
She walked along for quite a while. She watched the people and the buildings. There were a lot of stores she never heard of before. Dody was very absorbed in the sights she was seeing. Suddenly, she realized she was hungry. She looked at her watch. It was almost one o’clock. She looked around for a place to eat. There was a café only a short distance from her. She went inside and found a seat. After enjoying a chicken salad sandwich and tea, she started back toward the art gallery feeling much better. It took her quite a while to get there. She must have wandered farther than she meant to. Upon arriving, she found the place crowded with people. They were both looking and buying. Dody worked her way around to where Sue’s pictures hung. When she made it there at last, it was so crowded she had to work her way through, slowly. She looked up and caught her breath in surprise. Of the ten pictures she brought to the showing, nine had been sold. There was only one left. While she stood there looking, the art agent came and took down the last painting for a young couple, and the three headed for the office. Dody stood staring after them. She could hardly believe it. Then, slowly, she began to make her way to the office, too. Just before she got there, she saw the young couple emerge from the office with the painting. She went into the office.
“Excuse me,” she said to the man at the desk as he turned to look at her. “I am Miss Lansing. I brought Sue Taylor’s pictures to the show.”
“Oh, yes,” Agreed the man. “I was just making out a check for Miss Taylor, minus the agent’s fee, of course.”
“Of course, thank you” Dody agreed. She took the check he was holding out to her. She glanced at the check and then looked again. She could not believe what she saw. “Sue’s pictures must have done very well,” she thought as she deposited the check in her purse. She thanked the agent, again, and left the office. She looked at her watch, and seeing it was nearly five o’clock, started back to her hotel. On the way back, she decided she would leave Sue’s check in the hotel safe until she started for home.
Shortly after Dody left the art gallery, Carolyn entered. She had a group of friends with her, including Ron and Greg. Ron and Greg left their hotel early that morning to have breakfast with Ron’s friends; therefore, they missed Dody when she had breakfasted in the hotel dining room.
After leaving Ron’s pictures at the gallery, they went exploring with their friends. Greg was disappointed. He wanted to hang around the gallery and see if the girl from the train showed up. Now, at his urging, Ron asked Carolyn if there had been any sign of the girl.
“Sure,” Answered Carolyn. “At least, I guess she is the one you are talking about. She answers the description you gave. She is a friend of Sue Taylor’s. She was here to bring Sue’s pictures to the show.
“Did you invite her to the party?” asked Ron.
“Sure, she was a real nice kid. She seemed kind of sad, though. Maybe the party will cheer her up some,” stated Carolyn as she weaved her way through the gallery with Ron following her.
Greg stayed behind, thinking about what Carolyn said. “Now, what would a pretty girl like that have to be sad about?” He thought. Then he gave a shrug. Looks were no guarantee against unhappiness. He moved on into the gallery to see how Ron and all of his friends did with their pictures. Most of the group did fairly well. They seemed pleased with the sales. Carolyn sold six painting and Ron sold five. Most of the group sold two or more. After congratulating everyone, Ron and Greg left. They went back to their rooms to shower and change for the party.
* * *
After taking her shower and resting for a while, Dody looked through her things. She did not have much of a choice about what to wear. She only brought four outfits with her. She finally decided to wear a pretty blue dress with a fitted top that flared slightly and came to her knees. It was of a shimmery material and seemed to change colors as she moved in it. She loved the way it felt when she was wearing it. Sue helped her pick it out on a shopping trip just a few weeks earlier. She looked at herself in the mirror. The dress fit well and she liked the way it looked on her.
Dody took a taxi in front of the hotel. She gave the taxi driver Carolyn’s address and settled back in her seat. She looked at her watch as the taxi started. It was fifteen minutes after seven. It only took about ten minutes to be delivered at Carolyn’s apartment. She paid the taxi driver and got out of the taxi. She stood looking around for a minute. “There is not much doubt where the party is,’ she thought with a smile. There was music and laughter bursting from the bottom apartment on the right. As soon as she pressed the buzzer, Carolyn opened the door and pulled her inside.
“Dody, I am so glad you came,” she said as she led her forward. “Come and meet some of the gang. Carolyn stopped beside a grouping of chairs. She put a hand on to the shoulder of one of the girls sitting there. “This is Maro. The ones next to her are Len and Kathy. Then, there is Lang and next is Mitch. Over on the other side are Dede, Sandy and Sharon. Everybody say hello to Dody.”
There was a chorus of greetings from all including Dody. She smiled at everyone as Carolyn guided her on toward the buffet table. The table was loaded with sandwiches and deserts. There was a large punch bowl on the table, and there were large coolers at each end with a variety of drinks including beer. Carolyn waved her hand toward the table and told Dody to make herself at home. The doorbell rang and Carolyn excused herself to go and answer it. Dody turned her attention to the table. She picked out a sandwich and got a glass of punch. While she was eating, she looked around at the apartment. It was a very artistic apartment. There were pictures everywhere. The walls were painted bright, cheery colors. It looked very nice she decided. Dody looked around at the people. There were some of them dancing. Others were just gathered in groups talking. Some of them were studying Carolyn’s pictures. They seemed to like what they saw. Dody absentmindedly reached over and refilled her punch glass. She looked down and realized she was on her third glass.
“Oh, well,” She decided with a shrug. It was good punch, and after all, punch could not hurt you. Could it? She gave a little giggle as she drained her third glass. She was beginning to feel good. She had a little floaty feeling. The doorbell rang as she filled her fourth glass. She turned with her full glass and saw Carolyn headed her way with two men. One of them looked her way and smiled. She caught her breath. She felt a wonderful sensation rush through her. She found herself smiling into the eyes of the man from the train. She felt as if she had been waiting for this moment since she returned from the dining car to find two empty seats where they had been sitting.
The man smiling at her looked as if he was just as happy to see her again. Dody could not take her eyes away from his as Carolyn brought them closer to her.
Chapter 4
“Dody, I have a couple of friends here who want to meet you,” said Carolyn. “This is Ron and Greg. Boys meet Dody.”
Dody raised her glass and drank thirstily. All of this time, she did not take her eyes from Greg’s face; and he, likewise, stared at her. Ron sighed. He looked from one to the other, and then he turned to Carolyn.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked.
‘Sure,” she replied. They moved away together, leaving Greg and Dody alone, still looking at each other.
Greg glanced at Dody’s glass and saw that it was empty.
“Here let me fill that for you.” He offered.
“Sure,” said Dody. “It is the best punch I ever drank.” She smiled brightly up at him.
He filled her glass and got one for himself. They drank their punch
in silence, looking into each other’s eyes. There did not seem to be any need to say anything. After they finished their punch, Greg took the glasses and sat them down and took Dody’s hand.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked. Dody nodded her acceptance and they moved out onto the dance floor together. Or, did she float? She was not quite sure, all she knew was that being held close in his arms, moving around with her head on his shoulder, was like being in heaven. It was sheer bliss. She sighed happily. Greg, hearing the sigh, pulled her closer. He never wanted to let her out of his arms again. He knew that this girl was his destiny.
“You are very beautiful,” Greg whispered in her ear.
Dody leaned back and looked up into his eyes. “You have the most heavenly brown eyes,” She stated, and then she snuggled up close, with her head on his shoulder once more. They danced on. They talked very little. It seemed they just wanted to hold on to each other. When the music paused from time to time, they would go and get more punch. Many dances and glasses of punch later, the room was filled with smoke and uncomfortably warm. At least, it seemed that way to Dody.
“That looks like a patio over there,” she said to Greg, pointing toward two glass doors. “I think I will go out for a while and let my head clear. It is awfully stuffy in here.” She started toward the door, but Greg caught her arm. “It is rather cool outside. Don’t you think you need a jacket?’
She nodded and then looked around for where her coat had been left. “I will be right back,” she said as she hurried off to get it. She was back shortly, and she smiled prettily at Greg as she said, “All set. Now I will be warm and toasty.”
“I just don’t want you to catch a cold,” he said as they went out on the patio, closing the door behind them. The cold air felt good. Dody felt wonderful. She took a deep breath and turned toward Greg. The next instant she was in his arms. This was what they both had been longing for. His lips found her lips. They joined in a long and passionate kiss. Dody opened her lips so she could taste Greg as he explored her mouth with his tongue. She joined in the exploration. When they had to breathe, he rained kisses all over her face, eyes, and throat, ending at her mouth once more. She returned all of his kisses with a fervor she did not know she possessed. When he stopped kissing her, he held her very close, whispering endearments and caressing her.
