Adaptation of the Chameleon

by Douglas A. Schmitt

  During their relationship, Luke would always talk about how exciting New Orleans was and what it meant to him and his family. He explained that his father’s side of the family grew up in New Orleans and moved when his father was a teenager. Luke would go with his father for small trips while growing up. An avid fisherman, Luke’s father, Michael, would take Luke and his brothers to a convention that supported the sport.

  Anna remained amazed with the city and would express her interest in visiting there. She described how great it would be to once again see the large aquarium and zoo, how the French Quarter was a place that she still dreamed about. She played with the idea of one day living in the Garden District and living her days as if she were in a William Faulkner play.

  Luke had arrived home from work. Trying to juggle a stack of papers in his hands, he opened the door to his room to see Anna watching a movie in his bedroom. It was a slow day at the pool and he had time to make plans for his and Anna’s six month celebration. He decided to surprise her with a weekend trip, filled with new adventures that he knew Anna so longed for.

  He sat next to Anna, noticing that she was totally absorbed by the movie. Luke grabbed her attention and said, “What are you watching, babe?”

  Anna moved her head slightly towards Luke. While keeping her eyes tuned to the screen, she answered, “I’m watching ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.’ It’s such a beautiful story. It’s probably my favorite New Orleans movie.”

  “I agree, but let me put that on pause for a second. I have something to show you.”

  Anna reached for the remote and hands it to Luke. He pressed the pause button and set the remote next to him. He took a deep breath and, exhaling, handed Anna the stack of papers. The top sheet was a confirmed reservation to the Hotel New Orleans on Canal Street in downtown New Orleans.

  Anna scanned through the papers, her face constantly in awe with each change of the sheet. She finally got to the end, looked at Luke and said in an awed voice, “Are we going to New Orleans? Oh my God, babe! Holy shit!”

  “Yeah,’ Luke confirmed. “I went ahead and confirmed the reservation this afternoon. I figured this is what you would want. Happy six months, baby girl.”

  Anna jumped to her feet. She wrapped her arms around Luke and kissed him. Squeezing him, she exclaimed, “This is the best gift ever, babe! Thank you so much!”

  It was the morning the two were to leave. They had their bags packed and began loading them into Luke’s vehicle and making their way to New Orleans for the weekend. Anna played disc jockey once again, but instead of playing Elvis Presley, she chose to play another band for the majority of the trip. She found some Rock Star CDs in Luke’s car and felt it was the right music to listen to.

  She confessed to Luke while holding the CD case, “I have never really listened to this band before. My dad likes them and he would play them sometimes when I would ride with him, but I never really took the time to get to know the band.”

  Luke laughed as he reached for Anna’s hand. He places his fingers between hers. “I have been listening to them since I was a kid. In fact, that mixed CD that you took out is filled with Rock Star music. I made the mix a couple of weekends ago. I had to go through my entire iTunes library to find the right ones.”

  Anna looked at Luke and thought a moment before finally responding, “The right ones? For what?”

  Luke smiled and took the CD from the case and placed it in the player. Turning the volume down low, he replied, “I realized that this band is like the musical narration of our relationship; here, let me show you. This song, for example, describes the first time I saw you.”

  Luke turned up the volume and allows Anna to listen to the lyrics.

  “’I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing’ perfectly describes how I felt about you. Not to be cheesy, I just knew that I was falling for you when we actually met and then at my dorm - you had me hook, line, and sinker.”

  Luke navigated through to the other songs. He stopped on one and allowed Anna to listen to it. She recognized the song and looks at Luke and giggled, “Oh, ‘Walk This Way.’ I get it.”

  The two began laughing as Anna listened to each one of the songs on the track. After the first ten songs, she turned the volume down and began talking to Luke.

  “I like the raspy voice that the singer has. It’s pretty rad.”

  Luke smiled, leaning back in his seat and listening to the music. While Anna changed the CD, Luke draws Anna’s attention and said, “I had to tell Joe that I needed this weekend off to visit family in Biloxi. I hated lying to the guy, but I really just didn’t want to hear him lecture me about work.”

  “I know what you mean,’ Anna empathized. “When I told my parents that I called in to work and that I was going to New Orleans alone with you, they had some questions. I just told them that we wanted to get away and that we would probably just stay in one room with two beds.”

  Luke looked at Anna, confused. While turning onto the twin span, he questioned, “Why? I thought you and your mom were closer than that. But I’m glad you didn’t catch any grief or anything. And as far as she knows, we stayed in separate beds.”

  Anna smiled, placing in another CD.

  The two finally arrived at the hotel and were escorted to their room. Luke brought champagne, strawberries, and a small surprise gift for Anna. Once they were settled in, they made plans to walk through the French Quarter and to the shops that surrounded Jackson Square. Luke anticipated taking Anna to Quarter Cafe for beignets and lunch at Island Bar.

  They made their way down to the hotel lobby and out the door. The two turned right and walked along Canal Street, finally crossing and making their way down Magazine Street. They took the time to explore the area around Bienville, Royal, and Conti. The architecture was exquisite and the day was beautiful. The history of New Orleans was everywhere and very much alive, as Anna had hoped it would be. They made their way down Iberville and headed towards the Aquarium.

  Luke had purchased tickets online and presented the confirmations to the kind black woman. Her nametag read Margaret. She took the pieces of paper from Luke. She looked over the print and said, “Alright, sugar, are you Mr. Cardellini?”

  Luke nodded his head and directed Ms. Margaret’s attention to Anna. Luke said, “Ms. Margaret, this is my girlfriend Anna. This is her first time here. In fact, this is the first time she has been in New Orleans since she was a kid.”

  “Oh my,’ Ms. Margaret continues, ‘welcome to the Big Easy, sugar pie. You got yourself a handsome man here, and he taking you to Nawlins? I think you got a keeper. I hope you enjoy yourself.”

  Ms. Margaret handed Luke the sheets of paper and two passes. They each thanked Ms. Margaret as they walked past and enter the large glass building.

  Luke and Anna spent over two hours inside and explored everything in the multi leveled indoor zoo. Anna had a chance to see real penguins and learn more about the habitats of large sharks. Soon after exploring the wonderful Gulf Coast exhibit, the two decided to leave and find a place to have some lunch.

  They left the aquarium and made their way down Decatur. They were soon in the presence of the Island Bar. They could hear the beach style music as they approached the opening to the establishment. Luke described the style as being part of the Coast lifestyle.

  Luke opened the door, allowing Anna to enter first. The sound that was playing was a tune named, “Get Drunk and Screw.” Luke laughed at the lyrics as Anna stood confused. She finally spoke up and said, “That seems kind of… perverted.”

  “No,’ Luke continued, ‘this music isn’t supposed to be anything but amusing. I remember listening to Jimmy while I was growing up. It’s like the theme to the coast. You see, the musician was born in Pascagoula and became the first Coastie. That’s what we call ourselves down there.”

  Anna thought for a moment. She looked at Luke and said, “In Oxford, it’s not like that at all. But I can totally dig the culture.”

  They walked up to the hostess
and requested a table. They only waited five minutes before the hostess escorted them to the second floor, right next to the window facing Decatur. While waiting to have their order taken, Anna noticed the chandelier in the next room. It appeared as though there were salt shakers hanging from it. Luke looked at Anna and the two began laughing. He said to her, “It’s from a song, the lyrics are: ‘Wasting away in Margaritaville, searching for my lost shaker of salt’.”

  They shared a few more laughs on the literary takings of the Coastie songs. Their waitress shows up to take their order and Luke signals Anna to place her request first.

  “I’ll have… the ‘cheeseburger in paradise.”

  “Let me see here…” Luke looked and spotted the perfect meal. “I’ll take the jerk chicken! Oh, and can we get an order of those onion rings as an appetizer? They look so good on the menu!”

  Anna looked at Luke as the waitress leaves and asks him about his order. She claims that she has never had jerk chicken before and was curious about what it was. Luke explained that the only other time he has had it was when a few Jamaican friends prepared it for him at a party the previous summer.

  Luke explained that the way they prepare the chicken. “It’s cooked over an open flame with ketchup and beer splashing all over the heavily seasoned poultry. When it’s done, they take the chicken and place it on a bed of steamed brown rice and serve it.”

  “Yum,’ Anna said. ‘I will definitely have to try some of that.”

  After their cuisine, the two began heading out to another New Orleans favorite, “Pat O’Brien’s.” Luke explained to Anna as they walked towards the opened area located in the rear of the establishment, “They have this drink; they call it the ‘Hurricane.’ It’s a strawberry daiquiri and it is amazing! We are going to get one and then I’m going to show you Bourbon Street.”

  They soon arrived at the bar. Anna smiled as she observed the bartender mix different ingredients in a blender and mixed them together for the perfect shade of red. The bartender poured the substance into a special printed cup and served it to Anna.

  Anna held the plastic cup with both her hands, feeling the cold transfer from the drink to her mouth. She pulled the straw away from her lips and immediately clinched the peak of her forehead. She looked at Luke as she relaxed her tight eyes and declared, “That is amazing. Wow, it gave me brain freeze! I didn’t want to stop drinking it.”

  Luke laughed, taking Anna’s hand and leading her out into the street. He guided her through several one way roads until they found Bourbon Street. They stopped in front of Bourbon Cowboy. Luke took a look both ways, pointed west, and said, “If we go this way, we will hit “Canal Street.”

  Luke pointed in the opposite direction and continued, “If we go this way, you could see all the wonderful sights that you read about in that little Oxford newspaper that tells of all the disgusting and horribly deranged acts of indiscretion that happens every weekend here in New Orleans. So, what is it going to be, my love?”

  Anna thought for a moment before seeing the sun slowly made its way down just beyond the hotel. The bright light shone deep into her eyes as she felt the need to squint. She took the sunglasses from their resting place on top of her head and put them on. She looked at Luke and with an interested grin appearing on her face, she mischievously answered, “As much as I’d like to see the ‘deranged acts of indiscretion’ take place on this crowded street, I think I’d rather we make our own. You know, something for the people in Oxford to be disgusted with.”

  Luke looked at Anna in wide-eyed excitement and snickered. He bit his bottom lip while turning his head slightly to his left side. He said, “We, uh- we could definitely do that. In fact, we will absolutely do that.”

  Luke reached out and took hold of Anna’s hand. She smiled as he guided her towards the hotel.

  They whisked into their room, allowing the door to close on its own. Anna took the liberty of taking two champagne glasses from in front of the ice bucket and placed them on the round wooden table next to the window. She pranced to the mini freezer and removed the cold bottle of genuine French champagne and handed it to Luke while saying, “Will you do the honors, honey?”

  Luke removed his long sleeve collared shirt and while standing next to the large bed, he untwisted the silver twine and then unwraps the tight sheet of gold. He placed the bottle in the middle of his core and pointed the tip towards the entrance in the room. He rotated his head over his shoulder, noticing as Anna covered her mouth in anticipation, and said, “Happy six months, baby girl.”

  Luke popped the cork and immediately began pouring the carbonated substance into the glasses. He lifted his glass in an attempt to toast. Anna looked at him, and while unzipping the front of her pants, nodded in attendance. Luke clears his throat and says, “Here is to the best times of my life and to many, many more. I love you, Anna Winchcomb, with all my heart and I cannot wait for future celebrations that are yet to come.”

  The two tipped their glasses and consumed the liquor inside the crystal clear cylinders.

  Luke stood near the large window and began pouring himself another portion. He watched Anna stroll to the center of the room and slowly undress. She made her way to Luke, wearing only a pair of black lace panties. She handed him her empty glass and said while staring him straight in his eyes, “I want some more, but only have it ready for after.”

  Luke stood in silence while taking in Anna’s beautiful physique. He prepared the bottle of champagne and filled Anna’s glass halfway. He set the bottle on the round wooden table and got himself as close to Anna as he could.

  “I don’t know what to expect from tonight. I’m not even going to pretend like I have any idea. All I want to say, before I allow you to fully seduce me, I want you to know that…” Just before Luke could finish his sentence, Anna placed her hands on the sides of his face and pulled him closer to her. She slid her tongue inside of his mouth, tasting the sweet fermented grapes as it rested in his gums. She then backed up and lay on top of the thick and soft comforter.

  Anna positioned herself on the edge of the bed and slid off her last undergarment. She kicked them towards Luke, forcing them to land at his feet. She moaned as she placed the tip of her index finger in her mouth and said, “Come and get it.”

  Luke placed his glass next to the bottle and walked towards the bed. He removed all his clothing and placed himself on top of Anna.

  The two made love while the moon shone in through the open curtains. Tossing and turning, Luke felt each and every gasp of air from Anna as he tried to please the woman he loves. Attempting new and interesting things, the young lovers soon mastered other ways to provide satisfaction to one another.

  The couple continued to lay wrapped in each other’s arms until just after two in the morning while only expressing emotion using the tips of their fingers. Anna rested her head comfortably on the right side of Luke’s chest. She could feel as his heart began to race every time she made a sound. For entertainment purposes she would quickly lift her head only to smile at Luke as she watched the anticipation build on his face. She would then return to her curious position located just below Luke’s neck and listen for the thumping to rest, only to start the process all over.

  As the early hours of the morning became noticeable in the couple’s eyes, Anna decided to get off the bed and walk to the window. She watched all of the many people make their way through the streets of New Orleans. Comfortable in her natural form and secure with the idea that no one other than Luke could see, she leaned into the glass and observed as if she were watching the world pass by her from the reflective side of a one way mirror.

  Excited and feeling more awake than ever, Anna turned back towards the bed and said to Luke, “Oh, honey… this is fantastic. This room, this city, this trip… it’s all so perfect.”

  Luke leaned against the headboard and watched as Anna expressed her emotions with childlike wonder. He smiled. “I’m glad you like it, sweetheart. This has been an interesting tr
ip for me as well, very, uh, educational.”

  Anna responded with an interested grin, “I have an idea. I think… I think we need to relax in that huge tub. I brought some really foamy bubble bath with me. You know, just in case we got the idea.” Anna winked at Luke and removed the medium sized bottle from her overnight bag as she walked towards the bathroom.

  As Anna attempted to achieve the perfect bath water temperature, Luke reached deep into his bag and pulled out a small wrapped gift. Holding the surprise behind his back, he walked slowly into the bathroom. He watched Anna pour more than enough solution in the water and place the box on the side of the large porcelain tub. She turned slightly to see Luke walking in. She jumped to her feet and immediately spotted his surprise.

  Anna bites hard on her bottom lip as she looks at both sides of Luke to see what he was holding. Luke continued to conceal the gift, instructing Anna, “Uh,yeah, I have a little surprise for you. Go ahead and sit down on the toilet and close your eyes.”

  Anna sat and placed her hands over her eyes. She could hear a quick snap and creak of a miniature hinge. Her toes began to curl. She felt the cold introduction of metal slide around her neck.

  “Okay,’ Luke instructed, ‘you can open your eyes now.”

  Anna opened her eyes to see a silver pendant hanging from a chain around her neck. She lifted the awkward looking ornament and examined it while standing in front of the bathroom mirror. Noticing an inscription on the bottom, she asked, “Baby, what is it?”

  Luke walked to her side and took the pendant from her fingers. He directed her attention to the mirror and responded, “This was my maternal grandmother’s. This is the only thing I have that belonged to her. She died before I was born. My mother gave it to me a long time ago, and I have waited to feel right about giving it to someone that I loved - and now, it’s yours.”

  Tears began to fill and then slowly drop from Anna’s eyes as she took another look. She peered into Luke’s eyes, saying, “What does the inscription mean?”