Chapter Two
"I’m sorry." I mumble, and move out of the
way quickly. The last thing I want to happen is for Luis to recognize me. Walking around the corner, I pause and
listen, hoping to hear anything that Luis and Hank talk about.
"...you recognize your own sister." I catch Hank saying.
"What are you talking about? That wasn’t Theresa." Luis sneers.
"No dummy, it was Paloma." Hank replies, and I can just imagine him rolling his soulful brown eyes.
"Paloma is in Spain Hank. You know that." Luis answers, and I roll my eyes. He’d know differently if
he would’ve called within the last six years.
"Luis, when was the last time you called over there? She’d be 23 now, I highly doubt she’d still be living
with your aunt." Hank remarks.
"It’s a tough situation Hank, but there’s no reason to believe that woman was her." Luis comments.
"Man, you truly are blind. It was her, but if you refuse to believe it, then that’s your own deal." Hank
commented. I hear foot steps growing louder, and quickly I resume walking towards where the car was parked.
"So you were listening to us." Hank calls out to me, but I pretend I didn’t hear him, and walk to the
car.
As I approach the car, I can see Julie and Jess looking serious at me, and I grow curious. Entering the car, I
smile and say, "What?"
"Anderson just called. The director is really mad. Furious, is the way Anderson put it." Julie responds.
"That’s nothing new." I roll my eyes, leaning up against the back seat as Jess starts the car.
"I could hear Megan in the background, she sounded awful. I’m worried, if we get bad reviews in Chicago..."
"Don’t even say it Jules. Chicago isn’t New York. It’s three shows." I reply hoping to calm them.
"I hope you’re right. C’mon, I’m ready to turn in." I yawn for emphasis. As if time was slowly ticking
away, we move through town, passing my old hang out, Lighthouse Park.
Finally Jess speaks, "So, who was that guy that seen through you?"
"Hank Bennett. He’s my brother’s best friend. Always sly and cunning." I answer.
"Was he always that handsome too?" Julie remarks.
"Jules! You are so boy crazy it’s scary!" Jess comments.
"To answer your question, yes, he’s always been handsome." I sneer at my friends childish behavior.
"Did you two have something?"
"Jess, how can you even suggest that?
"What, he’s your brother’s age, right? That’s only four years older. And he seemed like he knew you really
well." Jess commented nonchalantly.
"No, we never had anything. He’s just... well, he’s Hank!" I offer.
"Well that’s a crappy reason if I ever heard one?" Julie replies.
"How about the fact that he’s my brother’s best friend." I answer.
"Nope, still not good enough. I dated my brother’s best friend." Jess rejected.
"Well, there’s no pleasing you two. Oh, there’s the hotel!" I say, pointing at the modern Holiday Inn.
Jess sighs aloud, and pulls into the parking lot.
I volunteer to go check us in as they grab our bags. The lobby area is barren I note as I walk up to the front
desk. Ringing the buzzer, I put my back up against the desk and wait. A small red head walks out of the back room
and smiled politely.
"Can I help you miss?" She asks, and I notice her southern accent.
"Yes, I’d like a room." I smile.
"Any certain requirements or requests?" She asks.
"Nope. Just a plain room." I say letting my voice rise a bit in pitch. She begins to type on the computer
and a frown slowly appears upon her face.
"Hold on one minute. I need to go get my boss. These darn computers. They just installed a new system. Excuse
me." She remarks and leaves the front desk area.
Smiling and shaking my head, I resume I position before she came out, and nearly have a heart attack when my eyes
connect with his.
"You followed me. Isn’t stalking a crime here?" I say, venom creeping into my voice.
"You can’t con a con man." He remarks. "I know it’s you Paloma. The way you hesitated when you bumped
into Luis, your coffee. I know it’s you."
Taking a deep breath I look into his eyes. Determination stares back at me, and I realize there’s no way I’ll ever
get him to think otherwise.
"What do you want Hank?" I ask.
"Ah ha! I was right!" He remarks, a evil smile creeping onto his face.
"I’m sorry miss. Now, what do you want the room name registered under?" The red head asks as she reappears.
Thankful for the interruption, I reply, "Fitzgerald, Maria Fitzgerald."
"Okay." The woman remarks as she types. "That’ll be $58.30. Will you be paying with cash or credit
card?"
"Credit card." I reply, pushing my Visa across the desk at her. She rang it up and with in seconds a
receipt was being printed out. I quickly sign it and she hands me a key. Thanking her I turn around and run right
into him. He catches me and hangs onto my waist, as my hands fall onto his chest. "Meet me in Lighthouse Park
at 10:30. And if you tell anyone..."
"I won’t." He simply replies. Suddenly aware of the close proximity, I jump away and watch as he smiles
and leaves. I inhale and exhale, closing my eyes at the same time. A moment later, Julie and Jess walk in, big
smiles on their faces.
"What was that all about?" Julie asks.
"He knows. I’m meeting him at 10:30 tonight." I reply, my voice dropping.
"Really?" Jess asks, her eyes growing wide. I nod and look at my watch. 9:20.
"Let’s go get settled, then you guys can help me with what to say." I offer. They nod and follow me as
I lead them to our room. |
