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The Tessarae Inn |
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Poseidon Rising CHAPTER 1 He watched her through the frosted glass at the center of the door. It was late and dark and no one gave him a second glance. Just another homeless person, bum, panhandler stalking potential “guilt trip-able” prey for a handout. He opened the door and pretended to stumble into the main area of the bar. He needed to see her more clearly—to get closer. She was sipping a drink slowly and running the fingers of her free hand along the top of the bar. She barely glanced up from her drink but a tall kid with blonde hair walked around the bar then over to him. “We’re closed and you have to go.” He looked straight at him but the kid showed no recognition. For a moment, the kid looked past him then he sighed, reached into the pocket of his black jeans and pulled out some money. He handed him two five-dollar bills. “There’s an all night diner down the street. Go get yourself something to eat.” He took the money and pretended to study the bills for a minute. Maybe if he gave her time she would sense he was in the room, turn around and look at him closely. She finally put her elbow on the bar, rested her head in her hand and rotated her head toward him slowly. He looked straight at her. She let her gaze sweep over him in one quick scan. Even with the quick pass, he still caught the sadness in her eyes. She sat up straight and turned on the bar stool so that her body was facing him then leaned back with her elbows resting on the bar. “Do you need some help, Chad?” “I got it, Blair.” She shrugged then turned away again and for a minute he felt as if he was paralyzed in time. His breathing was hard and ragged and his hands felt clammy. “Hey, that’s all I’m gonna give you,” Chad said. “You need to go now.” He looked at Blair for one more second then walked out of the club. He dropped the money on the ground near the door. ========= “Should have locked that door earlier,” Chad said. “Sorry.” “No problem. That was a nice thing you did. Giving him the money.” A slow smile eased onto his face. He leaned toward her. “I was trying to impress you. Did I?” “I’m easy. You’re a good kid.” He stood up straight and crossed his arms over his chest. His biceps bulged under the tight tee shirt. “I’m not a kid, Blair. Stop calling me that. Legal and everything. You don’t have to throw me back.” She touched his arm lightly but was still impressed by its firmness. “I know. I’m just that old. Has nothing to do with age, believe me. Just seen too much and had too much happen to ever be young again.” “You’re perfect the way you are.” “Chad, enough, okay? It’s late. I’m going home.” “Have another drink.” “Nope. That’s my limit. One scotch. One night a week. No more. No less.” Chad nodded. He walked over to the jukebox and made a selection. The music began to fill the room. “Just one dance.” Why did he have to do this? Everything else was under control. She packed all the memories away but every once in a while she needed to remember what it felt like to be held, to move in rhythm with someone else’s body, to feel their desire for you in gently whispered breaths and to have their arms hold you tightly enough so you could believe again in tomorrow and the value of hope. When he pulled her to him slowly she let herself be led. He wanted her and she needed to be wanted just for a few minutes. The rest of it really was under control just every now and then…Chad wrapped his arms around her and she laid her head on his shoulder. Slowly they swayed as Luther sang, “Oh girl you have to stay because I want to fill your days with happiness. Because I’m in love you see…” As she always did, she started to cry. It was the only time she allowed herself to cry. The painful part of her life was over but sometimes the memories… “There’s so much I want to say,” Luther sang. “You’ll hear the words to make you fall in love with me…deep in love with me…” She pulled away from Chad. “I have to go,” she said. “Come home with me, Blair.” “You know I won’t.” She put two fingers to her lips then touched his cheek gently. “I’m sorry but you know that.” She moved further away from him. “Go find that girl you spent so much time telling me about. Make her understand what’s she’s missing.” “Blair, please…” She shook her head and picked up her purse from the bar and grabbed her coat. There was no one and nothing waiting for her at home but it was her life and she lived it on her own terms. ========== He leaned against the brick wall that lined the entrance of the club and watched as Blair danced with that kid. He dropped his chin toward his chest. He couldn’t watch anymore. Slowly he bent his knees and lowered himself into a squatting position. He felt as if his life was draining out of him. He sat that way for a long time. “Are you okay?” He looked up slowly but he stopped his gaze at her waist. He couldn’t take the chance of looking her in the eye and seeing no sign of recognition. Had she cut him completely out of her life, even out of her memories? “I’m fine,” he said. His voice was still low and raspy. And he talked slower now because sometimes it hurt. “Tough being homeless.” “I know.” She opened her purse and pulled out a two one hundred dollar bills. “Take this and get a room for a couple of nights. I hope your luck changes.” “Thanks.” He reached out for the money just so he could touch her hand lightly. Nothing happened. She didn’t tremble, flinch or freeze. “Sometimes life’s a bitch,” she said then walked away. He watched her get into her car and heard her start the engine. For the first time since he met her, he felt truly alone.
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