Chapter 24 Two perfect dots
Lily
“And then the baby caterpillar cuddled up to the mama caterpillar and he said…”
“‘Mama, that was a looooong day!’” Eli and I say the words in tandem, drawing out the “o” as far as we can until we erupt into giggles.
“And mama caterpillar said…”
We say the words together again. “‘It sure was!’”
“And they they went to sleep.”
Eli presses his tiny face into my chest, the way he always does when he’s tired but he doesn’t want to fall asleep just yet. “One more book, mama?”
“No, honey, I think it’s time for you to go to bed. You know the rules, three books, then it’s time to sleep.”
He groans. “When that lady read me books, she read more than three!”
I smile at the memory. “Yes, but that lady is immortal, so she can stay up forever.”
“What’s ‘immortal’?” he asks, wrinkling his tiny nose.
“That’s a question for another night, I think.” I kiss him on the forehead. Then I pause. “Eli, what did you think of that lady? The one who put you to sleep that night? And got you a manicure?”
Eli holds out his hand proudly. They did a good job. Although it’s been several weeks, the pink nail polish has held up well. He refuses to let me remove it, of course.
“I love my nails!” he says. “And I like that lady. She was nice. She did all the book voices.”
“That’s good. I think mama likes her too.”
“Is she going to come back?” Eli asks, his face shining.
“I don’t know,” I answer, truthfully. There’s a sad pang in my heart as I think of Renata, and the son she sacrificed her life for. It must have been painful for her to be around Eli. But if she wanted to see him again…
When look down at Eli again, his eyes are closed, and he’s drifting off already. I wish I could fall asleep so readily.
I disentangle myself from his little lanky limbs, and quietly creep out of the room.
The faint sound of the TV emanates from the third bedroom.
Since my mother discovered that we get ten times the channels she does, I haven’t been able to get rid of her.
But it’s nice to know there’s another adult in the house, in case Eli gets up at night.
I tuck myself into bed, although it’s not even nine p.m. It’s a rare day off for me, a Saturday night. I remember when I used to go out every Saturday night. Dancing, karoake, drinks…but it’s just not as easy once you’re a mom, especially a single mom.
Still, the bright lights outside my window make the city look incredible, and full of excitement.
I take a worn paperback from my side table. You’ll be disappointed to hear that it’s not “Bitten by Desire.” But it’s a tried-and-true favourite, a sappy love story that never gets old. I prepare myself for a long, quiet evening at home.
After a few chapters, the phone on my side table rings. I jump. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a land line. I hope nothing’s wrong at the hotel. I pick it up.
“Good evening, Lily,” says a smooth voice from the other end.
Am I dreaming? “Renata? Is that you?”
“Of course. I’m sorry to call you outside of your working hours…”
“Is everything ok?” I pull the covers away and swing my legs out of bed.
“Yes, yes, it’s nothing like that. I just wondered if you’re doing anything tonight.”
I pause. “Oh…no, I’m not…I just got into bed.”
“Ah.” She sounds a little disappointed. “That’s all right then…”
“No, no! I mean, I could easily get out of bed, if…”
“If there was a car, waiting for you at the entrance of the hotel?”
There’s a flicker of excitement in my stomach. “Really?”
“Yes, really. But take your time if you need to get ready. I told them to wait.”
“What should I wear?”
“Something nice. But I won’t spoil the surprise.”
“Ok.” I’m grinning wider than I thought was possible.
“I’ll see you soon, Lily.”
“See you soon.”
I hang up the phone. Giddy with delight, I rush to find my best dress and lipstick.
“Ooh, Lily!” screeches Chelsie from her spot along the concierge desk. “You look nice!”
I redden, as whoops and cheers emanate from the staff along both lines of the long lobby desks.
It’s a busy Saturday night, and guests checking in turn to look at what all the fuss is about.
I smooth the folds of my dress self-consciously.
When Renata said “nice,” I didn’t know what to do, so I picked the nicest outfit I own - a slinky, silk pink dress that I wore to my friend’s wedding last spring.
I knew it would fit, and I had matching shoes and a shade of lipstick that I hope is close enough.
I attempted to make my hair wavy, although the jury is still out about whether or not I was successful.
And finally, I put a little cover-up on the marks on my neck. I hope nobody can tell.
“You look beautiful!” Arun shouts encouragingly with a big wave. His shirt is unbuttoned again, and his loose khaki shorts are definitely not dress code-appropriate for the front desk. But I’m not on duty tonight, so I’m not saying anything. I give him an appreciative smile.
Hallie and Lilith lean out over their desks with matching expressions of innocent curiosity.
“Where are you going, Lily?” Hallie asks.
“It’s just a little date,” I tell her.
“Doesn’t look little,” Hallie comments. “You’re so dressed up! Who is it with?”
“Oh, it’s new,” I wrinkle my nose. I wish I could tell her, but I know I can’t. “I don’t want to jinx it.”
“Your hair is so pretty,” Lilith says.
“Thanks,” I sigh. “It took me ages to get it to curl. My hair is so thin, it never stays.”
“Hold on.” Lilith closes her eyes and twitches her nose. A little twinkle of crimson light emanates from her fingers and settles in my hair. My wavy locks shiver, and they seem to perk up. The young witch opens her eyes, and smiles when she sees her handiwork. “There you go, that should do it.”
“Thanks, Lilith,” I tell her, gratefully running my fingers through my hair. “If you need a job once you graduate…”
“I’ll probably be a Satanic High Priestess,” she says, a devious twinkle in her dark brown eyes. “but it’s good to have a back up!”
I chuckle nervously. “Um, ok.”
Hallie gives her girlfriend a kiss on the cheek, then turns back to me. “Good luck on your date, Lily!”
Lilith puts her head on Hallie’s shoulder. They’re both so sweet. I’m happy that they’ve found each other. I hope that one day, Renata and I…
I push away the thought. I shouldn’t be worrying too much about the future. Everything is so new, I should just focus on the present.
“Good night, everyone!” I say, waving at the front desk staff.
Sid gives me a salute as they open the door for me.
There’s a matte black stretch limo waiting outside.
A tingle of excitement goes up my spine.
I’ve never experienced something like this before.
I didn’t have much growing up, and I certainly don’t have much now.
But tonight, I feel like a real-life princess.
The driver opens the car door for me (do rich people never open their own doors?) and I slip into the back seat. To my disappointment, there’s no Renata waiting in the car for me. Perhaps she was worried that someone would see us together.
This is such a nice car. The seats are made of soft, supple leather, and when it starts moving, I can barely feel it accelerate.
Excited, I look out the window at the city going by.
Downtown Silverlake City is always busy on a Saturday night.
People are all dressed up, in high heels and clunky boots, shimmering dresses and matte leather, feather boas and tailored suits…
I watch it all go by, buzzing with anticipation.
We head into an upscale district. I came here once to buy a really expensive moisturizer that I couldn’t get anywhere else. It did not improve my rosacea, although it did cost me about a week’s salary. But don’t worry, I got a bunch of fancy perfume samples while I was there.
We pull up to a restaurant that doesn’t even have a sign outside. I’ve never been here before, or even heard of it. The driver gets out and opens the door for me.
“When you go in, tell the host your name, and they’ll seat you,” says the driver with a wink.
“All right,” I reply, a little nervous.
I enter the restaurant. It’s dimly lit, with the hum of pleasant conversation and tinkling glasses. It appears to be full, but I can’t see Renata anywhere. I go up to the host’s podium.
“Um, I’m Lily Harper,” I say, a little awkwardly. “I’m meeting someone here.”
“Yes, of course,” the host says with a nod. “Right this way, Ms. Harper.”
He leads me through the restaurant. The delicious smell of beef, shrimp, and dishes I can’t even name wafts through the air.
I’m glad I wore this dress. Everyone here seem to be dressed very well.
I scan the tables, but still don’t see Renata anywhere.
Then he takes me to the very back of the restaurant, to a private room.
It’s intimate, but not small. There’s a fountain in the corner, and a piano with a suited pianist who smiles at me as I enter.
And Renata, seated at a table for two. She wears a dark jacket and dress pants over a top of sheer, crimson lace. The lace hugs her chest tightly, leaving just enough to the imagination. Her lips are a matching deep red, and her jaw-length black hair is slicked back from her temples.
She stands when she sees me. “You look breathtaking tonight, Lily.”
“So do you,” I reply, shyly.
The host pulls out my chair, and we sit. There’s a full place setting for me, and a single red rose in the center of the table.
“Your server will be along shortly,” the host says. “Is there anything I can get for you?”
“That’s all for now,” Renata replies. He nods, and exits. There’s a tinkle of piano keys. The pianist starts to play a piano cover. I recognize the song immediately. A cheesy pop ballad by the rock star who’s jacuzzi we tested.
“Ooh, I love this song!” I say.