Chapter 15 Austin - Turbulence
Chapter 15
Austin - Turbulence
“
S ydney, can I ask you something? Why do you need a carry-on and the world’s largest suitcase? It’s three days. I don’t need a suitcase for that.” I pointed over my shoulder to my backpack.
She huffed. “Because you’re a guy. I have bigger wardrobe needs than you.”
I chuckled. “I packed four shirts, one extra pair of jeans, socks, underwear, deodorant, a comb, and a toothbrush. ‘What you see is what you get’ is my motto: WYSIWYG.”
She playfully punched me in the arm. “You’re such a guy.”
A flight attendant who could have been a brunette supermodel came down the aisle, inquiring about drinks. “I’ll have a Jack and Coke,” I winked at her.
Sydney narrowed her eyes at me, then spoke to the attendant. “I’d like Sprite, please.”
I watched the flight attendant as she sashayed back up the aisle to fill our orders. She had a great shape, and I enjoyed the view.
Sydney didn’t miss a trick. “You trying to join the Mile-High Club? She’s way out of your league. ”
“She doesn’t even play for your team,” Venus chimed in from across the aisle. “You’re giving her fuel for her lesbian lover later.”
“There’s no law against looking,” I retorted.
Venus cleared her throat. “You’re right, of course not.”
The attendant brought our drinks. “Your Sprite, miss. Your Jack and Coke, sir.” She set a mini bottle of Jack Daniels next to his plastic cup, then whisked off to serve someone else.
“I could get used to first class.” I twisted open the top of the bottle and poured a shot over my soda. We sat in silence. Sydney put her cell phone in the mesh hammock in front of her seat, then picked up her book and started reading. I leaned my seat back and played a car racing game on my phone. My excitement at getting in the recording studio made it difficult to sit still, and even harder to wait.
When we hit the tarmac, the adrenaline kicked up a notch in my veins. None of my friends had been to California. I knew Sydney didn’t want to miss graduation because her sisters had flown home to celebrate with her. Commencement didn’t matter to me. I was doing that for my mom, and all of her hard-earned dollars that paid for my degree.
We stood near the baggage carousel, and I pulled Sydney’s heavy suitcase off when it snaked its way around the conveyor belt. Venus led us out to a waiting SUV limousine. We traveled down the freeway into the city. I thought they exaggerated the traffic jams in the movies, but they didn’t. Venus kept checking her watch, huffing anxiously. In between checking her watch, she rapid-fired texts on her phone.
Mixing myself another Jack and Coke, I relaxed in the cool leather seating. “Are we late for something?”
“No. Yes. No. I hate the traffic here. There’s never a suitable time to get on the freeway.”
My stomach hadn’t factored in the time difference. It grumbled like crazy. I found the remote control and clicked on the TV, flipping through the channels without finding anything I cared about watching. Sitting in traffic is one of the worst forms of torture, I decided.
After the eternal ride, we arrived at The Ritz-Carlton. A porter ushered us up to a suite without having to check in. Venus addressed each employee we encountered by name. She must come here frequently .
“Hey, Venus, is there somewhere in this hotel that I can get a burger? Breakfast was about a hundred hours ago, and I didn’t think to pack any snacks in my backpack.” My stomach growled in agreement.
She addressed a gentleman in a butler’s suit and tie. “Craig, can you bring up food for these hungry travelers? We sat on the freeway forever coming from the airport.”
“Of course, ma’am. Right away.” He picked up a phone nearby and ordered burgers, fries, and milkshakes for Sydney and me. He was a short, older man, not taller than five foot six. He kept his posture stiff and erect. His short, salt and pepper hair slicked back from his forehead, and his brown eyes were alert.
Venus gave her final instructions. “Sydney, your suitcase will be up shortly. Tomorrow morning, a car will be here to pick you up at ten. You each have your own room. Craig is at your disposal for whatever you need.” She paused, surveying the suite. “I have to return to the office, but I will see you tomorrow.”
I’d never stayed in a place this fancy. The sunken seating area had plush, crimson-colored velvet couches and comfy chairs arranged strategically over a giant Oriental rug in a red and blue pattern. The marble dining table had six chairs that coordinated with the velvet couches. A black baby grand piano sat against the floor-length windows that showcased the Los Angeles skyline. I ran over and plinked out a few happy notes. This place was incredible! The late afternoon sun hit the windows, giving the room a healthy glow.
“Venus outdid herself,” I said. “I would’ve been happy with two queen beds at the Holiday Inn.”
“You aren’t kidding.” Sydney circled around in awe. “I’m waiting for Edward Lewis to come out in a tux with a big jewelry box for me.”
“What?” I needed clarification.
“Pretty Woman, doofus.” She rolled her eyes. “I wonder if there’s a tub we can swim in. Let’s find out! Should we go left, or right?” She froze with both arms in the air in front of her, waiting for my command.
“Right!” I shouted.
We both scurried to the room on the right. The enormous bedroom rivaled the size of the living area. The king-size bed had tall, carved wooden pillars framing the corners. White linens and tons of pillows covered it. A seating area perched next to the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the walk-in closet led into a lavish bathroom. Brass and marble fixtures surrounded the room. The glass-enclosed shower had dual shower heads and a bench. A giant tub with jets sat next to it. The toilet hid in its own closet. A dressing area with a plush white couch, shag rug, and a mirrored, lighted vanity sat across from the tub. It smelled like flowers even though I didn’t see any air fresheners.
I whistled. “I could live in this bathroom all by itself.”
“No, you couldn’t. There’s no refrigerator in here.”
Good point.
We backtracked to the bedroom. I tried to count the pillows, but Sydney dove onto the plush bedding and practically disappeared into the down comforter. She rolled onto her back and pretended to make a snow angel. Not wanting to be outdone, I climbed up onto the footboard and did a back flop next to her. She shrieked in surprise. Then I pulled myself up and started jumping on the bed. This caused her to dissolve into breathless laughter.
“Stop! Stop!” She could barely get the words out. “I want this room.”
“That’s fine with me.” I stood up at the foot of the bed, faced away from it, and fell backwards into the fluff. As I lined up for another stunt, I heard someone cough from across the room. Craig stood in the doorway.
“Your burgers have arrived,” he stated matter-of-factly. He pulled the French doors closed behind him.
I peered down at Sydney. “Oops. I think we’re busted.”
“I’m sure he’s seen worse. Let’s go eat our food. I’m starving!” She held out her hands, and I pulled her off the bed.
The burgers tasted amazing, and they seasoned the fries perfectly. My chocolate milkshake slid up the straw with ease: not too runny, and not too thick. All the food on my plate disappeared.
Sydney had fries leftover and she noticed me eyeballing them. “Do you want the rest of my fries? I couldn’t eat another bite.”
“Sure. Push your plate over here. Then let’s go check out the rest of the neighborhood.”
I shoved the last few fries in my mouth, then we got up to check out the other bedroom. It didn’t disappoint. It mirrored the white bedroom in a blue color palette. The only difference was this bathroom lacked a gigantic tub. Instead, the bedroom had a set of French doors that led to an outside patio with two loungers and a plunge pool .
“I could get used to living like this!” I opened the doors and stepped out onto the patio. Sydney followed me and stood next to the railing of the balcony, gazing out at the city. I dipped my hand into the pool. The water felt as warm as a bathtub. I had a devilish thought pop into my head and decided to act on it.
Sydney spun around in a slow circle with her arms outstretched. “I keep pinching myself. I can’t believe this is happening.”
“I know what you mean. It will be hard not to fly first class now. Or stay in a regular two-bed hotel room. But there is one thing I want to do right now that would make my day.”
“What’s that?” Sydney asked.
I bent over in front of her and grabbed her above the knees. I stood up with her hanging over my shoulder and twirled around as fast as I could.
“Austin! What are you doing?” she shrieked. “Put me down!”
“Are you sure that’s what you want?” I shouted.
“Yes! Put me—”
I flipped her back over my shoulder and dropped her into the pool. She came up sputtering. I bent over, hanging onto my knees, cackling like a hyena.
“What is wrong with you?” she demanded, standing up in the water, pushing her dripping curls off her face.
“Do you need a list? I’m a lunatic.” And then I jumped a cannonball into the pool right in front of her. Water cascaded over the lip of the pool on all four sides.
When I surfaced, I heard her panic. “Ohmigod! Ohmigod! My phone is in my pocket!”
Oh shit. That didn’t go as I imagined it. “Sydney, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“You really don’t think about anyone but yourself. Thanks for that.”
I didn’t want to make her any more upset. I kept quiet as she climbed the ladder and pulled her soggy phone out of her back pocket. She held it with two fingers and sighed as she watched water dribble out the bottom end. “I didn’t want to call my mom anyway.” She stretched out on one of the loungers.
I got out of the water and sat down on the other lounger. “Listen, I am sorry. We can go out and get you a replacement. ”
“I’ll ask Craig to bring me up a bag of rice and a plastic container. It should be okay after it dries. Your stunt probably would have been funnier without soaking my phone.”
“I’m not normally this impulsive. But I had another idea if I may be so bold as to share with you.”
“If it involves a tightrope or breathing fire, count me out.” She cracked a smile.
“Why don’t we order a steak dinner in a few hours and watch movies on that giant retractable screen hiding in the ceiling? See if this place has good chocolate cake? I’ll put in our order with Craig and join you in the velvet room.”
“That’s perfect. I’m going to hang up these clothes first. I hope my suitcase has arrived or I’ll be joining you in that fluffy white robe I saw in the closet. I want my steak medium rare, please. And lots of butter for my baked potato.”
She headed to her room to change, leaving a trail of water behind her.