Chapter 3: Learning to Live With a Ghost

We walked back to ‘Madam Wilma’s’ shop. Scarlett walked thru the door. I mean THRU the door! She unlocked it for me. I retrieved my bags and hailed a taxi. Scarlett asked where we were going.

“Take me to the Marriott Hotel, please.” I told the driver.

“Why are we going to a hotel?” asked Scarlett.

I decided to talk to the driver, “You believe in Mediums?”

“Who?”

“You know, people who talk to the dead, like spirits or ghosts.”

“Fuck no. Those people are frauds and thieves.”

“That’s what I think. They have their offices wired for sound and make you wait. You talk to whoever came with you while they listen. They use whatever they hear to make you believe they know something. Best to stay away from them.”

I was looking at Scarlett and winked as I spoke.

“I’ve never stayed at a hotel, is this Marriott nice?” asked Scarlett.

“I am new in town. A friend told me the Marriott was the nicest hotel here. What do you think?”

“Never stayed there but all the fares I have ever picked up there brag on it. I guess it is nice.”

“I’m going to get a room with a kingsize bed. I like being able to stretch out. This afternoon I’m going to the pool and lay out and get some sun. Today I’m just going to relax. I have a busy day tomorrow. Lots of business to get done.”

“Here we are,” he said as he pulled up in front of the hotel. A valet rushed over to open my door as the cabbie popped the trunk to retrieve my seabags. I handed the cabdriver a $50 bill and told him to keep the change. He thanked me and drove away as Scarlett and I walked into the hotel.

I got a room high up (20^th floor) with a kingsize bed. I tipped the bellhop a $20 bill as Scarlett ran and jumped on the bed. I noticed she made an impression on the bedcovers. If the bellhop noticed he did not say anything.

I unlocked one of my bags and dumped my rolledup clothes on the floor.

“What are you doing?”

“Looking for my ... here they are ... my swimming trunks!”

“Let’s spend the afternoon at the pool then have a nice supper, with some wine and afterwards...”

I leaned down and kissed her as she grabbed the back of my head.

“Sun and pool first, then we’ll play.”

I rummaged through the clothes on the floor and found my shower shoes and a tee shirt with one of my favorite sayings.

“Kill them all, let God sort ‘em out”. Under that was USMC in big red letters. I looked at Scarlett, she is still wearing her nurse’s uniform.

“We need to get you a swimsuit.”