Chapter 4

Epilogue – Day 3- Another Chance

Was this a dream? I now had a face to place with the storybook siren. Following our adventure, Maria could enter Tel’aran’rhiod, the World of Dreams.

Losing track of time trying to shake off blue funk, I fell asleep in my car, engine idling while playing favorite songs. Even the upbeat soulful TobyMac Gumbo filling the space could not keep me awake. Slumber was a temporary retreat from the feeling of defeat. The next thing I knew Maria scooted in next to me, almost sitting on my lap, pressing her body against mine. We were at a party with people dancing around us. Was it my birthday? Some of the guests were close friends. My mind was grappling whether to reveal my secret crush. I only knew it for dream when I was abruptly awakened.

My head shot up and I grabbed the steering wheel when the car phone rang out. Disoriented in the dark, my first thought was I must have dosed off while driving. I struggled to recover control of the vehicle. By the time I regained my senses I had missed the call. If the number were ‘restricted’ there would be no caller ID, maybe I had been roused by another spam call.

The thought occurred to redial my own number to see if I had received a voicemail. Pressing the talk button, I heard there was one “old” message. It was garbled but I could almost make out the familiar, “hello,” at a slightly lower timbre.

Another voice then boomed into a microphone, “Eva here, ... flight ... tomorrow ... another 24 ... don’t ‘waste ... dress up ... Coronado Bar,” maybe “ Ball.” Shit! I somehow erased the message in disorientation and could not retrieve it.

Decisions, decisions, a dream, a broken call, or a hoax? If I blew it off, I would never know. The sun waned below the horizon and appeared to draw in the colorful hues of gold, pink and purple. Nightfall quickly swallowed the clouds. By the time I made the decision the sky was completely dark. Pushing the transmission into gear, the car made a three-point K turn and I headed out to Coronado Bay. What did I have to lose?

Dress up? I could hardly go home for my tuxedo. A dark blue tailored LA Fashion District suit, hung inside a travel bag for last minute business meetings would have to do. Pulling off the road I changed in a coffee house bathroom. From the familiar shape, the restaurant had once been a Denny’s. As I put on the white shirt discarded in the trunk earlier, my senses were beset by traces of Maria from when she wore it on the beach, only skin beneath. A medley of aromas hit me, from fragrant perfume wafting around the neck to musky woman smell saturating the tail. They say olfactory stimulation etches permanent memories on the memory slate in the brain.

A black tie with Windsor Knot completed my attire. Shoes, what about them? I polished the Navy Rockport’s with a rag in the glove box. That would have to suffice. I held off using cologne preferring the essence of Maria.

Trying to contain my excitement I drove evenly past the usual freeway speed trap, over the long-arched Coronado Bridge, and pulled into the Hotel’s driveway. Not knowing where this night was leading, my route avoided valet parking as my car coasted into a spot reserved for employees. My friend Jim was well acquainted with the owners. It was conceivable he could have planned the arrangements. A faint memory of glasses tinkling, an indistinguishable roar of voices as background noise tinkled my brain but I was not sure if this was my original dream. If the call may have been placed at the swanky hotel they would already be there. Why had the message been labeled old?

My watch denoted the dinner hour had passed. How long had I snoozed? Walking up lighted concrete steps, I passed through a side door and proceeded to the bar away from the entrance housed in a repurposed sign-in nook. The space was jammed and I did not recognize anyone. Circling the barroom twice, pushing and excusing myself, a keen eye searched for a familiar face. I had no luck.

My attention was drawn to a beautiful woman in a red dress with curves that could put Jessica Rabbit to shame, one thigh exposed above the knee. Her dark hair was gathered into a messy bun, a few strands cascading along her face, copper cheeks rosy with blush. As she slid off a stool, her height juxtaposed with other standing patrons gave her away. I could scarcely believe my eyes. The stunning lady waivered, having difficulty with her balance and turned to steady herself. I watched her profile seeking answers. Could this heavenly creature be my soulful playmate? “Wow, Maria! Is that you?”

Love bites I had given her that day would prove her identity. The test was inconclusive as red fabric mesh covered the neckline, shoulders, and arms. The effect was slimming. Aphrodite did not see me yet. Strolling up her from behind, I touched her hand and felt the pinky ring, Eureka, Maria in the flesh, real, yet not real.

Recognition sparkled in cobalt eyes as we embraced. As held her my eyes watered, for a second time today, this tear for joy. Taking her hand to pull away from the throng caused her to stumble. “I’m not used to these heels,” she giggled, “pardon me but I’m so high, not sure if it’s the gummies or pure excitement. I feel like the prom queen.”

My arms swooped her up, carrying my companion to a sofa away from the bustle to sit on a couch in a far corner. An echo of my dream, Maria sat against my legs, only now gravity tipped her over. We both fell on the carpet in a fit a laughter.

Maria on top, I smoothed away loose locks, and she smiled as I pulled her down. Eyes wide open, we each instinctively turned our heads to the right, puckered and met, moving slowly, my tongue sliding, gliding, along her smooth warm lips, waiting for submission, permission to enter. Her lipstick moistened my chapped, rough, dry surface. Lost in the moment, surrounding distractions faded and blurred.

“I see you found each other,” came Jim’s familiar voice. As Maria sat up bashfully a string of saliva stretched and fell. Eva blotted smeared lipstick as Jim put out his hand to me to help hoist us to our feet. The girls put their heads together as though they were sharing a conspiracy. Among whispers and head nods I could clearly see Maria mouth, ‘OK,’ before they hugged like old friends.

Extending her arm to me as if to shake hands with, “hello, hello stranger,” Maria drew me close to whisper in my ear, “you will have to be our conscience, my brain is cloudy, please be gentle and respectful. And maybe tonight I will be yours.” Maria without inhibitions, almost certain temptation!

Surprisingly, Eva pulled her off me with a reprimand, “save it you two, right now having fun is on the agenda. We are crashing the ball tonight.” The ladies went to the powder room to freshen up.

Jim handed me a scotch on the rocks and explained. “The beautician here at the Hotel Del is my niece. She gave the girls their makeovers and ‘borrowed’ the gowns from the dress shop. They excluded me until the reveal. Don’t be mad when I say Eva looks hot, but Maria is drop dead gorgeous, her dress is practically sculpted around her.”

“That’s OK, keep your attention
on Eva. I would be jealous if you paired Maria with someone else.” As I said this, I realized that I would need to temper my spirits. Maria would still go back to her real life tomorrow. Cinderella was a fairy tale.

The cousins were gone five minutes, ten, twenty, I knew it is never a good move to rush a lady who is gussying up. When they did return the first thing Maria did was kick off her pumps, “damn shoes. I would like to see you guys trying to walk in stilettos.” That set off a round of snickers, growing to uninhibited laughter.

“We cannot sneak in unnoticed like this. Why don’t you take Maria outside for fresh air?” Jim offered.

“What have you done to her?” I beginning to wonder about her condition. Stoned, yes, but Maria lacked the proprioception to stay on her feet.

Eva defended, “two drinks, alright maybe four and a few edibles. Maria ate them like candy. I stopped her before she consumed the product, this is expensive shit.”

I spit back sarcastically, “well thank you for protecting your stash.” What to do next?

Jim had the right idea separating the giddy duo. Maria’s bright smile did not mask the glassy look in her eyes. Removing my suit coat to place over her shoulders, we strode down the corridor, turning to the right toward an exit. Thankfully, the hall was empty as we resembled two contestants in a three-legged race.

Outside in the fresh air I led Mary across a grass lawn that would cushion any fall. We headed diagonally to a bench facing a wide view of the sand and surf in the distance. When we reached area, the patio furniture appeared to have seen its better days. There was a new oversized lawn that would do. I sat first and then pulled Maria down beside me in my lap. The position was more comfortable than I would have thought.

More than content she shifted as I held her close, enveloped in my arms. The distant rise and fall of the tide played a lullaby. I could have dwelt there until morning. Watching the stars climb the sky, the peaceful serenity of the night offered solitude. Her body was warm as a distinct aroma layered with the smell of the sea filled my nose. Hands stroked my hair and side on my face. The caress fell into a rhythm before stopping. No movement suggested indecision. Maria was weighing her options when a distant clock clanged the 21st hour in military time. Chilled air forced me to bring her indoors.

We tested her land legs and pleasantly found Maria could walk unaided. Nevertheless, I held her hand to keep her steady. A gentle squeeze affirmed I had done well. The stroll around the green elevated our circulation. We stopped and listened for a distant foghorn. Maybe it was traffic noise from the bridge.

Stepping out of the dark as bright lights from the hotel fell on us like a spotlight, the bustle of activity from within confirmed the evening was still young. The corridor felt like a hearth fire to warm our bones. Activity at the bar tapered to a few regulars. Not yet ready to close out their tab.

Maria gave me back my jacket as we crept surreptitiously to the ballroom double doors, opened, and joined the party. I removed my Oxfords, as the rubber soles could catch or drag on the flooring. Ruby red slippers were stowed next to them, partially hidden under the tablecloth at a bussing station. We downed two glasses of water each for hydration.

We reached the dancefloor and set out to find our friends. Maria was remarkedly light on her feet. Her head only came to my chest without shoes as we slow danced to the romantic ballads of Cole Porter.

“I feel better now,” voiced Maria as I twirled my princess, pulling her around into me and sweeping her lithe body into me and setting her down, “I’m having fun,” she said, “forget hunting for Eva and Jim.” We fell into a rhythm waltzing around the room.

After bopping to a big band set, sweat soaked my suit. Perspiration had smeared her eyeshadow, running down her face. Exhausted form the constant movement I was pleasantly surprised by Maria’s subtle invitation as “I have my own room. Let’s go up and take a break.”

After a bathroom break, Maria led me to her room on the second floor. The awkward silence in the elevator was masked by audible pants as we caught our breath. The elevator dinged and we set out shoes in hand toward uncertainty. Without hesitation she inserted the electronic room key, opened the door wide, and summoned me to follow.

The room was illuminated through partially open shutters. There was no need to turn on a light. Maria walked towards the closet and turned her back, “unzip me. The dress must be returned in the morning and frankly is weighing me down.” Pulling down the arms I carefully removed her evening dress and hung it up.