This story follows on from Katie
Mark parked the car three blocks away. Light rain was falling and the streets were glossy. The bottoms of his trousers dragged through the puddles, and the water crept up his calves. He kept walking purposefully, as though he was heading somewhere up the street, but at the last moment he glanced over his shoulder and then ducked through the doorway.
The darkness seemed somehow gloomier than the night street outside. Mark hesitated at the bottom of the steps. What if she didn’t want to see him? What if she was with someone?
She was with someone. The blond girl was on reception. She leaned forward and whispered to him, “Kimberly is with someone, love. But Estelle is on, and there’s a new girl, Kaylee, an Asian girl. She’s very pretty.”
Marl blushed, and stared at his feet. “Um, is it ok if I just wait?”
She winked at him. “Of course, love. You can sit and have a drink with the other girls if you like. I’ll get Estelle to take you through.” She pushed a button on the wall, and a few moments later Estelle was opening the door beside him.
“I’m just here to see Kimberly,” he whispered.
“Aren’t I good enough for you?” She giggled and took him by the arm. “Well I hope you’re at least going to buy me a drink.” In the lounge the other girls gathered around to introduce themselves, but Estelle waved them away. “Mark is waiting for someone special. And in the meantime he’s going to buy me a glass of white wine.” She fluttered her eyelashes at Mark, and he blushed again and fumbled for his wallet.
The new girl was very pretty. She had short hair that curled under her chin, and big dark eyes. Too skinny though. Like Estelle. Skinny as anything, Estelle was, but she had a beautiful smile that seemed to spread over her whole face. And she was kind.
Mark sat on the edge of his chair and sipped his coke, and tried not to keep turning around to look at the clock. He didn’t want the other girls to think he was rude. He wanted to talk, he just couldn’t think of anything to say.
Finally a door opened and there she was. For a moment she stared at him, and raised her eyebrows. Then she looked away, and walked down the hall. Mark turned to look at the guy she was leading. Big muscles. Shaved head. Mark swallowed and stared into his glass.
She spent about fifteen minutes in the shower. Mark finished his drink, and spun the glass round and round on the table in front of him. Estelle and one of the other blond girls disappeared with a short Indian guy. The Asian girl came and sat beside him and tried to start a conversation, but gave up after a few of Mark's muttered one word answers.
Finally she emerged. She walked past without looking at him, and disappeared into the other lounge. Mark swallowed hard, and glanced apologetically at the Asian girl. He got to his feet, took a deep breath, and followed her into the lounge.
“Katie.”
She swung around and glared at him. “Don’t call me that. I’m not Katie here.”
“Sorry.” He stared at her. She was wearing a short green dress that laced up at the front. Behind the criss-crossing ribbons he could see her pale skin.
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you.”
Katie sighed. “You can see me without paying, Mark.”
“I know, but…” Mark shrugged, and looked away.
The silence stretched between them.
Finally, Mark took a deep breath.
“So, could I, um, spend some time with you?”
“Sure.” She looked at him expectantly, but he didn’t move. “Oh alright. Fine. Room nine, ok? I’ll wait for you.” She turned and stomped down the hallway.
Mark watched her leave, then he took out his wallet and headed for the reception desk.
Posted by Fionnaigh at June 4, 2003 05:40 PM