Chapter 21

They made love on literally every viable surface of that hotel suite. She thought the suite at the hotel back home was impressive, this was far nicer. He was out on the balcony begging for her to share a smoke with him so he could proudly adore her bed hair when she saw it. Bukowski's "Love is a Dog From Hell". Definitely his copy. It was worn and rolled like it had traveled. She grabbed the hotel pen from the counter and opened to cover page. She inscribed. "There's a bluebird in my heart that wants to get out, but I'm too clever- I only let him out at night sometimes, when everybody's asleep. I say, I know you're there so don't be sad.

Then I put him back.

And he's singing a little in there

I haven't quite let him die

And we sleep together like that

With our little secret pact

It's nice enough to make a man weep

But I don't weep.

Do you?

-Charles Bukowski.

If you ever want to let our bluebirds sing together, I'd love to hear their song.

~Pearl. 392-555-1886

And she closed the book. He came in and asked if she needed anything. "I'm going to get going, it's late and I have an important meeting early in the morning." He looked disappointed. "How long will you be in town?" He asked. "My plane leaves Saturday morning." Pearl replied. "I have a cast thing tomorrow until late. But I'd love to see you if you're able. It would be after 10 at least." He said, not very optimistically. "I don't want to impose I know you're busy. Besides, we seem to find each other better unplanned." She said with a wink and a smile. He didn't return the same enthusiasm. Or the smile. "Listen Pearl, I don't know if I want to leave this to chance anymore. I'm serious about seeing you again." Pearl's heart began to race. There's no way he was serious. But she wanted to believe him. She walked to him and kissed him. She pulled away and looked directly into his blue eyes. A moment passed between them and she grabbed her purse walked to the door. "Wait" Rhys said. And she turned and looked at him with a smile. "You know how to find me." She said and looked at the book sitting on the side table, Then closed the door behind her. She couldn't look back. It wouldn't work anyway. There's no chance it could. Could it? She had to focus, she had a meeting to prepare for. She arrived back at her hotel room around 11 pm and David was already sound asleep on the couch, a half bottle of scotch on the coffee table next to him. She felt bad for leaving him. She got into her comfortable clothes and prepared for the meeting the next day. Everything looked good and she felt as prepared as she could be.

"Good morning, David" Pearl said as she walked into the living room. "Oh hey. I didn't know you came back last night. I didn't hear you I guess." He said quietly. "I was back at 11 and you were sleeping like a baby. I didn't want to wake you."

"Are you ready for today?" He asked.

"Hell yes" Pearl said with a smile.