Beautiful Hue

As the pilot announces our arrival. I slowly awake with Bridgets hand touching mine. I quickly move my hand before Jeff wakes up and looks over at us. I stretch and yawn. Bridget stretches in her seat and opens her window.

“Snow?” She asks.

“Yep. We’re not in Los Angeles anymore.” I say.

We both stare out of the window. Jeff wakes and looks over at us.

“Get used to it guys. But think about it. Thirty million dollars.” Jeff says convincingly.

“You’re right.” I respond.

Sarah walks over to our aisle and sits behind me.

“The director isn’t going to be here until Monday. So that’s when we are going to shoot.” she says.

“Alright. I guess we get some time to get on a sleep schedule now.”

Everyone gets up and we exit the plane. We all go to baggage claim and get chauffeured to our hotels.

* * * *

Bridget and I sit in the back seat of a blacked out Escalade, as an older gentleman drives us to the Intercontinental.

“You booked yourself a room here right?” I ask her.

“No, I booked mine somewhere else.” She says.

“Why would you do that?”

“I’m joking. I’m staying a couple of rooms away from yours.”

“Alright, good.” I say to her.

We ride in silence through the cold streets of Cleveland. We watch the snow fall beautifully onto the ground, as Christmas lights flash on the snow filled trees. Cars plow their way through the slush and Bridget and I look at one another with excitement and regret.

“It’s going to be a long month.” I say to her.

“Thirty million.” She says back almost sounding like Jeff.

We approach the Intercontinental and the driver pulls up to the valet. As he parks they grab our suitcases, we get out of the truck and walk into the beautiful hotel lobby. Bridget checks us in and I stand behind her.

“Mario Vega.” Bridget says, as she hands me my hotel key.

“That’s my fake name huh?” I ask her.

“While you’re here yes. So no groupies can look you up.” She says, as we walk to the elevator.

“Groupies— Ha. I wish.” I say to her sarcastically.

We walk into the large elevator and go to the fifteenth-floor.

“I would have picked thirty, but this is as high as it goes.” She says.

“I suppose it’s far enough.” I respond, as we get out of the elevator.

Bridget and I walk down the lit hallway. I follow her to her room and she opens the door.

“This is my stop.” She says.

“It is. Let me know if you need anything.” I say to her.

“I will... I might in a couple of hours.” She says flirtatiously.

“Are your bags in there?”

“Not yet. The lady at the front desk said that they’ll bring them up soon.”

Almost instantly the elevator dings and a concierge exits with our suitcases on a rack. He walks to my room and knocks at the door.

“I should go help with that.” I say to Bridget.

“Go ahead, also don’t forget. You have dinner at your moms tomorrow night.”

“Of course I can’t forget that. Tell the driver that I want to go to a museum in the morning.” I say to her.

“Will do.” She responds, as the concierge enters my room.

“Coming right now.” I say to him, as I wink at her.

I walk down the hall to help the concierge and we walk into my room with the suitcases. He brings in the last one and closes the door. I walk over to the thermostat to heat the cold room and I walk back to one of the suitcases and place it on the bed. I begin unpacking clothes and place them neatly into my drawers.

My phone rings in my pocket and I take it out. I see Sarah calling me.

“Hello?” I answer.

“Ben. Are you busy?” She asks.

“Just unpacking. What’s up?”

“I was just wondering if you wanted to grab breakfast in the morning?” She asks.

I continue to fold my clothes in silence and think about an answer.

“That’s fine.” I say. “Do you have a place in mind?” I ask.

“No, I thought you might since you’re from here.” She says.

“I’ll think about it.” I say, as I get another call on my phone. “Hey, I’ll see you in the morning. My moms calling.” I say to her.

“Alright. See you then.” She says.

I click over and hear jazz music in the background.

“Baby you don’t know nothin bout that!” My dad yells in the distance.

“Hello, did you mean to call?” I ask.

“Ben?!” Mom dukes yells. “Oh shoot. I didn’t realize you picked up the phone.” She continues.

“Yeah, what’s up mom?”

“So you’re finally back.” She says. “You’re coming over for dinner tomorrow aren’t you?”

“Yeah, I’ll be there at 6:30.”

“Alright, I can’t wait to see you.”

“Woman, who are you talking to on the phone?” My dad yells through the music blasting through the speakers of the phone.

“It’s Ben. Now lower your voice.” She yells back to him.

“Let me see.” Dad says, as he speaks into the phone. “Ben! I can’t wait to see you son. I got some new cards and boy I’m ready to crack em!” he says.

“Sounds good dad. I’ll see you two in the morning. Tell Blair to bring the twins.” I say to him.

“And you bring your friends.” my mom says.

“Will do. I love you two.” I say to them.

I hang up the phone and continue unpacking as the room finally begins to heat up.