As a hotel doorman, I see new people all the time. I love the variety. The hotel is upscale along the coast and the people, especially the women, are unusually beautiful.
"Morning," I say with a tip of my hat to the woman wearing snug, tan designer slacks and a white blouse unbuttoned a little extra. She smiles in a sensual way and I feel a rush through my body. I pickup the two suitcases and a pair of crutches and follow her willingly. The seat of her slacks outlines her shapely hips nicely and I watch the rounded orbs sway gracefully with each step. As we walk, I allow myself to look at other parts of her and notice what appears to be a metal pipe where her ankle should be. I had assumed the crutches might be for a sprained ankle, but now I consider the possibility she is wearing a prosthetic leg. I study her gait and am unable to answer the question of how much of her leg might be missing.
We step into the elevator and I push eleven.
"Beautiful day," I say, making idle conversation, but hoping for more.
"Yes."
I see her checking me out, her eyes scan me from head to foot and back up. She appears to be thirty, a year older than I am, maybe the same. Her eyes study my face. I wonder how I am scoring. I already know she is at least a ten on my scale, maybe an eleven since I noticed the pipe.
"Your first stay with us?"
"Yes. I need a break."
The door opens and we walk silently down the hallway to 1123. I push the cardkey in the slot and listen to the thick thud of the lock then open the door. I open the luggage rack and place the suitcases on it. I can feel her standing close by as I straighten up.
"I'll take the crutches," she whispers.
I explain the amenities of the room and hotel for a few minutes while watching her holding the crutches.
"Is there anything else?" I smile knowing other services I would love to offer.
"Robert," she beings having read my nametag. "Ah, thank you for being nice to me." Her hand touches my shoulder and she smiles.
"My pleasure. It is rare I see someone as lovely as you." I know it is a bullshit line since I see woman with her beauty all the time, just none missing a leg. I watch her feet as I finish speaking.
She looks down as she pulls the cuff of the pants up slightly exposing more of the metal. She lightly raps twice with her knuckle on something hard on her thigh. "Yeah-h," she drawls. "It's not so bad."
My heart skips a beat as I realize her leg is missing above the knee. "You walk so well, I almost didn't notice."
"Do you still think I'm beautiful ... now that you know?"
"Yes ma'am. A little thing like that wouldn't keep me away." I chuckle.
"Call me Leah. You're sweet to say that. My husband left me because...." She looks at me and touches my chest lightly.
"Fool."
"That was my feeling exactly. Listen Robert, we don't know each other ... I don't even know if you are seeing someone." She pauses and sees my head shaking from side to side. "Maybe we could have a drink later, you know, after you get off work."
"Sure-e," I say excitedly, looking at my watch then at her face. "Half an hour?"
"That'd be perfect. I'll have a chance to shower and change. Would you mind if I don't wear my leg ... just use my crutches?"
"Shit no." The words just blurt out without thought. She giggles as I try to recover. "Sorry. Of course, I'd love it if you use your crutches." I hope she doesn't see my growing bulge. I also hope it goes away enough other guests won't see it.
"I'll be here. I can't wait."
I smile with excitement as I close the door behind me.
-
My shift mercifully ends and I hurry to the locker room to change out of my uniform. I curse for only having a pair of well-worn jeans and a black polo shirt. I watch in the mirror as I comb a few extra strokes at the piece of hair that won't stay in place. It continues to be out of place. I shrug my shoulders as I resign my looks to what they are.
I knock on the door and wait with anticipation. My heart pounds hard. It feels like it will burst through my chest and fall on the floor. The door at last opens.