We were both supposed to be at work at three the next afternoon. It was three, I was there, but there was not sign of Erika. I watched my boss, a short balding man in his late forties staring at his watch.
"She's late again. That's going to be her third write-up. I'm so tired of her..."
Just then, the door flung open and in she came-her wild curly hair bouncing as she rushed to the time clock.
"Erika, we need to talk about your punctuality." He began.
"Shit, I'm late. I'm sorry Joe. I had car problems." She was so tactful. "The thing that kicks in when the battery dies didn't kick in."
"Alternator?" He interrupted.
"Yeah, that." I couldn't take my eyes off her. She had him eating out of the palm of her hand, and I was mesmerized at her skill. "...So finally he got it fixed and here I am." She put her hand on Joe's shoulder, making sure to brush his cheek a bit. "So please forgive me just this once, Joe?"
She had him. "This once, but next time call me and let me know you're going to be late, okay?"
"Oh, absolutely. You're the best, Joe." She gave him a quick wink. He smiled like he had just conquered China. "Oh, hey Annie. How's it going?"
The goddess said my name. "I'm good, you?"
"Well, I had a late night last night," she said with a chuckle, "but I'm doing great."
I don't believe I mentioned we work at a hotel. She usually takes care of the bar (because she has that outgoing, bartending personality), and I check in guests. Tonight was the same, only the bar was much busier than I was, so I went over and helped her bus tables. I was bringing a load of glasses into the kitchen when she rushed in.
"Thanks, hun. I'm getting my ass kicked over here tonight."
"Oh, no problem." I sat the dishes beside the sink. I turned around and she was right in front of me.
"I'll give you half of my tips tonight," she said. Then she shoved something in my pocket. "You've got somebody up at the desk."
I scurried out of the kitchen and back to the desk. The man standing there was just a pizza deliverer who had never delivered to our hotel before. So, I gave him directions, and he headed down the first floor. I reached into my pocked. It was a napkin.
"I owe you. Jack's still out of town. I need to make Joe think there's something wrong with my car. Can you give me a ride home?"
The napkin smelled like her. She'd sprayed her cotton-candy scented body spray (it reminded me of high school) on the napkin! My mouth watered. "Joe, I need to use the phone. Can I use the one in your office?"
My hand was so shaky I could barely dial the numbers.
"Hello?"
"Dade, she wants me to give her a rid home tonight. What should I do?" I whispered excitedly so Joe wouldn't hear.
"Who, Erika?"
"Yes, she put a note in my pocket. What should I do?"
"Give her a ride. I'll be waiting up. I want all the juicy details."
"Are you sure?"
"Hell yes! Now go. I'll see you tonight. Love you."
"I love you, too." I replied, hanging up the phone.
The night seemed to drag on forever after that, but finally eleven o'clock rolled around. Erika grabbed her things, clocked out, and said a quick goodbye to Joe and me. I wasn't quite sure what to do. Was I supposed to go ahead and go out to the parking lot? I didn't know, so I poked around gathering my things and clocking out. I was just about to go out the door when she barged in.
"That fucking mechanic! He swore it was fixed." She was a truly talented actress. "Jack's out of town and my fucking car won't start! Fuck!"
"Calm down, Erika," Joe comforted. "There's no sense in getting all upset."
"I can give you a ride home," I blurted.
"Oh, could you? You're the greatest, Annie. See ya later Joe." Then she turned and went out the door. I followed. She stopped at my little silver car and waited for me to unlock the doors. We both got in, and I started the car.
"I don't know where you live."
"Just head that way," she pointed while unbuttoning the top three buttons of her blouse, giving me a peek of her pink bra.
She was strangely quiet most of the trip with the exception of directions. We finally came to a stop in front of a small duplex. "Come on in," she ordered.
I locked the car and followed her. The apartment was small, but very well decorated. A large framed oil painted of a naked woman graced the wall over the sofa.
"That's my favorite," she responded when she noticed me admiring its beauty. "It's an ex-girlfriend. It took months of begging for her to let me finally paint her."
"You did that? Wow, it's gorgeous."