Part 1
The southern Louisiana heat was searing as Cindy stepped into the airport gangway. She had heard stories of the heat and humidity, now she was knowing it. She remembered asking her boss "why there?", her answer was a shrug of the shoulders.
The taxi ride was fast, but cool. The interstate yielded to busy downtown streets and modern offices soon gaveway to the older buildings. The hotel was on the edge of the French Quarter and right on the Mississippi river.
The black man in a white linen jacket opened the taxi door and summoned a younger man to retrieve her luggage. "Welcome to the Hilton, ma'am.", he drawled and helped her from the cab. The shiny glass and brass doors opened into the bustling, cool, lobby and soon she was whisked upstairs. "If you need anythin' atall ma'am, just let me know. Yes'm, Aster will see to it you is well taken care of." His smile revealed missing teeth, and his words seemed to hold hidden meanings, but she quickly dismissed them. He accepted her generous tip and slowly ambled from the room, closing the door as he left.
A large king sized bed was surrounded by the unexpected comforts of the room. She surveyed the accommodations, flipped on the bathroom light, then the television. "Not bad, not bad", she spoke to the mirror, "I think I'll stay." She chuckled to herself, as if she could leave.
She changed clothes, stepping from the traveling attire that had become wrinkled and well worn. She could see the river from the window of her room and she wanted a closer look. She began to tour the hotel, through the lobby into the adjoining mall, and onto the docked casino boat. The "chunka-chunka" sound of slot machines, the bells and flashing lights, seemed right in place with the floating sounds of a Dixieland band. She strolled casually through the decks. All around her coins flashed then disappeared into shiny metal machines, cards were shuffled and dealt rapidly by deft hands, wheels spun and the gamblers reached for more money. The top deck was quiet, no loud machines or gamblers, just a bar and small food line. She stepped into the open air just as the boat's horn announced the departure from the dock and the Captain announced the last river voyage of the day.
The wind blew gently through her flowing blonde hair, sending the scents of the river whistling past her. She watched the city skyline begin to move, the tall buildings, the older crumbling ones, the docks, and the setting sun. She leaned against the rail watching the city change along the riverfront. The dark brown water splashed against the bottom tossing white spray softly into the wake.
She Learned, page 2
There were few people on the top, most doing as she, watching. A woman stood to her right, only a few steps away, also leaning casually against the rail. Her looks, her appearance was stunning. Her hair was silky black and fell about her shoulders in soft waves. Her skin was a dark tan and her features were stunningly sculptured. "She could be a model", Cindy thought to herself as she watched her move from the rail toward the bar.
She turned back toward the skyline, toward the ebbing river as the scenes continued to change. The watery highway became a parking lot for boats and ships, small ones, large ones, neat ones, rusty ones. The gray Navy ships seemed out of place amid the river's other guests. The boat turned, making its last daily voyage and return to the hotel's dock. She began to feel the affects of the travel and knew the room, the bed, would be most welcome.... Sleep came quickly.
The meeting room was large and strewn with narrow tables and green bedecked chairs. She chose a seat near the front and was soon surrounded by new faces, women chattering in small talk, the nervous hellos, the unsure greetings. The stack of papers before her had a cover sheet with bold letters, CONFERENCE ON WOMEN'S ISSUES. She thought about the title, she was a woman, this is definitely some kind of conference, but she was unaware of the issues. 'After all', Nancy had said, 'someone must represent the division.' Yeah, someone. She was selected, had just finished Team Apache project, she was available. Yeah, someone!
For two hours a stream of women made introductions, pointed to exits and diagrammed the locations of every bathroom. At one point the speaker spoke vaguely of the purpose of the conference, then welcomed everyone to New Orleans. Finally! A break. The corridor filled with women in conversations, laughter, and the undaunting numbers of who-will-ever-remember introductions. Refreshments, snacks, fresh air. She was looking around the sea of faces when one became instantly familiar. It was the same dark haired beauty from the riverboat. She looked even more lovely, more elegant. Cindy couldn't help but notice her and caught herself looking around the room throughout the morning, catching a glimpse of her. She became confused, troubled, by her sudden admiration of this woman.
It was fate that stepped in that afternoon to change the course of two lives. Cindy accidentally brushed against the woman while trying to pass through the crowds. The silky black hair flipped around, the face was a canvas for dark brown eyes and a captivating smile. "Excuse me. I didn't mean to bump you."
She Learned, page 3
The smile didn't waiver and a soft hand extended toward her. "It's alright, please. Adrienne Jubeau." The name seemed to slide from her lips, Szhubow, as she pronounced it.
The hand was soft, the nails long and expertly manicured. The golden jewelry was elegant against her dark skin. "Cindy Brown", she replied holding, gently shaking the welcome hand.
"I'm glad to meet you Cindy. I noticed you yesterday on the River Queen and wondered then if you were here for the conference." You noticed me?, Cindy asked herself as Adrienne continued to chat and stared at Cindy's deep blue eyes. "It is pleasant to ride the Queen occasionally and just relax. Did you enjoy it?"
"Indeed. Yes. I've been on river boats before but the sights of New Orleans made it different. The boats in St. Louis don't afford the same views."
The conversation continued, as if they had known each other for years. "I'm a native of the New Orleans area and live about an hour from here. I decided to stay in the hotel to avoid the traffic and to be part of the hustle and bustle of the conference. Are you, do you have plans for tonight? If you don't I would love to show you the French Quarter."
"No. No plans. I'd love it."
"Great! Six-thirty, in the lobby. We'll have dinner, tour the quarter, and be real tourists."
The conference droned on until 4:30 before someone finally decided enough was enough. Adrienne waived to Cindy as both disappeared into the flow toward elevators and stairways. The room was cool, the bed a welcome moment's rest from the hard chairs. Cindy kicked her shoes across the room and stretched out on the bed. Her thoughts dashed to Adrienne and became confusing flashes. She tried to make sense of the anticipation, sense of the admiration of this sensual woman.
She unbuttoned her blouse and tossed it on the bed. As quickly she stepped from her skirt, slip, and panty hose. She moved to the window and stared out toward the dark river, alive with barges and boats. She watched the ferry move from one shore to the other, but her mind drifted. She realized her hand was squeezing the nipple of one breast through the soft bra. Her breathing was rapid, her thoughts confused. "Stop it!", she shouted to herself, turning from the window. She undressed, showered, then dressed for the evening.
The River Page 4
She stared at herself in the mirror and awakened to a frightening reality of her attraction to this dark skinned lady. She had had fantasies, another woman, making love, but only fantasies. "No!" she yelled at her image, "she's friendly, just friendly. Don't be a fool!"
Adrienne was standing with another lady as Cindy emerged from the elevator. Her hair was long, her long slender legs seemed to slide from the white shorts and disappear into tennis shoes. Her top was loose but hinted at an ample bosom. She bid good-bye to the lady and turned to see Cindy move toward her. Her smile was captivating. She placed a hand on each of Cindy's shoulders placing her face close. "It is time to introduce you to New Orleans, Creole style. The jazz, the Quarter, the great food. Are you ready?"
