Damn
, Linda muttered to herself as she glanced at her watch.
If I don't get this to my boss by tomorrow morning, there will be hell to pay when I get back. First, I get sent to this teacher's conference, and then he wants a copy of the participant materials overnighted to him. The bastard!
"Yes ma'am, there is a UPS store nearby." Linda thanked the concierge at the Marriott Hotel and hurried out the front door.
It only took a few minutes for the Yellow Cab to arrive at the UPS store. The brunette high school teacher took her packet from the back seat of the cab and hurried to the door.
It had just turned 8:30 PM and a slightly graying woman in a brown uniform, was just turning the sign in the window to CLOSED.
Linda's heart sank as the woman turned to walk back in the store. The brunette banged her fist against the window.
Inside the store, the UPS employee looked at her watch and then towards the helpless looking woman standing outside. She smiled and unlocked the front door.
Thank you so much! I would like to send this to Nevada," the 50 year old said breathlessly. She glanced at the name tag on her savior's shirt.....JEAN.
"Normally, I don't do this," Jean said, "but you looked like it was urgent."
"Yes it is. I have to get this to my boss tomorrow or he will kill me!"
"We can't have that," the UPS woman replied as she took the package and weighed it.
Linda took a deep breath.
"I really appreciate this."
"No problem," Jean mentioned.
"Since your getting off soon, can I show my appreciation by buying you a drink?"
Jean smiled."No, that is ok. I hate to go anywhere in my uniform, and besides, my husband is expecting me."
"Well, I think you look great, and you can call him to see if he wants to come too. It is early and I hate watching television alone in my room. We can go to my hotel; they have a pretty nice bar."
The slightly older woman thought a moment. "You know, I could use a drink. As long as you don't mind Bill coming by."
"Not at all! Tell him to meet us at the Marriott Hotel."
Jean smiled and picked up the phone. After a minute or so, she placed the receiver down and smiled. "Let's go...I'll drive."
Linda waited while Jean closed up the store, and then followed her out to her Taurus. After a few minutes they pulled up to the hotel valet parking. The two women got out of the car and walked into the hotel.
Linda couldn't help but notice that physically the two women looked a lot alike. After they walked into the dimly lit lounge, they could have been mistaken for sisters.
The waiter came over to their table. "I would like a B&B" said Linda. "Make mine rum and coke," Jean said.
The two women sat in the bar for nearly an hour, and much to their surprise, several drinks.
"I wonder where Bill is." Jean wondered as she ordered her 4
th
rum and coke.
Just as she spoke, a tall, slender, slightly balding man walked up to the table. "Hi honey," Bill said as he leaned over and kissed Jean on the forehead.
Bill slid into the booth next to his wife.
"This is my new friend Linda. I rescued her tonight."
Both women chuckled.
Linda looked at the couple. "How about we have a nightcap up in my room? There is a great view up there."
Jean hesitated, but Bill quickly answered for both of them..."Sounds great."
Linda motioned for the waiter and quickly signed the bar tab to her room.
"You said one drink!" objected Jean.
Linda grinned..."I'll bill it to the school district."
The threesome got up and walked towards the elevator. Jean and Linda walked in front of Bill. The two women jabbered relentlessly as they walked through the lobby. Bill followed, and could not help but notice the two 50-something's asses swaying in front of him.
Bill thought to himself, "She was right, this is a great view."
Linda pressed '8' on the elevator keypad. Silence filled the elevator as it began to rise. Jean flinched slightly as she felt the back of Linda's right hand against her pant leg. Bill noticed the younger woman's hand against his wife's thigh and felt his heart jump.
The elevator door opened and Linda stepped into the hallway. "This way" she said as she turned and started down the hallway. She 50-year old brunette stopped in front of room 3809 and slid a plastic key into the slot. A green light lit, and Linda walked into the room, followed by Jean and Bill.
"You were right, this is fantastic," Jean said as she walked towards the large picture window and looked out at the pinpoints of light in the darkened sky.
Linda kicked off her black pumps, smiled and moved towards the mini-bar in the corner of the room. Bill found an armchair and eased into it.
Linda fixed Jean and herself a drink, and then walked over to join Jean in front of the window.
"Oh, how rude of me!" she said somewhat embarrassed and she looked at Bill. "I didn't get you anything."
Bill smiled, got up, and walked to the mini-bar. "Not a problem. I'll get my own."
Linda turned back towards the window and handed Jean her rum and coke.
"I have had a good time tonight Linda, but, I think I better drink this fast and then go."
"No hurry," Bill said as her popped open a Heineken.
Linda took the older woman's right hand. "See. No need to rush."
Jean was taken aback slightly by Linda's fingers intertwining into hers, but said nothing.
"Go ahead and take your shoes off Jean. This carpet feels great."
The UPS clerk smiled, and using her feet, pulled out of her brown shoes by stepping on the heel of each shoe.
"You are right. That feels so much better."
Bill watched intently as Linda raised her glass in a toast. "To new friends."
Jean clinked her glass against Linda's, and then took a long sip on her drink.
Linda released Jean's hand. "You don't mind if I change out of these clothes do you? I have been in them all day."
"Ah, no. But maybe we should leave," Jean replied.
"Don't be silly. I'll just go into the bathroom and put on my robe. Be right back."
Linda took a red robe from her suitcase and walked into the bathroom β closing the door behind her.
Jean looked at her husband. "Bill. I think I am...drunk" she stuttered.
Bill laughed and took another long sip on his beer. "It's a good thing you don't have to work tomorrow."