A Friend for a Funeral

2. Checking In

     The ride to the hotel with Fiona was very pleasant. She didn't ask but Adam was more than willing to help toss her heavy luggage into the cab. Thankfully he packed light and there was enough room for everyone's stuff. It was clear by how much she had brought with her that Fiona's trip to Paris was going to be a lot longer than Adam had intended to stay. He couldn't help but notice it was a very nice day in the city. Lots of people riding around on their bikes and sitting at the parks to enjoy the weather, almost making him want to get out and enjoy it himself. Adam quickly remembered he wasn't there to enjoy anything and sat patiently while the taxi carried them to their mutual destination. He couldn't help but notice Fiona was still giggling to herself.

     "Are you still laughing about my stuff being tossed out onto the front lawn?" Adam asked as he couldn't believe it.

     "I'm sorry," Fiona said as she patted him on the lap, "They'll be other girls, other stuff to have flung out the window."

     "Actually, the guy filming the video was there to pick my stuff up." Adam informed her, "I guess he wanted to wait until she's done to avoid having something tossed at his head."

    "Sounds like a good plan." Fiona concurred, "Women will toss things at anyone if they get into the line of fire."

     "Is this coming from theory or practice?" Adam inquired.

     "More like observation," Fiona said as she had another giggle, "I should thank you though. This has been a terrible week for me, and I hadn't laughed like that in quite some time."

     "Glad to be of service." Adam said as he was thankful someone got a kick out of today's festivities.

     After a few more minutes of silence, the taxi finally pulled up to the main doors to the lobby of the L'Auberge Rouge. It was one of the most prestigious hotels in all of Paris. The first started by Bouchard Enterprises, which eventually led to several other five star hotels that were located in other various cities around the world. The hotel was almost like a castle out of the past. Red carpets, fine doors and many servicemen who were waiting for any chance they could get to help any client with a warm smile. Adam quickly hopped out of the taxi to get the bags for Fiona but she quickly waved him off.

     "It's all right." She called out, "The bell hops can get it from here. But thanks for your help at the airport and for the laugh."

     "It was my pleasure," Adam said as he handled his own bags. Since he had packed light, he didn't need a lobby boy to assist him as he strolled into the hotel lobby behind Fiona and her luggage.

     He waited patiently as she checked in and then walked up to check in himself. It took less than five minutes to get all the details out of the way, which was a welcome change since customs had taken so long. He had taken an elevator up to the fifth of seven floors, strolled into his room and tossed all his luggage onto the couch, took off his shoes and jacket before lying down on the large king sized bed. Adam sighed deeply. He should be enjoying himself but all he could think of was poor Glenn being verbally abused by Jen as he tried to pick up all of his stuff off the front yard. What a spectacle it must have been. His father must have be loving it. Almost as if the old man could sense that his son was thinking of him, Adam's cell phone went off with the specific ringtone that told him it was his old man.

     Adam put the cell phone on speaker. "Hey Dad."

     "Hey there champ." The old man called back.

      Oh shit, Adam thought to himself, Dad only called him champ to brace him for some really bad news. "What the hell did she do?"

     There was a long pause. "She burned your house down."