Stalemate // The Queens Gambit //Benny Watts x OC

Thirty six: In Some Way, At Some Point

    A few hours later, I heard the captain once again.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived in Louisville, Kentucky. Please remain in your seats as we prepare for landing."

I yawned a little and sat up, looking around. The man next to me was now reading a magazine and looked very focused. We were coming up on the runway and it looked like it was probably afternoon outside. I didn't even have the energy to check my watch to see exactly what time it was, drowsy and a little disoriented from the nap on the flight.

Once we were safely planted on the ground, the captain gave us the okay and everyone started to gather their luggage. I grabbed the one bag I brought from the overhead compartment and made my way to the stairs out of the plane.

It was warm today for October, but I sure didn't mind. I preferred stockings over leggings. Once I finally made it out of the airport, I found a bus stop and hopped on the first one heading in the direction of my hotel.

I was basically the only one on the bush, most everyone was at work, and I chose a seat near the front so I didn't have to walk all the way to the back, on account of being so tired. The driver also seemed to be exhausted, or maybe just bored, either way he didn't try to make conversation. Which was fine with me.

By the time we got to the right street, I was the last person left on the bus. I thanked the driver, got out, and looked around. I saw plenty of large buildings but none with the name of my hotel. I stopped a pedestrian passing me to ask directions, realizing I probably should have asked the bus driver.

"Excuse me? Can you tell me where the La Chien hotel is?"

The man stopped and jabbed a thumb in the direction behind us. "Walk straight down there for about two blocks, then make a right, a left, and go two or three more blocks. It's right next to the side walk, you can't miss it."

"Okay, thank you."

"No problem." He smiled kindly and I returned it, then made my way in the direction he pointed.

I walked two blocks, turned right, left, then walked two more blocks, just as he had said. When I came up on the third block, I saw a huge building with the sign I was looking for. I went inside and located the front desk.

"Hello, my name is Adelaide Carlisle, I have a reservation here for the first through the fifth?"

"Yes, right. You'll be in room 206. Enjoy your stay!" The perky woman behind the desk handed over a room key. I thanked her and headed for the elevator, but a large family was already crowding it and the little boy was making a face at me, so I decided to take the stairs instead. I had been sitting for the whole day so it would do good to stretch my legs anyway.

Just as I started going up the stairs, a tall man passed me with a brimmed hat. I immediately looked up, swearing it was Benny, but when I looked back, I could tell it wasn't. This man had a completely different built, much darker hair, and was wearing a fedora, not a cowboy hat. I felt disappointed and relieved at the same time. Over the past few days, I'd actually missed Benny. It's not like we saw each other every day, or even talked every day, but the fact that he didn't want to talk to me, made my heart ache just a little.

I continued up the stairs and reached the second floor at last, trudging down the hallway and quickly finding my room. I unlocked the door and flicked the light on, setting my bag on the bed and walking over to the window that looked out at the city. It was a beautiful city. Not nearly as big as New York, but I liked that more. It was humble, and more enjoyable because of that. After admiring the view for a moment, I grabbed the room phone and called Macy.

"Hello?"

"Hey Mace, it's Adelaide."

"Addy, hi! How's Kentucky?"

"It's nice so far. I just got here. Warmer than I thought it would be."

"Oh yeah, it's warm here too. Have you seen Benny yet?"

"No, I thought I did on the stairs but it wasn't him."

"And you don't even know if that's where he's staying?"

"Not for sure, no. But it seemed like the only possible place. If not, I'll see him at his tournament anyway."

She sighed in a dreamy tone and I could tell she was spacing out. "It's just so romantic. I think he'll love that you did this. It'll totally sweep him off his feet."

"I'm not sure about that, I'm just hoping he'll talk to me."

"Oh he'll have to! Otherwise I'm going to kick him to Timbuktu!"

"Well thanks, I appreciate that. He can be stubborn." I chuckle

"Lord, don't I know it." I could hear someone opening the door on the other end and some indistinct talking, then Macy again. "Addy,  Jamie's home early and said he has to talk to me about the wedding. Good luck, and tell Benny I said hi."

"Alright. Tell Jamie I said hi, I'll talk to you later."

She hangs up and I dial in the number for room service. I figure I can splurge this once, while I'm here. I order a nice early dinner and some wine. A bit of wine won't hurt. I switched on the TV and explored a few channels, stopping on some old romance movie. The actors on screen were in a field on a blanket, the stars reflected in their eyes as they looked at each other.

"Genevieve, I don't think I have ever loved anyone as I have loved you. Please, be mine. My one and only."

"Victor, I didn't used to think true love was possible, but then you walked into my life and it's never been the same since. Of course I will."

Even though the movie was obviously cheesy and fake and ridiculous, I couldn't help but feel a little sad. Would I ever get that? Would I ever find anyone to change my life as i know it and—as Macy put it—sweep me off my feet? Would I ever even let myself have that? I wasn't sure. But right now, I had to fix the one relationship I had that could maybe resemble that in some way, at some point.

I turned the TV off and left the room, walking back down the stairs. I was going to find out if Benny was here or not, no matter how much lying it took. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I was about to go up to the front desk, determined and fierce, but as soon as I noticed the people at the entrance of the hotel, I didn't need to.

There he was.