My Heaven

Part 4: Room 1214

I began asking myself how much time had passed? It was... human nature, I guess. Was it still 2014? Did it even matter at this point? It took a long time training my mind to develop these mental detours. Trial and error became the teacher. The real challenge was training myself to forget crucial details like reuniting with old friends, so each time felt like the first.

Before long, my mind sent me back to the Pantheon Hotel. That elusive moment hearing 'Cilla's voice sent shivers down my spine. I thought I had forgotten what she sounded like. Thank God that wasn't so. I glanced behind me and suddenly, the entire pool area was deserted.

I took a second to collect my thoughts as to where the others had gone to. If I knew Billy, he and Hank probably got dressed for the casino or something. Funny... I had been on this detour a few times before, but recalling the empty pool area was faint, like grabbing a balloon before floating away.

As for Meg and Franny, they were probably in one of the other pools enjoying themselves, watching the runes fly around. A part of me wanted them to share in this moment. After years of being apart, then just... disappeared, it left a sharp pain in my chest.

The background music went silent, making the situation all the more uneasy. These were tracks all-too familiar with how I coped with things in the real world. No wonder I felt free. I slowly sat down in the bar, stared at my empty wine glass until Taye tapped me on the shoulder. He muffled, "Luke, brother, you okay in there? Talk to me, man."

Wingman Taye was always good at snapping me back to reality. I wouldn't have gotten through the grueling overtime without him. As I shook my head, the world returned to its natural state.

"Yeah, yeah I-I'm good." I said clearing my throat.

"Are you sure? You looked pale a second ago."

"... Must've trailed off," I suddenly noticed my wine glass was full again, though I didn't order another round. I turned to the group and said, "You all heard that voice, right?"

"Yes, it was her. There is no doubt." Ava spoke with certainty. "Priscilla... she came back!"

"I knew it." Devon said. "I *fuckin'* called it! Where is she?"

"Somewhere in this hotel. We should look for her." Ava replied.

"Agreed," I got up from my chair. "The front desk will know."

Devon chimed in, "Frank Sellers. He runs the check-in. Good guy, if a bit of an odd sort."

"This hotel is big, bigger than any classy joint I've heard about." Taye said. "D, you and Luke talk to Frank. Ava and I will head to the Apex Music Hall and ask around."

"Sounds like a plan." I told him. As if it wasn't obvious already, we all huddled, "Guys... today was the best day I ever had. And I'm not just sayin' that. We're family goddamn it. Though we didn't always hang out after work, didn't always talk... the point is, we're all here now and the celebrating's just getting started. Let's go find our girl."

I took one last look at the pool party scene before stepping inside the hotel. Seeing Billy and my old classmates was a damned privilege, but the second I went inside the air-conditioned halls, it felt like a piece of me was missing. I couldn't explain it. All I knew was that Dev and I were soaking wet and had a buzz going before those speakers cut on, leaving us yearning for something to warm us up. Why didn't I take a J. Daniel's shot before I left?

"Almost forgot," Devon said as we got in the elevator. "We should change in our rooms before heading to see Frank. He doesn't like it when a couple of schmucks are leavin' puddles everywhere."