Crush Me

Twenty Three

Wilson

I wonder what dinner is going to be like. Are we in a separate dining room or in the main restaurant? Is Jo-Jo going to be over her hangover? I have to keep Leanne really close to me. We'll sit with the teachers if we have to. I like them all anyway. Especially Mr. Matheson. Mrs. Eckleberry is so cool. I wish she was my grandmother.

Wilson held the door open for Leanne. Walking back to the hotel from his mother's apartment was only a twenty minute trek. Of course, it would have been shorter if the architecture of the area wasn't so fascinating. The jeweler's window displays caught his attention when he saw a peridot pendant that matched the lighter green flecks in Leanne's irises.

I've got a lot in my savings account. I could get that for her. Is it too much too soon? Not really. According Mom my orientation falls quickly once the correct opportunity knocks us in the face. Who knew she's the same way? Dad was her best friend for years before they got serious in high school. It's sad that things went sour.

"Look, there's a sign with our tour group name on it. Do you know what it says?" Leanne asked.

"Not sure, let's ask the guy out front. I'll bet he does. I'll be right back." Wilson spun on his heel and went back out.

"Do you speak English?" he asked as he stopped in front of a middle aged man in a spiffy hotel uniform.

"Sure, man. What's up?"

"We're with the high school tour group from the US. Which room are we in for dinner? It looks like they have set up a special spot for us."

"Yes. Maria, my boss, said it was easier to set up a buffet style meal than try to keep up with free meals in the restaurant. You still get great food. Tonight, is Coq au Vin, Châteaubriand and some sort of fish. Lots of salad and appetizers too. Take the left turn past the elevators and you are the first set of doors on the right." He waved Wilson back inside when he finished speaking.

"Hey, thanks man," Wilson said, wanting to give him a tip, but the guy was already at the curb opening the passenger door of a silvery white Rolls Royce limousine.

He ducked through the door as it was closing behind another guest, and found Leanne studying a poster beside the registration desk.

"They've got the translation into English under the French. The Paris Opera House is presenting Mozart's Magic Flute. It has some of the most amazing flute solos of any classical works out there."

"There's a matinee performance on Monday. We could try to get tickets," Wilson said. "I've been studying some of the opera arias. Not that I want to become an operatic tenor, but they're still a challenge to learn to sing properly. I have just enough range to hit the high notes on most of them."

"You think we could?"

"Sure, and I found out we're in a private room for dinner. They're putting buffets together for us. Nice guy out front. Quick too." Wilson curled his fingers through Leanne's and tugged her toward the elevators.

"Where is it?"

"Down here. Just around the corner from the elevators. We're a few minutes early though. In through those doors."

He pointed toward an impressive set of double doors which were open. There was a sign beside them with Atlanta East Side High School on it.

"I guess we would have found it no matter what. Where is everyone?"

"At least the times are clear. Service is from 19:30 till 22:00 they eat fairly late. We wouldn't be able to go to an evening event and get back in time to eat a late meal."