I'm Not Dead

Chapter Thirty-One

We set off the next day, driving as much as we could stand. At a roadside diner, I asked Gen where we were heading.

"Albuquerque." She said. It was her turn to drive next. I thought about where we were. Just about to hit New Mexico's boarder.

I chuckled. "You're kidding?"

"No, you're dad's in Albuquerque with Augustus."

"I was born in Albuquerque. We lived there for a couple years. Moved to be closer to family."

Gen nodded. "Interesting." She looked down at her empty plate. "Let's get back on the road."

I nodded.

We reached Albuquerque around six o'clock. We checked in to a hotel, the same one, according to Gen, that my father is staying at. We didn't know which room. That pissed me off. We were so close to my son, yet so far.

"Now what?" I asked Gen in the hotel room.

"We figure out where your father is. Once we do, I'll say that I'm his fiancé, and that I lost my room key. You'll get Augustus, we'll call the cops, and everything will work itself out from there. I'll go back to Hell, and you'll go back home."

"You make it sound easy."

Gen shrugged. "We have time."

"Gen I want my son back as soon as possible."

She took my hands in hers. "We'll get him back, I swear."

"Okay," I took a deep breath. "Okay, how do we figure out which room Matthew is in?"

"You just let me handle that. Sit back and relax. Take a shower." Gen dug around in her duffle and changed into a form fitting tank top and leggings. She pulled on a pair of heels and touched up her makeup.

"Where are you going?"

"I'll be back in a little bit." She said and kissed me cheek." She grabbed her wallet.

I followed her. I hated that I did, because if she saw me she'd yell at me.

I watched as she talked to one of the younger, male concierges. She leaned over the counter, showing off her chest. She was talking to him and he shook his head. She pulled out a crisp bill from her wallet and slid it across the counter.

He looked up at her, took the bill, and said something short to her. She smiled, thanked him and walked to the elevator.

Once Gen got back to the hotel room—I had to run like hell up those stairs—I confronted her about what I had saw. "You bribed him?"

"You worry too much." Gen said. "You dad is in room 22C."

"Gen,"

"Okay, so we'll chill for tonight. Get the plan completely straightened out, and tomorrow we'll get Augustus back. Sound good?"

"I'm not sure, Gen,"

"You just need to forget about it a little, then,"

We left the hotel and walked around downtown Albuquerque for a long time, until I swore my feet were going to fall off. The place was beautiful at night. We passed a couple bars with their doors open and live music playing inside. We went into a few stores and Gen laughed a lot.

She bought me a watch, and one to match for herself.

"Guys like watches, right?"

I never cared for them. But I felt more prestigious with one resting on my wrist.