Curveballs (Chapters from 200 on.)

8.86 Game On - Footsteps

"The receptionist has already finished work. She'll be gone in five minutes...", Mr. Brown explained.

"I'm asking YOU..."

"I can't check you in..."

"How long?"

"30 minutes...maybe 35...but I can't stay any longer..."

"I'm begging you, Mr. Brown!"

"I'm really sorry, Ma'am. I have to get to my second job in time...again I'm sorry...", he explained and Mom suddenly crumpled in her seat. She looked dejected and for a moment I was afraid, she'd go off the road. I wanted to say something, but didn't really know what. I was too scared, I'd say something wrong. The voice asked for her to say something, but she didn't even bother. There was nothing left.

All of a sudden her head shot upwards. She stared at the phone to make sure, the call was still on.

"Mr. Brown, Mr. Brown!?", she shouted at the phone and nervously waited for an answer.

"Yeah. I think I could call the sheriff and ask him..."

"No, please wait a second. Is the receptionist still with you??"

"I don't know. I guess she's still changing in the dressing room"

"You have to hold her back!"

"What?"

"I want to talk to her. Please tell her"

"I can't just enter the women's dressing room, Ma'am"

"Wait in front"

"She's young and pretty. I would come off as a creep"

"I'm begging you, please! And hurry up!", Mom pleaded and I couldn't tell, whether she was just sweating or if she was crying, too. A clicking noise signaled, that he dropped the phone, but the display confirmed, he hadn't hung up. Confidence began arising in her face again. There were footsteps echoing in our car.

"Did it work, Mommy?", I asked unsure.

"I hope so, hun"

"But...what if it doesn't?"

"Mommy will find a way, don't worry...", she said with a forced smile, when, after some muffed voices in the background, the footsteps became louder again. Her eyes lit up a little. I was so nervous, that I peed myself involuntarily for the first time, since Mom had diapered me.

"Miss Rosen here?", a young voice asked and I thought: if she didn't know, who did? ^^

"Miss Rosen! Gosh, I'm happy to hear your voice"

"Do I know you, Ma'am?"

"No...not yet..."

"Then what do you want? My shift is already over..."

"I know that...and I am really sorry to bother you...believe me..."

"But what?"

"I was delayed by an incident...I still gotta check in today..."

"Mr. Brown said that, but there's no Mrs. Sanders on my list...I checked it..."

"No...it's not Mrs. Sanders, but Mrs. Anderson...Sylvia Anderson..."

"Oh, Mrs. Anderson! I was already wondering, where you were. Didn't you book a room for two?"

"YES! I DID! My daughter Lyza is with me..."

"Hi Miss Rosen", I said casually, but Mom gave me a look. Oops ^^ The line was silent for a moment.

"Oh, hi Lyza, how are you, sweetheart?", the receptionist suddenly asked.

"I'm fine, just a little tired"