| |
OUTSIDE THE MOTEL, sitting on a concrete parking bumper, Aaron noticed a young lady about twenty-five years old. The girl had red hair and freckles. She wore long pants and a pull-over blouse. She looked over at the taxi when it pulled up then glanced away.
Aaron walked into the lobby and presented the manager with the business card. The man looked at the card, turned it over, and read the inscription penned to the back side. He grinned from ear to ear and motioned for Aaron to follow him. He talked incessantly, but his accent was so heavy the only words Aaron recognized were "Gnasen" and "friend".
The doctor at the hospital had been right. This wasn't the Ritz. The hall carpet was threadbare, and strings of carpet thread stuck out in spots. The brown man, though, was very proud of the establishment.
The room was clean. It had its own bathroom, clean sheets on the bed, and a small television set chained to the top of the dresser. It seemed like a palace compared to the dormitory-like environment of most places where Aaron stayed.
Aaron removed his shirt and took the envelope out of the pocket. He was about to open the envelope when a knock sounded at the door.
Aaron opened the door. The red-haired lady stood there.
She eyed his bare chest and looked directly into his eyes.
"Hi, my name's Tammy. You look like you might want to party. I have a specialty you might like."
Aaron chuckled, "Sorry, lady, I'm all tapped out."
"Well, if you change your mind, it's twenty, and I'm down the hall in room 10."
"OK."
Aaron watched her walk down the hall toward her room. He was distracted by sounds coming from the street entrance. It was the thin lady with the shorts and the Tee Shirt from the hospital. The little girl was with her. She had an ice cream cone in her hand and she was licking it. They went to room number 4. The woman opened the door. As they entered the room, the girl looked down the hall and saw him. She waved. He smiled and waved back.
Back in his room, Aaron opened the envelope and pulled out three fifty-dollar bills and five twenties. He whistled through his teeth and smiled.
Aaron retrieved a towel from the bathroom and placed it on the pillow. He laid down with his head on the towel and slept for about forty-five minutes. When he awoke, the packing had come loose from his nose. There was some blood and mucous on the towel.
Stepping into the shower, he hummed a tune to himself and realized his voice hadn't broken and his throat felt better. He turned the water up as high as it would go and sang a song. He was amazed at the way his voice responded. It seemed to sound almost as good as he had remembered it. Even though it had been almost twenty years, he still thought it was pretty good. He sang another song softly. No gagging. An idea formed in his mind.
He stepped out of the shower and sat on the edge of the bed. Picking up the flyer advertising the talent contest, he studied it carefully. He looked at the clock radio and noticed it was 3:35."
Why not? I may never get another chance. Besides, it would feel good ... just for old times’ sake. See if I still have the moves. I could help that little girl and her mother. I'm sure they could use some extra money about now.
He picked up the phone and called a cab. He had a lot to do.
Joe Bolinger watched as the older man walked over to talk to the back-up band for a minute. The band was from Lawton and they had driven down early to set up. They were good. Most of them were off-duty soldiers from the Army base at Fort Sill north of Lawton. They were a relatively new group as bands go, but they knew their business. Joe watched as he finished his conversation with the band and left the auditorium.
Joe patted his pocket where the cashier's checks were. That older man, let's see, what's his name? Joe looked at the card the man had filled out. Jones. Aaron Jones. Yeah, that's it; Jones. Maybe he wasn't so crazy. He had wanted to see the prize money. Joe had Cashier's Checks made out to bearer. One for $1,000.00, one for $250.00, and one for $100.00. First, second and third prize.
Joe had explained the rules of the talent contest. Aaron had listened carefully and grinned. Two numbers, Joe had stated, and as many encores as you can stand. Joe chuckled inwardly. The audience would probably laugh him off the stage during the first number.
No skin off my back.
Aaron was busy for the next two hours.
Aaron carefully trimmed his beard and climbed back into the shower. He washed thoroughly. When he got out of the shower, he dried his long hair with a towel. He put on the clothes he had purchased that afternoon. Black tennis shoes, black slacks, a white silk shirt open at the neck, and some turquoise beads. He left a black leather jacket on the bed.
Looking out the window, Aaron saw the little girl sitting on the stoop at the center stairwell. He picked up a hair brush and some rubber bands and walked outside.
"Hello", he said.
"Hello", the girl turned her head up to look at him in the fading twilight. "I know you. You're the man from the hospital."
"What's your name?"
"Aaron, what's yours?"
"Melanie."
"Well, pleased to meet you, Melanie. Can you do me a favor?"
"I guess so. What do you want me to do?"
"I want you to help me put this rubber band on my hair in back. That way it will hold my hair back and keep it off my ears. Then, I’d appreciate it if you could brush my hair after we get the rubber band set."
"Okay, but you're gonna have to sit down. You're too tall."
"Okay", Aaron sat down on the stoop.
"How old are you, Melanie?"
"I'll be ten soon."
Melanie helped Aaron adjust the rubber band and proceeded to brush his hair.
After a while, Aaron told her to stop. He stood up.
"Thank you very much, Miss Melanie, that was very nice. You know, I used to have a little girl like you. I haven't seen her in a long, long time. She's all grown up now. I miss her very much."
"Well, I hope you get to see her soon, MISTER Aaron," Melanie giggled.
"I rather doubt it, Miss Melanie, but it's been a real pleasure talking to you. I have to go now. There's something I need to do."
"Bye, MISTER Aaron", Melanie giggled again.
"Bye."