A pounding on the toilet door brought his head up. He leaned back on the wall to shove himself to standing position. "Occupied," he called out. The pounding stopped.
Rex glanced toward the pristine countertop. Next to the sink were two soap dispensers and a basket of freshly laundered hand towels. He braced himself against the wall to stand.
With each hand on either side of the sink, he stared at himself. The reflection in the mirror gave him a start. You look awful, was his first thought. And then, when he was able to look past his own face, he felt a surge of hope. There are two doors in this bathroom. The one's covered with wallpaper, but it's definitely another door. Look at that handle. Maybe that's my way out of here. Can't hurt to try.
Rex opened the door slowly. He could hear the sound of a hair dryer whooshing in the background. There was also a low mumbling of people conversing. He sniffed. Nail lacquer. Maybe this is the restroom for the spa and salon.
With one hand behind his back, he held his gown together, stepping farther into the hallway. I'm alone so far. He followed the corridor and suddenly stopped at the sound of voices.
Leaning his back against the wall, he nodded as two women walked past. Both wore white aprons with a spa logo and identification badges. Instead of hunching over, Rex stood tall. He drew back his shoulders and offered the two women a huge smile. "Ladies," he said with confidence.
It wasn't until they rounded the corner that one called out, "The massage robes are available in the men's dressing room."
That was a close one. He grabbed the back of his gown.
It wasn't until he was inside the men's locker room that he heaved a sigh of relief. Two other men stood in front of the bank of lockers, removing their clothing and shoes. Spa bathrobes hung on hooks nearby. When the men didn't look up, Rex breathed a sigh of relief.
He turned to look for another bathrobe. Several had been folded and left in a stack on the counter. He grabbed the one on top just as the two men headed toward the sauna.
Dropping his gown to the floor, Rex slid on the robe and cinched the waist. Now that's much better. A man in a spa shouldn't draw any attention. Just a guy waiting for a massage or a shower or a pedicure.
He bent and picked up his gown and deposited it in a nearby hamper.
Rex turned his back as an employee entered the locker room.
Before the man could ask any questions, Rex announced, "No slippers."
"Sometimes they forget to put them inside the lockers. Let me get you a pair."
A minute later he handed over the slippers to Rex. "Slip them on. Then when you're finished with your appointment, you can leave them here or take them to your room." He pointed to a wicker basket and then asked, "Do you need me to check on your massage therapist? What's your name?" He held up his tablet, waiting for Rex to reply.
"I'm early. Going to take a sauna first. But thanks." He slipped his feet into the slippers and walked quickly away, exiting the locker room before he could be asked any more awkward questions.
Rex flung his shoulders back. Okay, I'm wearing a bathrobe and slippers. Just pretend you're the emperor, Rex. Own it. He held his chin at an angle and slapped a smile on his face, exiting the spa to circle the pool and make a beeline into the gym.
Eyes fixed on the coffee bar, he lengthened his stride, hoping to look more confident than he felt.
Several people stopped talking to stare. And then a rule-following woman called out, "You need to change before you leave the spa."
Don't stop, he told himself, heading straight toward Tonya, who was trying not to laugh.
"I'm such an ass," he said, sitting on an empty stool. Leaning forward, he added in his most confiding voice, "I left my key somewhere and my clothes are still in my locker. I don't suppose there's any chance you could whip me up a double latte. I'll be very quiet pretending to be a passenger until I sort this out."
"I can do that," Tonya assured him, clearly in a better mood today. "Have a seat. By the way, you wouldn't be the first guy to make this mistake. I turn at least three men a day back to the locker room. A double, you say?"
She made the coffee, then slid it toward him. "Watch out, it's hot." She watched as he took a sip. "I have an idea," Tonya said. "Why don't you call downstairs? Menswear will bring whatever you want. They won't be able to free your clothes until later. Plus you won't need to look so awkward on the way back to your room."
Rex frowned. "I don't have my cell or my wallet."
"Oh, no problem. You can use the bar phone. And give them your room number. That should work."
"Do I get an employee discount?" Rex teased.
"Not unless you have a coupon." Tonya smiled.
"Hand over the phone," he told her. "You make a fantastic latte and you’re helping out a man in need."
She handed the receiver to Rex and hit a few buttons on the phone.
"Anchors Away Gift Shop. May I help you?" came the voice on the other end.
"I want a pair of black athleisure pants, the most expensive you've got. And one of those Aloha shirts, not too gaudy, size large. Then throw in a pair of size ten flip-flops. Right. Money is no object. You can put those on my bill. Room 561. That's right. Vivienne Rose. Her credit card."
As Tonya walked to the other end of the counter to serve another customer, Rex realized, I'm feeling a bit better. Not dizzy and not itchy. He ran his hand over his forearm. At least not as itchy…
And then a woman with a square face and sizable arm muscles made her way toward him. She was dressed in the all-white uniform of the spa. "Mr. Abernathy. We have an opening a bit early for that massage. Come this way." She looked Rex up and down as he stood.
"He's not Mr. Abernathy," Tonya began to explain.
Rex held up his hand. "No, no. Don't worry. I've got this. Would you have them bring my new clothes to the spa? I didn't give them my name, but you can leave them in room…" He glanced at the woman still waiting.
"You'll be in room ten with Ginger," she replied in an efficient tone.
Rex winked at Tonya. "I can't keep Ginger waiting. Thanks for your help."
He walked alongside the other woman without glancing back.