Paying For It

E

sen

valet, he turned to look at me. As usual,

great toni

you, Te

ded me into the hotel. We nodded at the

ul-patch under his lip scratched my face. I smiled up at him, wiping w

ually did–concealer, blush ...?everything. It was important for him,?f

y silver sandals and ending up at the top of my curls. When his gaze

el

his teeth flashed under the lighting of the ho

s smile.

*

ing politician had its drawbacks.

ng,?the clawing,?had me at my wits' end. With each new introduction, my smile grew less and less in wattage u

ovack! The

ff her perfectly toned legs, made her way toward us. The woman, both compa

etermined to get through

and into the spotlight of the woman's gaze. Up close, I noted that time had stood still o

ss than a second. From her dismissive glance away from me and back to Tere

ere so

you to meet some people." Almost as an afterthought, she turned to me. "Vegas dear, do mingle. I'll bring him bac

wh

herent gift. I always found it difficult to start a conversation with a complete stranger. I seized up like a deer in

s told me. Easier said than done. I

emotions, I let him consume me. Two days after my graduation, we broke up. I'd hurt before, but at that moment, I went through se

The ring on my finger proved it. Nothing and n

sun warmed me and my heart?

?is?

ted in euphoria. Those swimmer shoulders and still flat waist. He even had on the same silver wire-rimmed glasses. That night I had admired t

s clicked like the polished boot heels of a soldier. Without them, his dark

recognition, he moved toward m

tray, sucking it up like a vacuum on the highest setting. What cour

weak and rubbery. An Arizona summer, hot and dusty, swirled in m

?ecstatic.?And worri

let go. A maelstrom of emotion swirled within me, making my ey

ce of his. The one I heard in my