The Stranger in My Room

Oh, yes. My flight was confirmed and a notification was sent to my phone thereafter with the receipt and everything else I needed to know. I counted down 'til the days, and soon, it came quicker than I could have imagined.

It may have been a bargain vacation and on a whim at that, but I needed this. I needed to get away. Get away from friends, family, work, and that ol' bastard.

Be that as it may, the hotel was amazing. It stood what seemed to be well over 40 stories, golden, and gleamed with emittance of power.

I walked in through the revolving doors and was surprised to see a crowd of people in the vast, tan lobby. There were five separate lines, and I took the shortest line-- the fifth. Since I was last in line, it calmed my anxiety. I hated holding up a line. It made me feel inexplicably awry.

I reached the desk and gave the clerk my name. The minute I said my name, he gave me a frown. He tapped away on his computer and gave a sigh. He pushed his glasses up.

He cleared his throat before he spoke, "I'm sorry. I know you're here on the bargain trip, but there has been a last minute change."

Oh my. "I hope it hasn't been canceled. That would be the worst luck."

He chuckled, "Nothing of the sort, ma'am. It's just that you have to share a room with a guest now. The trip is still very much on for you. But alas, it is your choice if you want to continue. There will be extra fees if you want your own room."

"No. I think sharing a room would be just fine," I said.

He seemed surprised. "Is something the matter?" I asked.

"Uh, no. It's just usually, a person in your situation would be making a scene."

"Oh, no. I'm not like that. You just have to be grateful, right? Now may I have my room key?"

"Why, yes, of course," he nodded. "And, I'm sorry about my attitude. Have a nice vacation and ring for me if you need anything."

We ended our pleasantries as I made my way to the 23rd floor. Using my key card, the door swung open to reveal nothing but pleasant and fancy furniture. It was the finest ivory I'd ever seen. There was no sign of my roommate so I decided to take myself on a decent tour.

I rolled around in the bed as the fluffy sheets hugged my body in every which way. I flickered the lamplight on and off a few times. I took a nice look at the huge bathtub and shower head. My jaw dropped at the sight of six shower heads and all of the modes it could be put on when you decided if you wanted to have a shower.

Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me. I pivoted and there was a gorgeous man standing behind me with the brightest smile I'd ever seen. His hooked nose and hooded, brown eyes gave off the air that he was a compassionate and gentle fellow, thriving with youth that piqued my curiosity with the glow of his milk chocolate skin. 

His thin, pink lips parted, “You should pick your jaw up off the floor. Someone might sweep it away-- or worse, you might swallow a bug.”

I instantly closed my mouth and gave him an embarrassed smile. I could feel the blush creeping onto my chubby cheeks. 

“Don’t be shy,” he said, “I did the same thing when I first arrived. It’s natural. By the way, my name is Jonathan.” He held his hand out to me, suggesting that I should take it, but I couldn’t stop staring at this beautiful work of art in front of me.

“If you don’t shake my hand, I’ll start to think that you don’t like me,” he joked.

“Sorry, I’m just adjusting.” I shook his brown, calloused hand. “Where did you even come from?”

“I was on the balcony. Would you like a drink?”

We made our way to the balcony and sat in the padded chairs while we indulged in a bottle of Chateau ‘98. I discovered he was a funny guy who was partly shameless and a tiny bit wild, but was full of compassion and was open-minded as he listened to me as I responded to anything he asked me, or whatever I felt like telling him. 

“Sorry, I never got your name,” Jonathan said.

“Oh! How rude of me. My name is Lana.”

How could I have possibly had such a long and thoughtful conversation with someone who didn’t even know my name? The time left us and the light faded into nothingness as the sky darkened, but that didn’t bother us. We still sat there and talked. I was beginning to feel slightly buzzed from the wine. I never intended on getting tipsy, but it just happened. 

“This was fun, but I think I should go inside now.” My cheeks heated at the thought of what a mess I would be if I was anything other than tipsy. 

“I think we both should,” he said. We tidied up the balcony as best we could before heading back inside. I slightly tripped over my feet and he caught me kind and swiftly. In my drunken haze, I stared at a pair of piercing, dark brown eyes that I could tell were full of hunger. 

No good deed goes unpunished. Everyone knows that. But right now, none of that mattered. We hurriedly sprang from our clothes and got right to it. After our fervent activities, we settled into snuggling with each other. I was tipsy before, but now.. Now, I was drunk off our connection. I didn’t know what was real and what was fake, but I did know that I was enjoying this vacation. 

Jonathan suddenly pulled me closer while stroking my shoulders in slow, circular movements. He confessed, “I’m in the end stage of liver cancer. You were my dying wish, you know. I prayed to finally meet a nice girl who was funny and capable of breathing life back into me. I thank you for tonight. I’ll never forget it.” He kissed me atop my forehead so sweetly. I was so tired that I couldn’t respond, much less register what he was saying, and I drifted to sleep immediately.

In the morning, I woke to a cold and lifeless Jonathan whose hands were still wrapped around me, even in my sleep-- even in his death. The tears flowed like a river, but I knew I’d always have the memories. I went to the balcony after the coroner and the people from the front desk cleared from the room. 

I prayed to God, or any higher being that was listening to me, that if I died and got reincarnated, that I could meet Jonathan again. I felt as if he never left. I could still feel his lips on mine and I hugged myself tight as I stared at the pink sky and then the padded chair. I could still hear him laughing. Still hear him making jokes. Still see that bright smile of his and the way it melted me.

And that’s the way it would stay. Forever. Until we meet again.