Chapter 4: April

Elisa by far was the nicest person I’d met in the last twenty-four hours I realized as she beamed while looking at me. Her comforting smile made me feel much better, even if she was a stranger.

Then again, I couldn’t discount Luke’s kindness. He could have thrown me out. He didn’t know me, but he brought me to his home, and I needed to show some appreciation. Even if he did say I needed a shower.

But then, judging by the look on Elisa’s face, she shared the same sentiment.

“Don’t worry about Mr. Winters, he gets a bit… edgy at times, especially when he’s hungry. I’ll get you sorted and then I’ll get take-out for both of you and he’ll be alright,” she said, waving her hand as if to dismiss him. Her green eyes lit up as if to reassure me it wasn’t a problem.

I followed as she led me down the hall, watching as she magically put her hair in a twist, securing it in the center of her head with a clip. I tried to think of something to say other than thank you. It sounded weak, but at least it was better than the silence.

“What happened to your dress?” she asked.

I laughed. At least I could laugh now since some time had passed and I had managed to get a little sleep in the taxi. Before, all I could do was cry.

“It ripped. I was trying to get changed in 71, and it got stuck and I couldn’t get it off or on, as you can see.”

She nodded her head, and since we were talking, it was time for some light conversation.

“How long have you worked for him?”

She laughed. “How many fingers do you have?”

“Wow, ten years. What’s it been like? I bet you do this type of thing all the time, helping his dates.”

She shook her head. “I’ve been given instructions to take care of you for the night.” Elisa dramatically halted and turned on the light. We entered what must have been the guest room.

“Here’s the bathroom,” she said, pointing to a door at the side of the room. “Towels are at the bottom, and there’s a couple of robes. Now, I have to make some calls to get you some clothes. What’s your shoe size—6 or shoe size - 6 or 7?”

Wow, she was good.

“Six.”

“Good. Now I’m happy to help you, April, but one thing you cannot expect from me is gossip about Mr. Winters. I’ll help you and answer your questions related to tonight, but nothing more. Understood?”

I nodded, feeling embarrassed she thought I wanted the dirt on him. Maybe in a way I did, but it was wrong of me to expect her to share it after we’d met all of ten minutes ago.

“One more thing…” she said as she turned her back and just as quickly spun around. “Shower gel, shampoo, toothbrush, and anything else you’ll need are in the closet to your right. Everything’s labeled and self-explanatory. If you need anything else, just call, and I’ll be here in a second. Okay?”

Again I nodded, thinking if I yelled where would she hear me from, but I wasn’t going to ask. I needed to get out of these clothes and take a shower.

“When you’re done, just throw everything in the basket. I’ll get them washed for you. Don’t worry about a thing.”

I laughed at the idea of worrying about the dress, which was ripped and smelly, or even the jeans, which felt as if they were stuck to me like a second skin. They were both my favorites, and now the only clothes I possessed.

“Thanks for everything,” I said softly. “You’ve really helped me tonight.”

She nodded, hesitating for a moment before she closed the door. I wanted to say something else, but tonight had definitely got me tongue-tied.

After Elisa left, I made sure not to make the same mistakes as I did in the restaurant bathroom. I peeled off my clothes slowly, making sure I did it properly and I tossed, them in the basket. I forgot to ask her about underwear, but I had a feeling she would be getting that too. Elisa seemed more than capable of thinking outside of the box. Which was more than I could say about myself at the moment.

A lot more.