I was out speed-walking through my neighborhood again, getting in my daily exercise.
It was at the start of the first lap of my usual trek when, within seconds, my life almost changed for the worse.
I was face down into my phone’s screen, typing out a draft for my next story, when a driver drove up onto the curb, inches away from the sidewalk, almost taking me out.
My natural reflexes shifted my feet, enabling me to jump a foot or two to my left, but it wouldn’t have been enough. If not for the tall turf, it was either the hospital or the morgue for me.
After offering an unsavory expletive, I stood watching as the driver, who’d come to a complete stop about fifty feet away, gathered him or herself and drove away.
I took a few photos and then went back the next morning to get a few more.
Creole Gaudet
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The views and opinions in Libertine Dreams are those of the author and make no guarantees or promises regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information presented. It is solely for entertainment purposes.
No part of this chronicle may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system – except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper – without permission in writing from the publisher, Creole Gaudet.
JANUARY 30, 2020
HOME – 9:00 a.m.
I’d set the alarm, but I was so full of anticipation, I awoke on my own. I turned to Sway, shaking her excitedly. “It’s time to go! Come on!”
She sprang up, startled and confused. “Huh? What…?”
“It’s time to go! Get up!” I hurried to my feet.
“What are you talking about? What’s going on?”
“You have to pack your things. It’s time to get out of here!”
The stiffness left her shoulders. She lowered her head. “I knew it.”
I halted my movement. “Knew what? What are you talking about?”
“I knew something was wrong… I knew it. Why, Andre? What did I do?” Her face was flushed. Her lower lip trembled. She was awash with tears. “I love you.”
“You didn’t do anything. And I love you too. What are you talking about?”
“Why are you putting me out?”
“I’m not putting you out! We have to get ready. Our ride will be here in…” I glanced at the nightstand clock. “In about twenty-five minutes.”
Sway looked up, wiping her eyes. “Our ride?”
“Yes!” I dropped to the floor, dragging my suitcase from under the bed.
“What? Where did you get…?”
“I have one for you too… Here.” I placed it flat, sliding it next to her.
“Like…” She smiled curiously. “Where are we going?”
“On our honeymoon. I rented us a room downtown.”
“You did? Really?!”
“I did!”
“Wait… Do I even have time to get myself together?”
“About twenty-two minutes…”
Sway hopped to her feet, moving double-time, scrambling around the room. She made a dash to the mirror. “I look terrible!”
“You look fine, baby!”
“That’s not fair, you’re all packed and everything. I haven’t even brushed my teeth yet!” She choked the neck of the tube, dropping lumps of paste into the rushing water. “I can’t even fucking do this shit right!”
“Do you need any help?”
“No, you’ll get in the way!”
“I’m sorry.”
“And it’s cold out there. I’m going to need my coat for sure…”
“Make sure you pack that black dress too.”
“Why did you wake me up so late?”
“I wanted to let you get as much rest as you could.”
“Nah, you just wanted to enjoy watching me panic. I should have known you were up to something!”
We were standing in the lobby when the black Escalade rolled up. “Is that ours, Andre? We’re going in style, too?”
The driver secured us, closing and locking our doors. As he loaded our baggage, Sway nestled close to me. “I’m so excited, Daddy.” She paused. “I feared the worst. I thought that you were done with me. I was like… Did he get mad at me about Solo? Or was it Demi? I just couldn’t figure out why.”
“I didn’t mean to upset you…”
“It’s okay. I know you were trying to surprise me, and you didn’t want to ruin it. I get it… I’m happy.”
I pulled her tight, placing a kiss to her forehead. “No one is going to come before you. Not now; not ever.”
“Are you sure? You promise?”
“I put my life on that.”
We’d exited 35, approaching Continental Ave. Sway leaned up. “We must be close.”
From Continental, the driver turned North onto Victory Ave., right onto Nowitzki Way, and then to Victory Park Lane. Sway spied through the sunroof. “The W?!”
“The W.”
“We’re staying at the W?!”
“For the next three nights.”
As the driver lifted the rear hatch, the bellman, who, in his thick Spanish accent, introduced himself as Sam.
I held Sway’s hand as we strode to the front desk for check-in. “I want to scream so badly, Andre, but I don’t want all these people to think we’re not used to being in nice places.”
“Do you… Don’t worry about anybody else.”
Sway dry-yelled, pumping her fists. “Yay!” Sam, standing behind, gripping the handle of the trolley cart, took delight in her playfulness.
We were handed our keys and paperwork. We then followed Sam to the elevators. Sway, squeezing my hand tightly, silently counted the floors as we rose to the top of the tower.
“Here we are, folks. If you will follow me again, one more time, please.” Sam led us to our suite. “And may I have your key, only for a brief moment, sir?”
Sway was first to step in. “Wow, Andre, this is amazing! There are floor-to-ceiling windows everywhere! You can see the entire city!”
“Where would you like your luggage, sir?”
“Could you put them in the bedroom, please?”
Sway walked to the end window. “There’s the green building! It’s like I can reach out and touch it!”
Sam returned with the key. “If you need anything, sir, just call down to the front desk…” He extended his arm with an open palm, pointing towards the living area. “The phone is there on the table along with the remote control for the television… Next to me, here on the wall, is the thermostat. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call the desk.”
I passed him two tens and a five. “Thanks, I appreciate you, Sam.”
“I appreciate you, sir! Thank you very much! Again, my name is Sam. You ask for me, okay? I am at your service.” He bowed, closing the door behind him.
Sway swiveled on her heels, beaming, walking slowly and sexily towards me. “This is like your dream… Your high-rise… And you’re sharing it all with me.”
“My dream was a good dream, Sway, but it was flawed.”
“Flawed?”
“It was missing something… It was missing you.”
Creole Gaudet
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