Landing in New Orleans, we get our luggage and find the car my mom made arrangements for. The chauffeur holds up a sign saying ‘Cherry’s’. She must have put all the expenses on the club.

Thank God the car service drove an SUV to pick us up because I don’t know who has more luggage, me or Kyle. He drives us to the Ritz-Carlton on Canal Street. It’s a beautiful hotel with old New Orleans appeal. We walk in and are immediately thrown into a very prestigious world. The Ritz is outrageously refined. With tall ceilings, wide open spaces and low hanging chandeliers. The white marble shines throughout. Looking around I notice there are also spas and an opulent lounge area.

Kyle looks over everything and says, “Wow, your mom sure knows how to go all out.”

“Tell me about it.”

I stroll up to the check-in desk, and instead of giving my name, I tell them check-in for Cherry’s. Sure enough, I was right, she’s going to try to write everything off as a business expense.

We’re escorted to our suite, and of course, again she went all out. Mom booked us in a double suite. We have an expansive living room with two separate bedrooms across from each other. The room is designed in dark rich colors, with heavy tapestries and damask material covering the furniture. We also have a great view of Canal Street below.

Kyle spins around as I give the concierge his tip.

“Damn, when Cherry does something, she does it right.”

“I wish she would have scaled it down a little, but I guess since this is my first time here, she wanted me to truly enjoy it.”

Kyle asks, “What do you want to do?”

“I think I’m just going to relax tonight. I’m going to call Mark and let him know where we are. I’ll tell him to go ahead with setting up the meeting.”

“Mark, huh? Tell me about this attorney. Is he good looking?”

“Actually, he is. He must be in his thirties, and he’s tall with a little salt and pepper starting in his hair. He might be a little too clean cut for me, but I’ll see.”

“What do you mean, you’ll see?”

“He asked me out to dinner one night while I’m here.”

“And why is this the first time I’m hearing about this?”

“I don’t know, maybe because I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

“Oh yeah, sorry,” Kyle says as he bows his head down.

“Whatever. Look, let’s just order in after I call Mark.”

“Sounds good. I’m tired, too.”

“How are you tired, Kyle? You slept the whole way here.”

“That was just my beauty rest.”

Kyle spins again and walks into what I guess is now his bedroom. Kylie always picks first, and it’s usually the best of everything.

I shake my head and sit down on the sofa with my phone to call Mark. He answers quickly.

“Murphy, how are you?”

“Hello, Mark, I’m fine. I just wanted to let you know that I’m staying at the Ritz-Carlton. I’d like for you to set up my meeting with my father tomorrow if you can. I’d like to leave and go back home as soon as possible.”

“That should work. I can call you tomorrow with the definite plans. Do you need anything for now?”

“No, thank you. I was just going to stay in tonight. I’m kind of tired.”

“Of course, I understand. I hope you will consider my offer for dinner before you head home?”

“We’ll see. Right now, I just want to get tomorrow over with.”

“I understand. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

I hang up, wanting nothing more than a hot bath and supper. I yell at Kyle that I’m going to take a bath. I explore my room for a few minutes, admiring the southern charm. Then I walk to the huge bathroom, admiring it in all its glory as I start to run a hot bath. Once the tub is filled, I settle into it, trying to relax.

Kyle comes in the bathroom. “Hey Murph, what do you want to eat tonight? I brought the menu from the hotel’s restaurant. I was thinking we can try some real Cajun food.”

“You do know my mom cooks real Cajun food?”

“I know, Murphy. Don’t tell your mom, but she’s not the best cook.”

I chuckle. “You’re right. Just order. I’m willing to try anything.”

“Okay, girl, I got this, except I don’t know what most of this stuff is. I think I’ll call Cherry and spell most of these words out to her because I can’t pronounce them either.”

“Kyle, why don’t you just call the restaurant and ask?”

“Because they’ll think I’m stupid.”

“And you’re not worried about my mom?”

“No, Cherry already thinks I’m stupid.”

With me shaking my head at him, he leaves me alone to finally relax.

After my bath, I wash all my makeup off and put on the hotel’s luxurious robe. Heading to the living room, I see the busboy push in a cart with what looks like enough food for an army.

“Kyle, what the hell did you order?”

“Cherry said we should try everything, so I ordered almost everything, but I only ordered one per item.”

“I don’t think Mom meant for us to try everything at one time.”

“Whatever. What else are we going to do? Let’s binge!”

I love Kyle. No matter how dreadful things get, he always finds a way to make me smile.

Once we reveal all the food, I can’t contain my surprised reaction. “Oh my God, Kyle, where do we start?”

“Well, I asked the restaurant if they could label everything I ordered, so let’s see what we got.”

We were both so confused on how to pronounce some of the words, but we managed. We had a seafood platter, seafood gumbo, a crawfish etouffee, a redfish courtbouillon, a chicken and sausage jambalaya, a seafood bisque and a chicken fricassee.  

“I can’t eat any more, Kyle. I can’t breathe.”

“I think I have to unbutton my pants, Murphy. I’m about to explode.”

“I tell you what, Kyle, you were right when you said my mom can’t cook because her food tastes nothing like this. My god, it’s all so good.”

“I know, we’ll just keep it our little secret.”

I nod my head because I can’t speak any more, I’m so stuffed. We decide to watch a little television, then call it a night.