CHAPTER 25
TILLIE
The knock at my door surprised me, but I was even more surprised to open it and see a huge bouquet of flowers. I tipped the delivery guy and brought them into the room, sure they must be from Mario, since I’d sent some to him, too.
I opened the card and my heart skipped a beat.
“Counting the minutes till tonight. Love, Richie.”
“Wow,” I said, shaking my head. I couldn’t remember the last time Reggie sent me flowers, or anyone else, for that matter. With trembling hands, I lifted a rose from the vase, inhaling its sweet perfume deeply, happiness washing over me.
I was due to go home tomorrow, but every single time I thought about Richie, I realized that was the last thing I wanted to do. Anticipation filled my veins, and I found myself checking the time every few minutes. The day crawled by and finally I decided I needed to get out of the room before I lost my mind.
Instead of hailing a taxi, I decided to walk down the strip today and explore. I wandered in and out of different casinos, past elaborate fountains and roller-coasters coming out of buildings and a million flashing billboards.
After all the excitement of last night, and having a taste of what it felt like to be surrounded by fun people, I was a little lonely and bored. I made the best of it, though, determined to enjoy my newly found confidence and independence.
This trip had been exactly what I needed. Mario was right. I felt like a new woman, the entire world opened up before me now. I began dreaming about all the different places I would visit now, and the thought of visiting the more exotic places didn’t intimidate me as much anymore. I’d learned I could handle being out in the world on my own finally, as pathetic as it was to figure that out at such a late age.
I didn’t care.
I loved it. I loved wandering through the throngs of people, watching them, making up little stories about their lives, listening to snippets of people’s conversations, strolling through the brightly carpeted casinos, the sound of the slot machines jangling, the shouts of joy from the winners and even the looks of sadness on the losers.
It was all life.
It was all living.
I was right in the middle of Circus Circus, staring up at a couple of performers performing a tight-rope act up in the mezzanine when my phone rang. I pulled it from my purse and froze when I saw it was Reggie.
“What the hell?” I murmured, contemplating if I should answer it or not. I walked away from all the noise and brought the phone up to my ear.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Hello, Tillie.”
“Hi, Reggie,” I said, wrinkling my brow. We’d left things slightly amicable, but talking on the phone was not something we did regularly these last few months. In fact, I’d not talked to him in over a month.
“How are you, Tillie?”
“I’m, um, okay,” I replied. “What’s up?”
“Where are you? It’s so loud. Is that circus music?”
“Um, yeah. I’m in Vegas.”
“Whatever for?” he asked, haughtily.
“For fun,” I said, lifting my chin defiantly, even though he couldn’t see it.
“Fun? You?” he asked. “What kind of fun?”
“What do you want, Reggie?” I asked, not caring if I sounded rude.
“I just wanted to make sure you got the papers.”
“What papers?” I asked.
“Well, the divorce papers, of course. Tillie, are you okay?”
“Oh, those. Yeah, of course I did. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, of course, I’m sure, Reggie! Is that the only reason you called? To make sure I got the damned divorce papers?”
“Well, yes, and…”
“Are you trying to rub it in, Reggie? I know our divorce is final.”
“I know, but I —.”
“What?”
“Never mind, Tillie. Enjoy your…vacation,” he said.
“I am!” I replied, a little too enthusiastically. “I’m having a great time.”
“Great, I’m glad,” he said. “Be careful, Tillie. I’ll talk to you later.”
I hung up, not even saying goodbye, because what was the point of niceties? I shook my head, trying not to be angry, but the irritation lingered.
What a stupid reason to call, I thought.
Of course, I got the damned papers, but so what if I didn’t?
Would we be any less divorced?
I turned my thoughts back to Richie, back to tonight, and my smile returned to my face after a few moments. I’d ordered an elaborate candlelit room service to be delivered and set up on the balcony for us and I’d set out some of the expensive lingerie I’d bought the other day.
I couldn’t wait to feel Richie’s hands on me again.
By the time I made it back to my room, Reggie and his ridiculous phone call were a distant memory.