Chapter Text
Vivian follows Cay down the train steps to the platform and is instantly transported to last summer. She lets out a heavy sigh and puts her sunglasses on.
“100 degrees with dry heat. Fabulous. ” She takes out her handkerchief and dabs at the beads of sweat that are already forming on her forehead. Cay grins at her and guides her through the station doors.
“Awww. Did we already forget about the desert heat? Poor baby.” Vivian smirks and rolls her eyes at her lover. Cay winks at her and hands their luggage ticket to one of the waiting attendants. “Come on. Frances is waiting with the car. She’s going to drop us up the block and Walter will bring us the car later.” Vivian nods and follows her to the station doors that lead out into the street.
“Hey there! Welcome home!” Frances calls out. She was parked a few cars down, leaning against her old wagon with a big smile. Cay grins at her and gestures for the attendant to follow them down, where Frances immediately envelopes both of them in a hug. “How was the ride in?”
“Not too bad.” Cay shrugs. She hands the attendant a few coins and thanks him before he runs back to the station. Vivian smirks and shakes her head.
“Says the girl who complained the whole time.” She leans in and kisses Frances on the cheek. “Good to see you, Frances. Thank you for picking us up.”
“Awww. Good to see you too, honey. It’s no problem at all. I was already scheduled to pick up a new check in. I think this is her now, excuse me.” Frances rushes down towards the doors to help a nervous and bewildered looking woman. Vivian tips her head and pouts in sympathy.
“I know that look. I remember that feeling. Poor thing. Cay, behave yourself. She’s probably nervous.” Cay rolls her eyes and leans back on the car door.
“Sure thing, mom.” Vivian rolls her eyes back at her.
“I’m just saying. I remember what it’s like, okay? She’s probably not in the mood to joke around.”
“Okay, okay. Relax. We should probably let her sit up front. Here.” Cay opens the back passenger door and Vivian nods a silent thank you before sliding onto the bench seat. They watch as Frances sports her welcoming smile and chats up the new divorcée.
“Okay, come on in, get yourself settled. Uh, this here is my girl Cay and her friend Vivian. They came in on the train as well. If you don’t mind I’m just going to drop them up the block at The Riverside. Girls, this is Mrs. Gateland.” Vivian smiles at her and extends her hand.
“Nice to meet you.” The woman shakes Vivian’s hand, weakly, and attempts a smile of sorts. Frances reaches over and pats Mrs. Gateland’s knee, gently.
“Everything will be just fine. You’re in good hands. Alright, here we go!” Frances holds onto the handle near the hood and starts up the old jalopy before steering it into the street. Vivian tries to stifle a chuckle as she watches the poor woman place her hand on the window to steady herself in the bumpy ride. She was dressed in a lavender travel suit, with matching hat and clutch. Vivian had taken note of the expensive looking luggage when the attendant had loaded it into the back, and figures the woman is probably feeling like a fish out of water. Her short, blonde hair looked professionally styled, and was now already starting to curl from the heat.
“Where are you from, Mrs. Gateland? If you don’t mind me asking?”
“Oh, um…Allentown. Pennsylvania. Originally Manhattan, though.”
“Oh! I have a friend that used to live there. Wonderful symphony. I saw a fantastic orchestra there, many years ago.” Mrs. Gateland looks back at her and nods, politely. Vivian smiles back before catching Cay’s amused expression from the corner of her eye. She rolls her eyes and mouths her favorite retort back at her.
“Shut up.” Cay grins at her before turning to look out the window at the familiar sights.
“Alrighty….here we are.” Frances pulls up alongside the curb by The Riverside and gets out to see them off. She waves at Harris, the old bellhop, as he takes in their luggage to the lobby. “Okay! So. Walter has work in the afternoon. He will drop off your car then.”
“Who will bring him back?”
“Uh…what’s his face, there, up the road from us. Dan Kendall.” Cay laughs.
“Little Danny?”
“He ain’t so little anymore. He’s working laundry here as well with Walter. He got him the job. So he’s gonna drop him off after work tonight. Why don’t you girls come by for dinner?” She raises her brows and gives them a hopeful smile.
“Are you sure?” Vivian asks, not wanting to intrude or cause talk among the new residents. Hence the whole reason they chose to stay at the hotel instead of the cottage.
“Of course! It’s your first night back. I’m not gonna let you order in the crap from this kitchen. Come on by around 6, okay?” They agree with big smiles and wave her off as she heads back home.
“That was nice of her. Don’t you think? She’s awfully cheerful today. Guess she really missed you, huh?” Cay nods and follows Vivian towards the entrance.
“Yep. Or someone finally got laid.”
“Cay!”
“What?! You know I’m right.” Vivian rolls her eyes but can’t help but smile. It felt good to be back. They head inside to the check in desk, noting that their luggage was waiting for them on a nearby cart.
“Hello. I’m checking in. Vivian Bell.” She tells the clerk at the desk. The young man smiles at her in greeting and looks in the large appointment book.
“Yes, we have you right here Miss Bell. Room 203.” He turns to retrieve a key with a red tag that was hanging on the wall behind him. “Here is your key. There is fresh bedding and towels as of this morning. Please enjoy your stay and let us know if you need anything else. Billy here will take you on up with your luggage cart.” A boy around Walter’s age snaps to it and walks around the desk towards the cart.
“Wait! Wait, um….” Cay moves around Vivian to talk to the young man at the desk.
“What are you doing?” Vivian asks her quietly through clenched teeth.
“Relax!” She whispers. “Is room 220 available, by any chance?” Vivian chuckles.
“Cay, really? Come on. They are all the same. Let’s go.”
“I’m just seeing! Is it?” The young man, whose name Vivian finally notices on his tag reads “Timothy”, glances in a separate book for the room logs.
“It is available, yes. Did you want to switch rooms? This one is actually different than the one we have you in, though. There is only one bed. It’s a queen. You’d have to double up. Unless you want to request a cot to be brought up….” Cay gives Timothy her charming smile and clicks her tongue.
“Oh, I think we can manage with the one bed. Right Viv? You don’t mind sharing.” Vivian chuckles and shakes her head.
“Sure, fine. Whatever. As long as it’s not too much trouble?” Timothy shakes his head with a smile.
“No trouble at all, Miss. Just need you to fill out this form and you’ll be all set.”
“Thank you.” Vivian takes the pen from his hand and begins to fill out the form, making sure to side eye Cay in the process. Cay turns and leans back on the counter with a satisfied grin.
“Woo! Hot dice.”
———————
Billy the bellboy takes the key from Vivian and leads them into her old room from the summer before.
“Here you are, ladies. Bathroom is over here. Kitchen around the corner. If you need anything else, anything at all, just dial 01 on your phone and it will connect you to the front desk. Enjoy your stay.” He hands the key back to Vivian and turns to retrieve their luggage from the cart. Vivian reaches into her clutch to grab a bill and hands it to Billy for a tip.
“Thank you.” She says, smiling politely as he closes the door behind him on his way out.
“It’s like we never left, eh? Home sweet home.” Cay laughs, patting Vivian on her bottom as she makes her way into the bathroom. She grabs her carryon with her toiletries on the way in. “Just gonna freshen up.” Vivian nods at her with a soft smile and a faraway look in her eyes. “You okay?”
“Mmhm.” She says, still looking around wistfully. Cay gives her a skeptical look but leaves her there, regardless. She takes her time in there, wanting to wash away the residue from their travels. She never feels like the wash basin they provide in the cabin actually does the trick. She swears it feels filmy and tastes funny. Vivian says she’s crazy, but she knows what she feels. And right now she feels pretty gross!
She finally exits, whistling a happy tune, but cuts herself off at the sight of her lover. Vivian was now sitting on the bed with that same faraway look in her eyes. Cay watches as she sighs, softly, and slowly caresses the bedspread with an open palm.
“You sure you’re okay?” She tosses her toiletries on the dresser and walks over to sit next to her on the bed.
“Yeah! Yeah, I’m…I’m fine. Sorry. It’s just…there’s so many memories here, y’know?” Cay grins at her and plants a few quick kisses on her neck.
“I sure do! Good memories. Naked memories.” She chuckles, reaching up to move Vivian’s hair from her eyes. Vivian looks shy and breathes out a gentle laugh.
“Yes. Lots of good memories. But um….some bad ones too. It wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows for me in here, Cay.” Cay tuts and moves so she’s able to put her arm around her.
“I’m sorry, baby. You’re right. I….I guess I got caught up in the moment. Are you sure you’re okay with staying here? I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think. We can see if we can get the other room back…” Vivian waves the offer off.
“No, no. It’s fine. Really. It’s silly.”
“It’s not silly. You’re right. You were here because of what happened with Frances. It’s bound to trigger some stuff.” Vivian looks down at her feet and smiles again, softly.
“Yeah. Didn’t expect it to. But yeah. Anyway, no it’s fine. We are here, we are settled. It’s just a room.” Cay smiles at her and kisses her, gently.
“You know what?”
“What.”
“I think you and I should create some new memories while we are here. Hmm?”
“New memories?”
“Yeah. Like a do over. Let’s start fresh and make a lot of really nice memories. I bet if we make enough of them, you’ll forget all about the bad ones. What do you say?” Vivian chuckles and looks back at Cay, adoringly.
“I think that’s a great idea.” Cay grins and quickly scoops up Vivian’s legs so she’s now lying on the bed before her. She squeals at the sudden movement and giggles.
“What are you doing you crazy girl?!” Cay grins at her and climbs up her body so she’s on top.
“Might as well get started. No time like the present!” Vivian giggles and kisses her nose.
“No time at all.” Cay smiles and kisses her, deeply. She hears Vivian moan, softly, and can’t help but smile against her lips.
“No time, indeed.”
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