“But I would’ve paid for it,” Charlie protested. “I told you that a hundred times.”
“I don’t want you spending money on me, Charlie.”
Charlie sat down in a chair and stared at her. “LuAnn, it’s not my money. I told you that, too. I’m on an expense account. Whatever you wanted, you could have.”
“Is that what Mr. Jackson said?”
“Something like that. Let’s just call it an advance on your future winnings.” He grinned.
LuAnn sat down on the bed and played with her hands, a deep frown on her face. Lisa was still in her baby carriage playing with some toys Charlie had bought her. Her happy sounds filled the room.
“Here.” Charlie handed LuAnn a package of photos from their day in New York. “For the memory book.”
LuAnn looked at the photos and her eyes crinkled. “I never thought I’d see a horse and buggy in this city. It was lots of fun riding around that big old park. Smack dab in the middle of all them buildings, too.”
“Come on, you’d never heard of Central Park?”
“Sure I had. Heard, leastways. Only I just thought it was all made up.” LuAnn handed him a double photo of herself that she picked out of the pack.
“Whoops, thanks for reminding me,” said Charlie.
“That’s for my passport?”
He nodded as he slipped the photo into his jacket pocket.
“Don’t Lisa need one?”
He shook his head. “She’s not old enough. She can travel under yours.”
“Oh.”
“So I understand you want to change your name.”
LuAnn put the photos away and started fiddling with the packages. “I thought it’d be a good idea. A fresh start.”
“That’s what Jackson said you said. I guess if that’s what you want.”
LuAnn suddenly plopped down on the chaise lounge and put her head in her hands.
Charlie looked keenly at her. “Come on, LuAnn, changing your name isn’t that traumatic. What’s bothering you?”
She finally looked up. “Are you sure I’m gonna win the lottery tomorrow?”
He spoke carefully. “Let’s just wait until tomorrow, LuAnn, but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”
“All that money, but I don’t feel good about it, Charlie, not one bit.”
He lit a cigarette and puffed on it as he continued to watch her. “I’m gonna order up some room service. Three courses, a bottle of wine. Some hot coffee, the works. You’ll feel better after you’ve eaten.” He opened up the hotel services book and began to peruse the menu.
“Have you done this before? I mean, looked after people that . . . Mr. Jackson has met with?”
Charlie looked up from the menu. “I’ve worked with him for a while, yeah. I’ve never met him in person. We communicate solely over the phone. He’s a smart guy. A little anal for my tastes, a bit paranoid, but real sharp. He pays me well, real well. And baby-sitting people in fancy hotels and ordering room service isn’t such a bad life.” He added with a big smile, “I’ve never looked after anybody I had this much fun with, though.”
She knelt down beside the baby carriage and pulled out a gift-wrapped package from the storage bin underneath. She handed it to him.
Charlie’s mouth gaped in surprise. “What’s this?”
“I got you a present. Actually, it’s from me and Lisa. I was looking for something for you and she started pointing and squealing at it.”
“When did you do this?”
“Remember, while you were over looking at the men’s clothing.”
“LuAnn, you didn’t have to—”
“I know that,” she said quickly. “That’s why it’s called a gift, you’re not supposed to have to.” Charlie gripped the box tightly in his hands, his eyes riveted on her. “Well, go ahead and open it for gosh sakes,” she said.
While Charlie carefully pulled off the wrapping paper, LuAnn heard Lisa stir. She went over and picked up the little girl. They both watched Charlie as he took off the box top.
“Damn!” He gently lifted out the dark green fedora. It had an inch-wide leather band on the outside and a ribbon of cream-colored silk lining the inside.
“I saw you trying it on at the store. I thought you looked real nice in it, real sharp. But then you put it back. I could tell you didn’t want to.”