This is really happening. She swallowed back the emotion, hoping to keep her cool.
She came back with a folder and her room key. “You’re all set. Elevators are to your right just past the columns.”
Kelly couldn’t believe how beautiful the massive lobby was. It was hard to take it all in. She imagined something in France or Italy looking like this. Has Andrew ever seen anything like this in his travels? Probably all the time.
The elevator doors were gold too. She fixed her hair in the reflection.
Her room was at the far end of the hall. She hiked down the long hall, glad she didn’t have to lug her heavy suitcase all the way here. She waved the key in front of the door, and it unlocked. Inside the room was even grander than the lobby.
She took out her phone and started taking pictures of the room. “Mom and Sara are never going to believe this.” It was so luxurious she imagined this could be a room at the palace. “I’m not in Bailey’s Fork anymore.” She looked out the window. Cars filled the streets, honking but barely moving, and people moved like little ants below. Across the way there were lights and a big electronic billboard advertising something new every few seconds. Suddenly, Martin Schlipshel popped up on that screen, arms folded with the Four Square Cooking Show logo. She snapped a picture of that too. Not that she could share them with anyone until after the show, but she sure didn’t want to forget this.
The room was fancier than anything she’d ever seen even in a magazine. There were two king-size beds with headboards that reached almost to the ceiling. Why did anyone need two king-size beds in one room?
The comforters were a shimmery gold, and the way the fabric was ruched in alternating panels it looked like cake frosting. She ran her hand across the cool fabric, then climbed right into the center of the bed.
She took in a breath and spread her arms out wide. Suddenly she pictured herself as the cake topper on a perfectly frosted cake, like one of those princess doll cakes little girls love so much. She raised her phone, extending her arm and looking up and smiling. Click.
Crawling off the bed, she kicked off her shoes near the luggage rack. Speaking of which, why wasn’t her suitcase here yet? What if that man didn’t even work for the hotel and he’d just stolen her clothes? If she didn’t have her hairbrush and curling iron, she’d be looking a mess when she saw the television people in the morning. She should have handled her bag herself. She was quite capable. That was what she got for acting like a prima donna. Served her right if it was stolen.
She wandered into the bathroom, where a plush robe and slippers had been laid out on the counter. She hugged the plush fabric to her cheek. She unwrapped a soap from the basket of fancy potions and inhaled the orange-gingery scent. She washed her hands and then ran a warm washcloth over her face, then dabbed her face dry.
A rapid knock came at the door.
“My bag!” She raced to the door, almost tripping over her shoes along the way. She pulled the door open, disappointed to see a tall redheaded woman standing with a fruit basket there instead.
“Welcome to New York! I’m Brenda, and I’ll be your assistant while you’re here. This is for you.”
“Thank you. That was so thoughtful. Come on in.” She hoped she sounded appreciative, but now she really was starting to get worried about her bag. “So, what exactly do I need an assistant for?” She’d seen in some of the competitions that there were helpers in the kitchen. “Do you bake?”
“Oh, no. I guess some people refer to think of what I do as a handler, but I like assistant better. I make sure you get everywhere on time and don’t break any rules. That kind of stuff. If you have any questions, I can get the answers for you.”
“Well, I’m a little worried about my suitcase. I’ve been here for a while, and it still hasn’t come up.”
“I can check on that. Sometimes they get busy this time of day with all the check-ins. I guess you noticed that you don’t have a phone.”
“No. I hadn’t…” She scanned the room. “Noticed.”
“There are no phone calls permitted unless supervised by me. And…” She motioned her fingers toward Kelly’s phone. “I’ll need that.”
“I read that in the contract.” She was glad she’d taken pictures before Brenda showed up. She handed over her phone. “Wait. Can we get a selfie together first?”
“Heck yeah.” She took the phone and extended her long arm in front of them. “Smile!” She clicked the picture. “Nice way to start off a great adventure. So, I’ll be in the room next door. Anything, day or night, come get me. For now, I’ll run next door and call downstairs about your bag, and then I’ll be right back.”
Kelly’s phone rang in Brenda’s hand before she could even leave. “Your mom.”
Kelly grimaced. “I have to talk to her, or she’ll be worried sick. She thinks I’m in Orlando at an RBA show.”
Brenda laid the phone on the bed and put it on speaker. “Nothing about the show, and keep it as short as possible.”
“Hey, Mom. I just landed.”
“That’s great, honey. I just wanted to hear your voice. This is the first time we’ve been so far apart.”
“I know. I just got here, but everything is fine.”
“Were you afraid? You didn’t sit next to anyone sick, did you? I’ve heard those planes are like one giant petri dish.”
“No. The flight was really good. I wasn’t afraid at all.”
“I’m so proud of you. Well, you take care. I won’t bother you. Have a
