A Woman in Search Of...

Two weeks later, on a Friday afternoon, Wendy and Cindy arrived at the Desert Lake Inn. Brad’s performance was in the evening at eight and the same time again Saturday night. Both gigs were held in the hotel’s lounge area.

They found their room on the third floor.

“This is one hell of a room,” Cindy said.

Wendy went to check out the bathroom. “You’re right…it’s very nice.”

“What should we do now?” Wendy asked after they were organized.

“Let’s go explore.”

The downstairs was huge. They saw a café and across the way a fancy restaurant. They found the gift shop, looked around inside, but didn’t buy anything. They went outside behind the hotel where they discovered a mammoth sized pool designed to look like a lake. A waterfall and slide were at one end. There were loungers everywhere and an area with umbrella tables nearby. They turned to each other with a wow expression…an exceptional place.

They went back inside and out the front doors where they stood on the sidewalk. The hotel was located on the main drag. They looked up and down the street.

Cindy spotted a building across the street with a sign, Clothing Boutique. “Let’s check it out.”

They went in, strolled through, but quickly left.

“I couldn’t believe those prices,” Wendy spit out as they came outside.

“No kidding.”

They walked a bit further and found a small eatery with a covered outside sitting area. They each ordered iced tea.

“I can’t believe we’re here,” Wendy stated as they settled into chairs.

“Me neither, but what a great get away from LA.”

Forty minutes later they headed back to the hotel.

Once in their room Cindy wondered. “Should I call Brad’s room and let him know we’re here.”

“Hmmm…seems like a natural thing to do.”

“What the hell,” Cindy said as she reached the operator to have the call put through to Brad Hanson’s room.

The phone rang twice, and he picked up.

“Hi, it’s Cindy. I’m here with Wendy like I told you.”

“Glad you came. I won’t have time to spend with you. I hope you understand.”

“Yes, of course”. He ended the call by telling her he’d see her later.” He was abrupt,” she told Wendy as they hung up.

“He may be going to rehearse, who knows.” Wendy lifted her hands, moving them about. “This is such a treat.”

They watched some TV and took a short nap. At five they headed downstairs to have dinner in the café. Afterwards they returned to their room to shower and change for the evening. Both wore miniskirts with blouses and high heeled shoes.

When they arrived in the lounge area, there were a number of people already seated with drinks in hand. Wendy and Cindy found a table with a good view just two rows from the small stage.

Fifteen minutes later Brad and a woman approached the area. Brad took two steps up to the stage. The woman lingered for a minute, said something to Brad, and sat at a table to his left. Wendy and Cindy’s eyes darted at each other with astonishment when they recognized the dark-haired woman from the valley. Cindy whispered to Wendy, “I’m glad I didn’t ask about going with him. If he said no and I came and saw this, well, I would have been humiliated.”

“Yeah.” Wendy understood Cindy’s response. “It’s a shock to see her here, but he did talk to her often on his breaks.”

“I remember,” Cindy said sarcastically.