I opened my smallest bag and pulled out my blue light. “I’ll show you.”I clicked on the light and ran it over the top of the motel comforter.
Dylan gasped. “What is that?”
“That my dear friend, is a copious amount of bodily fluids.”
“What kind of bodily fluids?”
“Does it matter?” I asked as I stripped the bed.
Dylan made a gagging sound. “Oh, that is so gross.”
Throwing the motel bedding in the corner, I opened my largest suitcase. “This is why I have tobring so many bags.”
I pulled out sheets and one of my down comforters, remaking the bed the way Yolanda had taught me. Even though we had maids, my nanny had insisted I learn how to do it so I could at least act like a functioning member of society.
My mother had had an absolute shit fit, but I was proud I’d learned a domestic skill and felt bad that Yolanda had been at the end of my mother’snastiness. From that moment on, I made Yolanda promise to keep teaching me and vowed I’d keep it between us. As silly as it was, she and I grew closer after that, which made her disappearance even more devastating.
“Seriously, Addie, that was something I could have gone my whole life without knowing. Now how do you expect me to go into my own room and sleep under a comforter full of...of copiousamounts of unknown body fluids?” Dylan asked.
“Why do you think I brought that one?” I nodded toward the bag I’d set by the adjoining room doors.
“Really? You brought bedding for me too?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
“Have I told you lately that I love you?” she sang as she wheeled the suitcase into her room.
“No singing!” I snapped, and grinned at Dylan’s giggle. “When can we start drinking?”
“Now,” Dylan returned. “Shoot, I was ready to break into that case two towns back.”
“Good answer.” I grabbed the case of wine and pulled out a bottle. “Where’s the opener?”
“Oh, on my keychain.” Dylan walked back into my room and handed me her keys and I opened the wine.
“I guess plastic cups will have to do. I didn’t want to risk breaking glass.”
“Only you would even think of bringing wineglasses.”
I shrugged and handed her a cup. “Class is class, baby.”
We sat on my freshly-made bed and sipped wine as we looked over the room.
“What year do you think that television is from?” I asked.
Dylan eyeballed it. “Currently I’m more concerned with whether or not there are body fluids on it. Is it weird that I want to use that handy-dandy light to check every inch of surface in ourrooms?”
I pointed at the light. “Have at it.”
“But at the same time, I’m terrified I may never be able to sleep in a hotel room again.”
“Oh honey, this is not a hotel,” I assured her.
“You know what I mean.”
“Yes.” I beamed her a smile. “You mean I’m rubbing off on you. It’s a good thing. Sanitizing wipes are in that bag.”
She wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “You’re my favorite.”
