Page 59 of 7 Miles High
“Mom. I landed. Call back and leave me a message when you’re arriving.”
I disconnect without a goodbye, but my mom always does the same to me. Both of us hate leaving voice messages. We say the bare minimum. The thought of our similar personalities brings a smile. She’s going to like my girlfriend though. I know it. She likes anyone that treats her son right. It’s kind of funny that my mother has Natalie nervous. She denies it but I can tell. That’s kind of cute.
“Are you checking in, sir?”
The girl’s friendly face greets me as I walk up to the front desk.
“Yes. Parker Dunn. I’m with the film production.”
She looks at the screen and finds me quickly.
“Yes. Room twelve thirty-two. One key or two?”
“Two. Can you direct me to the Production offices?”
“They’re on the second floor. Two fourteen and sixteen.”
“Thanks.”
I take the keys and leave the map of the hotel grounds. I’m familiar with the layout. A few years back we filmed the John F. Kennedy movie here in Dallas. This was my hunting grounds for three months. Hunting grounds. That sounds weird now. I’m no longer going after women. There’s no hunting involved. I found the one I want with me. And there’s no capture or dominance. She captured me.
When the elevator doors slide open I’m greeted by familiar faces.
“Parker!”
The two stuntmen have worked with me on countless TV shows and features. We exchange the expected greetings of manly hugs and pats on the back.
“I didn’t know you were working this. Great.”
“I saw your name on the call sheet and brought the pads I borrowed last show,” Aaron says.
“Remind me not to loan you any of my other equipment.”
“What happened was I met this girl.”
“It’s always a girl,” Ben says.
“Hey, there’s a couple of cocktail waitresses in the bar here. I was talking with them last night. Want to meet up for a drink later?”
“No, bro. My girlfriend is coming in today.”
“Girlfriend? Oh, are the masses weeping?” Ben adds.
“Hardly.”
“You know Nia is here, right?”
Shit!
“No. I didn’t. But we’re cool.”
“Alright, brother, but in my experience women like a good cat fight. Watch your back because she was drinking last night and talking. About you and your big dick.” Aaron chuckles as the two walk away toward the restaurant.
“Later!”
Fuck me. Ridiculous! I’m going to have to have a talk with her. Don’t want her to get loaded and corner Natalie for a girl to girl conversation. The comparison between Natalie and Nia has never been so obvious. Nia peppers her conversations with fucks and dicks and whatever the hell comes into her mind. Like a guy. I don’t think that ever really appealed to me. It was more about the fact we connected on a friend level. But I misidentified it.
I enter the elevator and press my floor. I’ll drop off my gear before heading for Production. The cell pings. Mom. They’re arriving at three. Checking my watch, I calculate how long I have to get my things done. And when I’m going to have the time to be with Natalie. That’s number one on my list.
