A Dagger through Dimensions Chapter 28

Playing Nice With These People Will Get Me Killed

By the third round of drinks, Adele knew about Sally’s failing marriage and how Joe changed over the years. Adele noticed Sally’s demeanor shifted as she glossed over her evening with Antonio and his thugs. Adele guessed the pain went deeper than the woman let on. However, when Sally told her more details concerning Lane’s involvement in helping Sally, the explanation bothered Adele.

For a fleeting instant, she wondered if Lane carried feelings for Sally. The woman told Adele that Lane appeared happy at the thought of thumbing his nose at the gangster. The explanation reminded Adele when Lane showed up at the apartment. For a brief instant, Lane appeared to enjoy shaming Lloyd and her. Combined with the jealousy he showed, it was an attitude so different from the man she married.

As for Sally, her mind drifted away from the last 24 hours as the effects of the drinks filled her. When Sally looked at Adele, she realized they had some similarities. Foremost was the loneliness and distance they shared with husbands at one point. Somehow, their men became lost to them. Sally knew the distance with Joe came from his drinking, but that was a response to his inability to succeed in his career. She wondered how much of his change came from her own insecurities. Did she emasculate him by taking charge of her father’s business?

She sighed, thinking about Adele and Lane’s relationship. When Sally heard about Lane’s transformation, Sally felt a bit of envy. Still, she also sensed Adele’s bitterness about her husband becoming involved her in problems. Perhaps it was Lane’s work as a detective, which also strained their relationship. Sally laughed at herself, realizing the drinks were causing her to come up with strange thoughts.

A knock at the door of the room made both women look over when the porter entered.

“Ladies, I thought I should tell you we’re only a few minutes away from Sacramento. I can show you to your seats. By the way, the conductor reminded me you never paid for your tickets.”

The woman looked at each other, then they laughed at the news.

“So, are you charging us for two seats or three?” Adele asked the man. Sally’s laughter nearly turned hysterical when she saw the porter’s confused expression as he told them he would talk with the conductor.

The two women realized their intoxication as they disembarked the train in Sacramento. Squinting in the sunlight, they followed a baggage man after telling the large man with a mustache that they needed a taxi. He smiled broadly at the tip Adele gave him.

“Where’ya heading, ladies?”

The cabbie slid back into the driver’s seat after putting the suitcases in the trunk.

The women looked at each other, having a hard time to keep from laughing at the absurdity of their situation. On the run from a murderous gangster and they didn’t plan for a hotel.

“You find us the best hotel in town,” Sally said. “It’s our first time here.” 

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