Free Flamingo Blues by Sharon Kleve Page A

nap. I’m sure you’ll feel much better when you get on land.” and then left them alone in a little cubicle decorated with holly and pinecones.
    That’s when Corny heard the unmistakable sound of a hamster exercise ball banging around outside their cubicle. The nurse must have forgotten to put her hamster back in its cage before she left them alone. The critter wanted back in its home and was more than willing to tell her all about his woes.
    “Steve, can you open the curtain and bring me that hamster please?”
    “Don’t tell me he wants to talk to you?”
    “He just wants back in his cage, but I want to say hi first. I really love the little pocket pets.”
    Steve found the little guy wedged in-between a file cabinet and the wall and brought him to her.
    The hamster started right in with, “Why does she think I want to run around all day inside of a plastic ball? Would she want to spend her day in a plastic ball? I don’t think so…Can you please get me out of this contraption and put me back in my cage?”
    Corny chuckled to herself, “How about I leave her a note about the hazards of leaving a hamster in a plastic ball to long? Specifically, you can get stuck in corners.”
    “That would be great. Now can I get something to eat please?”
    “Steve, do you mind making sure he has some food and fresh water and put him back in his cage? I’m going to close my eyes for a couple of minutes. I love you for being so sweet, kind and understanding.”
    “Is that all he wanted to talk about?” Steve asked.
    “Yep, most of the times they simply want someone to listen to them.”
    When Corny woke from a short nap, they were pulling into Victoria harbor and surprisingly, she didn’t feel too bad. Maybe she hadn’t ruined their romantic weekend after all.

CHAPTER 2
    They took the free shuttle from the dock to the hotel enjoying the quaint décor of Victoria. Victoria’s reminiscent of an English village in the 1840’s with its horse-drawn carriages, double-decker buses, formal gardens, and tea rooms. The city is now a cosmopolitan center with a lively entertainment scene and wonderful array of attractions like an outdoor ice skating rink and live music, but most importantly, she’d get all her shopping done in one weekend. Far more important than getting her Christmas shopping done, she hoped Steve would ask her to move in with him. That pretty little box was always on her mind.
    “Steve, while you’re checking us in I’m going to look at all the holiday displays and phenomenal lights. I’m starting to get that little flutter in my belly. You know the one you get when you wake up Christmas morning and know Santa’s been there.”
    Steve gave her the, ‘ you still believe in Santa look. ’
    “What I believe in is that something very magical happens between Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Admit it. You get that excited feeling too.”
    “Okay, I’ll admit I get a little excited for Christmas morning too.”
    The Groupon was for the Fairmont Room, overlooking the city but after the desk clerk saw how sick she looked, plus some sweet-talking from Steve, they were upgraded to a two bedroom suite overlooking the Inner Harbor.
    Steve opened the door to their suite and they both said, “Wow!”
    “Corny, something definitely good came from you being sick, look at this place. I’m a guy, but I can appreciate a nice soft, down-filled bed cover, especially when it comes with a Temper-Pedic Cloud bed. Come look at the bathroom, it has a marble floor. It kinda looks like a swirling green sea. These sinks are the size of your bathtub in your apartment, and the shower cold fit a whole football team. Come here, I want to show you something,” Steve said in his, I’m turned on voice.
    Wonderfully strong arms wrapped around Corny’s waist and Steve whispered in her ear, “That’s an impressive shower...should we try it out before dinner? Let’s see who can get their clothes off first.”
    She loved a