Free Lexington Connection by M. E. Logan

understand.”
    Jessie came back to the phone. “I’m sorry, Diana.”
    Diana gave up any ideas she had. “No, I’m sorry. You’re clearly into something. Don’t bother with me. We just didn’t connect this time. I’ll call again when I’m back.” She was already tearing this page out of her little black book.
    “No, Diana, please, wait, let me think. Are you there?”
    “Yes, I’m here.”
    “Where are you?”
    “I’m at the Hilton.”
    Jessie took a deep breath. “Yes, it is a very bad time, but I really need to see you. Can I come by?”
    “Of course you can. You know you can.”
    “I don’t know when it will be; it might be very late.” Her breathing was heavy, she sounded distressed. “Maybe it’ll be too late.”
    “You come when you can. I’ll be here. Room Two Sixteen.”
    “Diana?”
    “Yes?”
    “I’m glad you came.” Then there was some shouting and Jessie was distracted again. “I’ve got to go. It may be late, but I’ll be by.” The connection was broken.
    Diana stared at the phone as she hung it up. Maybe this calling wasn’t a good idea. She went to the window. This wasn’t what she expected. Jessie sounded upset, hassled. She shook her head. She had been lucky every other time, Jessie had been readily available. Now? She didn’t sound pleased to hear her. It sounded like there was a party going on. Yet Jessie had said she really needed to see her. In spite of everything going on, she
needed
to see Diana. But what was going on? Diana didn’t like things happening she didn’t know about. A good part of her, the logical part, said it was time to go, no matter what she had told Jessie, it was time to check out, hit the road, not come back. The other part, the part that responded to Jessie, couldn’t do it. Jessie said she needed her. She couldn’t run out on Jessie and that’s what it would be if she left now. She would have to play this out. She could leave immediately after.
    The hour grew late. Diana ordered room service, not daring to leave the room. She had told Jessie she would be there. She ordered a movie and then couldn’t watch it. She paced, her imagination going all sorts of directions as she reined it in again and again and again.
    Midnight came but no Jessie. Diana tried not to get angry; Jessie had said it might be very late. She twiddled her thumbs, lay down on the couch, dozed off and jerked awake. She had only been asleep for ten minutes. She couldn’t have missed her in that time.
    She’s getting too close, she ended up telling herself. This isn’t just fun and games now. I’m waiting on her, and I’m worried about her and that’s not supposed to happen. I’m supposed to come to town and if she’s here, she’s here; and if she’s not, then maybe next time. So why am I pacing, waiting, worried?
    Just when she was convincing herself she needed to pack and get the hell out of Dodge, there was a light rap on the door. She raced to the door but she hadn’t lost sense entirely. She checked through the peephole to see Jessie, jeans, white shirt, long raincoat, complete with sunglasses. Then as Jessie waited for Diana to unlock the door, she removed the sunglasses. Her face was swollen, her eyes red, dark circles under her eyes. Diana couldn’t get the door open quickly enough.
    “Jessie! What’s wrong?”
    “You’re still here. I was afraid it was too late.” Jessie stood back. She looked at Diana as if at a stranger. She shook her head. “I shouldn’t have come. I’m sorry.” She turned to go and Diana caught her arm.
    “No, you’re not leaving, Jessie. What’s wrong? What’s happened?” Jessie stood there, frozen, not turning back. Diana tugged on her arm. “Jessie, come sit down,” she implored in a more gentle voice. “Come talk to me. You look like you need to sit down in a quiet place. Come in with me.”
    Jessie rubbed her face. “Maybe for a little bit.” She allowed herself to be drawn into Diana’s rooms.
    Diana locked