Day One
I have to admit that the idea of five nights in Detroit didn’t exactly thrill me. It wasn’t just Detroit that was unappealing - it was a nice enough city and the crowds were always great - it was a combination of factors. First was the fact that we had all sorts of publicity to do here that was taking up the full day we had before the actual three nights’ worth of shows - meaning we couldn’t leave and come back. That was annoying because I was right in the process of selling my house and I had really wanted to go home and take care of a few things. Another negative was the fact that my fiance, Bess, couldn’t fly in as planned. She was an attorney and supposedly a case had come up that she just couldn’t put off, blah blah blah. It was pretty much the same old story, work was keeping her away. It was more than ironic that in our relationship I was the one that was complaining about a job keeping us apart but it was actually the truth. The guys found it amusing. I didn’t, but I knew that I had put enough girls through it so I was getting what was coming to me. That didn’t make it any easier, though.
It seemed like we hadn’t been at the hotel more than ten minutes when Howie started suggesting we check out the casino in Windsor. I pretty much ignored him at first, which was easy because his hinting was subtle and he wouldn’t press an issue too far. Then AJ caught on and ran with the idea - AJ is much harder to ignore.
“That’s not a half bad idea, the casino...” he said, looking at Howie then at me. “You got any plans for tonight?”
“Aside from that meeting with the UN to discuss the global economy?”
“Would you want to go?”
I shrugged and went back to the magazine I had been looking at. “I don’t know,” I said noncommittally. AJ fell onto the bed.
“Come on, man, you gonna go? You gotta go.”
“Kev, if you don’t want to go then just AJ and I can go, that’s cool,” Howie said.
“No it’s not, if he doesn’t go he’ll be here all alone,” AJ told him.
I looked up. “And that’s bad because?”
“Because that’s boring. Besides,” he continued, smiling wickedly, “this place doesn’t have the Spice Channel.”
“We’re talking about me staying here alone, not you.”
“Kev, come on.” He took the magazine from me and threw it across the room. I almost complained, then rolled my eyes and sighed. Without another word I stood and AJ laughed that obnoxious “ha ha ha, I got you to do what I want” laugh that I absolutely hate. He and Howie went to round up a few of our security guys and I headed to Brian’s room to see if he wanted to join us. Nick was laying on his back hurling pencils at the ceiling and Brian was sprawled on the couch flipping mindlessly through the channels.
“Hey cuz,” he greeted without looking up.
“Hey,” I said in return. “Y’all having fun?”
“No,” they answered in unison.
“D, J and I are headed to the casino in Windsor. Y’all wanna go?”
Brian looked mildly interested for a second, then shook his head. “Nah, thanks.”
“We’re going to an arcade,” Nick added.
“No we’re not.”
“Yes we are,” Nick sang as he threw another pencil. I just shook my head and turned back to the door.
“All right, I’ll see you guys later. Don’t put out any eyes.”
“Hey Kev,” Brian called.
I turned. “Yeah?”
“Is shrimp a shell fish?”
“I believe so, yeah.”
“Ha, I told you,” I heard Brian say triumphantly, then heard a yelp of pain. “Don’t throw those at me, dumbass!” I chuckled as I closed the door and went in search of AJ and Howie again.
* * * * * *
I checked my watch - almost one o’clock. Still an hour until I could leave. I sighed and ripped the napkin in front of me into smaller pieces. Howie and AJ had gone off immediately to play blackjack so Marcos came with me as I tried my hand at craps. A half hour and a hundred dollars later I gave poker a shot, then an hour and a hundred and fifty after that I thought I might have some luck at the slots, even though I hate playing the slots. I only managed to lose twenty there but the sheer noise of it all started driving me insane. I ducked into a quieter area called the Canadian Club where there were only a few old ladies playing slots and, thankfully, a bar. That’s where I had been since - watching some hockey game and waiting til two.
“Can I get you anything?” I heard someone ask and looked over to see a waitress looking at me expectantly. She wasn’t the same one that had been to the table before so I was a bit surprised.
“Well...” I peered into my empty beer glass then smiled at her. “Another beer’d be great, actually.”
“Sure, what were you drinking?”
“Whatever’s on tap - Labatt‘s, I think?”
She nodded and smiled, taking my glass. “I’ll be right back.” I watched her toss her long, dark hair over her shoulder as she walked back over to the bar. She exchanged a few words with the bartender and laughed. I chuckled to myself - she had one of those full, rolling laughs that was contagious. A minute later she returned and set my beer down.
“Thank you,” I said, smiling at her.
“No problem. Anything else I can get you?”
I shook my head. “Nah,” I said, nodding towards the buffet, “already got my fill of the spread over there.”
She laughed again and looked up at the TV. “Who’s playing?”
“Uh, the Mighty Ducks and the Avs, I think.”
“Seems late for a game to be on.”
“They’re playing out in Anaheim so it started late, plus they just started overtime,” I told her, looking up at the TV too. She watched a moment longer then smiled at me again.
“All right, if you’re OK I’ll leave you alone then - let me know if you want anything else,” she said, starting to walk away.
“Ah, wait,” I called and she turned around, looking surprised. I was bored out of my mind and she had been the first person I had had the opportunity to say more than five words to in a while - I’d lost Marcos sometime between poker and slots. “If you’re not busy feel free to sit down and join me. This place is kinda dead.” That was an understatement - I was the only patron in there.
She looked around and shrugged. “Actually I was just about to punch out. If you’ll still be out here in another five minutes or so I’ll join you for a few minutes then, if that’s all right?” she asked. I smiled.
“Sure, I’ll still be here.”
“OK, well, I’ll see you in five minutes then...?” She looked at me expectantly.
“Kevin,” I finished for her. “I’ll be looking forward to it...?”
She pointed at her name tag. “Maya,” she said with a laugh and I laughed too.
“I’ll be looking forward to it, Maya.” She grinned and headed into the back room. I turned back to the TV, feeling a little better that I’d have someone to talk to soon. It seemed it was only a minute later that Maya breezed back out, still wearing her black and royal blue waitress uniform. She gave me a bright smile as she pulled a chair out and sat down across from me at the snall table. I smiled at her too.
“Welcome back,” I greeted her.
“Thanks, it’s nice to be back.” She nodded TV-ward. “No one scored yet, huh?”
I shook my head. “You a hockey fan?”
“Nope. It was just something to say.”
We shared a laugh. “You live in Canada and you’re not a hockey fan?” I joked.
“I don’t live in Canada, I live in Michigan,” she corrected.
“Oh...well, that’s almost worse - y’all have those Red Wings, holding my team down.”
Maya’s brow furrowed. “Kentucky doesn’t have-” Suddenly she stopped and slapped a hand over her mouth, squeezing her eyes shut. “Oops,” she mumbled through her hand as she started to blush. I laughed.
“Uh oh, maybe I better go find my bodyguard.”
“No, it’s not that serious. Two years ago I might have suggested it. I’m OK now.”
I put on a look of mock-amazement. “We haven’t continued to impress you?”
Maya shrugged. “What can I say, you turn 25 and people expect you to grow up.”
“Unless you’re one of us, then you can never age,” I pointed out and she laughed. She had a pretty smile, kinda like Brian’s light-up-your-face smile (but not as corny). We continued to talk and watch the game (which didn’t last too much longer, Roy let in a goal about ten minutes into it), and my gloomy mood started to raise a little. During a quiet moment Maya started a little and glanced at her watch.
“Shit,” she muttered, starting to stand.
“What is it?”
She shook her head. “I was supposed to swing by the hotel registration desk and see a friend of mine by one thirty and it’s already quarter til two,” she explained. “I have to go see if she’s still there.” She looked as if she was about to leave but she stopped and glanced at me. “I know you have to meet people soon but you’re welcome to come with.”
The registration desk was right near the main entrance so I knew I’d have plenty of time. “Sure, I’d love to,” I said, standing too and following her out of the lounge. I was surprised - being taller (thus having longer legs than most people), I usually have to make sure that I don’t walk too fast, but I found that I had to hustle to keep up with Maya. We reached the desk in no time flat and she asked after her friend.
“She just left, M,” the woman behind the desk told her.
“Damn!” Maya muttered. “Just?”
The woman nodded. “Maybe a minute or two before you got here. You could probably catch her if you ran,” she added. Maya nodded.
“OK. Thanks Dee!” She looked at me. “I’ve gotta book it for the employee parking area...” She trailed off. I glanced at my watch - I still had about ten minutes, plus AJ and Howie were notoriously late.
“If you’d rather not go alone,” I offered. Maya shrugged.
“Sure, follow me.” And book it we did. Maya dodged in and out of people so quickly that I nearly lost her a few times. In the parking lot we ran til we got to an empty spot, which was where I presumed her friend usually parked. She stopped and looked around.
“Ooo...damnit!” she cried.
“I’m sorry.”
“Oh, it’s not your fault. I just really needed to get some stuff from her and...ugh, this sucks.” She put her hands on her hips and stared around the lot.
“I feel bad,” I told her. She looked at me.
“Why? It’s not your fault I forgot.”
“No, but I distracted you.”
Maya shook her head. “No, actually, if not for you I would have forgotten completely and just gone home. Don’t worry about it.”
“Too late. Let me make it up to you anyway - let me buy you a coffee or something.”
She checked her watch. “But it’s two,” she pointed out.
“So I’ll be late. Not a first. Come on, there’s gotta be a 24-hour Tim Horton’s or something around here,” I urged, smiling, and Maya finally smiled too.
“There’s a cafe a block from here that’s open all night.”
I held my arm out. “Please lead the way then,” I invited and so we headed out. The night was warm so walking was pleasant. I made a quick call to Marcos and told him I’d be back in about ten minutes. I knew it’d be longer than that but I also knew I’d probably be the only one thoughtful enough to let anyone know I was going to be late. He wasn’t pleased but he grudgingly thanked me for at least calling. Maya and I talked a little as we walked but were mostly silent. At the cafe we each ordered a cup of coffee and took a seat at a back booth. I watched her as she stirred her cream and sugar in slowly. She was so familiar somehow, but I couldn’t place why. She looked up at me after a moment and smiled as she caught me staring.
“What?” she asked. I shook my head.
“Nothing, I just realized you just look familiar - have we met before?”
“No.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You sure?” I pressed. Maya laughed.
“I’m pretty sure I’d remember,” she pointed out and I smiled, somewhat embarassed.
“That’s true,” I conceded. Suddenly it hit me. “Can I ask you a question without offending you?”
“We’ll see.”
“Are you...do you have any Spanish background in you?”
“No. I have Asian, I don’t have any Spanish. Why?” she questioned.
“I know this may sound crazy and I hope you don’t take it the wrong way but...you look a little like Howie.”
Maya stared at me for a minute then let out a loud laugh. She clamped her hand over her mouth as she tried to calm down. I was feeling pretty dumb by this point. She reached across the table and laid a hand on mine. “I’m sorry,” she apologized, still laughing. “I just...I’ve always had this theory - well, it’s a joke, really, but I always used to say that Howie and I were long lost twins because we have so many similar features. To hear it come from you, of all people...” She held her hands up. “It just strikes me as really funny. I’m not laughing at you.”
I laughed too. “That’s a relief. I’m glad that you don’t think I’m a moron.”
Maya shook her head. “No, not at all. More like great minds think alike.”
“There you go.”
We smiled at each other and continued talking. Maya had a cutting sense of humor, not to mention she was really intelligent. I found out that she had graduated with a degree in advertising, which was a little confusing seeing as how she was a waitress. When I asked her about it she looked down, smiling slightly.
“After I finished school and started working I discovered that...well, I wasn’t cut out to be in business. So I...” She trailed off, tracing imaginary patterns on the table and not looking up.
“Don’t be embarassed,” I urged gently. She looked up, her smile wider.
“I quit my job so that I could do what I really wanted.”
“Which is?” I asked, intrigued.
“Acting.”
I was surprised. “Really?” She nodded. “Like, television and movies or...?”
She looked even more embarassed. “My goal’s actually Broadway,” she answered quietly.
“Are you involved in anything now?”
She nodded again. “I’m part of a group based around here called the Purple Rose Theater Company. It was started by Jeff Daniels - you know, the actor? He’s from around here.”
Now I was impressed. “Wow. You in any productions now?” She nodded once more and I smiled. “That’s wonderful. I bet you’re a great actress.”
Maya laughed. “You don’t even know me.”
I shrugged. “There are just certain things you can tell. I can tell you’d be great on stage.” I wasn’t just flattering her - she had a smooth, even voice, she spoke clearly and she certainly had the looks. She wasn’t just pretty, she was striking - there was a uniqueness to her that I was sure directors loved.
“Well thank you.” She bowed her head again then smiled at me, her dark eyes shining. She looked so happy that I had said that, and I understood why. That was the way I had felt all my life. I had heard what a talented athlete I was, how attractive I was, all sorts of things along those lines, but I was never happier than when someone complimented anything I did musically. It was when I was most myself. It was me, I was my music, just like I knew that Maya was her acting. I smiled back.
“You’re very welcome,” I told her sincerely. We shared a long look and I felt something deep inside me. It wasn’t an overwhelming feeling, just a fluttering. I didn’t know what it was, but it surprised me - and scared me a little too. I quickly looked down at my watch. Maya did the same.
“Oh wow. Kevin, it’s two thirty,” she told me. I sighed.
“Yeah, I noticed that. I better head back before Marcos looks to put my head on a stick.”
“I’ll walk with you,” she offered. I smiled my acceptance and we headed out. The walk back was silent but not at all uncomfortable. It was the silence that you had with someone that knew you inside and out, the silence that only came with years of deep conversations - the silence that was almost better than a conversation. I only enjoyed that kind of silence with a few people. That was why I was so amazed that I was sharing it with Maya, but I was. There was something strange about that. It wasn’t the fact that I had only known her less than two hours, it was something else, but it wouldn’t occur to me until later.
We stopped in the parking lot at what I assumed to be Maya’s car. “Thanks for the coffee,” she said, smiling up at me. I grinned too.
“Thanks for the company,” I returned.
“My pleasure.” We were quiet a minute and Maya looked down at her hands.
“You can feel free to tell me no, but I was wondering something,” I began. Maya looked back up. I clasped my hands behind my back, suddenly nervous. “We have some publicity stuff to do tomorrow, but other than that I have a lot of free time on my hands and I’d rather not spend it with the fellas. I’d kinda like to see the sights or whatever and...ah, well...” I trailed off, laughing in embarassment. I was rambling. I never just rambled (although I have been accused of it - I explain thoroughly, I don’t ramble. Rambling is pointless, I usually have a point). Maya laughed too.
“There aren’t too many sights around here,” she started, then nodded, “but I’d be happy to show you around.”
I nodded too. “Great. I appreciate it.” She gave me her number and I told her when I figured we’d be done for the day. Luckily she didn’t have to work so her entire evening was free. We said our goodbyes and I watched her drive away. I then strolled through the casino towards the front doors, where Al, Jake and Marcos were waiting impatiently.
“Ten minutes by whose watch, Richardson?” Marcos asked. I laughed as I stepped up to him.
“Sorry man.”
“Kev, you might want to consider catching another mode of trasport back,” Jake suggested.
“Why’s that?”
“You’re the only one riding with us - Marcos might just rip you a new ass.”
I laughed. “I’ll take the risk.”
We picked up the car from valet and started back for our hotel. I found that my mood had increased immensely since crossing the bridge a few hours earlier. Al hit me in the arm after we had been driving a few minutes.
“What’re you grinning about? Lucky night?”
I hadn’t realized I was smiling til then. “Sort of,” I responded, looking out the window. It was out of nowhere that I figured out why the whole silence issue had struck me as not only strange but disturbing. I shared that silence with only a few people - the guys, my brothers, and when he was alive my dad. And now with Maya too. Funny thing was, I didn’t share it with Bess. That thought haunted me the rest of the ride back and right up until I fell asleep.
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