Brush With Fame

If you wish for bad things to happen to someone who has wronged you terribly, does that make you bad? Or is it forgivable because you were wronged by said person?

My husband is sitting next to me on a plane and all I can think about is trying to get him to shut the hell up. Well, that and maybe a stray thought about him dropping dead.

I stare out the window, looking at the fields, still seeing their neat rows even though the crops have been harvested and there is snow on the ground. I spy a tiny town and I wonder what life is like for the people who live there. I bet the women’s husbands are much better to them than my lying, cheating husband is to me.

Since I’m ignoring him, Craig nudges me to get my attention.

“Hey, babe. You know, I’m going to be…uh… busy with, uh…gambling and stuff a lot on this trip. So why don’t you go off and do your own thing? You can go shopping, get your hair done and see those shows that you always want to see. You know, all the things that I don’t like,” he smiles and nudges me with his elbow again.

I clench my fists together and hold them up to my mouth, hoping to keep from saying what I really want to say. What I wouldn’t give to wipe that stupid grin right off his face. Better yet, punch him in that smile. But no, not yet. He wanted me on this damn trip. So I’m not saying anything, not until I find out what is going on. Good lord, this is going to be tougher than I thought.

And now he is trying to plan things to keep me busy, like I would plan on doing anything with him anyway. My acting skills aren’t that good. Plus, I’d probably end up in jail if I have to spend any length of time with him.

“Sure, Craig. That’s fine with me,” I placate him.

“Sweet! That way we’ll both have fun.”

I roll my eyes.

The pilot announces that we are descending into Las Vegas. I look out the window to ignore Craig once again. As I look out, there is Las Vegas, the huge hotel/casinos stand out against everything else. The plane finally lands, and we taxi to the gate.

“Livey, we’re here!!”

I wince and close my eyes for a moment. He’s not worth it. God, please give me strength. Craig knows I loathe that nickname, yet he still uses it. My name is Olivia, you ass. His enthusiasm is so sickening. I have to hold back the bile that starts rising from my stomach.

We stop at the gate and can finally leave the plane. Thankfully we’re sitting close to the front of the plane and don’t have to wait too long for people to gather their things and debark the plane. We walk down a long corridor and go down an escalator to get to the baggage claim. I slow my pace as I watch Craig walk right up to a chauffeur driver standing by the baggage carousel. I freeze, and my mouth drops open. The chauffeur has a sign with our name on it. I stare at Craig in disbelief. A limo or car service? This catches me totally off guard. Seriously? What is he up to? I’ve got to be missing something. I wander over to the baggage carousel to look for my suitcases while thinking.

Once all our bags are retrieved, the chauffeur leads us to a limo with the logo of my favorite hotel/casino on it. We’re staying at my favorite hotel, and he’s utilizing the limo service. My favorite hotel! Something is definitely not adding up here. This is not something Craig would do. I look skeptically at him but don’t say anything. When the luggage is loaded into the trunk, I climb into the car, Craig follows and then we’re off to the hotel.

“So, what’s up with the limo?” I ask.

He shrugs. “Special treat.”

“Isn’t it expensive?”

“Nah. We…you deserve it.”

Yeah, right. I might just throw up in this limo.

I turn away from Craig to look out the window. This trip is already full of unexpected events. I wonder what else is in store for me during this trip - bad or good?

Once we arrive at the hotel, a bellman retrieves our bags for us as we walk into the lobby to check in. A forest of flowers welcomes us in the lobby. Directly in front of me are the enchanted gardens. Behind Craig’s back, I smile. I am excited now. This place makes me happy.

Before I can get in line to check in, Craig stops me.

“You wait here. I’ll go check us in.”

My eyebrows raise. What the hell is going on? He always makes me do this stuff. Confused as ever, I agree.

While I wait for Craig to check in, I quickly call Taylor and Sarah to give them an update and ask for their advice and support.

“Guys. Sorry for the three-way call, but I don’t have much time and I wanted to talk to both of you. So, get this. He got us a limo to bring us to the hotel. Well, I’m thinking it must be some sort of package deal, because obviously, Craig would never think about doing that. And it’s not like him to spend the extra money. Anyway, guess what hotel we’re staying at?”

“No clue,” Sarah says.

“Some craptacular hotel?” Taylor asks.

Sarah laughs.

“No. We…are staying…at… my favorite hotel.”

“What?!” they both say at the same time.

“Yes, you heard me correctly. We are at my favorite, new, exclusive hotel. When he told me he reserved the hotel and had everything taken care of, I was honestly expecting to stay at some cheap place off the strip.”

“That’s what I was thinkin too,” Taylor admits. “I figured that was why he wouldn’t tell you anything else.”

“Exactly.”

“What… Why…,” Sarah stutters and then is quiet like she can’t put together the right words.

“That cheap ass wouldn’t spend his money on that luxury,” Taylor hisses.

“I know! I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure it out, but I can’t come up with a single idea. And get this. I started heading to registration to check in but he stops me and tells me to wait where I am. Said he would check us in, like the perfect gentleman – the attentive husband. Makes me want to puke. He looks so smug right now. I want to say something about his girlfriend just to wipe that smugness off his face.”

“No, don’t do that. You may never figure out what the damn trip is really about. Maybe he stole someone’s credit card or something? Is this really a work thing he’s trying to disguise as a vacation to impress you?” Taylor questions.

I laugh. “Your guess is as good as mine right now. But I don’t think it’s a work thing. And, hell, he wouldn’t be trying to impress me. No reason not to tell me that work is paying for it. In fact, he’d be bragging about how awesome his work is because they paid for a trip to Vegas. I’ll let you both know anything as I figure it out. Oh, I’ve got to go. He’s headed back my way.”

I end the call and am putting the phone back in my purse when Craig reaches me.

“Who were you talking to?” he asks.

None of your effing business, ass.

“No one. Just checking voicemail.” Not sure why I feel the need to lie, especially since I was only talking to Taylor and Sarah. I guess I feel like I am done with him, so I don’t want him knowing anything anymore.

“Ok. Well, here’s your card to the room. You ready to go check it out?” he asks. “The, uh, guy is going to bring our bags up in a little bit.”

We walk to the set of elevators that will take us to our floor. We are in the main tower. A lot of people are also waiting with suitcases and bags. We all cram in and ride up, stopping at numerous floors before we finally stop at ours.

Craig leads the way to our room, about halfway down the corridor. He sticks the card in the door and turns to me. “Ready to see what it looks like?”

I nod trying to look casual. I really am excited to see the room. I hope being here with Craig doesn’t ruin my experience. I have loved this hotel since it opened and have wanted to stay here but when I checked the prices, it was too expensive. I am eager to see it but don’t want Craig to know.

Craig swings the door open and walks in without holding it open for me. I sigh and roll my eyes. There goes the gentleman act. I stop the door before it hits me in the face, step into the room and look around.

Wow. It’s beautiful. The room has a classic feel to it. The walls are covered with a pretty, light gray wallpaper with white outlines of a geometric design running throughout it in a pattern with small blue bricks holding the designs together. The headboards - yes, thank God there are two queen beds – are a gray/taupe, as are the two chairs by the window. The bedspreads are white with the gray/taupe accents. Window curtains match the blue in the wallpaper. There are several pillows on each bed. I pick one up and hug it. Hmm. I love a good, plump, fresh pillow.

I walk to the window that overlooks the fountains and strip. This is pure luxury. I allow myself a smile before I put on a neutral face and turn around to face Craig again. But he isn’t paying any attention to me. He’s texting on his phone, of course. Probably texting his girlfriend that I’m not supposed to know about.

I will not let him ruin this for me.

Ignoring Craig, I check out the bathroom. Wow! It has sand and white marble floors and counters flowered taupe wallpaper with a huge soaker tub – I will have to try that out - and separate shower. It is gorgeous.

I am interrupted by a knock on the room door, probably our bags.

“Can you get that, Livey?” Craig asks. He has laid down on the bed and obviously doesn’t want to get up. Most likely it’s just an excuse so I’d have to tip the guy, not him. I let it go, it’s not worth the fight or frustration it will cause me.

Opening the door, the bellman brings our bags in. I tip him and he leaves. I take a little time to relax, get settled and freshen up from the trip. Craig is just lying on the bed, texting. I wish he would leave to gamble like he said he was going to do, or he could just go jump in a lake. Whichever.

I turn on the TV to a local station. The early 4 o’clock news is on. There are reports of burglaries, shootings and famous people in Las Vegas this week - most of them have interviews with this station. My friend, Ally, was right. “Mr. Hollywood”, Ryan Paxton is in town. Ryan is our little group’s current crush. He is the “in demand” actor right now. He has been in some awesome movies. He’s cute, built and single. Very drool worthy.

Interesting. According to this report, he is staying here, too. Maybe I will get to see him and get Ally a picture. We shall see, though usually, that type of thing doesn’t happen to me.

“Want to go out for dinner?” Craig asks me.

Huh? What? He wants to go to dinner with me? I’m so shocked that he asked that I have no excuses readily available.

“Uh. Yeah, sure. That’s fine,” I reply. It’s only one night. A couple hours at the most. I can handle him for one night, right?

Oh God, I probably just cursed myself. Jail, here I come.

It is a bit early yet, so Craig and I walk around for a little while looking at all the strip has to offer. We end up walking to another casino to eat at one of their restaurants. I eat way too much but it is so good. Craig and I actually have a decent time talking. At one point, I catch him staring at me thoughtfully. I wonder what he’s thinking, but the moment passes, and he is back to his old self - winking and smiling at a couple of girls that got seated a few tables over from ours. When the waiter brings the check, Craig asks if I would pay for it this time. I figure since he set up the whole trip I can at least buy dinner.

We walk around the mall at that casino for a little bit longer. I do a bit of shopping, while Craig complains the whole time. I do my best to restrain my annoyance with him, but he is really grating on my nerves.

“Then go and do whatever you want to do,” I snap at him, continuing to walk down the hallway.

He just mumbles something inaudible but keeps following me.

It’s only one night that you have to deal with him, Olivia.

He is so flipping annoying. When he isn’t complaining, Craig either acts like we are a happily married couple – even tries to hold my hand at one point, which I promptly pull away from him and ask him what the hell he is doing. He responds by shrugging his shoulders and keeps walking. Or, he is inappropriately flirting with any and all women in the stores I go into. How embarrassing and degrading. Maybe he’s bi-polar or schizophrenic with his many different moods and actions.

“What do you want to do now?” Craig asks as we walk out of the building. He is ogling a trio of young girls walking into the casino. They must be going to a club because they are wearing dresses that barely cover their asses and have on the tallest heels that I’ve seen in a long time.

Craig whistles at them. They giggle a hello to him as they walk past. Oh my God, I see how Craig looks at them - lusts after them. I feel that bile rising in my stomach again. I am extremely pissed off at this point.

Relax, Olivia. He’s not worth it! He does not matter anymore. I close my eyes and breathe in, breathe out. Without a word to Craig, I start walking back to the hotel.

“Hey, wait up. What are we doing now?” Craig asks again once he’s caught up to me.

“Do you have to do that when I’m around?” I ask as I stop walking and turn to him.

“Do what?” he seems completely oblivious.

I stare at him incredulously. It seems like he genuinely has no idea what I am talking about. Argh! Not worth it, not worth it, not worth it. I shake my head and start walking again.

“So, what are we doing now?” he asks for the third time.

Oh! My! God!

“Good God, Craig. Why are you so needy tonight? I’m going back to do a little shopping, maybe some gambling,” I tell him, with bitterness flavoring every word. “I’m a little tired from the flight and kind of want to stay close to the room. You are free to do whatever you want.”

I browse around some of the shops. Craig follows me. I decide to go into all the stores just to spite him and to see how long he’ll stick with me. I’m hoping it will annoy him and he will finally leave me alone.

Most of the shops are upscale stores. Obviously, I am not going to buy anything. I can’t figure out who wears some of this stuff. It sure doesn’t look comfortable. OMG. The price. I would never, could never spend that much money on one item even if I could afford it or like it.

I still have the Craig shadow following me. Grr. Why is he sticking with me? Why is he not gambling and drinking? I thought he would go since we are back at the hotel. But no such luck.

True to form, Craig flirts again with the sales clerks and other shoppers in each store. My temper is that much closer to blowing as we go into each store. What the hell is wrong with him? Could he give me a little respect? I am right next to him. He wasn’t always like this during our relationship, so what changed? Unless he was this way but wasn’t so obvious about it.

We end up in one of the hotel souvenir stores and Craig continues to hit on one of the sales clerks, asking when she gets off and what she’s doing after work.

You have got to be flipping kidding me.

I see the other clerk look at me with sympathy. I feel my face heating up and turning red.

That is it! I cannot take it anymore. I have to get out, away from Craig or I am going to hurt him.

How dare he treat me this way? What have I ever done to him that would make him act like this towards me? Nothing!

I am so mad I can’t even see straight. I feel like I have a red haze around my eyes. I weave my way through displays and racks of clothes, bumping some of the racks out of place, knocking me off balance. I turn back to see if Craig notices me rushing out the door. That’s when I crash right into someone in the hall.