You are sitting in the hotel downtown waiting for your lover to arrive. The snowfall is alarming, and you know he hates driving in adverse conditions. The weather this Valentine’s Day is nothing but adverse conditions, but you pleaded with him.

“Please! I want to see you!” And you do, but you want to wear your new outfit just as much as you want to see him. You peer out the window and sigh. With or without him, you are going to your prix fixe dinner reservation. You are stuck in town with the snow and there’s no safe way to get home. You ponder how to get across the street to the restaurant in stiletto heels.

*****

I’m sitting in the hotel with my makeup kit. I have thrown the curtains wide open, to hell with who can see me, and between makeup application and wine sipping, I am looking out the window hoping to see his car pull into the parking lot. The snow is blowing sideways and there is already 4 inches.

This morning at home, I carefully packed my suitcase while listening to the alarming weather report. “Snow will start in the Tristate about 11 am and continue through the night.”

*****

 You immediately text him and tell him to leave early for the hotel. He can camp out in your office if the hotel won’t let him check in. The hotel is only a block away.

Carefully folding the emerald velvet dress, you admire the color and the texture again. The green rhinestone boots and faux fur coat are going to be kick ass. You can’t wait to see your lover’s eyes widen.

*****

Would you look at that! Some people have no shame. Bustling from the parking lot to the lobby, Lucy sees the woman in the window. She is wearing a green corset and peering out the window. She waves at Lucy when she sees her staring.

Lucy looks away, blushing.

“Why am I blushing,?” she says to her husband who is fighting with the suitcases in the snow.

“No don’t look. There’s some shameless woman looking out of her room. I said don’t look.”

*****

You apply your makeup carefully. Smoldering eyes, layers and layers of green mascara and to finish it off gold highlighter and red lipstick. You feel conspicuous, but pleased. You don’t usually wear such heavy eye makeup, but the dress demands it or it will swallow you whole. You pull the dress over your head and spin around as the dress falls to your ankles. You love a twirly dress and this one twirls like no dress you’ve ever owned before.  The rhinestone boots glide over your green stockings and you preen in the mirror. You say, ”Man, I hope he likes green.”

*****

“Damn. Did you see that?” The bellhop did a double-take.

“See what?” the desk clerk said.

“There. That old woman. Is she something or what?”

The desk clerk looked in the direction he indicated.

“Good Lord! Is she gussied up or what? She looks like a demented Christmas elf.”

“I think she looks hot for her age. She’s got rizz.”

“Men! She looks like an over the hill hooker! That lipstick is too much and she has way too many wrinkles for that eye makeup.”

“I think you’re just jealous that you’re working on Valentine’s Day. Besides you don’t have a boyfriend. “

*****

Crossing the lobby, I realize people are staring. I can’t help it. I’m too tall, wearing too much makeup for the hour, and dressed from head to foot in textured green, but I couldn’t sit in the room another minute. The hotel bar beckoned.

I took a seat and the bartender said,, “Looking good! What can I bring you?”

“Vodka martini, dry, extra lemon twists.”

“You got it.”

I text my lover. I’m in the hotel bar. Let me know when you get here. I’ll help you with your stuff.

*****

The tall good looking man strides through the hotel lobby. He is carrying a duffel bag, a backpack, and a dozen roses.  He sets the roses down on the hotel counter and checks his cell phone while he waits for the clerk. She is on the phone and clearly in a bad mood.

“You should have seen her! All tarted up like an over the hill prostitute. I couldn’t believe it!”

The text message leads him to pick the roses up and head for the bar. He walks in and sees her from the back. Her long gray hair almost touching the bar stool. Perhaps she hears his foot stops, she turns around. The man’s eyes widen and he smiles a broad grin.

“Hey baby, fancy meeting you here. Can I take you to dinner?”

*****

“You may.”

You stand up, twirl, and give him a giant hug.

“Are those for me?”

“Yes, lovely lady, they are.”