Page 49 of Revival

Me:Hotel or campground?

Dollface:Hotel, please. With a bathtub, if possible.

Me:Done. Meet me at the Marriott in Richfield, Utah. It's the halfway point.

Dollface:I should be there at about eight.

Me:Drive safely. I'll see you tonight.

Before checking into the hotel, I stop by the store to pick up a few items for tonight. Bubble bath, wine, beer, gummy bears, and popcorn. All the essentials. I chuckle to myself. I want to relax with Andrea and make her smile like she did while eating those peanut butter chip waffles.

Checking out, I see the condoms behind the counter. Do I grab some? I don’t know if I’m ready to cross that line. But if it happens and I’m not ready, then what? Maybe, I should get them just in case. What is she finds them? Is Andrea then going to think I’m expecting something? Why is sex so complicated in my forties? And when did I become such a fucking chick?

“Dude? Are you ok?” the clerk asks.

“Sorry, yeah. Long day driving.”

“Awesome,” he says, obviously more stoned than he should be at work. “Anything else?”

“Yeah, a pack of the Trojans, please,” I request quietly.

The kid smirks as he walks to the other counter. “Lubed or dry?” he shouts.

“Lubed.”

“Ribbed for her pleasure or smooth for yours?” he continues.

“Smooth.”

“Nice choice, my man. Now for the big decision. Do you want the glow-in-the-darks?”

“No. The blue pack there is fine.”

“I don’t know if that’s the right choice. Glow-in-the-dark condoms make the game of find your wiener way more fun.”

“Thanks for the advice, but I’m good.”

“Suit yourself.” He laughs.

I book us a two-bedroom suite. Close enough to spend the night together, but not presumptuous enough to imply we’ll be sharing a bed. Although, I am hopeful for the latter.

Dollface:I'll be there in ten minutes. What room?

Me:721

Twenty minutes later, there’s a soft knock on my door.

I pull it open and smile. "Hi."

"Hi," she says, dragging an overnight bag behind her.

"You okay?" I pick up her bag, placing it on the bed in the bigger of the two rooms.

"My body hurts. Driving the R.V. is much more difficult than I anticipated."

Grabbing her hand, we walk into her bathroom. "Go relax." I point to a hot bubble bath waiting for her. "Go. Before the water gets cold."

"Thank you." She reaches up and kisses my cheek.