Page 52 of Use Me

I rode the elevator up to the floor my parents were staying on, walked down the hall until I found their room number, and then knocked on the door. My dad opened it, dressed in his boxers and nothing else.

“So not painting the town red tonight?” I teased as I moved past him and into the room.

He closed the door and followed behind me. “Not a chance. I get to order whatever I want for dinner, watch whatever I want on the TV, and not have your mother nag me to death. I’m staying right here.”

“I heard that!” Mother yelled from the bathroom.

Dad rolled his eyes as I asked, “Are you almost ready, Mom?”

The white bathroom door flew open, and my mom walked out in an emerald colored dress that had long sleeves and went to just past her knees. “Yes. I’m so excited!”

I chuckled as I kissed her on the cheek. “You look beautiful, Mom.”

“Thank you. I wasn’t sure what to wear to meet your girlfriend.”

“You’ve met almost all my girlfriends. Why would this be any different?” I looked to Dad for confirmation, but he wasn’t paying any attention to us. Instead, he was laying on the king-sized bed, his ankles crossed as he flipped through the stations on the TV.

“Yes, but this is a local celebrity.” She moved to grab her purse.

“You don’t need your purse,” I reminded her. “We’re going downstairs to the ballroom.”

“I have my camera in here.”

“You mean your phone?”

She pulled out a digital camera she’d had for at least ten years. “No, my camera.”

I laughed. “No one takes pictures with cameras anymore.”

“I want to get a picture with Ashtyn.”

I smiled. “Trust me. We’ll get pictures with her, but we’ll do it with my phone.” I patted the chest of my tux jacket, indicating I had my phone on me.

“And if you win another Emmy?”

“I’m sure Ashtyn will have it under control.”

Mother sighed and put her camera back into her purse. “Okay, then I’m ready.”

The traditional red carpet was in front of the ballroom with The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences – Chicago/Midwest backdrop. We made our way down the carpet, stopped for a picture, and then I was stopped by a journalist who wanted to ask me about the Blackhawks’ season. My answer was always the same.“They have a good chance to go all the way.”

“Want a drink, Mom?”

“Sure.”

We moved to the bar where I ordered a beer and my mother ordered a glass of Rosé. As we stood, sipping our drinks, I looked around for Ashtyn. I didn’t see her anywhere. I pulled out my phone to text her.

Are you in the building?

The three dots automatically started to dance on the screen.

Ashtyn: We’re walking in now.

“Ashtyn’s here,” I said out loud as I texted her back.

We’re by the bar to the right.

“Where is she?”