The Drifter: Moment Two

Please enjoy this special five-part series called The Drifter, written by our returning guest blogger, Emily Vincent.

It was a hot summer, but aren’t they all? This one had a nice breeze blowing off the Atlantic. I sat by the shore and dug my feet into the cool sand just where the water touched. The boardwalk wasn’t buzzing like it used to back in 1995. There were more people than usual due to the Halestorm concert showing later that night.

I made my way back to my crummy motel. It was one of those that had every color stain imaginable on the bedspread and chipped wallpaper. It was accompanied by a bathroom door that would not close no matter how hard I slammed it.

I spread out on the bed and waited to head into the concert hall. About an hour later I headed out to where the concert was being held. It was at some old casino. I supposed they needed to find new ways to make money, so why not host concerts. Once inside the show began. Lizzy Hale began to sing with her pipes of gold. Each note came out to perfection. A tear fell from my eye as I gazed up at such a marvelous artist.

When the show was over I had plans just to head back to my room for the night, but my night changed once I entered the elevator. A strong smell of liquor filled my nostrils. A woman beaming at me laced her arm around my shoulder.

“Well hello.” Was all I said to this stranger.

“Was that not the greatest show ever?!” She slurred out.

“It was incredible. I was very fortunate to see them once before this.”

“Let me buy you a drink. IT’S ON MY BOSSES CREDIT CARD!”

I burst out laughing. This was not something I was expecting to hear. When we exited the elevator, I followed her over to the bar where she did, indeed, buy me an array of drinks. I didn’t need to get drunk, but it was fun to share the laughter with this woman. She told me stories about her friend that she came here with. This lead to us going back to her hotel room.

In the room, I met the women she was talking about. This woman was much calmer than her friend I met on the elevator. This did not stop us from sharing more laughs. The older woman told me stories of when she met Lizzy Hale when she was younger. I let her tell me stories and show me pictures. They were two wonderful women and truly enjoyed their trip together. I doubt they’d remember me in the later years, but I knew I’d always remember them.

I left their hotel room later that night around 3 am. There was a group of men lighting up victory cigars. I guess they had something to celebrate too.