One Last Time

Katherine’s hair never stood the way she wanted it to. Her long dark hair hung straight and true, with no bounce or volume to it, not one curl. How she longed for curling hair. Wisps of her hair stuck out here and there, doing everything it could not to look polished. She sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. Her white skin shone like a china dolls, and her blue eyes sparkled beneath heavily laden eyelashes. She leaned in, close to the mirror to pinch her cheeks to give them a bit of color.  Smiling she turned to leave the powder room for the lobby. She had always loved grand hotels, and this one was no exception. The lobby ceiling was high, and it gave the room a feel of openness. She looked around for the familiar head of curly hair, but could not find it. Disappointed she slumped down in the nearest chair. He had said he would be here. She glanced up at the clock on the lobby mantle, he was half an hour late, just then a deep voice came from behind her.

“Hello Katie May”

Katherine spun around in her chair, and there he stood.

“George” she sighed.

He grinned down at her from beneath his dark mustache and held out his hand to help her out of her chair. She took it, and it was like coming home. She beamed at him as she rose to her feet.

“We don’t have much time,” He whispered in her ear.

She pouted up at him “I know, you are late.” She said with a small hint of bitterness. In truth, she was happy for any time she had with him, regardless of how short.  She looked into his bright hazel eyes and saw the passion that lay beneath them. Her heart began to race. No matter how long they had been together, he still managed to take her breath away. Still holding her hand, George lead her up the stairs, down the hall, and finally to a small bedroom. There was no need to talk, not now. He closed the door behind them and moved to where she stood next to the plump bed.

“How long do we have?” She asked, as George began to unlace her dress.

“Long enough” He whispered against her neck. The hairs around the spot where he kissed stood on end, as a sigh escaped her lips.

“Oh George, it is never long enough.”

They lay in the rumpled bed as the afternoon light shone in through the curtains.  George was wrapped in the sheets and Katherine was as curled around him as she could be, her long hair spread out behind her. Her heart was still pounding in her ears. While they were together, everything was bliss. It was only in the short moments after that regret and shame would flood her. A lump was forming in her throat as she lay there with George, she had to shove the tears deep down inside her, and she could not show him how much she hurt.

“I have to go soon.” He said, his Scottish accent filling the room, and striking her to her very core.

“Does your wife know you are gone?”

“I am not sure, but it wont be long before she does. She is starting to ask questions Katie.”

Katherine grimaced. She knew that Mary would ask questions, because Tom was starting to as well.

“Tom is starting to ask questions too…”

She could feel George stiffen next to her. He hated Tom more that Katherine hated Mary. And, in truth he had cause.

George circled a spot on her arm, close to where he lay. It was still a little blue, she had hope he wouldn’t notice, but George always noticed.

“Did he do this to you?” He asked, very seriously.

Katherine looked away, careful not to look into those eyes, eyes that always found the truth.

“He is hurting you again Katherine!”

“No more than you are hurting me George!”

He looked at her in amazement. “I have never… I would never…”

“The wound you have done to my heart is just as bad, if not worse so do not pretend to be the better man.”

“I am a better man!” His accent was growing thicker, and louder. Red color was flooding through his pale skin.  Katherine sat up and got out of the bed, searching for her clothing that was scattered around the room. She could not cope with the overwhelming guilt that was starting to flood her.

“You cannot compare yourself to Tom.”

“Katherine he hits you! He cannot be a good man.”

“Oh? And you are so perfect? You who cheat on your wife?”

The blow had worked, just as she knew it would. George looked as if he had been slapped across the face.

“This is different…”

“This is no different.” She said cutting him off. “Every sin is equal in the eyes of God.”

George still tangled in the sheets, remained in the bed as Katherine dressed herself.

The silence between them was so tense she could scarce draw breath. The words to follow had to come had to be said.

“George, perhaps we are fooling ourselves.”

“What do you mean?”

“Every time we meet we end up having the same argument. I think that- that we cannot do this any more.”

George bolted upright.  “What?” He whispered.

Katherine turned to him, her shoulders angled back. She had to do this; the weight in her chest was too full.

“We are married. I think maybe Tom will leave me alone if he stops suspecting I am unfaithful. I need to protect myself, and my heart cannot take this anymore.” Tears were beginning to fill her eyes, and she turned away.  

“Katie, no. Please. I cannot loose you again.”

“You lost me George Ramsey the moment you married Mary.”

“Katie…”

“This is the last time I will meet with you. Good bye George.” She said, and before he could talk her into staying, she opened the door and ran right out of the hotel.